Applying to the Graduate Certificate in Leadership in Social Innovation

Certificates are part-time and not available as stand-alone programs for international students. International applicants interested in graduate-level business education are encouraged to explore Lerner’s MBA or other master’s degree options.

Application Deadlines

Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year. Students may begin in the fall, spring or summer sessions, depending on course availability.

Course Waiver/Substitutions

Students who have completed an MBA from an AACSB-accredited program—or meet waiver requirements based on prior coursework—may be eligible for course substitutions within the graduate certificate program.

Up to 12 credits from the certificate may also be applied toward the UD MBA or select master’s programs. However, certificate courses cannot be used to fulfill requirements for an MBA concentration or major.

If you’re interested in applying your certificate credits toward a graduate degree, contact mbaprogram@udel.edu to explore your options.

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.

3. Bachelor’s Degree

A four-year U.S. bachelor’s degree in any academic field from an accredited college or university is required. Current undergraduate students must show intent to complete the undergraduate degree prior to enrolling in graduate level coursework, and all undergraduate coursework must be completed before starting the first graduate course. 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

Outline your educational plans and career goals and discuss how your proposed plan of graduate study relates to them.

6. Resume

A resume or CV documenting your work experience, publications, honors and awards received, and 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 are not submitting a GMAT/GRE score, please select that you request a waiver on the Test Score Waivers page of the application.

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.

UD graduate students may apply at any time, as applications will be considered on a rolling basis. To apply, please fill in and submit the enrollment request form.

UD undergraduates with exceptional academic records and/or relevant experiences may apply to the program in their junior or senior year, with applications being considered on a rolling basis. To apply, please fill in and submit the undergraduate enrollment request form. Please note that all undergraduates interested in this program must enroll in the graduate section of all required courses (e.g., enroll in ENTR 620, not ENTR 420). If permission is needed to enroll in the graduate section, please email the course instructor for support.

Tuition

The tuition rate for 2026-2027 is $1,149/credit.

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. There are no registration fees for online programs. To verify whether your program is available online, see University of Delaware's online programs page.

Please visit the graduate fees and financial aid page in the Graduate Catalog for full details.

Lerner College is offering several scholarships to support students based on their connection to UD or recent economic challenges. Only one 20% graduate scholarship may be applied per qualifying student. These scholarships cannot be combined with other Lerner funding offers, including merit-based awards.

• UD Alumni Support Scholarship: A 20% tuition scholarship and waived application fee for University of Delaware alumni pursuing any Lerner graduate program.
• UD Student Support Scholarship: A 20% scholarship for current UD juniors, seniors and recent grads entering Lerner graduate programs or 4+1 options.
• Economic Hardship Scholarship: A 20% tuition scholarship and fee waiver for individuals who experienced job loss in 2024 or 2025.