Leadership for Women in Business Certificate
About the Leadership for Women in Business Certificate
Did you know that women make up the majority of higher education students and almost half of the working population? Despite these facts, gender equality is still a distant goal, as demonstrated by the wage gap that undervalues women's work. This certificate program explores the social and psychological mechanisms that pose unique challenges for professional women. It also introduces key concepts and practices to address these challenges.
All courses within this certificate are fully online, so you have the freedom to study at your own pace and in your preferred space. You can even create a timetable that works for you!
With insight from women leaders and data-driven recommendations, this new learning opportunity will give you the tools to propel yourself and your career forward.
Program Content
Course Descriptions
Body Language for Women in Business
Communication is so much more than what is said. Much can be communicated through body language. Learn how to read body language cues and use them to better understand the situation and the individual you are connecting with. This course will address gender stereotypes, cross-cultural body language and the role of body language in virtual communication.
Communication for Women in Business
The course will provide a general overview of effective communication at work. Learners will review tips and strategies for communicating with small and large groups, being heard in meetings, projecting confidence and more—especially as these concepts apply to women. This course also considers communication in public speaking and discusses the importance of understanding the audience, preparing for a presentation, using visual aids appropriately and more. Learners will be able to identify criticisms of, and biases toward, women speakers and the course introduces strategies to counteract them.
Current Issues Facing Women in Business
This general awareness course will assess the representation of women in various domains, including sports, politics, education, STEM fields, pink-collar jobs and managerial positions. We will also review the challenges that many working women face, as well as strategies for addressing those challenges both as an individual and from an organizational perspective. The course concludes with a brief review of milestones in women's history in the workplace and an assessment of how better representation of women can benefit businesses.
Networking and Mentorship for Women in Business
Making meaningful connections can be critical to professional success. Although many find networking difficult, it is a learned skill that can improve with technique and practice. This course introduces techniques and strategies for networking, finding mentors, and attracting sponsors, as well as common anxieties and obstacles people face when trying to expand their professional connections. It highlights how networking can be challenging and especially important for women in business.
Leadership and Management for Women in Business
Leaders can change the thoughts, attitudes and behaviours of the people around them. Successful organizations must have leaders who take them in the right direction. While not all leaders are managers or even occupy positions of authority, managers are often leaders for the employees who report to them. While companies with more women in leadership positions tend to see benefits to their bottom line, gender stereotypes and biases can make it difficult for women to become recognized as leaders and advance into managerial or executive positions at work. This course reviews various qualities of leaders and styles of leadership and management. It reviews common managerial challenges and introduces techniques, strategies and best practices to overcome those obstacles.
Negotiation for Women in Business
This course defines negotiation and reviews the importance of advocating for yourself and your interests. Because negotiation tends to be characterized in a stereotypically masculine way, this course considers some of the challenges that women tend to face when negotiating. The course reviews key negotiation concepts such as BATNA and ZOPA, common negotiation mistakes, and the five stages of the negotiation process. The course-takers will also engage in negotiation scenarios for opportunities to prepare for common situations they may encounter.
Work-Life Balance for Women in Business
Everyone finds that their life is unbalanced from time to time. If left unaddressed, that lack of balance can cause stress, decreased productivity, and even health problems. Stereotypes and expectations about what matters to women can exacerbate work-life balance challenges. This course explores the importance of prioritizing things that matter to you, both at work and home, and introduces techniques to help individuals and organizations make work-life balance possible.
Completion Requirements
Each of these courses can be taken on their own, or as part of the Leadership for Women in Business Certificate.
Learners must achieve an average test score of at least 70% to meet the minimum successful completion requirement and must successfully complete all program courses to earn their certificate.
Related Careers
A wide range of career paths are available to graduates of this program, including:
Manager
Director
Vice President
Team Leader
Entrepreneur
Admission Requirements
There are no prerequisites or online learning experience required.
Additional Requirements
Technology Requirements
In these courses, online learners will require a personal computer (PC) or laptop with a reliable internet connection to access coursework.
Program Cost
Learners may register for the full certificate or complete each course as a stand-alone learning opportunity.
Prices for individual courses are as follows:
Body Language for Women in Business $119
Communication for Women in Business $119
Current Issues Facing Women in Business $119
Leadership and Management for Women in Business $119
Networking and Mentorship for Women in Business $119
Negotiation for Women in Business $119
Work-Life Balance for Women in Business $119
Funding for Continuing Education Courses
Students enrolled in continuing education programs may qualify for program-dependent funding opportunities, such as awards, scholarships, government funding and grants.