Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Graduate Catalogue 
    
2020-2021 Graduate Catalogue Archived Catalogue

Community College Leadership, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate


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Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Denise Henning

The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate program in Community College Leadership (CCL) is intended to engage current community college administrators and faculty members in learning about the unique aspects of community colleges. Courses focus on diversity among community colleges leadership, a comprehensive overview of the mission, functions, and organizational management, including policy and budgeting, and teaching and learning at community colleges. The program is delivered in a hybrid format that provides flexibility for full-time professionals who may need access to distance education options. A summer residency provides structured opportunities for campus interaction among students and with community college leaders and policymakers.

Certificate Program Objectives


Program objectives for the certificate program in Community College Leadership align with the 6 Competencies for Community College Leaders identified by the American Association of Community Colleges (see https://www.aacc.nche.edu/):

  1. Organizational Strategy – using data-driven strategies to address complex organizational and management issues;
  2. Resource Management – ethical effective use of all resources, including economic and human resources, to support programs and services;
  3. Communication – ability to effectively convey goals and vision to campus community;
  4. Collaboration – embrace and engage all members of the campus, local, regional, and state communities in ways that honor and celebrate their contributions and advance the goals of the institution;
  5. Community College Advocacy – advocate for the values reflected in the historic missions of community colleges (e.g., open access, learner-centered approaches, and lifelong learning) with political leaders and scholarly publications (i.e., scholarship on teaching and learning);
  6. Professionalism – maintain self-care and promote work-life balance and an ethical work environment for all staff, faculty, and community members.

Admission Requirements


Applicants seeking admission to the graduate certificate in community college leadership must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionall accredited college or university in this country, or its equivalent in a foreign institution based on a four-year program, and have a strong overall academic record with a 3.0 average or better overall grade point average (GPA). Applicants should also currently hold a position at a community college or be interested in working at a community college.

To apply for admission to the graduate Certificate in Community College Leadership program, you must submit the following:

  1. An application for admission to the graduate school;
  2. Official transcripts of all prior university or college coursework (undergraduate and graduate);
  3. Three recommendations by individuals in professionally relevant fields; and
  4. Personal statement that addresses the following: discuss a current issue facing community colleges today. In what ways would you hope to contribute to addressing this issue as a leader at a community college in the future?
  5. Curriculum vitae or resume
  6. International students: TOEFL minimum scores of 79 on the Internet-based exam or 550 on the paper-based exam. TOEFL scores are good for two years from the date the test is administered.
  7. Application and supplemental documents must be submitted by the published deadline.

Policies Governing Certificate Admission Criteria and Subsequent Admission to Graduate Degree Programs


The certificate admission criteria and policies governing the relation of certificates to graduate degree programs include the following:

  1. Non-degree UNCW graduate students who wish to pursue the certificate program must apply for admission to the program before 10 approved credit hours are completed.
  2. No transfer credit from another institution will be counted toward the completion of the certificate program with the exception of courses offered as part of an agreement between the certificate program and regionally accredited institutions.
  3. A certificate graduate student may register on either a part-time or a full-time basis.

Certificate Requirements (12 credit hours)


The program leading to the Post-Baccalaurate Certificate in Community College Leadership focuses on a diverse range of topics relevant to the unique context of community colleges.

Core Courses (12 credit hours required)


  • EDL 557/657: The Comprehensive Community College    Credits: 3
  • EDL 537/637: Organizational Strategy & Resource Management in Community Colleges    Credits: 3
  • EDL 538/638: Teaching & Learning in Community Colleges    Credits: 3
  • EDL 539/639: Community College Leadership    Credits: 3

Important Note


Please note that credits for courses taken in the Certificate program are part of the approved coursework for the Higher Education specializations of the M.Ed. in Education and the Ed.D. in Educational Leadership. Individuals who wish to enter into the M.Ed. in Education or Ed.D. in Educational Leadership must apply to the Graduate School as degree-seeking students before the completion of 10 credit hours.

CCL courses are offered both on campus and via distance technology, allowing professionals to earn their degrees and/or certificates by taking courses on-campu, via distance technology, or a combination of both types.

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