Certificate Requirements

• Participants are required to earn a total of 30 points to complete the Certificate program
• Points are earned over a period of 9 months. Flexibility beyond the 9 months is available, if needed, to complete the program
• Participants work with program faculty to customize their learning experience
• Participants and faculty utilize the Certificate online learning management platform, Promote, to submit and track completion of program requirements

Earn Program Points By Completing Work in the Following Required Areas (30 points total)

1. Class Session Attendance and Learning (10 points)

• Attend six (6) Zoom class sessions; Write and submit a reflection summary for each session
• Participants can miss one class session and not complete the reflection summary
• Session recordings are available for participant review and reflection summary completion and submission (even if late)
• Attend the ERG annual Summit (no additional cost) and be prepared to discuss key learning in one of the class sessions.

2. SWOT Analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) or SOAR Analysis (strengths, opportunities, aspirations, and results) of current ERG program or potential initiative (5 points)

• Prepare and submit the SWOT or SOAR analysis to faculty. Present and discuss analysis during class sessions. This work will connect with other projects required throughout the rest of the program and help you determine your project and parameters for success.

3. Case Study or New Project:  Multiple case studies or projects are allowed; 10 points to be distributed based on depth and complexity of projects (discuss and agree to points with faculty). Participants can combine one or more projects discussed.

• Option 1: Prepare a case study applicable to the participant’s organization; Topic to be discussed and agreed upon with program faculty. A case study includes three parts: 1) History and description of the context, e.g., company, ERG structure, leadership, etc., and describe the problem or opportunity; 2) Develop 4 – 6 questions for discussion; 3) Prepare written answers to the discussion questions.

• Option 2: Prepare a New Project Participants have the option to research a topic of interest and then prepare the results. The project should involve original research, e.g., interviews, surveys, focus groups. The result is a research report describing the project, the process used, and the results.
  • Examples of a business deliverable include:
    • • development of a new ERG structure
      • creation of a new ERG scorecard
      • new program materials for leadership development

• Option 3: Participate in the annual ERG research survey for ERG members (inclusion of non-ERG members is optional).  This survey provides Certificate program participants with benchmarking data for their organization.  During class, participants work with the data to drive strategic change in their organization. The survey can be distributed to a small group of peers (ERG leaders), or members in one ERG, as well as for the overall ERG population. Survey participants will be provided with results as well as benchmarking data. The participant then frames the results for presentation to their own ERG members and leadership teams in the organization. This project provides participants with skill-building in data-driven storytelling, as well as an understanding of how to use the metrics to provide strategic planning for their own ERGs.

4. Present Your Case Study or Project to the USC-CEO ERG Community (5 points)

• Participants present their case study or project to the USC-CEO ERG community. The presentation can be done via the Center for Effective Organizations’ Learn and Connect Series, or as part of the annual ERG Leadership Summit.

*Optional opportunities to write articles and blogs are provided to program participants.  These are developmental opportunities. No points are assigned for these opportunities toward completion of the ERG Certificate.