Graduate Certificate in Organizational Leadership (GCOL)

Overview

The College of Idaho’s online Graduate Certificate in Organizational Leadership is designed to provide the foundational knowledge necessary to lead and manage organizations effectively.

It is designed for students seeking to enhance their leadership capabilities and advance their career, but cannot devote the time necessary to complete a full master’s degree. It will provide students with a foundational understanding of organizational dynamics and effective leadership practices to help students on the path to leading with confidence, making ethical decisions and driving positive change within their role at any organization.

The online Graduate Certificate in Organizational Leadership originates from and emphasizes the liberal arts. It draws from fields like psychology, sociology, and communications. Through its four core courses, students gain a foundational understanding of how to be a dynamic, influential and ethical leader in an ever-evolving organizational landscape.

• Leadership Theory
• Organizational Behavior
• Leadership Ethics
• Effective Organizational Communication

Admission

The Admission Office is responsible for managing the admission process for prospective students. Admission is granted on a selective basis. The Admission Committee, consisting of College administrators, faculty, and staff, reviews policy set by the Admission Office to admit students who show promise of success at the College. The College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, age, religion, disability, national and ethnic origin, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity in administration of its admission and financial aid policies.

Selection of Applicants

Applicants for the next start date are reviewed on an ongoing basis by the GCOL Admission Committee. The committee reserves the right to accept, reject, or defer an application. Applicants receiving a letter of acceptance are granted a specific time period to notify the program of their intention to enroll.

Enrollment Deposit

The College of Idaho requires a $300 deposit before enrolling. This one-time, non-refundable deposit reserves a student’s place in the graduate program and will be applied to their first term’s tuition.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Applicants seeking a Graduate Certificate in Organizational Leadership (GCOL) come from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds. No required major, employment position or specific expertise is a barrier to entry.

To qualify for admission, you must meet all application requirements listed below no later than July 15th to be considered for the next fall cohort.

1. Complete the online graduate certificate application.
   1. Upload a current resume or curriculum vitae (CV).
   2. Complete a 500- to 1,000-word personal statement (similar to a letter of interest). This personal statement should reveal something about you as an applicant, the reason you want to pursue this graduate degree and how it will advance your future goals.
2. Hold a bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
   1. If your cumulative GPA falls below a 3.0, in order to be considered for the program, you must include: (i) an explanation of GPA statement; and (ii) an additional letter of recommendation.
3. Submit transcripts from qualifying degree institution(s).
4. Demonstrate the ability to meet The College of Idaho’s technology requirements for the duration of the graduate program.
5. Submit a letter of recommendation from a professor, instructor, employer or work colleague. This letter should highlight your academic or professional experiences relevant to admission to this graduate degree program and evaluate your leadership, interpersonal skills, critical thinking, and judgement as well as your ability and capability to complete an online graduate certificate.
   1. If your cumulative GPA falls below a 3.0, in order to be considered for the program, you must submit a second letter of recommendation.
6. Graduate Entrance Exam (optional) – No graduate entrance exam is required for the GCOL program. If you wish to include a score (GRE, MAT, LSAT or GMAT), it will be considered. It may be helpful to include a score if you have a GPA below a 3.0 or if you would otherwise like to bolster your application.

Tuition and Fees

The online Graduate Certificate in Organizational Leadership program consists of 16 credit hours that are completed in two terms.

2026-2027 Tuition: $9,000
Graduate Program and Technology Fee: $300

Note: The College of Idaho’s tuition and fees for the graduate certificate are due in full on or before the first day of the fall semester.

GCOL Academic Calendar

Registration and Enrollment

Upon receipt of a student’s enrollment deposit, the College will enroll the student in the courses for the graduate certificate for the 2026-2027 academic year. To complete enrollment, the student must be registered full-time for the semester/term and must either be paid in full for the entire program or on a payment plan (see Payment Options) on or before the first day of class.

Full-time enrollment for the graduate certificate is eight (8) credits per semester. To remain eligible for federal loans, students must be enrolled in at least four (4) credit hours each semester.

Failure to make satisfactory payment arrangements by the stated deadline will result in expulsion from classes and charges calculated according to the refund rate for withdrawal (see Institutional Refund Policy).

Grading

Students must achieve a minimum of 70 percent to pass each course with a grade of a C in accordance with the grading policy outlined in the syllabus for each course.

Students are permitted to repeat a course once in which they have earned a grade of C- or lower. Both attempts appear on the student’s transcript. Only the most recent grade will be used in calculation of the cumulative GPA, and only one attempt may be counted toward meeting degree requirements.

Students who wish to file an academic appeal concerning a course grade should review the Grade Change Policy.

Graduation Requirements

To earn a graduate certificate at The College of Idaho, all students must complete all prescribed courses and pass all courses with a grade of C or better. This in turn requires all students to graduate with a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.