Practical Diplomacy and International Leadership Certificate

What does it take to lead effectively in a complex, interconnected world? Join live, interactive masterclasses led by Ambassador Michael C. Polt, senior U.S. diplomat and former U.S. Ambassador to Serbia and Montenegro, and Estonia. Strengthen your analytical, professional communication, and decision-making skills using tools and strategies applied by U.S. diplomats. This certificate delivers practical tools to help professionals in any field think, act, and lead with clarity in cross-cultural situations.

Key Benefits

Engage in real-world simulations that mirror actual diplomatic challenges and sharpen your strategic decision-making
Acquire diplomacy tools adaptable to any international or cross-industry setting
Cultivate transferable skills that enhance leadership and career growth across fields
Learn directly from Ambassador Michael C. Polt and leading foreign policy experts

What's Included

Curated course materials and case studies relevant to real-world diplomatic and leadership challenges
Situational demonstrations, real-world simulations, and practical diplomatic tools developed in partnership with ASU’s Leadership, Diplomacy, and National Security Lab, the U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Service Institute, and the American Academy of Diplomacy
Opportunities for peer collaboration and networking during live sessions
Personalized, actionable feedback from Ambassador Michael C. Polt and guest experts to refine decision-making and communication skills
Professional digital certificate to showcase your skills and career advancement

Equip yourself with key diplomatic skills to navigate complex challenges and enhance your professional impact in any field in cross-cultural environments.

Masterclasses within the certificate

A masterclass schedule will be posted at the beginning of each fall and spring semester. Please note that sessions are not recorded, so attending live is mandatory.

Upcoming masterclasses

Applying Past Masterclasses Toward Your Certificate

You may be able to count previously completed masterclasses toward the requirements for the Global Literacy and Impact Certificate and/or the Practical Diplomacy and International Leadership Certificate. Please check the Past Masterclasses for Credit link to see how earlier course titles align with their updated titles. If you have taken any of these masterclasses under their former names, they will still apply for credit toward the new certificate programs.

Check Past Masterclasses for Credit

Each program in this certificate takes the form of a 90-minute masterclass (with the exception of Risk Assessment & Decision-Making in Complex International Environments, which is four separate 90-minute sessions). These programs can be taken in any order and have no maximum time limit for completion.

Have you completed all the requirements for this program? ">Please use this link to purchase your certificate.

All certificate requests are verified prior to issuance and learners with missing records for attendance will be refunded automatically.

By the end of this certificate, you will be able to

Develop risk management strategies in diverse leadership contexts
Apply cultural intelligence to navigate multicultural environments with sensitivity and awareness
Demonstrate strategic thinking and analysis to inform sound leadership decisions
Employ negotiation techniques to reach mutually beneficial outcomes
Resolve conflicts through principled and collaborative approaches
Utilize cross-cultural communication skills to lead across global and diverse teams with ethical leadership

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Questions? Please contact Kristi Hickman at [email protected].