Academic Catalogs

Leadership Studies, Certificate of Specialization

This is an archived copy of the 2022-2023 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit https://catalog.cccd.edu.

Banner Code: 1_CE_LDST

Not Financial Aid Eligible


The goal of this program is to enhance individual and organizational effectiveness. Students will develop personal leadership skills, study ethical dimensions of leadership, understand how leadership affects people, organizations, and society, and articulate and apply their own philosophy of leadership in their careers and lives.

Program Outcomes

  1. Function effectively in a leadership role using the skills, principles, and tools they have acquired.
  2. Apply the leadership principles they have learned in their personal and/or organizational lives.
  3. Distinguish between the qualities of effective and ineffective leaders.

Certificate of Specialization Requirements

The Certificate of Specialization is a locally approved career program that requires sixteen units or fewer units and is designed to prepare the graduate to enter a particular field of employment.  In order to be awarded a certificate, students are required to obtain a grade of “C” or better in all program-required courses. Grades of “CR” or “P” will be accepted whereas “CR” or “P” meets the equivalency of a “C” or better.  At least 3 units in an advanced course from the certificate must be completed at OCC at the department’s discretion.  Certificates of Specialization are not automatically awarded, not printed on official academic transcripts, and there is no acknowledgment of completion given at graduation.  Please contact the division for details regarding the submission of petitions as procedures for each division vary.  Most division offices prefer that students complete all of the required courses and then provide a copy of the transcript while some divisions allow petitions for Certificates of Specialization before finishing.  Check with a counselor to determine the requirements for completion.

A list of certificate programs can be found in the Programs A-Z section of this catalog.  

Course Title Units
Required Courses
CMST A100Interpersonal Communication3
LEAD A180Personal Leadership3
LEAD A200Organizational Leadership3
Total Units9

Program Sequence

These sequences at Orange Coast College are curriculum maps for students to finish all requirements for the certificate. There may be advisories, prerequisites, or time requirements that students need to consider before following these maps. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor for alternate sequencing.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Semester 1Units
CMST A100 Interpersonal Communication 3
LEAD A180 Personal Leadership 3
LEAD A200 Organizational Leadership 3
 Units9
 Total Units9