Earning Criteria: To earn the Professional Certificate in Global Conservation Leadership, learners must complete three courses totaling 45 hours. This includes one required 15-hour core course delivered in a cohorted format, along with two 15-hour fully asynchronous courses of their choice from the Conservation Futures Academy’s approved elective course list.

Can I have a syllabus for the courses?

ASU presents an overview of course modules and intended outcomes on the enrollment page. As a nondegree program, this course does not utilize a traditional syllabus. If you have additional questions about the course material after reviewing the course modules and outcomes on the course enrollment page, please contact our Conservation Futures Academy team at ConservationFuturesAcademy@asu.edu

What are the live session dates and times?

Please note that the only live course in this certificate is the required Future of Conservation Leadership core course. Please refer to the program overview on the enrollment page for the live session dates and times. Live sessions are offered on Zoom. The other two courses are self-paced and do not include live sessions.

Most live sessions will not be recorded due to the interactive nature. Some of the guest speaker sessions may be recorded, however.

How will this program help me get a job?

Our courses and programs are great for your resume! They can help you change careers, move into new roles and even get a promotion in your current job. With an ever-changing environment it’s always good to upgrade your skills, and we can help with that. You will also have the opportunity to network and connect with expert faculty in the field through your program. 

While our programs do not provide direct job placement, participants can access numerous career and employment resources available through ASU. Please check out the following resources related to job searches: 

Rob Walton College of Global Futures Careers Connect Job Boards Portal

Get Job Market Insights: ASU Career Services Job Market Insights Tool

ASU Career Services Career & Internship Fairs

ASU Career Services AI Tools for the ASU Community

Discover resources tailored to your needs: ASU For You

How do I pick my two electives?

Please review the elective options provided on the enrollment page and select two of your choice to bundle with the required core Future of Conservation Leadership (Live) course. We recommend customizing your picks based on your interests and career goals. If you need additional information to decide, then please contact our Conservation Futures Academy team at ConservationFuturesAcademy@asu.edu

Do you offer any scholarships or discounts?

Learners may request a discount on course fees. Discount codes are limited and awarded at the discretion of the program team. The total program fee is $997 and includes all three courses. This reflects $200 in savings compared to taking courses individually. Please contact our Conservation Futures Academy team at ConservationFuturesAcademy@asu.edu

How long will the certificate take me? 

Each course part of the certificate is 15 hours. You can expect to spend about 3 hours per week (1 hour per course) on program material, including reflections, cohort discussions, and your personal project related to each course. This combined with the 1 hour live sessions for the Future of Conservation Leadership course is around 45 hours total. Please note that the total time commitment is learner dependent. 

What if I’ve already enrolled in the core course and want to enroll in the certificate program?

You can still enroll in the certificate program even if you’ve already enrolled in or completed the core course. Please contact us so we can help with next steps: ConservationFuturesAcademy@asu.edu Professional Certificate in Global Conservation Leadership

Future of Conservation Leadership is an 8-week, 15-hour cohort experience that equips conservation professionals with the frameworks, tools, and practice needed to influence institutions, shape policy, and mobilize cross-sector action.

Through a blend of asynchronous learning and live interactive sessions, participants will:

• Map complex conservation systems to identify leverage points and adaptive leadership strategies.
• Design a Theory of Change and OKRs that link initiatives to measurable conservation outcomes.
• Develop strategies for driving organizational change, navigating internal politics, and communicating vision with clarity and credibility.
• Integrate environmental justice principles into conservation leadership, defining safeguards and equity-centered outcomes.
• Build coalitions and cross-sector partnerships, mapping stakeholders and aligning incentives to move from vision to action.
• Strengthen authentic leadership practice with resilience strategies, growth planning, and peer feedback.

Live Session Schedules

This program includes six live virtual sessions on Tuesdays from 10:00 - 11:00 am (AZ MST) on the following dates:

• Oct 20, Oct 27, Nov 3, Nov 17, Dec 1, Dec 8

This program was developed with subject matter expertise from:

• Brittany Ajroud, Director, School of Conservation Futures Partnership, Conservation International
• Percy Summers, Senior Director of SCF Partnership, Conservation International
• Michael Schoon, Professor in the School of Sustainability, College of Global Futures