The National Labor College :: Certificate Programs

Certificate Programs

Specialized certificates are available to students completing a series of related courses. All certificates require 12 semester credits of NLC coursework. All NLC courses listed below are either three-credit courses (most of which are taught during the NLC’s degree week) or two-credit courses with a third credit option after additional work is completed. Classes taken through partnership with NLC academic and union partners do not qualify for NLC certificate credit. Certificates are available to all NLC students, whether or not they are pursuing a B.A. or BTPS degree.

Credits earned through the certificate program can be applied towards the completion of the major requirements in the B.A. degree.

Certificate in Union Administration

Students must take one of the following classes:

Managing Local Unions
New Union Staff
Union Structure and Governance

And one class from each of three of the following areas of NLC course offerings:

Arbitration
Collective Bargaining
Dispute Resolution and Grievance Handling
Organizing Law
Ethics
Capital Stewardship

Certificate in Labor Safety and Health

Students must take at least one of the following classes:

Representing Injured Workers
Industrial Hygiene
Train-the-Trainer on Workplace Health and Safety (instructor permission required)
Additional health and safety course offered during one of the B.A semesters

And at least one of the following classes:

Hazardous Materials Transportation Online
Rail Workers Hazardous Materials Training Program
Workplace Hazards and the Law

And at least one OSHA class taken through the National Labor College’s National Resource Center program.

Certificate in Organizing

Students must take 12 semester credits of coursework from the NLC’s Organizing offerings and the Strategic Grievance Handling class.

Strategic Grievance Handling
Effective Communications
Effective Leadership: Making it All Work
Grassroots Leadership I, II
New Union Staff
Organizing & Representing the New Workforce
Organizing I, II, III

Certificate in Labor Education

Students must take 12 semester credits of coursework chosen from the following set of offerings:

Teaching Techniques I
Teaching Techniques II
Theories of Adult Learning
Instructional Systems Design
Distance Education
History of Labor Education
Effective Communications

Certificate in Capital Stewardship

Students must take the following courses:

Investment Strategies
Fiduciary Duties
Capital Stewardship and Fund Governance
Active Ownership and Corporate Governance

One of the above-noted classes can be replaced by a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist class offered at or through the National Labor College.

Building Trades Certificates

Certificate in Building Trades Union Leadership and Administration

Contract Negotiations in the Construction Industry
Labor Law in the Construction Industry
Organizing in the Construction Industry – Level I

Plus one class from each of two of the following areas of NLC course offerings:

Managing Local Unions
New Union Staff
Union Structure and Governance

Accelerated Online Certificate Programs

The National Labor College is pleased to announce the offering of four new Certificate Programs to be available in fall 2009 and spring 2010. Listed below are the new programs and a brief description of each. Each program is offered totally online to interested students. Instructor contact information is also listed for further discussion. Interested students must apply to the College before registering for any classes.

Certificate for Leadership for Change(FALL 2009)

(All courses are offered for 3 credits or may take as non-credit; must complete 12 credits or four (4) courses for the certificate - All courses are offered online for 10 weeks)

The certificate is a four course, ten week, fully online program. The four courses are: Effective Leadership: Making It all Happen, Grassroots Leadership for Working America 1 & 2, Leadership Theory and Union Administration. Courses are designed to provide participants with a new comprehensive look at organization, management and leadership issues for today’s union leaders. Local union activists, officers, administrators and others in leadership positions are ideal candidates for this program.

Please contact Bonnie Ladin at 301-431-5409 or bladin@nlc.edu for additional information.

Certificate for Computer Skills and Technology in Education(FALL 2009)

(Must complete 12 credits or number of courses equivalent to 12 credits for the certificate - All courses are offered online for 3-6 weeks)

The Certificate for Computer Skills and Technology in Education is ideal for individuals in teaching professions, trainers, administrators and anyone who wishes to hone computer skills to keep up with the ever advancing teaching techniques and in demands in the teaching of 21st century classroom teaching or in training settings. The courses in this program will help you to develop skills to use technology competently and innovatively in teaching areas from early to post-secondary level as well as designing learning activities using technologies for training and workshops.

Please contact Rob Morriss at 301-628-4851 or rmorriss@nlc.edu and Jean Dearden at 301-431-5430 or jdearden@nlc.edu for additional information.

Certificate for Organizing in the Digital World(SPRING 2010)

(All courses are offered for 3 credits or may take as non-credit; must complete 12 credits or 4 classes - All courses are offered online for 10 weeks)

The certificate for Organizing in the Digital World is an innovative approach to new organizing models and techniques for today’s activists. Courses are designed to provide the participants with in-depth knowledge and hands on applications for developing activist campaigns. Union organizers, community activists and Local union leaders who are involved in growth strategies for their organizations are a good fit for this program.

Please contact Bonnie Ladin at 301-431-5409 or bladin@nlc.edu or Jean Dearden at 301-431-5430 or jdearden@nlc.edu for additional information.

Certificate for Leadership and Technology in Education(SPRING 2010)

(All courses are offered for 2 credits or may take as non-credit; must complete 12 credits or number of courses equivalent to 12 credits for the certificate - All courses are offered online for 6 weeks)

Use of technology in academia is in a constant state of flux, and educators always need to reshape curricula to keep pace. The Certificate in Leadership and Technology in Education is ideal for administrators, teachers, and technical professionals who currently serve in academic settings, leadership positions, or for those interested in advancing to such positions in the future. Developed by the instructional technology team at NLC, this 12-credit certificate provides students with a solid foundation of technology leadership competencies that can be used in today’s as well as tomorrow’s workplace. Courses introduce students to current technical issues and trends, instructional design, and research and designing of assessment techniques.