Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Higher Education Leadership and Student Success

Certificate Level: Graduate
Certificate Type: Post-Baccalaureate
Number of Credits to Completion: 9.0
Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) Code: 13.0406
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Code: 11-9033

About the Program

The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate (PBC) in Higher Education Leadership and Student Success prepares emerging and mid-career professionals to lead across colleges, universities, and postsecondary systems. Students develop an understanding of governance structures, federal and state policies, institutional accountability, and the legal and ethical frameworks that shape contemporary higher education. Key themes include student development theory, institutional effectiveness, enrollment management, accreditation processes, and equity-centered leadership. Through the curriculum, learners strengthen competencies in policy analysis, data-informed decision-making, strategic leadership, and organizational collaboration. The program also emphasizes inclusive leadership practices, ethical reasoning, and the capacity to design policies and initiatives that promote student persistence, completion, and equitable educational outcomes.

Students engage in applied and problem-based experiences grounded in authentic higher education contexts. Students analyze institutional case studies, policy briefs, accreditation reports, and student success data to understand how leadership decisions influence institutional performance and student outcomes. Coursework integrates perspectives from higher education leadership, policy analysis, organizational theory, and the learning sciences. Faculty with scholarly and practitioner expertise facilitate collaborative projects, governance simulations, and strategic planning exercises that mirror real-world institutional challenges. Through these applied learning opportunities, students strengthen their ability to interpret complex data, evaluate policy decisions, and develop evidence-based strategies that support institutional improvement and student success.

Graduates of the PBC in Higher Education Leadership and Student Success are prepared for leadership and administrative roles across the higher education sector. Career pathways include positions such as Director of Student Success, Academic Advisor, Enrollment Management Specialist, Institutional Research Analyst, Student Affairs Administrator, Compliance or Title IX Officer, Program Director, and Higher Education Policy Analyst. The credential also provides a strong foundation for continued graduate study in higher education leadership, education policy, or related fields. Graduates develop competencies in governance, policy interpretation, student development, and institutional assessment to equip them to contribute to organizational effectiveness and student-centered reform across diverse postsecondary institutions.

As part of the Drexel Advantage, students engage in experiential learning that emphasizes applied leadership preparation and engagement with real institutional challenges. Faculty integrate professional practice with scholarship to ensure that students engage directly with contemporary issues shaping higher education. Through Drexel’s experiential approach, students develop the strategic, analytical, and ethical leadership capacities necessary to navigate complex institutional environments and advance equitable student success across the higher education landscape.

Program Requirements

Additional Information

For more information about this program, please contact the School of Education.