Leadership and No-Blame Problem Solving Certificate

The free non-credit certificate in Leadership and No-Blame Problem Solving teaches citizen leaders how to engage in government decision making with a successful practitioners’ method called "No-Blame Problem Solving."

This course is offered by the School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA) at Rutgers University–Newark in partnership with The Citizens Campaign and the NFL Alumni Association via Rutgers Continuing Education.

Register: Free Online Self-Study Course

Course Learning Objectives:

After completing this free, self-paced, auto-graded, 10-hour course, participants will receive a personalized certificate and will be able to:

• Evaluate solutions to determine if they are practical, evidence-based, and cost-effective 
• Use "No-Blame Problem Solving" in professional contexts such as government, the corporate world, and nonprofit advocacy
• Recognize citizens' rights to access public records and participate in government decisions at local power centers
• Identify city roles citizens can take to offer solutions and leadership without running for office

Course Material:   

• Citizen Power: A Citizen Leadership Manual​ by Harry S. Pozycki and Caroline Pozycki (Rutgers University Press) 
• Ten micro lectures of 5-10 minutes each
• Interactive quizzes and polls

Course Outline: 

1. Introduction
2. Principles of No-Blame Problem Solving
3. No-Blame Problem Solving: Shaping Your Solution
4. No-Blame Problem Solving: Presenting Your Solution
5. Local Power Centers: Mayor, Council, and School Board 
6. Local Power Centers: Planning Board and Local Political Parties
7. Citizen Power in the 21st Century 
8. Media Literacy
9. Powerful Citizen Leadership Roles: Civic Trusts and Solutions Advocates
10. Powerful Citizen Leadership Roles: Appointed Government Office and Local Political Party Representative