- Program length: One semester (full-time) or over 2-4 semesters (part-time)
- Students with an undergraduate degree by the time of matriculation.
Decisions Released: Rolling Basis
Deposit Deadline: August 8, 2026
Spring 2027 Semester Application Deadline
Application Deadline: January 1, 2027
Decisions Released: Rolling Basis
Deposit Deadline: January 8, 2027
- Jennifer FraticelliAdmissions Officer
Leading Positive Change
The UVA Batten Graduate Certificate in Public Leadership provides vigorous training in the core competencies needed to lead effectively in the public sector. Graduates emerge equipped to to drive ethical, evidence-based decisions and ensure their ideas have lasting impact through message framing and the psychology of persuasion.
In the certificate program, you will:
- Examine foundational leadership theories, overcome real-world barriers, apply influence strategies, and communicate persuasively across diverse audiences
- Gain academic insight and practical tools for leadership in complex, high-stakes environments
- Identify and counteract cognitive biases in decision-making, foster productive team dynamics, and navigate power structures and conflict with confidence
- Learn to influence behavior and create change across sectors.
Flexible Format
Online courses have one hour per week of synchronous instruction; the remainder is delivered in asynchronous format. All students complete 12 credit hours, and credits may be applied toward the full Master of Public Policy (MPP) program in the future.
Students in the Graduate Certificate in Public Leadership must complete twelve (12) credit hours of graduate-level work. Six (6) credits will be completed with two core courses, while the remaining six (6) credits will be satisfied through elective courses.
The certificate is offered to students on both a full-time and part-time basis. Students enrolled full-time can complete the certificate program in one semester; part-time students can complete the program in two to four semesters. All certificate course requirements must be completed within three years of matriculation into the program.
Students enrolled in the online Public Leadership certificate program can choose electives in public leadership or take online courses offered by UVA’s various schools that align with public policy.
Core Courses – 6 credit hours
- LPPL 7410: Psychology for Leadership (3 credits)
- LPPL 7025: Values-Based Leadership (3 credits)
Elective Options– 6 credit hours
- LPPL 5025: Wise Interventions: Social Psychology and Public Policy (3 credits)
- LPPL 5035: Leading and Managing Diverse Teams (3 credits)
- LPPS 5360: Imaging Equitable Policy (3 credits)
- LPPL 6050: Leadership in the Public Arena (3 credits)
- LPPP 6250: Introduction to Policy Analysis (3 credits)
- LPPP 6350: Politics of Public Policy (3 credits)
- LPPP 6450: Data for Public Leaders (3 credits)
- LPPS 6710: Congress 101: Leadership Strategies (3 credits)
- LPPS 6715: Leadership in US Foreign Policymaking (3 credits)
- LPPS 6765: Federal and State Budgeting (3 credits)
- LPPL 7055: Strategies and Processes of Negotiation (3 credits)
- LPPL 7260: Values and Bias in Public Policy (3 credits)
*Please note, some electives are not offered in each semester.
In order to apply to the UVA Batten Graduate Certificate in Public Leadership, you will be required to submit the following materials by 11:59 p.m. ET on the date of the official deadline:
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (as either a Word Document or a PDF)
- One Required Essay
- What is the motivation behind your decision to pursue a Batten Graduate Certificate in Public Policy? What work, activity, or educational experience has best equipped you for graduate studies in this field? (Please limit your answer to 500 words.)
- Unofficial Transcripts
- Unofficial transcripts may be uploaded directly to your online application. Should you gain acceptance to the program, a required official transcript will be requested at that time.
- Optional Test Scores
- The Batten School has removed the standardized test requirement. If you have already taken the GRE, you are welcome to submit your scores if you believe they provide another useful data point for your application. Please direct your unofficial scores to BattenAdmissions@virginia.edu, and we will attach it to your application.
- Optional Application Addendum
- There is no penalty for not submitting an application addendum. However, some applicants may wish to provide additional information to the admissions committee. Feel free to amplify the positive dimensions of your background that are not covered in other parts of this application. Similarly, you may wish to put some seemingly negative information in your application into context. Please format this application addendum as a letter to the admissions committee, not to exceed one page.
Your application may be completed online and submitted electronically once you have answered all the required questions. You do not have to complete the online application in one sitting – you may access your application and change your answers as many times as you like.
