Certificate in Higher Education Leadership & Management (HELMs)
The Higher Education Leadership and Management Graduate Certificate (HELMs) is a 15-credit academic concentration focused on the study of leadership, management and organization in higher education and the intersection of theory and practice. It is designed for the many current and future leaders in higher education who could benefit from additional leadership training but who do not wish to commit to a degree program at the current time. Credits earned can be applied towards a master’s or doctoral degree in Higher Education if you decide later that you would like to pursue a degree.
We expect to welcome our first cohort in Fall 2013.
For more information about the HELMs Graduate Certificate contact Kate Hudson, HELMs Coordinator, khudson@educ.umass.edu.
Who Should Consider the Higher Education Leadership and Management Graduate Certificate (HELMs)?
You may be interested in pursuing the HELMs Graduate Certificate if you are a:
- Higher education professional who wants to gain leadership and management skills
- Current doctoral student in any field considering a career in higher education administration upon completion of your degree;
- Faculty member or administrator who wishes to enhance your knowledge and skills in order to provide better leadership for your campus.
The HELMs Graduate Certificate is most suitable for those who already have several years of experience working in higher education.
Courses Included in the HELMs Graduate Certificate
- EDUC 601a – Foundations of Higher Education (Fall)
- EDUC 674 – Leading Higher Education (Fall)
- EDUC 621 – Managing Higher Education (Spring)
- EDUC 846 – The Academic Profession (Spring)
- EDUC 723 – Organizing Higher Education (Summer)
The certificate is taught in an online and blended format with limited face-to-face meetings (approximately once a month during the fall and spring semesters, and three times during the summer session). It can be completed in one year by taking two classes in each of the fall and spring semesters, and the final course in the summer. Or, courses can be spread out over more semesters.
Program Tuition and Fees
The HELMs graduate certificate is administered through UMass Amherst Continuing & Professional Education (C&PE). For more information on C&PE tuition and fees, see https://www.umassulearn.net/financial-info/fees-expenses.
Tuition waivers for eligible state employees for Continuing & Professional Education courses offer a 50% discount on the course tuition. For more information on tuition waivers, see https://www.umassulearn.net/financial-info/waivers.
Current UMass Amherst graduate students and employees can choose classes that are offered in face-to-face sessions (usually EDUC 674 Leading Higher Education and EDUC 621 Managing Higher Education) for which tuition waivers apply. Other classes must be taken through Continuing and Professional Education.
Admission to the HELMs Graduate Certificate
Admission is on a rolling basis. Deadline for fall admittance is May 1; however, later applications will be considered on a space available basis.
You must hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. You may take up to two courses before you officially apply to the program.
Materials required for admission include: application form, personal statement, resume, transcripts from undergraduate and graduate institutions attended, and two letters of reference.
Submit your application materials to:
Kate Hudson, Coordinator, HELMs Graduate Certificate
School of Education, 257 Hills South
111 Thatcher Way
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003
Materials can also be submitted electronically to: khudson@educ.umass.edu
Transfer of Credits
If, after you complete the requirements for the Higher Education Leadership and Management certificate, you apply to and enroll in either a master’s or doctoral concentration, you will be able to apply all 15 credits toward that degree. Details are available through the Coordinator.
Associated Faculty
Benita J. Barnes (Associate Professor), Joseph B. Berger (Professor), Ryan Wells (Assistant Professor), Gary Malaney (Adjunct Associate Professor), Elizabeth Williams (Adjunct Assistant Professor), Katherine Hudson (Lecturer)
