About this Program

Our online graduate certificate in Community College Leadership is designed for emerging leaders in community college administration, as well as administrators who have recently transitioned to a community college from careers in other industries. Students take live, video online courses in the fall and spring semesters, then participate in an internship during the summer. Certificate courses can be completed in one or two years.

Program Highlights

  • Stackable: Credits earned in the Certificate Program are stackable and can be applied to the doctoral degree for students admitted to ODU's Ph.D. Program in Community College Leadership.

  • High-Quality: Graduates of the certificate program earn a credential from a Community College Leadership program with a national reputation for excellence. Our program has a strong reputation for its combination of academic rigor and executive-level leadership preparation.

  • Comprehensive: The certificate provides high-quality learning experiences with dedicated faculty members and community college leaders, ensuring a broad-based, comprehensive graduate experience for students. Courses are team-taught by dedicated faculty and national community college leaders, as well as state and institutional guest speakers from across the U.S.

  • Affordable: Our competitive tuition rates for both in-state and out-of-state students make the program affordable for community college leaders throughout the United States.

  • Critical Skills: Certificate courses cover: community college leadership; curriculum, program development, and quality assurance; finance, fundraising, resource management; and community college politics, policy, and advocacy.

Careers

Check out these ideas from ODU Career Development Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is a midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

Education Administrators, Postsecondary

$107,670 Median Salary

Plan, direct, or coordinate research, instructional, student administration and services, and other educational activities at postsecondary institutions, including universities, colleges, and junior and community colleges.

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Community College Leadership at ODU?
Students entering the Certificate program in Community College Leadership should meet the minimum university admission requirements Graduate Admission.

Graduate certificate applicants are considered on a rolling basis to begin in the fall or spring semester. Applicants will:

  • complete an online application, and pay application fee;

  • upload transcripts of all undergraduate and/or graduate work at regionally-accredited institutions;

  • Applicants also upload supplemental materials including:  

    • A CV or resume that describes the applicant's academic and professional background.  
    • One (1) letter of recommendation that demonstrates the applicant's academic ability, writing ability, and leadership potential. Applicants will enter the emails for references in the online system, and references will be emailed a link to upload a letter of recommendation on letterhead and complete the online reference form.

Cost

Estimated rates for the 2023-24 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Anyone that is not a current Virginia resident will be charged non-resident rates. That includes international students.

Virginia Resident
Cost Per-Credit $599
Technology Delivered Courses Outside Virginia and/or the United States
Cost Per-Credit $623
Non-Resident
Cost Per-Credit $1,439

Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending ODU. For more information visit University Student Financial aid

Contact

Associate Professor

EDUCATION BUILDING
NORFOLK, 23529