Applying to the Graduate Certificate in Strategic Leadership
Application Dates and Guidelines
Certificate programs are parttime, and international students may not apply for them as a stand-alone program. International students interested in graduate-level business education may want to consider Lerner’s MBA.
Application Deadlines
Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year. You may start in the Fall or Spring semester only.
Course Waiver/Substitutions
Course waivers/substitutions are available to students who have previously completed an MBA from an AACSB-accredited program or who meet the course waiver requirement based on prior coursework. You may choose to waive a course and replace it with another course in their graduate certificate program. For example, if you have taken BUAD 620 or its equivalent, then you may select another business analytics elective.
You can use up to a total of 12 credits from the certificate to waive 12 credits toward the MBA at UD but will need to apply for admission and be accepted to the MBA program. Certificate courses cannot be used to earn an MBA concentration or major. If you want to earn an MBA concentration or major, you will need to take 9 or 15 additional credits in that area.
Admissions Requirements
1. Online Application
Begin assembling your required application materials as electronic documents before completing the online graduate application. Do not mail any documents.
2. Application Fee
A $75 application fee is due when you submit your online application.
Application Fee Waiver
Application fees are waived for candidates who achieve a total score of 600+ on the GMAT Classic, 555+ on the GMAT Focus Edition or 310+ (Verbal Score + Quantitative Score) on the GRE. After receipt of official GMAT or GRE scores, the application fee will be automatically waived.
3. Bachelor’s Degree
A four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree in any academic field from an accredited college or university is required. If you have a three-year non-U.S. degree, you may request a review for determination as to equivalency by emailing mbaprogram@udel.edu after you have uploaded your transcripts, resume, optional GMAT/GRE as well as TOEFL/IELTS scores to the application.
4. Transcripts
An unofficial transcript is required with your application. You should visit the Registrar’s page of your home institution (post-high school institutions only) to print an unofficial copy to create your scan. If your home institution does not provide this service, ask for a student copy to create your scan. Do not mail official transcripts during the applicant stage.
Please visit http://grad.udel.edu/apply/transcripts/ for more detailed information.
5. Personal Statement / Essay
Responses to the following prompts. We are looking for insightful, specific and brief essays.
- Outline your educational plans and career goals and discuss how your proposed plan of graduate study relates to them. What are the specific attributes of the program at UD that lead you to believe that this program is appropriate to help you achieve your professional objectives? Within the area of study you have selected, are there areas of special interest to you?
- Please critique our effort to market the Lerner graduate certificate programs by using specific examples of where and how you heard about our program and honestly assess how effective that vehicle was in drawing you to apply for admission. What are some strengths of these marketing efforts and what could be done better? What is the best way to reach prospective students like you?
6. Resume
A resume, or curriculum vitae, that documents your prior work experience, publications, honors and awards received, and a summary of your educational credentials.
7. Two Letters of Recommendation
You provide names and email addresses for your recommenders, and recommendation forms are emailed directly to them from the online application. Instructions are included as to how to return the completed forms electronically.
8. GMAT/GRE Optional
If you wish to take the GMAT/GRE, application fees are waived for candidates who achieve a total score of 600+ on the GMAT Classic, 555+ on the GMAT Focus Edition or 310+ (Verbal Score + Quantitative Score) on the GRE. After receipt of official GMAT or GRE scores, the application fee will be automatically waived.
9. Work Experience
The typical applicant has two or more years of experience (work experience, volunteer work, community service, internships, significant academic projects, etc.) but all applicants are considered even if they have limited professional experience. Outstanding undergraduate GPAs and GMAT/GRE scores will strengthen your application if you have less than two years of experience.
10. Math Requirement
To be successful in the MBA program, you must demonstrate strong analytical and quantitative skills through prior academic work and/or recent professional experience. Applicants who are otherwise qualified for admission but lacking successful coursework in non-introductory statistics, calculus, linear math classes or work experience, may be asked to complete at their expense an MBA Math course in order to be admitted to the program. This will be communicated upon the completion of the Admissions Committee’s review of the full application.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition
| Delaware residents* | $920/credit |
|---|---|
| Non-residents | $1,028/credit |
* Visit the registrar’s website for residency requirements.
Fees
All graduate students are responsible for mandatory fees in the Fall and Spring semesters. These fees vary based on whether a student is taking the program on a full-time or part-time basis. Please visit the Graduate Fees and Financial Aid page in the Graduate Catalog for full details.