Communication & Leadership Certificate Program

Photo of a leadership team meeting

Program Description

The Communication & Leadership Certificate Program equips participants with the essential skills and knowledge to excel as strong communicators and effective leaders. Effective communication is the cornerstone of successful leadership, and this program is designed to empower individuals to inspire, engage, and lead with confidence.

Program Highlights:

  • Engage Your Audience: Effective leaders need to engage their audience in relevant and meaningful ways. This program will provide participants with techniques to capture the attention and interest of their listeners, ensuring that their messages are impactful and well-received.
  • Boost Credibility and Inspiration: Communication is not just about conveying information; it’s about building credibility and inspiring others. Participants will learn how to communicate in a manner that boosts their credibility and motivates those they lead.
  • Negotiation Mastery: Leadership often involves negotiation, and this program will help participants build a solid command of the principal elements of negotiation. Whether it’s in the boardroom or in daily interactions, negotiation skills are vital for effective leadership.
  • Persuasive Communication: The ability to persuasively communicate ideas and proposals is a hallmark of a successful leader. Participants will gain insights and techniques to communicate persuasively to a variety of audiences, making their ideas more influential and impactful.

The Communication & Leadership Certificate Program comprises three required courses and one elective course, offering participants the flexibility to tailor their learning experience to their specific needs and interests. The curriculum is designed to provide a well-rounded understanding of communication and leadership principles and practices.

Upon successful completion of the program, participants will receive a Communication & Leadership Certificate from Human Dimensions of Organizations at UT Austin.

Contact Us

If you have questions prior to registering, please see our Professional Training FAQ or contact Andrew M. Vasquez, HDO’s Enrollment & Success Coordinator at hdo-pro@austin.utexas.edu.

Details & Registration

Location: UT Austin
Cost: $4,000

Dates: Various
Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. each day
Continuing Education Units (CEUs): 2.4 – 24 hours of instruction (CEUs awarded upon completion of the program)

Requirements: You must complete the three courses below and one elective course (see elective options) within 18 months:

Pricing

Registration fee includes all course fees, course materials, catering (breakfast, lunch, and refreshments), WiFi access, and parking.

  • Standard Registration: $4,000
  • UT System Staff/Alumni Registration: $3,000 (email to request code)
  • Educator, Nonprofit, Government, Military Registration: $3,000 (email to request code)

Who Should Enroll

This program is ideally suited for professionals and leaders across a variety of industries who wish to enhance their communication skills and leadership abilities. Whether you are a manager, supervisor, or aspiring leader, this program will equip you with the tools and knowledge to excel in your role and effectively lead your team or organization.

Elevate your leadership potential and communication skills by enrolling in the Communication & Leadership Certificate Program at UT Austin. Learn to engage your audience, inspire your team, negotiate effectively, and persuade with confidence, ultimately becoming a more impactful and influential leader.

Get Employer Support

The most effective way to convince your employer to support your education is to emphasize the win-win factor of your participation in an HDO program.

We’ve gathered resources to help you make the case for your employer to support your HDO education.

From Certificate Seeker to Competitive Advantage in Just Four Days

Built on strong academic fundamentals and real-world relevance, HDO Certificate Programs are designed to enhance the portfolios of mid- and upper-level professionals.

Over the course of your program, you will gain immediately-applicable tools and skills to accelerate your career, whether your goal is advancing in your current organization, deepening your capacities to excel in your existing role, or developing additional skills for a transition to a new position. In the process, you will learn alongside and network with experienced professionals from a wide range of industries.

Courses Led by Top Faculty

“My favorite part of the Certificate Program was, hands down, the cross-disciplinary faculty. What remarkable minds! I gained multiple new lenses through which to view workplace challenges. I felt so lucky to have exposure and access to these extraordinary educators. The HDO faculty is world class. I can’t stop raving.”

Sarah Gerichten, Director of Marketing, Square Root, Inc.

Registration & Fees

Standard Registration: $4,000
Discounted Registration: $3,000

Discounted registration is available for UT alumni and staff, as well as individuals who work in the nonprofit, education, government, or military sectors.

Our registration system accepts payment by credit/debit card, check, and purchase order. We also accept Interdepartmental Transfer (IDT) payments for UT Austin faculty and staff.

Transformative Experiences

“HDO’s Certificate Program provided me an opportunity to learn from dynamic professors and network with various industry professionals in the pursuit of being a better leader, driven by the desire to achieve operational excellence, all while trying to understand people, behaviors, and motivations. I found this experience truly enlightening.” 

Brian L. Robbins, Director of Operations Management at Life Care Services

As a professional, I don’t always have time for continuing education, and frankly, much of it goes ‘in one ear and out the other.’ HDO is different: You learn tangible, applicable, and very relevant tools and techniques. The way I look at the work I do has changed since the completion of my Certificate Program and the impact on my overall effectiveness has been substantial.

Rachel Fox, Senior IT Manager, HP

I’ve been in Executive Management for over 20 years. The courses I took in the HDO program helped me to gain a fresh perspective on management; specifically, on how people work. I highly recommend taking a seminar or obtaining a certification in this program.

Dorothy A. Benavidez, Executive Vice President, CRAssociates, Inc.

UT Austin