Certificate in Organizational Leadership

Applicants seeking a Graduate Certificate in Organizational Leadership come from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds. No required major, employment position or specific expertise is a barrier to entry. 

To qualify for admission, you must meet all application requirements listed below no later than July 15th to be considered for the next fall cohort.

1. Complete the online graduate certificate application.
   • Upload a current resume or curriculum vitae (CV).
   • Complete a 500-1,000-word personal statement (similar to a letter of interest). This personal statement should reveal something about you as an applicant, the reason you want to pursue this graduate degree and how it will advance your future goals.
2. Hold a bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
   • If your cumulative GPA falls below a 3.0, in order to be considered for the program, you must include: (i) an explanation of GPA statement; and (ii) an additional letter of recommendation.
3. Submit transcripts from qualifying degree institution(s).
4. Demonstrate the ability to meet The College of Idaho’s technology requirements for the duration of the graduate program.
5. Submit a letter of recommendation from a professor, instructor, employer or work colleague. This letter should highlight your academic or professional experiences relevant to admission to this graduate degree program and evaluate your leadership, interpersonal skills, critical thinking, and judgement as well as your ability and capability to complete a graduate degree.
   • If your cumulative GPA falls below a 3.0, in order to be considered for the program, you must submit a second letter of recommendation.
6. Graduate Entrance Exam (optional) – No graduate entrance exam is required for the graduate certificate program. If you wish to include a score (GRE, MAT, LSAT or GMAT), it will be considered. It may be helpful to include a score if you have a GPA below a 3.0 or if you would otherwise like to bolster your application.

The Graduate Certificate in Organizational Leadership originates from and emphasizes the liberal arts. It draws from fields like psychology, sociology, and communications. Through its four core courses, you gain a foundational understanding of how to be a dynamic, influential and ethical leader in an ever-evolving organizational landscape.

• Leadership Theory
• Organizational Behavior
• Leadership Ethics
• Effective Organizational Communication

At The College of Idaho, we prioritize keeping education affordable so financial barriers don’t stop you from earning a graduate certificate or degree. Since 1891, we’ve followed our founding principle from President William Judson Boone: “Let them come, let them all come, and we will see what they can do.” We priced our graduate certificate with this in mind – tuition is below the national average for similar programs, ensuring you can focus on creating significant change in the professional world upon graduation.

The online Graduate Certificate in Organizational Leadership program consists of 16 credit hours that you can finish in just two terms. 

• 2025-2026 Tuition: $9,000
• Graduate Program and Technology Fee: $200

Note: The College of Idaho’s tuition and fees for the graduate certificate are due in full on or before August 15.

Once accepted into the program, students must pay a one-time, non-refundable matriculation deposit of $300 to secure their spot. This deposit is credited toward their first term's tuition.

Textbooks

We require graduate certificate students to purchase textbooks for their courses. Students may order books from The College of Idaho's online bookstore, which MBS Direct manages. Students with book vouchers can use them through MBS Direct.

Alternatively, students can order or rent books from other sources, such as Amazon, independent booksellers, textbook sites like textbooks.com or ecampus.com or directly from publishers. Before purchasing, students should carefully review book requirements and ensure they obtain the correct edition, using the ISBN for accuracy.

Note: The Cruzen-Murray Library does not endorse any of the retailers listed. We are providing this information for the benefit of students. 

Student Health Insurance

All graduate students enrolled in a residential certificate, master’s or doctoral program at The College of Idaho [or participating in a College athletic program] must have health insurance coverage. Students enrolled in exclusively online programs, such as the online Graduate Certificate in Organizational Leadership program, are encouraged but not mandated to have health insurance unless their immigration status requires it.

Online students can purchase student health insurance through The College of Idaho. The health insurance premium is $2,761 for the 2024-2025 plan year.

Upon enrollment in the program, students can access financial account and payment information online through Self Service. They can view real-time account balances, charges, payments and statements and make payments online via credit card or e-check. The payment terms and options simplify the payment process, ensuring students can focus on classes instead of financial concerns. 

To make a tuition payment, take the following steps:

1. Pay the full-term balance on or before the first day of class.

• Major credit cards are accepted. The Business Office also accepts cash or checks delivered in person or via mail. Learn how to make an online payment. 
• For international students, we partnered with TransferMate to streamline payments in their local currency from nearly any country. International payments are integrated into the Bill+Payment checkout process.

2. Sign up for interest-free monthly payments through Nelnet, our payment plan provider.

• Nelnet charges a single plan fee of $55 per semester, and students can apply online. 
• The Business Office reserves the right to discontinue or refuse the Nelnet payment plan option to students with poor credit history at The College of Idaho. 

3. Obtain additional loan funds through a private student loan. Email the Financial Aid Department at [email protected] with any questions.

Note: The College of Idaho reserves the right to charge interest on all unpaid balances at 1.5% per month. Interest is not charged to accounts enrolled in Nelnet.

The College of Idaho adheres to a fair and equitable refund policy consistent with the U.S. Department of Education's requirements. For information on our refund policy when students officially withdraw from any program or course, review the Graduate Catalog or contact the Business Office at [email protected] or 208-459-5227.

As the Graduate Certificate in Organizational Leadership requires payment in full at the beginning of the program, students who withdraw from such programs will be subject to the following refund policy. Student fees are non-refundable. 

• A 100% refund if the student withdraws on or before the Last Day to Drop of the first term/semester of the program;
• A 50% refund if the student withdraws after the Last Day to Drop but before the 15th day of the first term/semester of the program; and
• A 0% refund if the student withdraws on or after the 15th calendar day of the first term/semester of the program.