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Community College Leadership, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

Preparing Working Professionals to Become Community College Leaders
  • 58

    Number of Community Colleges in NC

  • 3rd

    Largest Community College System in the Country

  • 40%

    U.S. 1st Time Undergrads Begin Post-Secondary Studies in Community Colleges

program completion feature
program completion feature

Offers

Cohort-based hybrid program designed for working professionals

Dedicated faculty with expertise in higher education

Applied learning opportunities

Summer session that brings students and community leaders together for courses and events

Culminating project informed by scholarship and research on a topic related to your professional area of interest

“ As a 20-year community college employee, the program provided me the opportunity to validate and strengthen my leadership skills in a respectful, collaborative and knowledge-rich environment. ”
Carla
Carla
Program Overview

Community College Leadership

Our 12-credit hour post-baccalaureate certificate program in community college leadership is designed for community college administrators and faculty members. 

Courses focus on teaching and learning at community colleges and provide an overview of the mission, functions and diversity among community college leadership. Organizational management, including policy and budgeting, is also covered.

Students in this program may explore a variety of leadership roles in community colleges in areas including:

  • academic affairs
  • career advising
  • enrollment management
  • transitional/orientation programs
  • student affairs
  • business, finance and administration

Training & Education

The program is delivered in a hybrid format that provides flexibility for full-time professionals who may need access to distance education options. A summer residency provides structured opportunities for campus interaction among students and with community college leaders and policymakers.

The program is offered as part of the UNCW 3C Collaborative, an initiative created in 2019 in partnership with community colleges in Eastern North Carolina.

View Student Learning Outcomes

University-Community College Partnership

UNCW’s Community College Collaborative (UNCW 3C) seeks to grow the next generation of community college leaders through collaborative partnerships, professional development and graduate programs for aspiring college leaders.

Learn more about UNCW 3C
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Professional Development Events

Each year, UNCW 3C holds professional development events for aspiring community college leaders. Budgeting, conflict resolution, diversity, equity and inclusion, SACSCOC and the staff-to-administrative transition are some of the topics covered at Aspiring Leader Summit events.

Aspiring Leader Summits
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Annual Conference

UNCW 3C’s annual Challenging the Paradigm conference brings together higher education leaders from across the state for presentations and panel discussions focused on best practices in education. The conference provides an opportunity for CCL students to share research, network and learn from community college leaders.

Challenging the Paradigm Conference
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CCURE Project

UNCW’s Community College Undergraduate Research Experience (CCURE) program provides unique research opportunities for undergraduate students planning to transfer to a four-year institution and applied learning opportunities for students in WCE’s CCL program.

Learn more about CCURE
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Sample Courses

sample courses
EDL 557 The Comprehensive Community College
EDL 537 Organizational Strategy and Resource Management in Community Colleges
EDL 538 Teaching and Learning in Community Colleges
EDL 539 Community College Leadership
See The Full Curriculum

Admission Deadlines & Requirements

Information: Community College Leadership Post-Baccaureate Certificate

Apply Now

  • Complete applications are reviewed for admission by the program as they are received.
  • All application and supporting documents must be received by the published deadline.

Coordinator

Location/Delivery Method

  • Distance Education - Online - asynchronous. Internet or Web-based asynchronous (instructional materials made available on the Internet and available 24 hours a day every day-not time-dependent slots).

Deadlines (11:59 p.m. EST)

  • Spring 2025: 
    • November 1, 2024
  • Summer I 2025: 
    • May 1, 2025

Transcripts

  • One official transcript is required from each U.S. post-secondary institution attended. Refer to the Getting Started page for international transcript instructions.

Test Scores

  • None Required

Recommendations

  • 3 recommendations by individuals in professionally relevant fields

Additional Requirements

  1. Upload Supplemental Documents After Application Submission
  2. Essay: Education Statement of Interest EssayEssay
  3. Curriculum Vitae/Resume
  4. Community College: Should currently hold a position at a community college or be interested in working at a community college
  5. Financial Aid: Non-federal loans are available for this program. Admitted students may apply through the UNCW Scholarship Application to be considered for additional scholarships. Please consult your Financial Aid Counselor for further details.
  6. Visa Sponsorship: This program does not qualify for visa sponsorship.
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