Executive Leadership in Health Care | Certificate of Specialization
Gain the Knowledge to be Ready When it’s Time to Lead
Advance your career in health care with the Executive Leadership in Health Care Certificate of Specialization from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Executive and Continuing Professional Education. Choose three* programs from our roster of health care leadership programs, listed below, and complete the programs within five years to earn your certificate.
The Executive Leadership in Health Care Certificate of Specialization consists of three* Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health ECPE programs chosen by the participant from nine programs that are taught online, on-site on our Boston, Massachusetts campus, or both. Many of the wide variety of topics covered will help health care executives, managers, and administrators deal with a variety of issues they experience day-to-day, like finding common ground with finance personnel, finding a solution to health care inequity, dealing with internal departmental conflict, and more. There are also health care executive programs that deal with specific issues, like those for chairs of major clinical departments in teaching hospitals, women in executive health care roles preparing for the next stages of their careers, and health care managers and administrators looking to build their leadership acumen to achieve individual and organizational objectives.
The programs in the Executive Health Care Leadership Certificate of Specialization are all taught by Harvard faculty with years of experience in training health care executives, managers, and administrators to find their style of leadership. Additionally, whether the program is online or in person, meeting and networking with other like-minded participants gives you an understanding of different perspectives that can help you later in your career. Whichever three programs* you choose, we know that they will inspire you to lead your team, department, or health care system to success.
*Both Program for Chairs of Clinical Services and Leadership Development for Physicians in Academic Health Centers count as two programs toward the certificate due to their extensive time commitment.
Conflict, Feedback, and Negotiation in Health Care
Next Iteration February 27-29, 2024 | ONLINE Program Subject Increase your competence as a health care professional in the critical management areas of navigating conflict, providing feedback, and skillfully approaching negotiations. Audience This program is designed for physician leaders and health care administrators Visit the Program Page
Emerging Women Executives in Health Care
Next Iteration June 4-7, 2024 | ON-SITE Program Subject This leadership development program focused on women provides you with the skills to lead complex health care organizations, and will help you bridge the gaps in your understanding, strategies, and skills, and prepare you for the next stage in your career. Audience Women in senior health care positions looking to develop effective leadership strategies to improve organizational performance. Visit the Program Page
Financial Management in Health Care for Non-Financial Managers
Next Iteration March 26–28, 2024 | ONLINE Program Subject Increase your financial literacy as a physician leader. In this course, you will learn financial management and control, and how to interact more effectively with finance personnel. Audience Clinicians and administrators looking to influence and build partnerships within their health care group. Visit the Program Page
Leading in Health Systems: Activating Transformational Change
Next Iteration May 15–17, 2024 | ON-SITE Program Subject Initiate and implement change in health care by leveraging meta- leadership. You will explore both meta-leadership concepts and the ‘Walk in the Woods’ methodology, a proven method for interest-based negotiation. Audience Participants in this course are leaders and those ready to assume leadership positions from across the health care system. Visit the Program Page
Leadership Development to Advance Equity in Health Care
Next Iteration November 5-8, 2024 | ONLINE Program Subject Traditional medical education lacks training on how the health care system is influenced by racism and how outdated policies perpetuate disparities. This program will teach you how to confront and remediate unfair practices and advance health equity in your community or practice. Audience This program is designed for health care executives and emerging leaders who are committed to addressing health equity in marginalized populations. Visit the Program Page
Leadership Development for Physicians in Academic Health Centers
Next Iteration October 13-25, 2024 | November 3-15, 2024 | ON-SITE Program Subject This program brings together physicians in administrative positions in academic health centers, who lead a clinical division and report directly to the chair of their department, for intensive and systematic study of the critical leadership and management issues facing academic health centers. Audience The program is designed for physicians in administrative leadership positions in academic health centers, who lead a clinical division and report directly to the chair of their department. View Program Page
Leadership Strategies for Evolving Health Care Executives
Next Iteration April 1-5, 2024 | ON-SITE Program Subject Develop the health care leadership skills you need to achieve individual and organizational objectives. You will gain skills to lead more effectively, including conflict resolution, operational analysis, employee management, and quality management. Audience Participants in this program are health care executives and emerging leaders in either clinical or non-clinical roles who wish to adapt their knowledge and skills to this constantly changing field. Visit the Program Page
Program for Chairs of Clinical Services
Next Iteration January 21-February 2, 2024 | January 19-31, 2025 | ON-SITE Program Subject This program brings together chairs of major clinical departments in teaching hospitals for intensive and systematic study of the critical leadership and management issues facing chairs, their departments, and teaching hospitals. Audience The program is designed for chairs of major clinical departments in teaching hospitals. View Program Page
Health Care Quality Improvement: From Design to Implementation
Next Iteration June 3-13, 2024 | ONLINE Program Subject Undertake the journey of identifying, planning, measuring, and creating process changes that will lead to results through a simulated case study supplemented by expert lectures Audience Mid-level health care leaders, senior leaders, or various health care personnel that either lead, or are interested in leading, a health care improvement project Visit the Program Page
Download Brochure
Click here to download a brochure for the Executive Leadership in Health Care Certificate of Specialization to learn more about this Harvard credential as well as which programs are the best fit for you and your career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to commonly asked questions about the certificate below.
How much does this Certificate of Specialization cost?
There is no set price for the Executive Leadership in Health Care Certificate of Specialization as the cost will depend on which programs you choose, and each program is priced differently. You can use the links below to view the tuition cost for each individual course:
What is the difference between a Certificate of Specialization and Certificate of Participation?
A Certificate of Participation is awarded to participants who complete individual programs at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Executive and Continuing Professional Education, and a Certificate of Specialization is awarded to those who complete multiple courses in a specific subject area. Both credentials signify a commitment to professional development, and a Certificate of Specialization takes it a step further by showcasing your expertise in several areas of health care leadership.
What is the advantage of earning a Certificate of Specialization?
In an ever-changing industry like health care, developing new skills and learning the latest best practices can help accelerate your career, aid in your personal development, and provide valuable lessons that will benefit you and your organization. A Certificate of Specialization signifies to current and future employers that you have taken the initiative to hone your skills in several key disciplines.
How do I earn an Executive Leadership in Health Care Certificate of Specialization?
To earn the Executive Leadership in Health Care Certificate of Specialization, you must attend three courses from the list below; however, if you take Leadership Development for Physicians in Academic Health Centers or Program for Chairs of Clinical Services, you only need to take one additional course from the list below:
Participants have up to 5 years to complete the Certificate of Specialization. For those who have already completed at least one program, please note that course credit must be obtained within a rolling 5-year window. As of 2023, course credit must be from calendar year 2019 or later to count towards the certificate. The rolling 5-year windows for course credit are as follows:
1/1/2019-12/31/2023
1/1/2020-12/31/2024
1/1/2021-12/31/2025
1/1/2022-12/31/2026
1/1/2023-12/31/2027
I took one (or more) course(s) outside the 5-year window—will it count towards my Certificate?
No, course credit must be from calendar year 2019 or later in order to contribute to the Executive Leadership in Health Care Certificate of Specialization. After 1/1/2024, course credit will need to be from calendar year 2020 or later, as per the rolling time frames below.
1/1/2019-12/31/2023
1/1/2020-12/31/2024
1/1/2021-12/31/2025
1/1/2022-12/31/2026
1/1/2023-12/31/2027
I took the Program for Chairs of Clinical Services or Leadership Development for Physicians in Academic Health Centers—how many more courses do I need to earn my certificate?
If you have taken either the Program for Chairs of Clinical Services or Leadership Development for Physicians in Academic Health Centers in calendar year 2019 or later, you only need to take one additional course from the list above to receive your Executive Leadership in Health Care Certificate of Specialization.
If you have taken bothProgram for Chairs of Clinical Services and Leadership Development for Physicians in Academic Health Centers in calendar year 2019 or later, you are now eligible to receive your Certificate of Specialization.
Does this Certificate of Specialization offer Continuing Medical Education (CME) Credit?
The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians and all programs that contribute to the Executive Leadership in Health Care Certificate of Specialization offer AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
However, the specific number of credits differs by program. Please visit the “Credits and Logistics” section of the programs you’re interested in for more information.
Once I am eligible for my Certificate of Specialization, how do I obtain it?
Participants eligible for their Certificate of Specialization will automatically receive it via email upon completion of their final course within the Certificate.
Who can I contact to learn more?
If you have any questions about the certificate and/or individual programs, please email Kristen Scott at kescott@hsph.harvard.edu.
