Certificate in Engineering Leadership (Purdue Certificate)
Earning the Certificate in Engineering Leadership (CEL) at IUPUI (Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis) will provide you with strong preparation in the foundations of engineering leadership knowledge, skills and abilities. This Purdue University certificate will supplement an already-earned bachelor’s degree from a variety of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.
Corporations need high quality, high impact leaders who can manage projects, work together in diverse teams that deal with organizational change, communicate effectively, embrace diversity, and address the challenges of the intellectual property process.
A recent survey of engineers found needs for knowledge, skills, and abilities for STEM professionals in the workplace, as reported in the following graph.
Another study indicates that the skills targeted by courses offered in the CEL, (communication skills, team leadership, interpersonal skills, and organizational change) are in high demand in today’s workplace. The graph below indicates priority skills for leadership development within organizations.
Nationally, engineering careers in many specialties in recent years were strong as indicated in Table 1. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook projects demand for engineering services, including engineering management and leadership, to grow 7% by 2028.
According to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, career prospects in Professional Scientific and Technical Services are also strong, with a projected growth rate of 15% statewide by 2028.
Employment Opportunities
The CEL certificate will enhance your existing professional work as well as prepare you for specialized positions such as
Introductory and Senior Level Engineering Manager
Intellectual Property Team Leader
Design Patent Leader
Quality and Productivity Leader
Engineering Consultant
Design Leader
Product Lifecycle Manager
Engineering Sales Manager
Management Analyst
Supply Chain Manager
Computer & Information Systems Manager
Computer Systems Analyst
Construction Manager
Leader – Training & Development
Operations Manager
Senior Maintenance Engineer
Senior Safety & Compliance Engineer
Highlights of the CEL Certificate
Faculty blend up-to-date theory with realistic, applied practice in leadership, technical communication, and intellectual property/patent law to create a diverse learning experience
You can complete the CEL Certificate either as a full-time student or as a part-time student
All courses taken for the CEL Certificate can apply towards an advanced degree.
To suit your learning style and schedule, you can take courses online, in hybrid format, or face-to-face
Courses provide relevant skills and knowledge as well as preparing you for the patent bar should you decide to take it
Courses
The CEL Certificate curriculum includes four required graduate courses and one elective graduate course for this post-baccalaureate credential.
This course explores issues in leadership and organizational change. Included are change theories, utilizing resistance to change, contemporary approaches to change, the future workplace, and researching best practices in organizational
This course enables you to learn project management in technology through the application of project approaches in a team-based setting. Through the application of project tools and templates, you learn the project life-cycle approach as demonstrated through actual and simulated project situations. The course presents the terms and approaches used in industry today and allows you to apply these methods through both individual and team-based settings.
This course explores and applies principles of professional technical communication in industrial, technological, and business settings, with emphasis on adapting to organizational audiences, selecting and organizing ideas, managing communication projects, and communicating clearly and effectively.
Present topics of intellectual property (IP) such as copyright, trademark, and trade secrets, topics directed to patents including a thorough introduction to subject matter eligibility, novelty, and non-obviousness as well as topics related to enablement and written description requirements of a patent and how each of these concepts can affect design choices. Learn how to navigate patent databases. Develop patentable Develop a solid understanding of technology commercialization from an IP perspective. Prepare patent applications.
One advisor-approved elective
Possible Elective Courses: To fit your professional goals, you will select an elective (with advisor approval) from a relevant field. The following TCM and OLS courses will be available:
An examination of ethical, legal and policy issues facing business and technology leaders. Topics include ethical decision making, corporate social responsibility, codes of ethics, public policies and government regulations, international business practices, technology innovation, risk management in a global environment, and specific areas of law-employment, health and safety, environmental, contract, warranties and liabilities, intellectual property, technology law, and international laws and regulations. Note: This course uses the case study method and involves active discussion and debate.
A survey course emphasizing the human resource function (and its development) in the context of the work organization. Human resource development topics include exploration of various training and development techniques, the relation of training to organizational strategies, training needs analysis, evaluation of training, and career development. The strategic approach to human resource management also is covered, including what human resource professionals can and should do to help the organization succeed.
This course examines and critically assesses sustainable practices in businesses, industries, and/or municipalities in Germany or France. Students will spend one week in Marseille, France or Mannheim, Germany visiting, touring, and analyzing businesses, industries or municipalities on their sustainable practices. In addition, to learning about the organization’s sustainable practices, students will also learn about their specific country’s culture and some language skills.
Review of current managerial education and development theories and practices; discussion of fundamental social, economic, and political changes affecting business and the work of managing; implications of these changes for individual manager development and continued growth.
Development and improvement of interpersonal dynamic skills for effective leadership in organizations. Emphasis on action learning and real-world application of skills.
This course explores issues and practices in technologically-driven organizations pertaining to the roles and functions that coaching and mentoring play in employees development. The focus of the course is on identifying coaching opportunities, enhancing communication skills, developing and implementing coaching and mentoring strategies, and evaluating the outcomes of these strategies.
This course is intended for graduate students who wish to learn the theory and practice of visual technical communication.
Students examine and apply principles of creating a technical or professional publication from start to finish. Students also explore and practice publication quality managment issues such as planning, researching audience and content, designing the publication, drafting, obtaining reviews, conducting usability testing, and negotiationg within organizational cultures.
This course is intended for graduate students who wish to learn the theory and practice of conducting applied research in technical and/or professional communication.
Requirements for Admission
An earned bachelor’s degree with a GPA (Grade Point Average) of 3.0/4.0 in engineering, engineering technology, or other relevant field
A statement of purpose
One letter of recommendation
Transcripts
GRE scores if you did not earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
