Design Leadership Micro-Certificates

NEW Program Offerings! Registration is open now for Fall 2025

Lead with clarity. Grow with purpose.

Our Design Leadership Micro-Certificates are short-format programs for creatives ready to expand their role, grow their strategic voice, and lead design work with greater impact, building the skills, mindset, and confidence to lead.

Through focused, hands-on learning, you’ll explore leadership frameworks, future-facing technologies, and the interpersonal tools needed to mentor others and navigate complex team dynamics. These programs support different stages of your leadership journey whether you're leading a team, making the shift from execution to direction or running your own practice with a leadership lens.

With flexible formats and practical application, the Design Leadership Micro-Certificates offer a pathway to evolve your practice, execute with intention, and take the next step in your career as a creative leader.

Choose from two programs:

CUIL 100 - UX/UI Design Leadership Essentials Micro-certificate

Bridge the gap between design execution and strategic leadership.

The UX/UI Design Leadership Essentials Micro-Certificate builds the core capabilities needed to lead projects, manage relationships, and navigate emerging trends in digital design. Students will learn how to structure and oversee design work, communicate value to clients and stakeholders, and apply forward-looking tools and concepts such as generative AI and spatial design to their practice.

Designed for working professionals, this program offers a future-focused toolkit for product designers, freelancers, and emerging team leads preparing to take on more strategic, leadership-aligned roles.

This program is delivered over eight weeks and includes a curated package of three courses:

CUIL 101 - Project Management Essentials

CUIL 102 - Design Business Essentials

CUIL 103 - Design Innovation & Emerging Tech

Learn more about each course here.

Schedule:	October 6 – November 29, 2025 Mon + Wed from 6:30pm to 9:30pm, Sat from 9am-12pm
Delivery Method:	Online
Cost:	$3500

Download your detailed materials list before your first class.

Upon successfully completing a micro-certificate, students will receive a digital micro-certificate through Accredible, a digital credentialing service. To opt-out of receiving a digital credential for CS programs and courses, please unsubscribe here.

Tuition support may be available - visit our Tuition Support page for details and eligibility.

Register Now

CUIL 110 - UX/UI Design Visioning + Team Leadership Micro-Certificate

Step into your next chapter as a design leader.

This micro-certificate equips experienced UX/UI professionals with the strategic, interpersonal, and visionary tools to lead high-performing design teams and influence the direction of their organizations. Through collaborative projects, leadership frameworks, and reflective practice, you’ll learn how to guide teams, shape design culture, and define your personal leadership philosophy.

Ideal for professionals with 3+ years of experience in UX/UI or creative technology, this program is well suited for those looking to mentor others, influence design and organizational strategy, and transition into management roles with confidence and clarity.

This program includes two intensive courses, each delivered in a separate, non-consecutive week to support deep focus and reflective learning:

CUIL 111 – Design Leadership: People & Processes

CUIL 112 – Design Leadership: Pathways to Growth

Each course runs full-time for one week (30 hours), allowing students to immerse themselves fully in each area of study while maintaining flexibility in their schedules between sessions.

Learn more about each course here.

Schedule:	Week 1: October 20–24, 2025 Week 2: November 17–21, 2025 Mon to Fri, 9:30am – 4:30pm
Delivery Method:	On-Campus
Cost:	$3500

Download your detailed materials list before your first class.

Tuition support may be available - visit our Tuition Support page for details and eligibility.

Register Now

FAQ

Check out the Program Handbook for complete details about the program.

Micro-Certificate Registration + Refund Policies

Registration Policy

We encourage you to register early as seats are limited. You must be at least 18 years old by the program start date.

If a seat is available, you can register online up to 2 business days before the program start date. If you are registering less than 2 business days before the program start date, please contact CS Registration during business hours. Our staff will assist you if there is a seat available.

NOTE: Before we can welcome you to your program, we need a bit of time to set up your account and system access. If you register for the program less than 2 business days before the program start date, access to your ECU email account, M365 or Moodle may be delayed. If you are attending an online course, your instructor will send a Zoom link to your personal email so you can join the first class.

Withdrawals + Refunds

Please submit an email request for course withdrawal or program switch no later than seven (7) calendar days before the course start date for a refund, less $150 administration fee.

View other CS policies.

What supplies do I need?

Download your detailed materials list before your first class.

How will I be graded?

Courses are assessed as Pass or Fail, based on the completion of assignments, projects and participation in the course as set out in the course syllabus. You must pass all courses in the program to receive a digital credential for your micro-certificate. A passing grade is determined by meeting the learning outcomes, submitting all required coursework, and maintaining the minimum attendance requirement.

Upon successfully completing a micro-certificate, students will receive a digital micro-certificate through Accredible, a digital credentialing service. To opt-out of receiving a digital credential for CS programs and courses, please unsubscribe here.