Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Leadership for Student Success

Historical perspectives on the development of higher education are useful in understanding the characteristics of our current system and future trends. The social, political, and economic context in which four-year colleges, community colleges, and universities operate is introduced in this course. Education professionals explore how institutions of higher education apply business principles to renew their commitment to student learning and achieve their mission and goals effectively. They also become familiar with the philosophy, requirements, and community of Walden University, The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership, and the M.S. in Higher Education program.

The success of any business is tied directly to its ability to serve its customers effectively. In higher education, those customers are students. In this course, education professionals examine fundamental principles of student learning and development as well as the implications of these principles for adult learners from a variety of backgrounds who have diverse needs and are in different stages of the educational process. They investigate and discuss factors affecting students’ educational goals and aspirations, their ability to stay in college, and the impact of their educational experiences on their learning and development; through this exploration and discussion, education professionals gain a better understanding of the ways leaders can improve these outcomes.

Student success depends not only on the quality of the institution’s academic programs but also on the quality and availability of student services. In particular, the growing need to help increasingly diverse student populations succeed in college requires innovative approaches to retention and support initiatives. In this course, education professionals explore strategies to plan, organize, and manage student services and programs effectively as well as for ensuring that these programs meet legal and regulatory requirements. They also engage in coursework that emphasizes the design and deployment of programs and services, which enables students from diverse backgrounds to achieve their educational goals.

Supporting and retaining  students until graduation is central to the mission of all institutions of higher education. In this course, education professionals investigate strategies for increasing student success throughout their college experience, from admission to graduation. They explore the ways in which faculty and staff throughout the institution can work collaboratively and leverage resources, such as emerging technologies, to create positive learning experiences. Educators focus on the interplay between academic and student support programs as well as how to design and implement such programs to maximize opportunities for student success.

In this course, education professionals explore strategies for leading change in programs and services to support student success and retention. Education professionals engage in research and discussion on a variety of issues, such as assessing needs, developing programs, and seeking resources through fundraising and grant writing. They also engage in activities that focus on ways that change efforts can support an institution’s mission and strategic goals, such as increasing the participation of traditionally underrepresented populations in key program areas and building more inclusive communities of learners.