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Executive Leadership, Certificate

When it comes to executive leadership courses, Seattle University's acclaimed seven-month certificate program pushes you to discover your authentic self and become the best leader you could ever be.

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About this Program

A Program Designed for You

Seattle University's Executive Leadership Certificate Program (ELP) helps you develop your leadership muscle in a format and setting created especially for busy professionals.

  • Come to campus once a month to engage in three days of learning, engagement and networking
  • Costs include tuition, books, fees, meals and lodging
  • >One-on-one executive coaching uncovers your leadership strengths and opportunities to improve
  • Faculty made up of leading academics and executive practitioners bring depth and perspective to your unique challenges
  • Expand your network with peers from some of the region's best and brightest organizations

Highly regarded as a stand-alone executive certificate program, it also serves as the first two quarters of the Leadership Executive MBA program and has become the top leadership training of its kind for future leaders in many of the region’s largest companies.

A History of Launching Great Leaders

In keeping with the Jesuit tradition of educating the whole person, Seattle University created the ELP more than 20 years ago. This business certificate program was designed to address what C-suite and senior level executives found lacking in their organizations—wise and thoughtful leadership and insightful, well-informed, discerning leaders.;

Who benefits from this program? Among our students are:

  • Executives aiming to move into C-suite positions
  • Functional leaders transitioning to organizational leadership roles
  • Entrepreneurs and business owners looking to expand and grow
  • Career switchers thinking of pivoting

What Makes Us Stand Out?

Great leadership is more than the successful execution of managerial competencies. It involves deep self-awareness, insight into others, empathy, and humility. Developing those qualities requires introspection and reflection, two cornerstones of the education you get at Seattle University.

Learning Competencies

The outcome is a deeper knowledge of leadership with:

  • A deepened consciousness of Self as a leader. 
  • Superior leadership acumen (ability to influence individuals and orchestrate organizational change). 
  • Leading with conscience and competence within the local and global Commons. 

In small class settings and with one-on-one executive coaching, you’ll have the opportunity to discover how you’re perceived, who you want to be as a leader, and what leadership means in your life. Graduates consistently tell us that the program was a defining personal and professional experience, and one of the most transformative of their careers and even their lives.

Application and Admission Requirements

We evaluate each leadership certificate application and make decisions based on the criteria outlined below. The cohort model of this executive certificate program requires significant group work, so we also look for evidence of effective participation in team environments.

Four-year undergraduate or baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited institution or U.S. equivalent. Exceptions considered on an individual basis by the dean.

Official transcripts from all post-secondary educational institutions attended, including graduate programs. Transcripts from international institutions (including Canada) may require additional evaluation; see your recruiter for more information. Requirements and guidelines for international applicants.

Because of our experiential approach to education, applicants for this executive certificate program must have at least 10 years of progressively responsible professional work experience, seven of which should be managerial in nature but can include management of people, products, programs, or projects.

Two recommendations from current or former supervisors using online evaluation forms supplied to recommenders by the university. Applicants without supervisors (i.e. entrepreneurs, business owners, CEOs) should consult with the recruiter for recommendation options.

Two- to four-page, double-spaced essay addressing prompts supplied in the application which, in addition to an explanation of the applicant’s interest in a certificate in Leadership, also serves as a writing sample.

While an initial interview is not required to submit an application, we strongly recommend scheduling a meeting with the recruiter before beginning an application to ensure the program meets your professional and educational goals (schedule interview). Applicants who have submitted an application but haven't yet met with the recruiter will be invited to do so before the application deadline.

A group interview for candidates that reach the final screening will be held following the application deadline. The group interview provides members of the admission committee the opportunity to meet applicants, and gives applicants an opportunity to meet potential classmates.

What You’ll Learn

Learn about the classes you’ll take.

Albers west entrance door

Top 5% World Business Schools

Albers is among top AACSB-accredited schools.

#21

In the Nation

Seattle University’s Leadership Executive MBA degree — U.S. News & World Report, 2025

30

Consistently Ranked in Top 30 Executive Programs

Nationwide since 2016 - U.S. News & World Report

Top Training for Leaders

Gina Hall
Click to play the video

Transformational

Great leadership isn’t about what you know, it’s about who you are. Our Executive Leadership Certificate program will help you cultivate the internal qualities of great leaders—insight, self-awareness, confidence, and humility. Gina Hall, CEO of Uplift Northwest and Executive Leadership Certificate ’19, looked around and chose Seattle University.

Healthcare and Non-profit Professional Discount

Effective with fall 2025 enrollment: Executives working in the healthcare or non-profit industries may be eligible for up to 30% off the Executive Leadership Certificate Program's cost, applied at admission. The discount cannot be combined with other scholarships managed by Seattle University.

A woman in front of a laptop

From Our Alumni

Nancy Sutherland, '17 ELP

“I took those eight months in the Executive Leadership Certificate program to reflect on who I was, what I'm about, where I've come from, and where I want to go from here. It was one of the most valuable things I’ve done in my career.”

Director of Portfolio Management Office, Expeditors International

Application Deadlines

Application Period Deadline Decision Date
*Early Decision* December 1 December 31
Second March 1 March 31
Final May 15 June 15

Submissions after June 15 will be evaluated, space permitting.

Featured Faculty

All Faculty & Staff

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Contact Us

Alicia Kan

Director of Marketing and Communications