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In this era of dramatic social and economic change, nonprofit leaders are being challenged as never before — and the need for leadership development has never been greater.
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A distinctive cross-disciplinary approach puts the Kellogg advantage to work for you.
Learn moreExecutive Scholar Certificate
A Kellogg credential that
is uniquely you.
Growth-minded leaders like you understand that lifelong learning is an essential part of staying ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving global marketplace. With the Executive Scholar Certificate, you can earn a credential that distinguishes you as a leader, is customized to your professional development goals and rewards you with special Scholar benefits upon certificate completion.
The Executive Scholar Certificate can be earned by combining eligible programs in classroom, live virtual or online formats, enabling you to choose the program(s) that best meet your individual needs.
Executive Scholar Certificate
- Complete any combination of our eligible programs totaling 40 or more Scholar Points within four years of your first eligible program. Programs are offered in classroom, live virtual, and online formats.
- A specialization, while not required, can be achieved by earning 20 or more Scholar Points from the same portfolio or topic area as listed on our website. The remaining Scholar Points required for the Certificate can be earned from any portfolio.
- There are no admission or academic requirements since all of our programs are non-degree continuing education.
As your academic partner, our team is available every step of the way to offer personalized advising to plan your path to certificate completion.
To learn more and get started, simply complete the application form via the link below or schedule a personal consultation with an Advisor.
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VIDEO: Begin your journey to lifelong learning with the Executive Scholar Certificate
Personal Consultation
Please contact us to schedule an advising session
Available Specializations
- Family Enterprises
- Finance
- General Management*
- Growth & Innovation
- Leadership
- Marketing
- Sales
- Nonprofit Management*
- Operations
- Strategy
* Please note that the General Management and Nonprofit Management specializations have separate requirements.
General Management
You can achieve a General Management specialization via one of the options below:
- Completing programs totaling at least 40 Scholar Points, with at least 8 points from each of the following portfolios:
• Finance • Leadership • Marketing or Sales • Operations
- Completing the Executive Development Program plus additional program/s totaling 8 or more Scholar Points
- Completing the Women’s Senior Leadership Program plus additional program(s) totaling 8 or more Scholar Points
Nonprofit Management
Nonprofit leaders may choose to pursue an Executive Scholar Certificate in Nonprofit Management. This specialization requires the completion of a combination of programs offered by the Center for Nonprofit Management followed by a capstone program. Programs in this specialization cannot be applied toward other specializations and must be completed within five years. Contact the Center for Nonprofit Management at nonprofit@kellogg.northwestern.edu or visit their website for more information.
Executive Scholar Benefits
FOR YOU: RECOGNITION, A POWERFUL GLOBAL NETWORK AND MORE
The Kellogg Executive Scholar Certificate gives you the opportunity to earn a credential from a world-class business school, create a personalized leadership development path aligned with your unique goals, and receive exceptional Scholar benefits, including:
- A Certificate of Professional Achievement, including a digital certificate for your social media profile
- A 30% discount on Kellogg Executive Education individual programs
- A 15% discount on all Executive Education 12-month Senior Executive Programs
- Membership in the global Kellogg alumni network and access to the online network
- Opportunities to participate in Kellogg alumni clubs and select events
- Access to cutting-edge research and thought leadership content from Kellogg faculty and leading practitionersA Kellogg-branded email address
- NEW: Membership in a private LinkedIn group for Executive Scholars
- NEW: 10% Executive Education individual program discount for your colleagues (cannot be combined with any other offer or discount)
Additional benefits are available for individuals who receive more than one Scholar Certificate for Elite Scholar status! Contact us for details.
Please note that the Kellogg Job Board and access to Career Management Center services are not available to Executive Scholars.
FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION: DEVELOP LEADERS & STRENGTHEN YOUR ORGANIZATION
Organizations who support completion of the Executive Scholar Certificate enjoy:
- A flexible option to develop current and future leaders with limited time away from the workplace
- Expansive program offerings to help your employees build and strengthen a variety of competencies
- Employees return with broadened industry and global perspectives
- Kellogg's focus on practical application means executives can have an immediate, positive impact
What Participants Say
“The Executive Scholar program allowed me to access relevant, cutting-edge information on topics of importance to my development as a leader. The program allowed me to improve my leadership skills and the certificate stands as testament to my commitment to continuous improvement and lifelong learning.”
Chief Program Officer, FiftyForward
“This program has given me more confidence in areas that are critical to my success. I have been given foundational information that allows for continued growth … a great experience that has changed my approach in many core functions of my job responsibilities.”
Director of Integration, SRS Distribution, Inc.
"The Kellogg Executive Scholar program offers the unique opportunity to tailor my learning experience to ensure I’m staying on the leading edge of the learning curve in a rapidly and ever-changing marketplace, packaged in a manner that is conducive to both my professional and personal life."
Brand Manager, Eli Lilly and Company
"As someone who has already completed an MBA and a Master of Medical Management (MMM), I have been amazed at how much I have been able to add to my knowledge through Kellogg’s executive scholar program. The faculty are academically based but bring a wealth of real-world experience through their research and consulting experiences. This combination, rare in most business schools, separates Kellogg from other programs focused on executive education."
Professor of Wound Healing & Tissue Repair, University of Illinois at Chicago
"The Executive Scholar program is perfect for busy professionals like me. My goal with the program was to learn the latest scientific discoveries, marketing concepts and business case studies from the top business marketing school in the country. Not only did I benefit from the coursework, I developed a professional network to help me through the transformative changes at the NPB — and made a lot of friends in the process."
Vice President, National Pork Board
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become a Kellogg Executive Scholar?
Simply complete and submit the online Scholar application. There are no special admission or academic requirements since all of our programs are non-degree continuing education. The application serves to inform the school of your intent to become an Executive Scholar, allowing the school and advisor to monitor your progress toward completing a certificate. The application is non-binding and does not obligate you to attend any programs.
Your path to becoming an Executive Scholar begins with your first eligible program. If you would like to speak with an advisor, please email scholars@kellogg.northwestern.edu or call 847-467-6018.
What is the Scholar Point Value of each program in my track?
Please note that Scholar Certificate eligibility and Scholar Point value can be changed at any time without notice.
Is there a fee to become an Executive Scholar?
There is no additional fee required to become an Executive Scholar, nor does it obligate you to attend our programs.
Why should I consider the Executive Scholar Certificate?
The Executive Scholar Certificate offers a practical, flexible approach to achieving your career goals and receiving a Kellogg credential. With more than 40 programs, you can tailor a curriculum around your individual needs.
Can I change my Executive Scholar Certificate specialization?
Yes! Professional development plans are often disrupted due to unpredictable career changes. Our program is flexible to your needs so that your specialization can be revised at any time on your learning journey with the approval of the Executive Scholar Advisor. For the ultimate in flexibility, a declared specialization is not required to pursue the Certificate.
A specialization can be achieved by earning 20 or more Scholar Points from the same portfolio as listed on our website. The remaining Scholar Points required for the Certificate can be earned from any portfolio. (Please note that the General Management and Nonprofit Management specializations have unique requirements.)