University of Charleston

University of Charleston

Certificate Programs

Enhance Your Career and Build Knowledge

Focus Your Expertise

Certificate programs are a convenient way to develop new skills, open up additional employment opportunities, and to help your current organization improve.

Best of all, they offer the flexibility you need to complete a program without disrupting your life.

From leadership development, to healthcare, to management, to cybersecurity, our programs can be completed in conjunction with a degree program or as a standalone certificate.

Many of our certificate programs also include opportunities to earn professional certifications that further open doors to new opportunities and career advancements.

We offer two different types of programs – self-paced, on-demand certificate programs and programs that are offered frequently at specific times.

 

Professional Certificate Programs

 

Frequently Offered Certificate Programs

These certificate programs are offered at specific times with set start and completion dates. Participants complete the program with a cohort of other adult learners. Many are offered online, providing the flexibility required for busy professionals.

Lean Six Sigma | Green Belt
Lean Six Sigma is a management method that relies on a collaborative team effort to improve performance and reduce wasted time and energy. The Green Belt certification program leads to an understanding of all aspects of the Lean Six Sigma Method, including competence in the phases of Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control (DMAIC) as defined by the IASSC Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Body of Knowledge.

Register for the Lean Six Sigma | Green Belt Certification

Lean Six Sigma | Black Belt
Lean Six Sigma is a management method that relies on a collaborative team effort to improve performance and reduce wasted time and energy. The Black Belt Certification leads to an understanding of team leadership, team dynamics, and the ability to successfully assign team members with roles and responsibilities. Successful certification completion leads to a high-level understanding of the DMAIC model (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control), basic knowledge of lean enterprise concepts and skills to quickly identify “non-value-added” activities.

Register for the Lean Six Sigma | Black Belt Certification

Cybersecurity 
We offer both Network+ and Security+ certification courses. These courses have been designed and delivered for organizations like the West Virginia National Guard and are available to all audiences.

Ascend in Law Enforcement Leadership with Our Free 25-Week Certificate Program

Elevate your law enforcement career with the University of Charleston’s Senior Law Enforcement Leadership Certificate Program. Fully funded and online, this 25-week program is tailored for professionals at all ranks in West Virginia.

Discover Leadership Excellence in Law Enforcement

Discover your potential and rise as a leader through the University of Charleston’s Senior Law Enforcement Leadership Certificate Program. Designed for law enforcement professionals across all ranks in West Virginia, this 25-week program merges leadership with excellence, offering a comprehensive, flexible, and entirely online curriculum. Immerse yourself in a journey dedicated to the core principles of law enforcement leadership, enhancing skills in critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving that are crucial for impactful leadership roles.

Fully Funded Program for West Virginia Law Enforcement Professionals

Thanks to a generous federal grant, this transformative program is available at no cost to participants, removing financial barriers to advanced training. The grant covers the full cost of the program, typically priced at $5700, ensuring that all eligible professionals can access this invaluable opportunity without financial strain.

Who is Eligible?

  • All law enforcement professionals in West Virginia, including municipal, county, state, or federal levels.

 

Program Features and Benefits

  • Flexibility:   Geared towards working professionals, our program offers a series of forward-looking online modules that can be accessed through our advanced distance learning technology.
  • Expert Faculty:   Benefit from the knowledge and experience of faculty members with extensive backgrounds in law enforcement and military leadership.
  • Career Advancement:   Equip yourself with the essential knowledge needed for higher leadership roles within law enforcement.
  • Networking Opportunities:   Build connections with peers and foster collaboration and mutual learning through our network of professionals.

 

Comprehensive Curriculum Overview

The program includes five meticulously designed courses, each lasting five weeks, for a total of 25 weeks of specialized training:

  1. Leadership Health, Wellness, and Morale (Aug 19 – Sep 20, 2024)
  2. Developing Leadership Skills for Escalation Prevention & Management (Sep 23 – Oct 25, 2024)
  3. Crisis Leadership (Oct 28 – Dec 6, 2024)
  4. Managing Civil Unrest (Jan 6 – Feb 7, 2025)
  5. COMPSTAT: Data and Accountability (Feb 10 – Mar 21, 2025)

 

A formal graduation ceremony will be held in spring 2025 at the University of Charleston, celebrating the achievements and advancements of our graduates.

How to Apply

Ready to transform your leadership skills? Follow these steps to apply:

  1. Click the Apply Now link.
  2. Create an Account.
  3. Select “Fall 2024 Start Term.”
  4. Choose “Law Enforcement Leadership Certificate.”
  5. Complete and submit the registration form.
  6. Email your current driver’s license to andrewcurrence@ucwv.edu.

Leadspace© Leadership Course with Certification

Engage in your commitment to leadership development as you learn how to put your energy in motion to lead by embracing Leadspace© leadership. The Leadspace© leadership course teaches a new and refreshing approach to leadership development for those seeking an in-depth understanding of effective leadership and “how” to be a better leader, today.

What is Leadspace© Leadership?
Leadspace© Leadership embodies a scholar-practitioner perspective on leadership development, emphasizing not just the ‘What’ but more importantly, the ‘How’ to build a leader’s awareness. Leadspace© leadership is backed by extensive research drawing from ~100 years of executive leadership experience responding to natural disasters. The result is a groundbreaking ‘Interdisciplinary Theory of Leadership’, empowering leaders from both military and civilian backgrounds to action dynamic capabilities to thrive, not just survive.

Why Leadspace© Leadership?
By developing a Leadspace© leadership perspective, leaders are better equipped to tackle everyday tasks, projects, and challenges with a high degree of effectiveness and adaptability. This course is designed to meet leaders at many levels of industry and experience, there are no pre-course requirements.

By employing a scholar-practitioner approach, the course utilizes an ACT/FACT/IMPACT methodology that has an immediate impact on achieving course outcomes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqFFdJ59kBE

Who can use Leadspace© Leadership?

  • High-potential employees identified as future leaders who will benefit from leadership skill development- leadership knowledge we wish we knew starting over.
  • Middle and senior-level managers looking to transition from traditional management to authentic leadership- leveling up leadership practices to get to the next step.
  • C-suite executives seeking to enhance their leadership capabilities and guide their organizations effectively- learn how to create more effective executives.

 

How does the Leadspace© Leadership course benefit leaders?
By achieving the following practical outcomes, each leader will be able to:

  • Develop actionable mental models for sense making by thinking critically
  • Apply decision making domain awareness for judgments based upon environment
  • Generate a post operational analysis approach discovering debrief focal points for success
  • Create a greater understanding of relationships through connection and trust
  • Build upon responsibilities to improve dynamic capabilities in each aspect of operations
  • Drive roles toward exploring optimum cognitive distance and innovative ideas

 

Leadspace© Leadership Course Certificate*
The Leadspace© Leadership certificate is a declaration of demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities of a leader that will thrive in complexity environments based upon a unique perspective and ability to think critically, make domain aware decisions, and solve problems while co-producing effective outcomes for their organizations by promoting relationships, responsibilities, and roles.

To achieve certification as a Leadspace© Leader, proficiency in leadership must be demonstrated through a comprehensive learning assessment process. This process involves evaluating leadership knowledge, skills, and abilities through both quantitative and qualitative measures. Quantitative analysis is conducted through a 24-question survey, while qualitative analysis is assessed via a 45-question oral examination during impact activities. Successful completion of these assessments is mandatory for certification.

* The University of Charleston recognizes graduates of the Leadspace© Leadership Course through partnership and extends a 10% tuition discount on programs at the UC School of Leadership.

Leadspace© Leadership Course
Time commitment: 1-day course, 6-8 hours, Virtual-Instructor Led
Requirements: Pre & Post Survey
Materials: Leadspace© Leadership Handbook (E-Version Provided)
Cost: $1500

Register for the Leadspace© Leadership Course

Find out more about Leadspace© Leadership at:
www.kineticleadershipconsulting.com

For more information, contact:
Dr. Sarah E. Hess
Certification Coordinator
sarahhess@ucwv.edu
828-612-8729

Fundamentals for Municipal Leadership

A comprehensive and dynamic program designed to empower current and aspiring municipal leaders to make a significant and positive impact on your community. Each session includes interactive discussions, case studies, and group activities, facilitated by experienced municipal leaders.

Our flexible virtual delivery allows participants to immerse themselves in the subject matter while accommodating their professional commitments. Together, we can build a stronger and more prosperous West Virginia through effective municipal governance.

Who Should Attend

West Virginia municipal and staff and professionals interested in gaining a comprehensive understanding of municipal service, governance practices, and leadership fundamentals.

Certificate

Upon successful completion of the course, participants receive a certificate recognizing their commitment to effective and responsible municipal governance.

Registration Fee and Payment Methods

$3,900. Payment due prior to course start by credit card, personal ECheck, organization or City PO or credit card. Upon successful completion payors may apply for partial reimbursement.

Municipal Governance Overview

Roles and Functions — Introduces fundamentals of municipal governance including Human Resources, Services, Planning and Zoning, Taxation, Local Business Support, Collaboration between communities and in the larger region, and accessing and using county. state and federal governments programs and services.

Municipal Governance Why? — Service as Purpose — A service model for municipal governance depends on recognizing the needs of residents, taxpayers, and visitors, and crafting valued services and products to meet them. Services are defined in terms of the customer experience or service output and have a value proposition and strategic value. A municipal governance service model requires responsiveness, valuing customers, and being adaptable and results oriented.

Personal Effectiveness Foundations

What is your Why? — Personal effectiveness depends, in part, on What you do (your mission) and How you do it (your principles and values); but personal success depends on knowing your Why and aligning your actions to that Why. Having a clear sense of purpose contributes to personal well-being and service to others.

Self-awareness & Self-Management — Accountability and responsibility begin with self-awareness, positive self-regard, and discipline. Meeting deadlines and commitments are central to personal success and service.

Behavioral Styles and Preferences — Self-assessment and understanding the DiSC behavioral styles for tasks and relationships helps individuals get what they need and want. Building skills in recognizing and flexing behavioral style also improves relationships with others by giving them what they need and want.

Mindsets and Motivation — Mindsets influence motivation and set the stage for how we act. A motivated mindset is required for personal effectiveness and requires strength, positivity, courage, confidence, and self discipline, and habits that are reflected in grit, resilience, and abundance thinking.

Working with Others

Communication — Strong communication skills can enhance trust and build relationships with co-workers, partners, citizens, and other stakeholders which in turn encourages engagement. Key communication skills of listening, empathy, perspective taking, and providing information and guidance across multiple media are central to effective municipal governance.

Teamwork — Teamwork requires creating cooperation, coordination, and mutual support to work together toward a common goal. Principles and practices for collective effort leverage individual skills, knowledge, and effort. Team members need to feel heard and valued, understand their roles and responsibilities in the larger group, and be accountable for individual tasks to achieve the goal.

Collaboration — Collaboration allows people with different ideas to work together and commit to creating something new. This partnership requires active engagement in a group sharing a common purpose. To share responsibilities in a free-flowing, non-hierarchical manner involves advanced problem solving and strong interpersonal skills.

Culture – Belonging, Diversity, Engagement — A municipality’s culture is identified by rituals, norms, values, symbols, language, artifacts. Culture influences our views, values, priorities, and decisions. Our cultural lens or frames shape how we interpret and act on events. High-performing municipalities build cultures that promote belonging, diversity, and engagement.

Building a Values-Based Municipality

Ethics Light and Shadow — Ethical lights play a crucial role in a values-based culture. Promoting public welfare, efficient delivery of essential services, upholding principles, and fostering social justice and civic engagement contribute to creating a positive environment. Ethical shadows cast doubt on the integrity of municipal government and must be guarded against.

Values — Values that align with the mission and vision of a municipality guide decisions and actions and advance engagement. Building a values-based municipality calls for modeling, communicating, embedding values in processes, and fostering inclusion to support employees’ empowerment to live the values.

Teachable Point of View (Ideas, Values, Edge & Energy) — Developing a teachable point of view is a means of laying the foundation for building a values based municipality. A TOPV identifies ideas about how to deliver results as a high-performing
municipality, the values that guide now to act and make judgments, the emotional energy to stimulate, and displays the willingness and ability to face reality and make tough decision. Communicating the TPOV requires effective storytelling that is engaging and impactful.

Community Image/Reputation/Brand — Image and reputation influence how people see and interact with a municipality. A community’s image is subjective and affects how people feel about the community. A community’s reputation is perceptions of the community’s services and how the community and its employees operate. A community’s brand as a place captures the essence of the community and can help attract investment and retain a talent pool.

Quality and Process Improvement

Defining Quality — Applying quality management within the service model for municipalities requires understanding the Voice of the Customer, Customer Satisfaction, and Creating Public Value.

Process Improvement — Quality improvement calls for a process mindset and a DMAIC methodology (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control). Tools such as the Fishbone, Flowchart, Process Map, Check Sheet, Run Chart, and Pareto Chart facilitate problem solving for process improvement.

For more information, contact:
Dr. Sarah E. Hess
Certification Coordinator
sarahhess@ucwv.edu
828-612-8729

Register for the Fundamentals for Municipal Leadership Certificate

UC frequently designs and delivers custom certificate program tailored to the specific needs of organizations and groups of professionals. To learn more about custom and frequently offered certificate programs, contact Sarah Hess, Director of Business Development at sarahhess@ucwv.edu.

Completion of certain non-credit-bearing certificate programs may qualify for prior learning credit that can be applied toward a UC degree program. All evaluations are conducted by the Student Solutions Center which can be contacted at solutions@ucwv.edu.