Change is inevitable — especially in business. When an organization’s goals, processes or technologies shift, effective change management is critical to maintaining a positive and productive work environment.
While leading or managing change in organizations, you would face different stages of the change management processes, including planning and implementing change initiatives, preparing individuals and teams within an organization, implementing strategies for effecting change and ensuring that these changes are sustained over time. Earning a graduate certificate could strengthen your capacity as a change management agent.
Organizational development vs. workplace performance improvement: Which graduate certificate is right for you?
Boise State’s online Organizational Performance and Workplace Learning program educates the 21st-century workforce in instructional design, human resources development, performance improvement and consulting.
Two of the program’s online certificates — the Graduate Certificate in Organizational Development and the Graduate Certificate in Workplace Performance Improvement — prepare you to lead in different stages of the change management process.
Graduate Certificate in Organizational Development
The organizational development certificate prepares you to use proactive approaches to change management and become an effective leader of an organization.
In this program, you will learn practical knowledge and skills to develop organizational plans, lead change and improve an organization’s ability to use its resources and talent. These skills will help you:
- Analyze the organizational factors that play key roles in an organization’s success (i.e. leadership, organizational structure, culture and technology).
- Advocate for organizational development principles to improve impact.
- Use evidence-based practices to recommend improvements and help an organization reach its goals.
Common careers in organizational development include planning and consulting positions. Our graduates have moved on to the following roles: organizational development specialist or consultant, human resource manager, organization effectiveness manager, succession planner, talent development manager and other executive positions.
Graduate Certificate in Workplace Performance Improvement
The workplace performance improvement certificate trains you to gain professional experiences needed for implementing change management projects, diagnosing performance problems in the workplace and ensuring continuous organizational improvement.
This program emphasizes the practical application of process models, tools and techniques to workplace performance improvement scenarios. You will gain the following skills:
- Practice conducting a needs assessment or program evaluation for real clients.
- Complete a change management project and practice implementing the change.
- Design, develop and administer appropriate data collection methods and analyze data.
Common careers in workplace performance improvement focus on day-to-day implementation and strategy. Our graduates have moved on to the following roles: project manager, human resources director or partner, change management specialist, performance improvement consultant, organizational development strategist and data analyst positions.
Ready to get started?
Learn more about the Organizational Performance and Workplace Learning program and connect with a coach to see if a graduate certificate is the right fit for you.