Contact Us
Phone: (202) 885-2940
Graduate programs: spagrad@american.edu
Undergraduate programs: aupublicaffairs@american.edu
Vision
The Key Undergraduate Leadership Certificate Program focuses on developing the foundational skills, knowledge, and values needed for future public and non-profit leaders.
Pillars
Our classes and activities will focus in the following four key pillars: Strategy, Agility, Connection, Reflection. Learn more through our PDF handout听or watch a recording of our .
At A Glance
- 12 credit hour certificate works with any major at AU
- Required internship for credit
- Community building initiatives
- opens in spring
Course Requirements
- SPA-352, Leadership for Key Undergraduates (1)
- SPA-353, The Emotionally Intelligent Leader (3)
- SPA-354, Contemporary Approaches to Leadership (1)
- SPA-355, Problem Solving for Leaders (1)
- SPA-356, Key Undergraduate Organizational Behavior (3 - 6)
- SPA-357, Leadership Reflection (3)
Curriculum
Download our Curriculum Requirements PDF.
Year 1
SPA-352 Leadership for Key Undergraduates (1 credit)
Credit Hour(s): one | Semester: Fall
This initial course, modeled on Leadership for Key Executives (PUAD-622), provides students with team-building opportunities and establishes cohort norms designed to create an inclusive culture of trust. These early sessions also build a year-one foundation for what will become a career-long support group.
SPA-353听The Emotionally Intelligent Leader (3听credits)
Credit Hour(s): three | Semester: Spring
This course will help students understand the impact of a leader鈥檚 emotional intelligence on agency/organizational culture, performance, wellness, diversity & inclusion, and other outcomes. Students will learn about the drivers of emotional intelligence and how those drivers align to individual and organizational wellness. Additionally, students will take an emotional intelligence assessment (EQi2.0) and receive executive coaching. Students will learn skills to improve their resilience as they navigate life and work challenges.
Year 2
SPA-354听Contemporary Approaches to Leadership (1 credit)
Credit Hour(s): one | Semester: Fall
Students will examine changing conceptions around leadership in recent years and align the role of leadership to complex public administration challenges. Students will build on their year one work in emotional and social intelligence to influence, inspire, and create psychological safety.
SPA-355听Problem Solving for Leaders (1 credit)
Credit Hour(s): one | Semester: Spring
Students will study the methods for gathering and analyzing information that better inform effective and accurate decisions; learn to differentiate among different types of problems (i.e., simple, complicated, complex, and chaotic); and understand the correct leadership tools utilized in developing solutions.
Year 3
During the third year, students will start work on an internship assignment or research project focusing on an aspect of public administration leadership.
SPA-356听Key Undergraduate Organizational Behavior听(3-6听credits)
Credit Hour(s): three听| Semester: Spring
Students will learn the drivers of culture, managing the dyadic relationship
between supervisors and employees, building productive relationships with
peers, and understanding the different types of power influences. These sessions will include guest lectures from prominent Key and SPA alumni and public administration thought leaders.
Year 4
SPA-357听Leadership Reflections (3听credits)
Credit Hour(s): three听| Semester: Fall
This final course in the certificate program is designed to help students apply what they have learned since year one. The course is based on a particular premise: effective leadership, which is shared, relational, and part of a complex social dynamic involving inquiry and dialogue, is also an ongoing personal journey, requiring expanded cognitive and emotional intelligence.
Meet the Program Director
Dr. Russell Robinson is the Director of the newly created Key Undergraduate Leadership Program (Key). He is an alum of and Associate Professor within SPA, specifically the Key Executive Leadership Program. His expertise is on public sector leadership with an emphasis on employee voice/silence and employee engagement. He is a frequent guest lecturer and keynote speaker on the topics of the Future of Work, employee engagement, voice culture, resilience, wellness, and diversity & inclusion. Prior to working at AU, Robinson spent 22 years as a civil servant within the U.S. Federal Government, where he developed and taught leadership and culture to all levels of employees.
Hear from an Alum!
Questions?
School of Public Affairs Student Services
202-885-6200
aupublicaffairs@american.edu