The certificate in Leadership Studies is an interdisciplinary non-degree program. Our commitment is to continue building a culture of leadership in the El Paso del Norte border region. The graduate certificate will help students to become leaders who are resilient and adapt quickly to change; leaders with a global vision but protective of their local community; leaders who understand complex systems and work with others who do not have the same priorities that they do, and individuals who lead a massive systemic change with a different perspective that requires equity, diversity, and inclusivity.

All students take core leadership courses covering the topics of contemporary leadership theories, concepts, principles, and practices. The program of study for the certificate in Leadership Studies has a research and practice format. The graduate certificate is designed for those who aspire to be leaders and full-time working professionals interested in career advancement. Because of its interdisciplinary nature, the certificate complements any field of study or profession, and it fosters the development of leadership in scholarship and in the workplace.

Admissions Requirements

• An official transcript, with the four-year baccalaureate degree posted, from the degree-granting institution and copies of transcripts for all other relevant upper-division and graduate work at accredited U.S. institutions or equivalent work and degrees at foreign institutions.
• Statement of Purpose

For graduates from institutions outside the United States where English is not the first language, the graduate school requires a minimum score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Please consult graduate school website for required scores,

http://catalog.utep.edu/admissions/graduate/graduate-student/

• The Graduate Certificate program offers the same classes as the MA in Leadership Studies program.
• Serves as a stand-alone certificate for students not seeking the commitment of a full master’s degree.
• We offer both online and hybrid (face to face) courses. 
• Students can take their courses entirely online, or in class, or do a combination of both.
• Requires a total of 18 credit hours (6 courses) to complete the program.
• Students are required to take all 6 courses. No transfer credits are accepted.

Degree Plan

Required credits: 18

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Required Courses
MLS 5300	Contemp Concepts of Leadership	3
MLS 5315	Org Theory and Behavior	3
MLS 5326	Leadership-Organizatnl Change	3
MLS 5331	Leadership Communications	3
Electives
Choose two course below:		6
MLS 5303	Applied Research Methods
MLS 5321	Leadership in Complex Org.
MLS 5340	Team Based Leadership
MLS 5351	Ethics & Leadership-Capstone
MLS 5352	Internship
MLS 5360	Border Leadership
MLS 5361	Lead. in Diverse Cultures
MLS 5362	Lead. Sports, & Comm. Engage
MLS 5380	Special Topics
Total Hours		18

 NOTE: As several of the Graduate Certificate Students we have had already a Master’s degree, the research method course adds no new skill set. Therefore, we choose to replace the MLS 5303 Applied Research Methods with the MLS 5326 Leadership of Organizational Change as it provides a better perspective on how to navigate and adapt to change within the organization. Finally, for those students who do no have a Master’s degree, the MLS 5303 Applied Research Methods course is still available as an elective.

The University of Texas at El Paso
Leadership and Community Engagement
Kelly Hall Room 215
500 W University
El Paso, Texas 79968

Andrea Tellez, MA
Program Advisor
Email: atellez5@utep.edu
Phone: 915-747-8580
Fax: 915-747-8504