Certificate in Leadership in Enrollment Management

Program Overview

The certificate in Leadership in Enrollment Management, offered by the Center for Enrollment Research, Policy and Practice, will prepare you with knowledge, skills, and tools to bring mission-driven leadership to admissions, financial aid, and other enrollment management activities. Our thoughtfully designed program is created for individuals or campus teams, with a tuition discount available to teams. The content is thematic, ensuring that whether you work in a K-12/ independent school, higher education institution, or graduate/professional program, you will leave each session with actionable insights.

Grow as a professional by:

• Engaging with our faculty, who are nationally-recognized leaders and scholars;
• Discussing a carefully-curated set of readings that introduces you to the state of the art;
• Collaboratively analyzing case studies and applying the lessons to challenges in your own professional context;
• Developing your capacities for problem-solving, communication, management, and leadership; and
• Building authentic relationships with a national network of professional colleagues.

The program’s design allows you to:

• Remain employed while completing all coursework online;
• Enjoy a balance of asynchronous sessions that flex with your busy schedule and live/synchronous discussion sessions;
• Receive support in developing an individually-designed capstone that showcases the knowledge, skills, and problem-solving capacity you have developed; and
• (Optional) Meet in person with other enrollment leaders with complimentary registration to the annual CERPP Conference held in Los Angeles in February.

Curriculum

The curriculum will empower you with a range of administrative proficiencies. Foci include:

• Leading institutional change;
• Data-informed decision making;
• Setting enrollment goals and targets;
• Marketing and recruitment;
• Rethinking systems and structures;
• Pricing and financial aid strategy;
• Selecting and serving students from historically marginalized groups;
• Holistic review in admissions;
• Navigating organizational politics; and
• Organizing campus resources for retention.

Recognizing the pedagogies that are most effective and engaging for working professionals, you can anticipate case studies, reflection, and rich discussion. As a certificate program, assignments are given credit for completion rather than graded.

Online Learning Experience

The online learning experience includes video content, readings, discussions and activities. You are expected to contribute approximately 5-7 hours working through the content and participating in discussion in the program each week. There are no class sessions that require you to be online at any certain time.

We will offer live sessions from time to time to enhance the program. Your participation in these sessions is optional. These live sessions will be recorded and posted to allow those who are unable to participate during the live session to view the information presented.

Testimonials

“The USC certificate program was transformational for me. Thanks to the experienced and dedicated faculty who lead the program, I went from an enrollment management novice, to a leader on our campus who has a strong understanding of the discipline of enrollment management. In addition to the support of the faculty, being in a program with colleagues from both sides of the desk allowed for well-rounded, and comprehensive discussions that were always mutually beneficial. I’m in a better position to give students at St. Francis College the opportunity to dream, serve and achieve because of my engagement in this program.”

-Robert Oliva, Certificate alum, Vice President of Enrollment Management & Community Relations at St. Francis College

“The USC Leadership in Enrollment Management certificate program offered me space to reflect and connect with others about our daily work. This experience was invaluable in gaining perspective, building confidence and making connections with some down-to-earth and super bright people.”

-Tom Hoener, Certificate alum, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management at California Lutheran University

“The USC certificate program is an investment into growing your profession. It is serendipitous to take during the busiest time of the year because each lesson has an exact parallel theme as to what I was working on in the office. The professors and teachers are experts in the field who provide wisdom with understanding. Even with the experience of working within the field of enrollment management, I still found it beneficial to engage in the group discussions, thought-provoking readings, and each week noticed I had a new and fresh way of approaching my work. I recommend this certification program to anyone who is looking to grow in their knowledge of this field.”

-Ingrid Palmisano, Certificate alum, Chief Enrollment Officer at Miami Country Day School

Tuition

Tuition for the program is $8,000 and is payable by the first day of the course unless otherwise arranged. A three-part payment plan is available upon request.

Scholarships/Discounts

K-12/independent school members of the Enrollment Management Association may apply for $4,000 scholarships. Members of the National Association of Graduate Admissions Professionals (NAGAP) may receive a discount of $800. Two or more members from the same institution will also receive a team discount of $2,000 per team.