Leadership Certificate Program
Leadership Rice is not accepting applications for the Leadership Certificate program at this time. However, students already enrolled in the Certificate Program will be able to earn a Leadership Rice Certificate by completing the requirements in place at the time of their admission to the program.
Overview
The Leadership Certificate Program provides a structured, systematic process for aspiring student leaders to develop and apply their capacity for leadership. Participation in the Leadership Certificate Program helps students make the most of their time at Rice, make a difference on campus and in the community, and prepare to make their mark on the world. By studying leadership from different perspectives, students develop a theoretical framework from which to evaluate the worth and effectiveness of their own leadership. By practicing leadership in different contexts, students learn to recognize their leadership strengths and hone in on areas for improvement. Earning a Leadership Certificate serves as a valuable step in a lifelong leadership journey and can also demonstrate to employers, graduate school admissions committees, and prospective project collaborators a commitment to effective leadership.
Academic Requirements
A passing grade in LEAD 309: Leadership Theory to Practice.
Communication Skills
Candidates must demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively. Proficiency in oral communication may be demonstrated by completing one of the public speaking classes offered at Rice with a final grade of B+ or higher or by participating on the debate team for at least one year with a written recommendation from the debate coach. Students will submit as part of their portfolios two videotaped public presentations of at least 5 minutes, along with a written critique of their presentations.
The ability to write well may be demonstrated by a grade of B+ or higher in a writing course and by two writing samples chosen from material submitted for course work at Rice and reviewed by our writing consultant. Students who believe they should be exempt from a writing course may work with the writing consultant to demonstrate their ability to write effectively
Public Policy / Leadership Theory / Entrepreneurship
Students may choose any two courses in the Rice curriculum related to public policy, leadership, and/or organizational development. Students are encouraged to choose courses that fit with their specific interests. The Leadership Certificate Director must approve the selections. Learning outcomes from each course must be represented somehow in the portfolio.
Students who want to earn a Certificate with a concentration in entrepreneurship may substitute or add classes relevant to entrepreneurship (e.g. accounting, management, etc.)
Ethics Class
Certificate students are asked to demonstrate some work in ethics.
Experiential Components
Summer Mentorship
Students must be admitted to and fulfill all the requirements of the SME Program.
Leadership at Rice
The practice of leadership can begin within the hedges. Rice provides many opportunities for students to test and strengthen leadership capacities and impact the immediate community. Certificate candidates, therefore, are required to take on a leadership role - formal or informal - that contributes to the Rice community.
Community Service
Leadership Certificate candidates are expected to apply their learning a service role with a community organization, preferably off campus. Students must document the links between their leadership learning and its application in a service context. Leadership Rice strongly suggests working with Rice University's Community Involvement Center.
International Experience
Certificate students must have some international experience. A semester or year abroad is particularly beneficial, but summer experiences of eight weeks or longer will be considered as well. Students must be able to articulate learning outcomes and relate them to broader leadership aspirations.
Alternative
Students are invited to propose a time-out year to pursue a passion or dream. This option may fulfill some of the certificate requirements. Students who choose a time-out year will be asked to keep an e-journal.
Capstone Project
At the end of the process, we ask Certificate students to apply their leadership learning to a "real world" problem, either on campus or beyond. There are many appropriate campus projects, and most projects funded by Envision Grants would be appropriate as well. After the project has been accepted by the Certificate Committee, the student is encouraged to spend one semester planning and one semester executing. Students in this phase of the Certificate program will meet with staff periodically for encouragement and feedback. The student will be expected to make a public presentation of his or her work and include documentation in the Portfolio. It may be possible to secure independent study credit for some projects.
