The answer is, yes, it is necessary.
At MentorCruise, we have certified mentors leading in various industries, with skills centered around leadership and career development. Having certification across different fields, our mentors reflect how this credential can become an asset to your career too.
In this article, we'll guide you through some of the best leadership certification programs out there. Keep reading to see which suits you the most.
What is a leadership certification?
Leadership certifications are like a stamp of authority, showing employers and contractors that you are qualified to handle a high-level role.
Just as people go to college to get a degree that qualifies them to work in a particular field, aspiring leaders and business executives can go through different leadership programs.
Through these programs, they’re equipped with the skills needed to guide an organization towards success. At the end of such training, they take certification exams and receive a certificate if they pass.
Why leadership certifications are important
Top roles like Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), Chief Financial Officers (CFOs), and Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) require leadership skills like strategic thinking, decision making, communication, and management.
Although you can develop these skills by intentional learning and focused action during your career, employers have no concrete way of knowing if you have such skills and capabilities.
Therefore, whenever they want to choose candidates for such roles, they look at degrees and leadership certifications from professional bodies, colleges, and universities.
As an aspiring leader or business executive, enrolling in leadership programs and getting certified, while you gather work experience, shows your employers that you’re prepared to lead the way.
What to consider when choosing a leadership certification program
Before dedicating your time and resources to get any certification, you must note that certifications alone don’t guarantee a leadership role in your company.
Your choice should also be guided by:
- Relevance: You need to assess how well the certification program aligns with your goals. If you only want to learn about leadership strategies, then you don’t need to chunk out thousands of dollars, since there are free and less expensive resources. But if you want to get a leadership certificate recognized in your industry to raise your chances of landing a particular role, then reflect on the qualifications employers look out for by reviewing job listings for your target role.
- Format: You should check whether the program is in person or online, and whether there's a strict schedule you must follow or if it's flexible. This will help you pick a program that suits your lifestyle.
- Duration: You'd want to estimate how long it will take to complete the certification program. Some may take weeks, some months, and others a couple of years.
- Cost: You need to consider the cost of the leadership certification program. With some programs reaching up to $20,000, it could mean a huge investment upfront.
Top 7 leadership certification programs
The following leadership certifications are offered by reputable organizations and esteemed faculties. They have a robust curriculum, equipping people with the skills needed to excel as a 21st century leader.
1. Harvard Certificates of Leadership Excellence (CLE)
Organized by Harvard University, Harvard Division of Continuing Education is designed for those aiming to fine-tune their leadership and management skills. The CLE has 4 certification tracks, each covering a core aspect of leadership:
- Certificate of Leadership Excellence in Management Development
- Certificate of Leadership Excellence in Strategy and Innovation for Senior Leaders
- Certificate of Leadership Excellence in Leading Teams
- Certificate of Leadership Excellence in Executive Development
After completing these courses, you will receive a digital badge, discounts on future courses, and access to alumni events.
The best part about them is that they don’t have any prerequisites, and lets you be flexible by allowing you to complete them online, on-campus or both.
Format:
There are multiple courses under each track. To earn your Certificate of Leadership Excellence in any track, you need to complete at least 4 courses.
Duration:
There isn’t any fixed duration. How long it takes to complete this leadership certification depends on you. You can complete it in as little as 2 to 4 weeks.
However, there is a maximum duration of 4 years, within which you must complete a particular track to get certified.
Cost:
Each course costs between $2,500 to $3,000, which means completing any track and getting your Certificate of Leadership Excellence will cost you between $10,000 to $12,000.
2. Cornell Certificate Program on Leadership Essentials
This leadership certification from the Cornell Certification Program is suited for new managers and professionals looking to move into a managerial role. It covers the following core leadership areas:
- Becoming a Powerful Leader
- Building High-Performing Teams
- Active Listening and Processing Feedback
- Managing Team Performance
- Managing Time and Priorities
- Effective Hiring and Interviewing
- Addressing Workplace Behavior Issues
Format:
Tailored for emerging leaders, it is a highly structured course that is fully online, and you can take the lessons in the order they appear. It also has live sessions, and provides real-world projects that you can apply in professional settings.
Duration:
It takes about 3.5 months to complete the course if you study for 3-8 hours per week.
Cost:
The Cornell Certificate Program on Leadership Essentials costs about $3,700.
3. MIT Sloan Executive Certificate in Management and Leadership
The MIT Sloan Executive Certificate in Management and Leadership prepares those who are looking to transition from technical to managerial roles.
In this series of executive courses, you’ll learn essential and advanced skills needed to confidently lead teams, while staying ahead of the curve in today’s fast-paced digital world.
Covering strategies for effective decision-making, team management, and organizational leadership, this course gives you a valuable credential coming from a prestigious institution.
It can also serve as a refresher for MBA holders.
Format:
You need to complete a total of 4 courses, with three of them from the Management and Leadership track, and the fourth one from any of the other tracks.
Duration:
You can complete this in as little as 2 weeks if you dedicate 6-8 hours per week. There is a maximum duration of 4 years, within which you must complete all the courses to get your certificate.
Cost:
Individual courses range from $1,750 to $5,000. To complete the Management and Leadership track and earn your executive certificate, you need to finish at least 4 courses. Thus, it will cost you between $8,000 and $20,000.
4. The Wharton School Leadership & Management Certificate Program
The Wharton School Leadership and Management Certificate Program by University of Pennsylvania is one of the best leadership certifications for busy professionals who barely have time.
It is also one of the most affordable, flexible-paced courses, aimed at mid to senior-level managers with at least 5 to 7 years of experience.
Format:
Comprising four courses over 4-6 weeks each, this program is completely online. It is mainly focused on adopting strategic leadership and optimizing organizational structure.
Duration:
It takes 4 to 6 weeks to complete this program, if you can squeeze out just 2 to 4 hours per week.
Cost:
It costs about $3,600 for the full program, or $995 for each course.
5. Strategic Leadership and Management Specialization by Coursera
Coursera offers The Strategic Leadership and Management Specialization Course, in partnership with University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It is a beginner course for aspiring leaders and new managers.
The program includes the following key topics:
- Leading organizational structures and teams
- Emotional intelligence
- Decision-making
- Mentoring and developing others
Format:
Conducted online, this course offers a flexible schedule to the participants. It also features case studies, interactive assignments, and real-world examples.
Duration:
It will take you 2 months to complete this course, dedicating 10 hours a week to it.
Cost:
You can avail the cost upon registration and completion of course. It’s about $4,500. Generally, you can enroll for free on Coursera, but you'll need to pay before receiving your certificate.
6. Masters in Business Administration (iMBA) by Coursera
Although it's quite expensive, and a huge upfront investment, the Masters in Business Administration (iMBA) by Coursera can open new doors for you.
The highest roles in organizations, like that of the CEOs, ask for an MBA as a basic educational requirement. If you want to target the top companies leading the industry, consider getting an online MBA if you can't commit to full-time on-campus training.
In collaboration with renowned universities and institutions, this course gives you the accreditation and recognition you need to boost your career.
Format:
This online course comes with a flexible schedule and live sessions conducted at specific dates. With its global focus and comprehensive curriculum, this course not only offers practical experiences.
It also provides access to a global network of alumni, peers and industry experts.
Duration:
Just like a typical MBA program, you can complete the course taking 24 to 36 months, or 2 to 3 years.
Cost:
You need to pay between $30,000 and $60,000 to avail this course.
7. Leadership & Management by Harvard Business School Online
Offered by Harvard Business School Online, the Leadership and Management Certification is fit for leaders of all kinds. It prepares aspiring leaders for future roles, helps inexperienced leaders rally teams together towards a common goal, and serves as a refresher for seasoned leaders.
Format:
Taught by experienced faculties, this course has flexible learning options to accommodate busy schedules.
Duration:
It takes around 24 weeks or 6 months to complete this program if you dedicate 4 to 5 hours per week.
Cost:
Each course costs roughly $2,000. To get a certificate, you'll need to complete at least 3 courses, totaling $6,000.
Accelerate your leadership certification journey with MentorCruise
If you need an expert in your field to steer you to the top in your career, we’re here to help. At MentorCruise, our certified mentors are committed to guide you through your professional journey, giving personalized advice and support to help you reach your goals.
For instance, our mentor Hossam Mourad has helped one of his mentees, Kyle, build confidence and foundational skills for professional growth. Learning to take a proactive approach towards challenges is one of the key characteristics of leadership, and our mentors are always focused on shaping you into someone who can lead others.
MentorCruise offers mentors experienced across different skills, from leadership, management to career growth, helping you reach your full potential.
Conclusion
Leadership certifications will hand you over the skills you need to thrive as a 21st century leader. Getting certified by reputable institutions can make you stand out, and give you a competitive edge in the marketplace.
Get mentoring from a trained, experienced expert and ace your certification program by applying today!