Professional Development Program
LEAD: Leadership and Professional Development Graduate Certificate
The LEAD certificate is designed to provide students with opportunities to master leadership and professional development competencies. The dynamic nature of today’s society and economy requires us all to think critically, communicate effectively, and transfer skills into multiple environments. LEAD facilitates learning and competencies required for academic, career, and personal success.
Why Leadership and Professional Development?
The dynamic and global nature of academia, business, healthcare, and other employment sectors require leaders who are able to develop solution-oriented teams that are able to produce high quality outcomes. Now more than ever are industries seeking ethical and competent leaders who can navigate uncertainty while fostering productivity. LEAD requires students to master the skills industry leaders articulate as most important for career success and advancement.
Why UAB LEAD?
LEAD at UAB offers world class educational experiences that are documented on an official transcript. In addition to gaining the skills and competencies needed to advance your career, at the conclusion of the LEAD graduate certificate program you will have earned 15 graduate school credit hours. As a regionally accredited institution, these credits may be applied to interdisciplinary degrees in accordance with institutional policies.
Who will benefit from LEAD courses?
- Anyone interested in improving upon their leadership skills.
- Employees seeking career advancement, or transferable skills to maximize employment mobility in today’s dynamic economy.
- Students preparing for admissions to graduate or professional school programs where leadership and team-work skills are expected.
- Students preparing for entry into the workforce who want to stand out among their peers as the candidate with the most promise.
- Professionals considering a graduate degree who want to gain practical skills associated with career advancement and quality of life.
- Current UAB employees who are satisfied with their environment and wish to apply an institutional benefit that supports continued academic learning.
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Course Details
LEAD courses are designed to meet the needs of its busy student cohorts. Courses are offered in various formats including evening, face-face classes, as well as online, hybrid or weekend seminar. The program is 15 credit hours taught at the 500 (master) level. To complete the certificate students must complete 4 required courses and select elective “Skill Builder” courses to earn the remaining credits.
Review the table below to see LEAD courses and when they are offered.
(total 15 credit hours: 10 required/core + 5 elective)
REQUIRED/CORE
Required Course Name Credit Hours Offered LEAD 500 Introduction to Leadership Behavior & Theory 3 CH Fall & Spring: Hybrid LEAD 520 Ethics in the Workplace 3 CH Spring: Online LEAD 540 Team Development and Dynamics 2 CH Summer: Hybrid LEAD 590 Capstone: Leadership ReDesigned 2 CH Fall & Spring: Hybrid ELECTIVES: CHOOSE 5 CREDIT HOURS IN TOTAL
Elective Name Credit Hours LEAD 501 Professional Writing for Leaders 1 CH LEAD 503 Professional Interviews and Interviewing 1 CH LEAD 505 Prioritization and Decision Making 1 CH LEAD 506 Emotional Intelligence 1 CH LEAD 521 Servant Leadership 1 CH LEAD 522 Followership 1 CH LEAD 542 Leading Diverse Teams 1 CH LEAD 543 Planning and Leading a Meeting 1 CH LEAD 570 Seminar in Leadership & Professional Development 1 - 3 CH NOTE: Find a description of each course here.
If you have additional questions regarding the LEAD curriculum, please email lead@uab.edu.
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Meet the LEAD Faculty & Instructors
All LEAD instructors demonstrate a passion for education, teaching, learning, and leadership development. We teach specific courses based upon our academic and professional experiences. If you are interested in discussing your interests with us, please reach out and let us know. Sharing ideas with others dedicated to professional development is one of the ways we like to stay connected with you, our students and colleagues.
Instructor Courses Taught Contact Information Dr. Michelle Allen LEAD 570: Diversity - Politics, Policy, & Practice mmallen@uab.edu Dr. Heather Ammons LEAD 570: Academic Advising History & Practice heammons@uab.edu Dr. Josh Carter LEAD 520: Ethics in the Workplace Dr. Anna Davis LEAD 505: Prioritization and Decision Making agdavis@uab.edu Dr. Lisa Marie Kerr LEAD 500: Introduction to Leadership,
LEAD 540: Team Development & Dynamics,
LEAD 590: Leadership Re-Designed,
LEAD 5XX: Various Skill Builder Courses
lkerr@uab.edu Dr. Virginia Lacey LEAD 500: Introduction to Leadership LEAD@uab.edu Dr. Tyler Peterson LEAD 524: Intergenerational Leadership tpeterson@uab.edu -
Become a LEAD Faculty/Instructor
All LEAD course instructors must meet the criteria to be credentialed course instructors (CCI) per UAB policy. Therefore, if you are interested in teaching a LEAD course please complete the LEAD CCI Information and Interest form linked below.
- According to SACSCOC, in order to be the instructor of record, the CCI must demonstrate:
- An earned doctorate or terminal degree in the teaching or related discipline, or
- An earned master’s degree in the teaching discipline, or a master’s degree with a minimum of 18 graduate semester hours earned in the teaching or related discipline; direct experience with the course content/leadership in the associated field; and willingness to receive guidance and support from the LEAD certificate director including meetings, training, feedback, and/or mid-semester and end of semester evaluation.
- If you are interested in proposing a new skill builder workshop or seminar course that meets the LEAD program objective (PO) and desired learning outcomes (DLO), you must provide a sample syllabus that demonstrates the alignment of the course with the PO and DLO.
- Documents that you must submit to receive CCI approval include:
- A copy of your current CV or resume
- Copies of your academic transcripts (these will need to be official copies prior to receiving your appointment letter)
- Completed copy of the CCI Information and Interest Form
- Completed copy of the CCI Roster Form
- According to SACSCOC, in order to be the instructor of record, the CCI must demonstrate:
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Application Checklist
- New students
- Please note that admissions to the LEAD graduate certificate is based upon previous academic work, letters of recommendation, and your personal statement. As you prepare to apply to LEAD:
- Update your resume and/or CV
- Write your personal statement to demonstrate how LEAD will support you in reaching your professional, academic, and/or personal goals.
- Identify and ask two people to write supportive letters of recommendation for you. It is a good idea to share your most recent resume or CV as well as your personal statement with them to help the personalize their letter.
- Request official copies of all your academic transcripts to be sent to UAB graduate admissions (more details in the application)
- Complete the online application.
- Pay the application fee
- Please note that admissions to the LEAD graduate certificate is based upon previous academic work, letters of recommendation, and your personal statement. As you prepare to apply to LEAD:
- New students
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You're Admitted - Next Steps
- New students: Visit the New Students to UAB page.
- Current students: Reach out to your program director to learn more about which classes to take and upcoming orientation.
- Questions: Email LEAD@uab.edu.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the admissions requirements for LEAD?
All applicants must:- Submit an official transcript demonstrating that you have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a 2.5 minimum grade point average.
- Submit a personal statement articulating why you seek to complete the LEAD graduate certificate relative to your academic, professional, or personal goals.
- Complete and submit the UAB Graduate School Application.
- GRE and MCAT are not required to be admitted.
Can undergraduate students take LEAD courses?
Yes. Current UAB undergraduate students may enroll in LEAD courses with their academic advisor’s permission. LEAD courses also meet the requirements for Honors College elective credits.Can a student take LEAD courses if that student is not enrolled in the LEAD certificate program?
Yes. You do not need to be admitted to the LEAD certificate in order to take a LEAD course. LEAD courses are great electives for professional and leadership development skills. Anyone in the following groups may enroll into LEAD Courses:- Undergraduate Jr. & Sr.
- Non-degree Seeking, Post-Bac
- Graduate Students
- Post-Doctoral Fellows
- Community members
- UAB employees
Can UAB employees use the tuition benefit to pay for LEAD courses?
Yes, current UAB employees may use the tuition benefits to take LEAD courses. Current UAB employees may take individual classes based upon their interest and professional goals, or apply to complete the LEAD certificate.
Registration
The Professional Development Program offers courses and workshops designed to improve the academic and professional communication skills of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows and to help prepare them for independent careers.
The Professional Development courses are open to all UAB graduate students. Postdoctoral fellows should contact the Office of Postdoctoral Education. Other interested persons should contact the program director for information on registration procedure and course availability. These courses are listed each semester in the UAB Class Schedule under Graduate School. All Professional Development courses are Pass/No Pass credit-bearing graduate courses.
Graduate Students
To register for any GRD courses or workshops, follow normal registration procedures as listed in the UAB Class Schedule. If you need additional information, contact Dr. Kellie Carter at kcarter@uab.edu.
Postdocs, Faculty, and Staff
Postdoctoral fellows should contact the Office of Postdoctoral Education at (205) 975-7020 for registration procedures.
For UAB faculty or staff to receive Educational Assistance reimbursement for tuition, they must first apply to the Graduate School as a nondegree-seeking student and then register for the course or workshop through normal registration procedures. A nondegree application is valid for three semesters (1 year) following the date of application. The deadlines listed in the UAB Class Schedule apply.
Questions?
If you need further information, contact Dr. Kellie Carter at kcarter@uab.edu.
UAB EXPERIENtial Learning for Career Enhancement in the Sciences (EXPERIENCES) Program
What
A professional development initiative that introduces UAB graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to emerging career options in the sciences.
Why
Workforce reports show that pre- and post-doctoral trainees need to be informed and educated about careers within and outside traditional academic research to be job-ready in today’s economy. Because experiential learning is a critical element of career awareness, the purpose of the UAB EXPERIENCES Program is to test the feasibility of varied experiential learning approaches in five strategic career areas:
- business and entrepreneurship;
- public policy, government, and non-profit organizations;
- research administration;
- science communication; and
- science education.
Who
The UAB EXPERIENCES Program is open to all UAB graduate students and post-doctoral fellows.
Details
IDP and Self-Assessments
- All interested trainees are encouraged to update their IDPs and perform self-assessments
- Each trainee has the opportunity to review these materials with a career advisor
Boot-camp Informational Sessions
- Separate sessions will be held for each of the aforementioned career path areas
- Sessions will provide information on employment trends, educational requirements, and job skills specific to that career area
- Trainees may then opt to perform a job simulation, shadowing, or immersion experience with the same career partner; alternatively, the trainee may choose no additional activity
Job Simulations
- These will provide true-to-life job simulation exercises to help trainees explore potential careers in the biomedical science field.
- A partnership between Wash U and UCSF, they designed the job simulations to be self-guided. Each simulation contains background and directions for you to complete a task that is related to the career of interest.
Shadowing Experiences
- Shadowing experiences will be comprised of two, day-long sessions with a career community partner
- In these sessions, trainees will visit the partner’s office, meet with staff, and observe daily activities
Immersion Experiences
- Immersion experiences will be comprised of the equivalent of four weeks’ time at the partner’s office
- In these sessions, trainees will work with the partner on a focused project toward a defined goal
Questions?
For any questions, please contact OPSEL@uab.edu.
Office of Interdisciplinary Graduate and Professional Studies -- IGPS
Welcome to the Office of Interdisciplinary Graduate and Professional Studies at UAB. If you are a lifelong learner, a seasoned professional looking to advance your leadership skills, or a young professional interested in building a more robust resume, we have something for you. IGPS is home to UAB’s Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies degree programs (MA & MS), multiple graduate certificates, and numerous other academic, leadership, and professional development opportunities. Our offerings are open to anyone affiliated with UAB interested in advancing their knowledge, skills, and career with post-baccalaureate studies. UAB Undergraduate Students may also enroll in our academic courses with permission from their academic advisor and the course instructor.
IGPS embodies UAB’s education mission by offering interdisciplinary academic and professional development programs designed to support leadership and career advancement among diverse student populations. Everyone is welcome to take a class, earn a certificate, attend a free informational seminar or workshop, or drop by for holistic academic support or career transition consultations.
For more information about IGPS's offerings, explore the links below or stop by Lister Hill Library (G08) to chat with one of our team members, or email OPSEL@uab.edu. We look forward to seeing you in one of our courses or free offerings soon.
Program | School/Unit | Program Director | Details |
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Academic Advising Graduate Certificate | Graduate School | Dr. Heather Ammons heammons@uab.edu |
Certificate Program |
CIRTL Practitioner/Scholar Graduate Certificate | Graduate School | Dr. Heather Ammons heammons@uab.edu |
Certificate Program |
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Advocacy (CERT) | Graduate School | Dr. Bria Morgan OPSEL@uab.edu |
Certificate Program |
Leadership and Professional Development (LEAD) | Graduate School | Dr. Penny Seals psseals@uab.edu |
Certificate Program |
Mentoring and Leadership | Graduate School | Dr. Penny Seals psseals@uab.edu |
Certificate Program |
Postdoctoral Professional Development | Graduate School | Dr. Lisa Curtis lisacurtis@uabmc.edu |
Certificate Program |
Research Communication | Graduate School | Dr. Stefanie Varghese sbvarghese@uab.edu |
Certificate Program |
Research Laboratory Management | Graduate School | Dr. Stefanie Varghese sbvarghese@uab.edu |
Certificate Program |
Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies | Graduate School | Dr. Carmel M. McNicholas-Bevensee cbevense@uab.edu |
MA or MS Degree |
Academic Advising Graduate Certificate
Certificate Program, Graduate School
Program Director: Dr. Heather Ammons, heammons@uab.edu
College Teaching Graduate Certificate
Certificate Program, Graduate School
Program Director: Dr. Heather Ammons, heammons@uab.edu
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Advocacy (CERT
Certificate Program, Graduate School
Program Director: Dr. Bria Morgan, OPSEL@uab.edu
Leadership and Professional Development (LEAD)
Certificate Program, Graduate School
Program Director: Dr. Penny Seals, cbevense@uab.edu
Mentoring and Leadership
Certificate Program, Graduate School
Program Director: Dr. Penny Seals, cbevense@uab.edu
Postdoctoral Professional Development
Certificate Program, Graduate School
Program Director: Dr. Lisa Curtis, lisacurtis@uabmc.edu
Research Communication
Certificate Program, Graduate School
Program Director: Dr. Stefanie Varghese, sbvarghese@uab.edu
Research Laboratory Management
Certificate Program, Graduate School
Program Director: Dr. Stefanie Varghese, sbvarghese@uab.edu
Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies
Certificate Program, Graduate School
Program Director: >Dr. Carmel M. McNicholas-Bevensee, cbevense@uab.edu
In addition to the above academic programs, we offer thesis and dissertation writing support through our Accelerate Your Dissertation workshops and writing groups, and information sessions to help you enhance your time management, teaching, and communication skills. We also provide support as you prepare job materials for a job search.