Students at Program graduationThe Career Accelerator Program (CAP) is focused on the transition to management and the skills needed for those who have an interest and leadership potential to succeed at higher levels of responsibilities. Delivered in a virtual format of six (6) microlearning sessions over the course of 4 months, CAP offers flexibility for two key talent segments: individual contributors that have not been given a managerial opportunity and supervisors that have been in a first-line managerial position for more than 10 years.

CAP aids in career advancement from individual contributor and first-line supervisor to leader of teams to business unit leader. This innovative and intensive experience is unique from other leadership development as it incorporates cultural awareness and workplace competency throughout the entire experience.

Register for the Cohort that Works for you - Explore Below

Course feature Course detail
Dates:
Topic: Leadership
Format: On Campus
Location: ÌÇÐÄvlogÊÓÆµ Cox School of Business
Credentialing:

Upon successful completion of the program, participants receive a certificate.

Price:

$6,495 per registrant

Please contact us at 214.768.8232 or leadershiplab@smu.edu for group pricing information.



Questions?

To learn more about the program, contact us at 214.768.8232 or leadershiplab@smu.edu



Topics & Program Details

Program Objectives

  • Prepare leaders for sustained success at higher levels of responsibility
  • Develop critical business and leadership skills
  • Aid the transition from individual contributors and supervisors to high performance leaders of teams

Achieved Through

  • Practical and interactive learning experiences
  • Awareness of cultural barriers and opportunities for advancement
  • Networking with experienced senior managers

Session 1: Cultural Foundations with José Antonio Bowen

This session will help participants think about who they are, how they are perceived and provide tools to influence both their own thinking and thinking of others.

Session 2: Response to Change with Jerry Magar

This session will help participants learn how their own behavioral and communication styles correspond to others and how the management or alteration of those styles can significantly impact the overall success of groups and relationships.

Session 3: Brand and Networking with José Antonio Bowen

This session will help participants  practice meaningful conversations and discuss the reciprocal relationships which are the foundation of networks, social capital and leadership.

Session 4: Trust and Influence with Jerry Magar

During the session we will focus on leveraging trust and influence to get results.  You’ll develop skills to influence others, enhance your credibility, and manage difficult situations with bosses, peers and direct reports.  

Session 5: Trust and Influence: Difficult Conversations with Jerry Magar

This session will build on the concepts from the previous session.  It will apply the tools specifically to holding difficult conversations that build and restore trust while solving the challenge at hand.

Session 6: Transition to Management with José Antonio Bowen

During the session we will explore how teams work (or don’t work) and how motivation, incentives, trust and conflict interact.

Program Highlights

Executive Speakers and Advisors

Participants will learn and interact with world-renowned experts in leadership and business. Our executive advisors share practical insights, tools, and tips with participants in the classroom.

Who Should Attend?

Individual contributors or only front-line supervisors experience.

  • Minimum years of experience: 5 years
  • Minimum years of managerial experience: None
  • Titles: Individual Contributor, Supervisor (Not yet a manager with a career path)
  • Requirements:  Individual contributors or only front-line supervisors experience with 5 years of professional experience; Managerial experience not required; Ideal participants are individual contributors who have not been given a managerial opportunity or who have primarily front-line experience for more than 10 years 

Schedule

This four-month program is delivered in 6 sessions with three cohort options. Each phase focuses on a particular facet of career growth. The framework is shaped around key pivot points that all individuals will face as they grow their career. Some of those include: holding difficult conversations, transitioning to management, how to delegate, having appropriate responses to change, and so much more.

Session 1: Cultural Foundations
Session 2: Response to Change
Session 3: Brand and Networking
Session 4: Trust and Influence
Session 5: Difficult Conversations
Session 6: Transition to Management

Module Yellow Cohort Red Cohort Blue Cohort
Session 1 February 9, 2026 February 10, 2026 February 10, 2026
Session 2 February 23, 2026 February 24, 2026 February 24, 2026
Session 3 March 16, 2026 March 17, 2026 March 17, 2026
Session 4 March 30, 2026 March 31, 2026 March 31, 2026
Session 5 April 20, 2026 April 21, 2026 April 21, 2026
Session 6 May 4, 2026 May 5, 2026 May 5, 2026


 LEARN MORE

Contact Ana Rodriguez, Executive Director for the Leadership Lab, at leadershiplab@smu.edu or 214.768.8232 to learn more about the Career Accelerator Program.

*Virtual team project work and continuing education sessions follow the in-person module. For an entirely online-only option, contact the team at leadershiplab@smu.edu if interested in virtual dates.



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Course Certification

We have partnered with Credly to translate the learning outcomes you’ve demonstrated into a badge, issued and managed through Credly's digital badging platform.

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Want To Keep Exploring?

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Next Steps

Questions? Not sure which program fits your needs? Reach out to our team.