
Leadership Essentials
Technical Diploma
12 Credits | Less than 1 year
Ashland*, New Richmond*, Rice Lake*, Superior*, Online
Outreach Centers: Balsam Lake*, Hayward*, Ladysmith*
*Combination of Online, Your Choice or On Site instruction. Select courses are available at the Northwood Tech Outreach Centers. Please contact your local campus for specifics.
Organizations need employees who can initiate change, make decisions and inspire teams. The Leadership Essentials technical diploma can be a huge factor in acquiring these types of skills. In fact, the top two skills desired by companies are in leadership and communication. This diploma will help you to meet their needs and your own professional and career goals.
Program Overview
A series of courses to assist you in developing the skills of current and future managers to lead today’s workforce. Leadership Essentials focuses on leading people within an organization toward strategic goals, through corporate changes, or in directing processes and procedures.
Program Outcomes
Leadership Essentials graduates will be able to:
- Perform leadership functions to achieve organizational objectives
- Facilitate effective employee relations

Take two courses a semester, one night a week for one year, and supplement class time with online learning. Practice and perform the interpersonal aspects of dealing with and coaching our employees to create a high-performing team.

Designed for working adults.

Build relationships.

Improve interpersonal communication.
Academics
After completing the diploma, you’ll be able to solve work-based problems, communicate steps to implement processes and procedures, articulate types of motivational strategies, manage organizational change, categorize your personal leadership style, apply tactics to develop productive work teams and practice conflict-resolving approaches. Classes are offered on all campuses (Ashland, New Richmond, Rice Lake, Superior), Online and outreach centers: Balsam Lake, Hayward, Ladysmith. Conveniently take classes in a way that fits your lifestyle: Online, On Site, or Your Choice.
Experienced Instructors
Northwood Tech is large enough to serve you but small enough to know you. The experienced faculty are knowledgeable, approachable and eager to help. The sizes of your classes will allow for the attention you deserve.
Real-World Based
The curriculum centers on what actually happens in the world of business within the Northwood Tech region, as well as nationally and internationally.
Cutting Edge, Relevant Curriculum
Continuous networking with business professionals, employers and recent graduates keeps your courses up to date and applicable to your future career.
Curriculum
The program is comprised of courses that prepare you to be a successful leader in any industry.
Featured Leadership Essentials Courses
Leadership Essentials is Part of a Career Pathway
As a Leadership Essentials student at Northwood Tech, you can build credentials each step of the way!
This is the program you're looking at.
You can continue your education to earn an associate degree in either of these programs.
Advance your skills with a bachelor's degree.
Admissions and Tuition
Northwood Tech has an easy admission process. Get started by completing the Online application form.
Tuition and Fees
Northwood Tech breaks down the cost of education, so you'll have a good idea of how much your education will cost.
Learn More About Paying for College
Estimated Total Program Costs 2023-24*
Leadership Essentials
12 Credits | Less than 1 year
$1,893
*Tuition is an estimate and does not include any miscellaneous fees for various courses, tools, books, supplies or uniforms. Program book costs are in addition to tuition and fees and vary depending on course selection and where the books are purchased or rented.
After the Northwood Tech Leadership Essentials Program
Upon completion of the program, you will earn a Leadership Essentials technical diploma. Continue your education at Northwood Tech in the Leadership Development associate degree.
Northwood Tech & UW-Stout Fast Track Cohort
Complement a Northwood Tech technical diploma in Leadership Essentials within a Bachelor of Science in Management from UW-Stout.
Northwood Tech & UW-Stout have created a partnership to support continuous education pathways for working adults. Students may be able to complete their B.S. degree in little as seven intense semesters of study or select a life styled paced approach through a three to five-year plan of continued educational action. No matter the pace, the focus and flexibility of taking courses with Northwood Tech and/or UW-Stout blends current, relevant methodologies with application-oriented courses and actions.
The Northwood Tech Leadership Essentials Technical Diploma courses are documented as equivalencies for UW-Stout’s B.S. in Management courses. A student in Northwood Tech's Leadership Essentials or Leadership Development programs will have a jump start on completing the Stout B.S. in Management degree, and Stout B.S. in Management students earn Northwood Tech's Leadership Essentials Tech Diploma while earning their bachelor's degree.

Transfer Center
Transfer your Northwood Tech credits to a four-year college to earn your bachelor's degree and beyond.
Career Outlooks
Northwood Tech's graduates experience success. Learn more about the types of careers you can get after graduation.