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

ELECTIVES: CHOOSE 5 CREDIT HOURS IN TOTAL

NOTE: Find a description of each course here.

If you have additional questions regarding the LEAD curriculum, please email lead@uab.edu.

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.

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

• 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 one personal and one professional reference 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

• 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.

What are the admissions requirements for LEAD?
All applicants must:

1. Submit an official transcript demonstrating that you have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a 3.0 minimum grade point average.
2. Submit a personal statement articulating why you seek to complete the LEAD graduate certificate relative to your academic, professional, or personal goals.
3. Complete and submit the UAB Graduate School Application.
4. 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.