Program Overview

Are you a UMass Amherst senior looking forward to your first professional position and want to get the basics in effective leadership and managerial skills? Or are you a recent graduate and have your sights set on a leadership position in a business? Maybe you have recently embarked upon your career journey and are looking to advance your skills? If any of these resonates with you, Isenberg’s Business Leadership Development Program is where your search ends. Excel in the creative and ever changing world of business with unprecedented leadership abilities honed by just three classes.

Students in the program will acquire core skills that will allow them to understand and address current trends and issues in business leadership. Specific knowledge and skills include (but are not limited to) understanding how leaders view an organization’s structure, manage human resources, and leverage the attributes of effective leadership.

Coursework

Earn your online certificate in three courses (9 credit hours of graduate-level courses). These courses will be offered in a lockstep format with one course being offered over each academic year (i.e., fall and spring terms), resulting in a 3-year completion window. Networking opportunities at satellite locations will also be available to improve professional connections.

• Leadership and Organizational Behavior
• Human Resource Management
• Dimensions of Effective Leadership

How to Apply

You must apply for acceptance to the Business Leadership certificate. Successful applicants will have a minimum of a recent bachelor’s degree from UMass Amherst or currently enrolled in their final semester at UMass Amherst.

All applicants must submit the following along with the application form: 

• 1 page Personal Statement, explaining why you would be a good candidate for the program (upload with application) 
• Resume (upload with application) 
• 1 Letter of Reference, preferably a UMass faculty or staff member who can speak to your leadership qualities. References should be submitted via email to mba@isenberg.umass.edu direct from the reference.