Leadership and Ethics, Certificate
Build a solid foundation in ethical theory and put it to work in hands-on policy and management challenges. Learn to navigate the gray areas of leadership with confidence, keeping your decisions grounded in accountability and the public interest.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Certificate description
Leadership and Ethics undergraduate certificate description
The certificate program in leadership and ethics focuses on developing your understanding the broad transdisciplinary field of leadership and its application to various elements of society and community. It prepares you for positions of leadership and responsibility in the university, in student organizations, in your communities, and throughout your career in business and government.
Why earn a leadership and ethics undergraduate certificate at ASU?
Offered through the School of Public Affairs within the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, consistently ranked among the nation's top schools for public affairs, this certificate delivers a curriculum shaped for the distinct ethical burdens of public and nonprofit work, rather than general business ethics.
Courses
This undergraduate certificate includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
2026-2027 Catalog Year
The certificate requires 15 credit hours. A "C" minimum is required for all courses in the certificate, although students must maintain a 3.00 GPA in the post-baccalaureate certificate program.
| Requirement | Minimum grade | Credit hours |
|---|---|---|
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The certificate in leadership and ethics requires 15 upper-division credit hours. Students complete three core courses (nine credit hours), plus two discipline-based electives in leadership or ethics (six credit hours). Elective coursework may be selected from the approved list of elective courses or upon the recommendation of the department. |
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All required courses must be taken at Arizona State University. Any course substitutions for the certificate are at the discretion of the School of Public Affairs.
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PAF 311 Leadership and Change
(SOBE)
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
PAF 410 Building Leadership Skills
(SOBE)
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
PAF 460 Public Service Ethics
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
6 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 6 |
|
Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate.
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What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Apply knowledge of leadership and ethics in real-world circumstances, whether at work or in civic engagement.
- Apply core competencies of leadership as they relate to the identification, assessment and resolution of problems of public relevance in organizations.
Apply knowledge of leadership and ethics in real-world circumstances, whether at work or in civic engagement.Enrollment requirements
A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded prior to the award of an undergraduate degree. A student already holding an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.
Here are the admission and application details
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this leadership and ethics undergraduate certificate prepares you for
Graduates are prepared to pursue a career in a field related to public administration or public policy, particularly in the areas of participatory governance and public engagement. This may include opportunities as a manager or policy analyst in local, state or federal agencies, in nonprofit organizations, and in private organizations whose work interfaces with the public sector.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
School of Public Affairs
|
UCENT 400
spa@asu.edu
602-496-0450
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
