Program Overview
The Certificate in Higher Education Leadership (Post-Doctoral) program is designed for current or future employees within a higher education institution. The goal is to develop future leaders in the higher education system through a mastery of the knowledge and skills to make or support leadership decisions, effectively interact with the many areas in the higher educational organization, and to participate in organizational changes. Specific topics of learning are focused on the complexities in the ever-changing world of higher education, analyzing and utilizing data to drive institutional improvement, leadership in diverse cultures, assessment and accreditation efforts, and theoretical practices within the field of education.
Program Outcomes
Graduates of the Certificate in Higher Education Leadership (Post-Doctoral) program will demonstrate the following:
- Goal I: Ability to interpret research, theoretical concepts, and cultural and organizational roles, and relate and apply them to organizational and higher educational leadership.
- Goal II: Effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Goal III: Demonstrated research knowledge and skills in the broad field of learning.
- Goal IV: Ability to engage in and conduct a deep analysis from research and with existing data sets to formulate strategic improvement plans.
- Goal V: Understanding of theories in andragogy as it relates to organizational and institutional learning.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate the ability to create impactful change within an institution through the application of teaching and learning research.
- Students will utilize effective communication skills demonstrating an understanding of historic higher education developments and personnel management topics as it applies to an institution.
- Students will develop a research-based approach to higher education administration based on a deep understanding of an institution’s history in curriculum development, faculty development, and organizational structure.
- Students will demonstrate their ability to communicate the assessment and accreditation process, initiatives, and results by engaging all levels of the institution’s stakeholders.
- Students will demonstrate their ability to investigate and create processes for developing assessment initiatives through the understanding and application of assessment and accreditation research in higher education.
Admission Requirements
Applicants interested in the Certificate in Higher Education Leadership (Post-Doctoral) program are required to meet individually in person or via telephone with an admissions representation to discuss the program and all requirements. Applicants must provide a completed South College application for admission and application to the program. Those selected for admission will provide evident of a completed doctoral degree from an accredited institution of higher education with a minimum grade point average (CPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Academic Participation and Withdrawal
Administrative Withdrawal Policy
If at the end of a term, at least 50% of one course has not been completed and the student has been inactive for more than 60 days, the student will be administratively withdrawn from the program. If a student, who has been administratively withdrawn (due to non-participation), wishes to continue with the program, the student must formally re-apply through standard admissions process. The request for readmission must be submitted to the Campus President for Competency-Based Education. Since such student did not complete at least one course within a 6-month term, if granted readmission, the student will be placed on academic probation upon re-entry into the program.
Withdrawal Policy (within term)
If a student withdraws after the end of the 4th month of any 6-month term, the student will be issued a W grade for any uncompleted courses, unless the student was on academic probation for not completing a course the prior term. In this case, the student will be assigned a letter grade of F for the course.
If a student withdraws after the 5th month of any 6-month term, any course that is not completed will be assigned the letter grade of F.
Participation Policy
Students must participate within the first 14 days of the start of any term. Failure to participate within this period will result in the student being withdrawn from the program. Additionally, students must complete one formative or summative assessment with the first 30 days of any term to remain active for the term.
A withdrawal is considered to be official when a student notifies the Registrar’s Office or the Dean of Academic and Students Services. No other college official has the authority to accept official withdrawals from the Certificate in Higher Education Leadership (Post-Doctoral) program. Students are requested to submit a withdrawal request in writing via their South College email address.
Academic Standards, Candidate Progress, and Grading
Upon entering the graduate program, students are encouraged to confer with their Mentor as needed. Students’ academic progress is monitored each 6-month term to ensure satisfactory progression which is considered mastery of at least two courses per term. Students who do not complete the minimum requirement of two courses per term will be placed on Probation at the end of that term.
Students on probation who do not complete the required two courses the following term are not eligible for progression to the next term and will be notified of dismissal.
If a student is dismissed or voluntarily withdraws from the program, a formal application for re-entry is required and program requirements in effect at that time must be met.
Student deficiencies that may impact academic standing, which may include probation or dismissal from the program, are monitored by the Mentor.
Categories of Academic Standing are:
- Good Standing: Status of a student who has met academic requirements in a satisfactory manner.
- Warning: Status of a student whose academic performance places him/her in jeopardy of falling below the minimum stated grade required or progression.
- Probation: Status of a student who has failed to receive master in at least one course within a 6-month term. Following a term of probation, the student will either return to Good Standing by satisfactorily completing at least two courses in the subsequent term or be dismissed from the program. A student who is dismissed must seek readmission to the program. A student is allowed only one readmission to the program.
- Dismissal: Action whereby a student is dismissed from the program due to failure to adhere to academic and program requirements and/or policies or procedures as specified in the South College Catalog, the South College Student Handbook, and/or the Graduate Program Handbook. The Program Director recommends dismissal and forwards the recommendation to the Dean of Academic and Student Services (CBE).
Grading
Course Instructors determine mastery of competencies and the resulting final grade in all courses. The requirements of each course are found in the course syllabus.
| Letter Grade |
Quality Points |
Percentage Score Range |
| A (Mastery) |
4.00 |
90-100% |
Grievance Process
Students are encouraged to discuss any concern with their Mentor. If satisfaction cannot be attained at this level, and the students wants to make his/her concern official at the School of Education level, the student must complete a Grievance Form. Every effort will be made to resolve the concern at the School of Education level. If the grievance cannot be resolved at that level, the students should then follow the College’s grievance process outlined in the current South College Catalog and Student Handbook available on the institutional website and on the student portal.
Graduation Requirements
For a student to graduate from the Certificate in Higher Education Leadership (Post-Doctoral) program, the student must be in a good academic and professional standing, have had satisfactory progress in all quarters of the academic program, and satisfactorily complete the following:
- Successfully complete the required quarter credit hours of academic coursework.
- Evidence a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or above for the required coursework.
- Achieve a designation of “mastery” for all course competencies.
- Complete all required South College and program documents in preparation for graduation.
- Honor all professional and financial obligations to South College.
South College reserves the right, and the student, by the act of matriculation, concedes to give South College the right to require withdrawal at any time the college deems it necessary to safeguard the standards of scholarship, conduct, and compliance with regulations, or for such other reasons deemed appropriate by South College as set forth in the South College Student Handbook and/or the South College Catalog.
