Frequently Asked Questions | Center for Leadership | Florida International University | FIU
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Frequently Asked Questions

Applying to one of our award-winning programs is the first step in shaping your leadership development tool kit. Below you will find a list of questions we often receive. If you have additional questions, please contact us.

About our Programs

  • Which program would be right for me?

    The Center offers multiple programs each year designed for specific audiences. Below you will find which program is best suited for you, or members of your organization.

    • The Senior Executive Leaders Program (SEL)
      • For organizational executives: senior vice presidents and C-suite executives (CEO, CIO, CHRO, etc.) generally in the top tiers of the organization.
      • More than 20 years of leadership experience and responsibility for leading a significant number of people and budget.
      • Admission is by application.
    • The High-Impact Leadership Program (HIL)
      • For mid-to-senior level executives: vice presidents, directors, or area managers with significant responsibilities.
      • More than 10 years of leadership experience and responsibility for leading an operational area or other managers.
      • Admission is by application.
    • The Women Leaders Program (WLP)
      • For mid-to-senior level women executives: vice presidents, directors, or area managers with significant responsibilities.
      • More than 10 years of leadership experience and responsibility for leading an operational area or other managers.
      • Admission is by application.
    • The Leadership Accelerator Program (LAP)
      • For managers and supervisors of individual contributors or managers of large-scale projects: assistant/associate directors, senior managers, project managers, or managers.
      • Generally with 2-10 years of management experience with increasing levels of responsibility.
      • Admission is by application.
    • The Leadership Essentials Program (LEP)
      • For individuals at various levels within the organizations. Designed specifically for individual contributors and front-line managers.
      • Admission is by registration.
    • The Inclusive Leadership Workshop (ILW)
      • For individuals at various levels within the organizations. Appropriate for any industry and organizational size.
      • Admission is by registration.
  • What are the dates of the programs? Will you offer another session this year?

    Each program is offered once per year. Please refer to our program calendar for upcoming dates.

  • What is the difference between The Women Leaders Program and The High-Impact Leadership Program?

    Would The Women Leaders Program be better for me?

    The Women Leaders Program provides a unique setting where professional women can openly talk about the unique challenges a woman faces, including inherent biases and workplace issues. Two unique assessments used in this program focus on building a rhetoric around how you show up (personality) and personal strengths. Participants represent a broad spectrum of industries and are accomplished women leaders who have achieved significant milestones in their careers, thus providing a rich backdrop and depth of experience to every conversation. Find more program information here.

    Would The High-Impact Leadership Program be better for me?

    The High-Impact Leadership Program provides a deep dive into the opportunities and challenges high-impact leaders face and an opportunity to explore how each of us “shows up” to our work. Through assessments that reveal our best qualities and how these can be derailed when we are not vigilant, participants find life-long learnings that will help them throughout their careers. Participants from across a wide spectrum provide a rich backdrop for learnings that address specific needs but also transcend specific industries and speak to leadership in the broader context, making these skills highly portable and transferrable. Find more program information here.

  • Why should I choose the FIU Center for Leadership versus other institutions?

    The Center for Leadership at FIU does one thing: leadership development. We do not do marketing, finance, or cyber-security, for example; our only focus is on making you a better leader.

    We are known for our brand of leadership development and have received numerous top-ranked awards for our programming from Chief Learning Officer Group, Leadership Excellence, and HR.com. Read more about our rankings.

    The program curriculum is research based and remains current with findings in the field of leadership studies. This is not someone’s style of leadership, or a “what would you do?” scenario, it is based on the very best industry practices provided by our research. 

    The curriculum is based on The Center’s proprietary Leadership Competency Builder©; You can access the LCB© here, and take the assessment to determine your organizational competency needs and strengths.

    Participants in our programs who have attended leadership development programs at other “top 10” universities have time and again commented that our programs are “better than” the very best out there because they address the whole person, they are research-based, they provide foundational principles that can be continually developed, and give practical suggestions for next steps.

    Center programs represent a “best value” in leadership development among top-ranked programs.

    All Center for Leadership programs could qualify you for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or SHRM Professional Development Credits. Ask us how.

  • Do you offer custom programs?

    Yes! Bring our award-winning programs to your organization by filling our contact form.

Applying for a Program

Cost of Attending

  • What is included in the program fee?

    Program fees include tuition, instructional materials, program activities, at least one self-assessment, and meals (in-person programs only).

    These programs are by far a “best value” in leadership development programs. Program fees are listed on each individual program page.

  • How can I sell this to my management?

    One of the best ways is to present the value-added component that will benefit the organization; what’s in it for them? Each organization will emphasize different aspects, but a good place to start is by watching our very short videos about participants who have attended our programs.

    Program flyers also provide information that can be useful for management decisions. Visit the program specific page to download a copy of the program flyer.

  • Do you offer scholarships or financial assistance?

    Because The Center is committed to creating better leaders for a better world, we have made it part of our mission to make leadership development available as widely as possible. There are a number of reduced tuition options available.

    • There is a 10% tuition savings for early application (applications must be received by the date indicated on the specific program page).
    • In order to support and encourage leadership development of our FIU alumni, a 10% tuition savings is available for FIU alumni. Please indicate on your program application that you are an FIU alumni.
    • Organizations sending three or more participants to a single, multi-day program receive a special tuition rate. Please contact us for more details about this special rate.
    • A limited number of spaces in our multi-day programs are also reserved for not-for-profit, government, and military employees at a reduced tuition. Please contact us for more details about this special rate.

    For more information about these special rates, and eligibility requirements, please complete our contact form, or email us at lead@fiu.edu.

About the Curriculum and Credentials

  • How is the program content designed?

    The program curriculum is research based and remains current with findings in the field of leadership studies. This is not someone’s style of leadership, or a “what would you do?” scenario, it is based on the very best industry practices provided by our research. The curriculum is based on The Center’s proprietary Leadership Competency Builder©.

    You can access the Leadership Competency Builder©, and take the assessment to determine your organizational competency needs and strengths.

  • What is covered in each program?

    All Center programs focus on two epicenters of leadership: self-insight and developable skills.

    • Self-Insight: To be most effective a leader must first begin to look inward and be prepared to take a deep dive into who they are, how they think, how they view the world, and to question the basis for these perceptions. While it is unlikely that an individual may be able to change these more core characteristics, deep self-awareness can help leaders proactively manage leadership behaviors.
    • Leadership skills: The application of cutting-edge research vetted by leading practitioners allows leaders to learn, practice and develop actionable skills and behaviors consistent with effective leadership.

    Each program is tailored around these two epicenters for the target audience. Refer to the program page for details around program-specific curriculum.

  • Who teaches in these programs?

    Top faculty and subject-matter experts teach all sessions in Center programs. Program faculty have industry experience and are vetted carefully to ensure they are delivering the most innovate content. To learn more about our faculty, view our Center fellows and affiliated faculty page.

  • What will I receive upon completion of my program?

    You will receive a certificate of completion from the Center for Leadership at Florida International University.

  • Do any of the programs provide credit towards a degree or other credentials?

    All Center for Leadership programs are non-degree, standalone programs and cannot be used towards the completion of a degree program.

    Center programs could qualify you for Continuing Education Unites (CEUs) or SHRM Professional Development Credits. For more information about these credits, please complete our contact form, or email us at lead@fiu.edu.