Submit Your Program

Academic institutions that offer leadership degree programs are invited to submit their programs for NLA review and potential recognition. The National Leaderology Association evaluates submitted programs against its published criteria for leadership education, including curriculum design, disciplinary clarity, leadership content, faculty qualifications, accreditation status, and overall coherence as a leadership program rather than a repackaged management degree.

What Happens After Submission

Upon submission, your entry will go into "Pending Review" status. At that point, someone from our team will ensure that the submission is complete and contains all necessary information. Once confirmed, it will be placed into "NLA Aligned" status. Submissions are then forwarded to the NLA program recognition committee and reviewed for alignment with NLA criteria. Programs that complete the full review process and satisfy NLA standards may receive NLA-Approved status. The NLA will contact submitters if additional information is needed during the review process. There is no fee for submission or review.

Who Should Submit

This form is intended for program directors, faculty, administrators, or institutional representatives with direct knowledge of the program's curriculum and structure. Students and external parties may also submit programs for NLA awareness, with the understanding that the association will independently verify program details before any designation is assigned. Submissions from any source are welcome; recognition is based on the program's merits, not the identity of the submitter.

What NLA Recognition Is and Is Not

NLA recognition is a professional designation indicating that a program meets the association's standards for disciplinary alignment with leadership science. It is not a form of accreditation, does not carry regulatory authority, and does not guarantee student outcomes or employment. Recognition signals that leadership is the genuine core of a program's curriculum, that the program engages with leadership as a research-grounded discipline, and that the program maintains clear distinction between leadership and management as fields of study. Institutions seeking recognition are encouraged to review the NLA's published criteria before submitting.

Program Development Support

Institutions whose programs do not yet meet NLA criteria are encouraged to submit regardless. The NLA offers consultation to institutions seeking to build or refine leadership degree programs, including guidance on curriculum design, alignment with leadership science, integration of behavioral and cognitive science, and differentiation from management frameworks. Submission is the first step toward that conversation.