Graduate Certificate: Problem Solving for Leading Change

Why this certificate?

The pace of change continues to move faster in today’s world. As an example, consider that it is estimated that the Bronze Age lasted approximately 2,100 years before progressing to the Iron Age. For comparison, there is a 66-year span between the Wright brothers first powered and sustained flight of an airplane, and Neil Armstrong becoming the first person walking on the moon. Said another way, the pace of change today is the slowest it will ever be again in your lifetime (Morgan, 2020).

To lead social change in today’s environment, one can’t do it alone. It requires a team. There are many reasons why teams meet their goals in leading change well, and one reason in particular is the management of cognitive diversity within the team. Adaption-Innovation (A-I) theory is a useful framework to approach cognitive diversity with humility and mutual respect, and provides a lens for separating the speed, size, complexity, and style of change; each of these four being independent of each other.

A-I theory is incorporated into each of the courses required to complete this graduate certificate. Individuals completing this certificate will learn how to serve as an agent of change, and work with other agents of change, for the common good.

Program Outcomes

This graduate certificate will complement Virginia Tech graduate students’ academic education through the following learning outcomes:

• Evaluate the research literature regarding problem solving, problem-solving style, teamwork, and social change in light of contemporary theories.
• Examine the stages of problem solving, group development, and change management as they relate to each other.
• Propose practical solutions to identified societal problems by first identifying existing systems as an agent of change.

Curriculum

This certificate requires completion of four courses (3 credit-hours each).  It is preferred that courses are completed sequentially as presented.  These courses include:

Admission & Conferral

Admission to the Graduate School and completing a Graduate Certificate Application are required for all students.  For both degree-seeking and non-degree-seeking students, the Graduate School requires completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of 3.0 or better for admission to Certificate Status.  Applicants with an undergraduate GPA < 3.0 may qualify for Commonwealth Campus admission. 

• Current degree seeking VT students should complete the Application for Graduate Certificate Program form
• Non-VT students should complete the online Admission Application

Certificate credits may be used to meet degree requirements if they are appropriate for inclusion on the degree Plan of Study.  When all requirements have been satisfied, participants will submit an application for certificate conferral to have the certificate added to their academic transcript.  

For specific information about this program, contact Dr. Curt Friedel (540) 231-8177, or send email to: cfriedel@vt.edu