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Leadership for Women in Business Certificate

Central Alberta women who aspire to pursue professional careers, have you ever wondered how successful women handle the psychological and social obstacles they encounter in the workplace? This Women in Business Certificate Program is a great opportunity to upskill and reskill in seven core competencies identified as critical hiring criteria.
Certificate of Completion
23 Hours
Part-Time Online

About the Leadership for Women in Business Certificate

Did you know that women make up the majority of higher education students and almost half of the working population? Despite these facts, gender equality is still a distant goal, as demonstrated by the wage gap that undervalues women's work. This certificate program explores the social and psychological mechanisms that pose unique challenges for professional women. It also introduces key concepts and practices to address these challenges. 

All courses within this certificate are fully online, so you have the freedom to study at your own pace and in your preferred space. You can even create a timetable that works for you! 

 With insight from women leaders and data-driven recommendations, this new learning opportunity will give you the tools to propel yourself and your career forward. 

Program Content

Course Descriptions

Body Language for Women in Business 

Communication is so much more than what is said.  Much can be communicated through body language. Learn how to read body language cues and use them to better understand the situation and the individual you are connecting with. This course will address gender stereotypes, cross-cultural body language and the role of body language in virtual communication. 

 

Communication for Women in Business 

The course will provide a general overview of effective communication at work. Learners will review tips and strategies for communicating with small and large groups, being heard in meetings, projecting confidence and more—especially as these concepts apply to women. This course also considers communication in public speaking and discusses the importance of understanding the audience, preparing for a presentation, using visual aids appropriately and more. Learners will be able to identify criticisms of, and biases toward, women speakers and the course introduces strategies to counteract them. 

 

Current Issues Facing Women in Business 

This general awareness course will assess the representation of women in various domains, including sports, politics, education, STEM fields, pink-collar jobs and managerial positions. We will also review the challenges that many working women face, as well as strategies for addressing those challenges both as an individual and from an organizational perspective. The course concludes with a brief review of milestones in women's history in the workplace and an assessment of how better representation of women can benefit businesses. 

 

Networking and Mentorship for Women in Business 

Making meaningful connections can be critical to professional success. Although many find networking difficult, it is a learned skill that can improve with technique and practice. This course introduces techniques and strategies for networking, finding mentors, and attracting sponsors, as well as common anxieties and obstacles people face when trying to expand their professional connections. It highlights how networking can be challenging and especially important for women in business. 

 

Leadership and Management for Women in Business 

Leaders can change the thoughts, attitudes and behaviours of the people around them. Successful organizations must have leaders who take them in the right direction. While not all leaders are managers or even occupy positions of authority, managers are often leaders for the employees who report to them. While companies with more women in leadership positions tend to see benefits to their bottom line, gender stereotypes and biases can make it difficult for women to become recognized as leaders and advance into managerial or executive positions at work. This course reviews various qualities of leaders and styles of leadership and management. It reviews common managerial challenges and introduces techniques, strategies and best practices to overcome those obstacles. 

 

Negotiation for Women in Business 

This course defines negotiation and reviews the importance of advocating for yourself and your interests. Because negotiation tends to be characterized in a stereotypically masculine way, this course considers some of the challenges that women tend to face when negotiating. The course reviews key negotiation concepts such as BATNA and ZOPA, common negotiation mistakes, and the five stages of the negotiation process. The course-takers will also engage in negotiation scenarios for opportunities to prepare for common situations they may encounter. 

 

Work-Life Balance for Women in Business  

Everyone finds that their life is unbalanced from time to time. If left unaddressed, that lack of balance can cause stress, decreased productivity, and even health problems. Stereotypes and expectations about what matters to women can exacerbate work-life balance challenges. This course explores the importance of prioritizing things that matter to you, both at work and home, and introduces techniques to help individuals and organizations make work-life balance possible.  

Completion Requirements

Each of these courses can be taken on their own, or as part of the Leadership for Women in Business Certificate. 

Learners must achieve an average test score of at least 70% to meet the minimum successful completion requirement and must successfully complete all program courses to earn their certificate.  

Admissions

There are no prerequisites or online learning experience required.

Learners can enrol in this program at any time.

Payment is due upon enrolment.

Additional Requirements

Technology Requirements

In these courses, online learners will require a personal computer (PC) or laptop with a reliable internet connection to access coursework.   

Program Cost

Students from Canada
Total Program Cost
$699.00

Learners may register for the full certificate or complete each course as a stand-alone learning opportunity. 

Prices for individual courses are as follows:

Body Language for Women in Business $119 

Communication for Women in Business $119 

Current Issues Facing Women in Business $119 

Leadership and Management for Women in Business $119 

Networking and Mentorship for Women in Business $119 

Negotiation for Women in Business $119 

Work-Life Balance for Women in Business $119 

Funding for Continuing Education Courses

Students enrolled in continuing education programs may qualify for program-dependent funding opportunities, such as awards, scholarships, government funding and grants.