Certificate in Advanced Global Leadership

Program Overview

Advanced Global Leadership (AGL) certificate prepares professionals and graduate students from all disciplines to thrive in the competitive global environment of the future. This three-course (9-unit), graduate program shapes global leaders ready to compete through innovation in multiple organizational and cultural environments. 

Lead, innovate, and foster global change.

Innovative master teachers with global experience across industries will provide you with a unique environment to enhance your leadership potential.

Required courses are held evenings and Saturdays on the SJSU campus. 

Courses are delivered in intensive eight-week sessions and may be taken in any order.

• BUS 262A Global Leadership & Innovation (fall, starting mid-October)
• BUS 262B Global Leadership Development (early spring, starting late January)
• BUS 268 Managing Across Cultures (late spring, starting early March)

To earn the certificate, all three courses must be completed at SJSU with an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 (B), with no course grade less than a C (A grade of C- grade in any course is considered failing). 

For students interested in pursuing an MBA program offered by the Lucas Graduate School of Business, SJSU allows a transfer of up to 12 units for courses completed in the certificate or eligible graduate courses taken at another institution. 

The completion of the certificate or any of its individual courses does not guarantee admission to the MBA program or eligibility to enroll in graduate courses outside of the certificate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please note: San Jose State University cannot issue an I-20 to secure an F-1 visa to enter or remain in the United States to enroll in the courses in person.

Admission Requirements

• What are the admission requirements? 

  • Educated Within the United States

    4 year bachelor's degree from a US instiution
    A GPA of 2.75 or better
    There is no conditional admission to the certificate program.

    Educated Outside the United States

    If you earned a degree from a higher education institution outside the United States, you must take an English-language proficiency exam. You must hold the equivalent of a US bachelor's degree from a recognized institution if you earned your degree outside the US. 

    The Certificate in Global Leadership requires a minimum score of:

    TOEFL (internet-based): 80
    IELTS: 7.0
    Pearson’s Test of English (PTE): 68

    Visit the English Language Proficiency page waiver information 

• How much does the AGL certificate cost? 
  • Tuition is $2,805 for each three-unit course or $8,415 to complete the certificate. These costs do not include books, supplies, etc.

Registration Information

• What are the registration steps? 

  • Current MBA students at SJSU, may register for classes via MySJSU as an elective.

    For non-SJSU students interested in the certificate, or taking any courses that are a part of the certificate, please review the following:

    Pre-Enrollment Instructions

    1. View the upcoming schedule.

    2. Submit the Pre-Screening Form as early as possible.

    3. We will evaluate your form and notify you of the results.

    If you are notified that you are eligible, please continue to registration instructions (below).

    You must submit appropriate documentation to verify that you have met the requirements of the program. An unofficial transcript showing your degree and final GPA is required prior to enrolling in your first class. Upload your transcript via the pre-screening form or email it to catherine.dougherty@sjsu.edu. 

• What are the registration instructions? 

  • Educated within the United States

    Once approved, the Program Coordinator will reach out to you with the next steps for registration. 

    You will be notified by email when you are officially registered for the course. We will provide your SJSU ID number, as well as the due date for the tuition fee, approximately 21 days from the date of registration.  View methods of payment.

    Educated Outside of the United States

    If you were educated outside the US, you must apply for the Advanced Global Leadership Certificate through calstate.edu/apply. Based on your background, you may be required to take an English-language proficiency exam (TOEFL, IELTS or PTE). The application to begin courses in the fall semester must be submitted by June 1, and your application to begin courses in the spring semester must be submitted by November 1. After your application is approved, you will receive instructions for registration.

• What are the upcoming courses?

  • Fall 2025
    Course: BUS 262A Global Leadership and Innovation
    Instructor: Susanna Khavul

    Dates: October 15 - December 10
    See MBA schedule for details on dates/times/location
    Class Number: 49208
    Units: 3
    Cost*: $3,033

• Who should I contact with questions?

  • Dr. Susanna Khavul
    Program Director, Certificate in Advanced Global Leadership
    Lucas Graduate School of Business
    Email: susanna.khavul@sjsu.edu
    Specify "Certificate in Advanced Global Leadership" in the subject line.