Brown School > Resources & Initiatives > Post-Master's Certificate > Developing and Leading Effective Teams

Developing and Leading Effective Teams

The Post-Master’s Certificate in Developing & Leading Effective Teams is designed to provide helping professionals an opportunity to expand their skill in individual and group leadership.

Participants will learn to better identify and understand their personal leadership style, to align their leadership strategy and style with their own personal values and self-image, and to communicate and apply their leadership style to building and supporting effective teams. The program is rooted in strengths-based leadership and includes a focus on leading for social justice, equity, and inclusion.

Applications will be accepted through January 18, 2019.

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Is this program for me?

This program is intended for individuals who already hold a master’s degree and have a demonstrated interest in increasing their effectiveness providing individual and group leadership within social service and related fields. You do not have to be an alum of the Brown School to apply for consideration.

The group will meet intensively over three Friday-Saturdays for skill-building. There are modest reading assignments of management texts between the class meetings. All texts are included in the program fee.

The program is appropriate for emerging leaders for whom team leadership is a new challenge, as well as for more seasoned professionals who haven’t previously received extensive training on the topic and want to increase their leadership effectiveness.

At the end of the program, participants will:

Identify and develop a personal leadership philosophy and presence that reflects greater knowledge, capabilities, and insight
Develop collaborative leadership skills to engage with a diverse range of individuals and stakeholders
Hone their skills to empower others and foster effective teamwork
Enhance and increase their confidence to make a difference as active, engaged citizen leaders

Successful completion of the certificate program includes submission of a leadership portfolio and a leadership action plan, along with the completion of a strengths-based leadership assessment.

How to Apply

A completed application will include

Online application form, including statement of purpose (300-500 words)
Submission of your current resume
Official transcript transmitted from your master’s program, by mail or electronically. If you have more than one graduate degree, please send the transcript from the degree most closely related to the post-master's program for which you are applying.

Mailed transcripts: Official university transcripts can be mailed by the issuing institution in a sealed envelope to:

Brown School Professional Development
Washington University Campus Box 1196
One Brooking Drive
St. Louis, MO 63130

Electronic transcriptions: Official electronic transcripts should be routed to profdev@brownschool.wustl.edu

Admissions decisions will be made on a rolling basis. Complete applications (including official transcripts) must be received by January 18, 2019.

Admission prerequisite: Applicants must hold a master’s degree from an accredited university.

Meet Your Instructors

Orvin Kimbrough, MSW, MBA, MA
President & CEO, United Way of Greater St. Louis

Orvin Kimbrough leads the United Way of Greater St. Louis to help people throughout the St. Louis region live their best possible lives. Growing up in the Missouri foster care system and having witnessed tragedies far beyond his years, Orv credits his faith, determination and a strong support system in helping him build a career and passion for helping people. He holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Missouri - Columbia, a master’s of business administration from University of Missouri – St. Louis and a master’s of arts in theology from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis.

Jill Stratton, PhD
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Residential Learning, Washington University

Jill Stratton has over 25 years of experience in higher education and has devoted much of her research to understanding career joy, strengths-based leadership, and the concept of creative flow. In addition to overseeing many of the student development programs for Washington University undergraduates, Jill is an adjunct faculty member at the Brown School teaching management classes and serves as a consultant on organizational culture and effectiveness. She holds a PhD in ethical and creative leadership from the Union Institute and University, as well as a master’s degree in higher education administration from Indiana University and a bachelor's degree in psychology from Transylvania University.

Strengthen your degree and advance your opportunities.