This 18-credit, 6-course certificate is designed for individuals who would like to increase their leadership skills. There are differences between managers and leaders, and this course of study looks at the attributes of leaders, different theories that can be used, and how leaders can vary their style based on the situation at hand. These credits can also be applied to the Master of Administrative Science degree program.

Choose six courses from the following:

  • MADS 6600 Theory and Practice of Administration [National Guard Bureau Approved Online Course]
  • MADS 6618 Leadership Plus [National Guard Bureau Approved Online Course]
  • MADS 6640 Leading in Times of Crisis
  • MADS 6675 Optimum Leadership
  • MADS 6676 Perspectives on Leadership from Film
  • MADS 6717 Special Topics: Leading Out of the Mainstream
  • MADS 6731 Executive Communication as a Leadership Tool

Course Descriptions

  • MADS6600 Introduction to issues of administration of public, private and not-for-profit organizations. Cases are used to analyze the relation of theory to practice and to illustrate the direct practical relevance of theoretical models to administrative action. This course is waived for graduates of the New Jersey Certified Public Manager (CPM) program.

  • MADS6618 Master the best principles practiced by great leaders of past and present. Topics include creative and innovative thinking, super-conscious mental laws, the constant pursuit of professionalism, craftsman-like dedication to quality, building effective self-directed teams, creating an energized workplace, the characteristics of effective learning organizations, capitalizing on leverage and the art of identifying and designing a shared destiny.

  • MADS6640 This course examines the principles of leadership during times of significant stress. Various models, strategies and tactics of leadership are studied using the examples of civilian and military leaders during the planning, implementation and execution of the WWII D-Day operation of June 1944.

  • MADS6675 This course will explore major theories and practices of scholars and philosophers with a focus on the tools and knowledge necessary for 21st-century leadership development. Principles will be extracted from major contributors in the field, including Drucker, Bennis, Burns, Heifetz, Zenger, Folkman, Kanter, Gardner, Pouzes, Vaill, Greenleaf, Kellerman, Lipmann-Bluman, Goleman, and others.

  • MADS6676 Movies exaggerate and oversimplify, but they can still be compelling case studies for the traits and actions they portray. This course uses a dozen classic movies, readily available for rental or purchase, as the material for the study of leadership issues. Students are invited to contribute insights from other movies, and from their own experiences, to complement the assigned films.

  • MADS6717 This couse includes an extensive analysis of paradigms and how they affect behavior and decision making by examining both sides of major issues on public and private policy, politics, global economy, environment, media, health, law, public safety, and ethics. Numerous guest speakers will present different views on current topics and events.

  • MADS6731 This broad-based and highly interactive course will help students develop a strong foundation in communication theory and practice, with an emphasis on communication skills development and in the five key areas: written, oral, presentation, cross-cultural, and listening skills. Further, students will examine great leaders - from inside and outside the business world - and how their communication skills, styles, and approaches contributed to their leadership impact.