FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Here are some of the questions frequently asked about Catalyst Leader University
Overview
Apply
In The Course​
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Will the course follow the curriculum of a traditional leadership program?
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How much time can I expect to spend on coursework each week?
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How often are new cohorts of Catalyst Leader University launched?
Tuition
Plus This
What is the Catalyst Leader University?
Created by bestselling author, speaker and leadership expert Dr. Jason Brooks, the Catalyst Leader University is a blended learning program to help grow high-impact leaders from the inside out. It challenges people to learn to see differently, to make better decisions and to engage and connect.
The Catalyst Leader University uses digital tools like online courseroom and video conferencing to engage a group of students in an blended learning experience.
The entire university is conducted in English, and skill and confidence in English is our only specific admission requirement.
The program is asynchronous, with regular weekly scheduled group video leadership coaching. Many learners decide to also voluntarily connect by phone or video call to share insights, provide support and build relationships that will last a lifetime. Click here to find out more about what makes Catalyst Leader University different.
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How do I apply to Catalyst Leader University?
After reading this FAQ, you can find the application here.
What is the curriculum like?
Leadership is more crucial today than every before. With the fast pace of the world, people are desperate for strong leaders. Leaders, like never before, need to possess five key dimensions to be successful. Their people need it. Their teams need it. Their organizations need it. The world needs it.
Called with Purpose. What's my purpose? The most impactful leaders are those who know who they are, why they're here, and the value the bring. By finding and living your purpose every day, you are able to bring your greatest impact. "Purpose is the heartbeat that leads us to live our destiny and legacy. Everyone ends up somewhere. Catalyst Leaders end up somewhere on purpose." Dr. Jason Brooks
Commitment to Growth. Growth is essential for life. We're either green and growing or ripe and rotting. There is no status quo. Leaders know this well and make it a point to never stop learning, growing, or developing. "If you're not growing, you're not living. In all creation, growth is the evidence of life." Dr. Jason Brooks
Builder of Strong Relationships. We're all in this together and relationships make it work. We were created for connection and the essence of leadership is accomplishing greatness through others. High-impact leaders are committed and focused on growing relationships every day and we will help you learn how to grow those relationships of all kinds and bring maximum value through others. "Life was never meant to be lived alone. We were created for connection." Dr. Jason Brooks
Driven for Results. Results are at the forefront of every leaders mind. We can be the most likable person in the world, but if we're not moving the needle toward the success goals in any area we lead, our impact is impaired. Building a results-focused mindset and putting the processes, systems, measures, and people in place to accomplish results, your value as a leader will be exponentially magnified. "A leaders legacy is written not on what could have been but what was. We will be known and remembered by what we created with our hands and the character of our hearts." Dr. Jason Brooks
Creates a Compelling Vision of the Future. Without vision, the people perish. But, where do I start? Having focus on the future provides the strategic awareness to set the course for what's ahead. Our people need strong leaders with vision. We are the beacon in the darkness leading others to a new frontier. And, it doesn't happen by accident. "A spark of inspiration that ignites into a vibrant vision provides the light for all future direction and success." Dr. Jason Brooks
There’s more information available to more people than ever before in human history. But if you’re not thirsty to learn and you’re not aware of what you need to know, it does you no good at all. Students who are transformed by this process will discover that there are enormous resources just waiting to be tapped, opportunities that were always there but never noticed before.
We use an online learning management system, Zoom video conferencing, and social media to create connection, support, growth and practical learning in each of these areas that can be applied immediately.
Who is the ideal Catalyst Leader University candidate?
This is for leaders, executives, entrepreneurs, managers, artists, innovators, designers, builders, doers, and makers.
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Typical participants have at least 5 to 8 years of work experience.
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Students have come from industries including:
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Technology
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Communications
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Consumer Products
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Financial
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Manufacturing
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Nonprofit
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Consulting
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Law/Legal Services
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Raw Materials/Energy
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Real Estate
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Retail
Regardless of industry or job function, the Catalyst Leader University is for people who want to be high-impact leaders in their families, their teams, their organizations, their communities and around the world. It’s for leaders who want to know themselves better and learn practical skills to have an greater impact as a leader.
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Who should enroll?
Consider the traditional masters level business program: It takes two years, you need to move or travel and it costs more than $80,000.
The best management or business school experience is transformative. It exposes students to a new way of thinking as well as a cohort of fellow travelers, motivated, smart people in a hurry to change things.
What’s changed is that access to information is no longer the reason to go to business school. The information is everywhere.
Our goal with Catalyst Leader University is to assemble leaders and emerging leaders (corporate executives, non-profit linchpins, founders, managers and people in a hurry) and to connect them and help them to grow as high-impact leaders from the inside out. Leadership is not just about a list of dos and don'ts. High-impact leaders understand themselves, have powerful and high-value relationships with others, commit to a life of continuous personal and professionals growth, achieve amazing results, and have a clear vision for the future.
Without leaving home. In just a month of focused effort.
Catalyst Leader University isn't a traditional school. It's an online university focused on building in these five dimensions and fostering relationships with other outstanding leaders. We don't have a placement program, don't make any promises of career success or a new job. Instead, we are focused on providing a diverse learning and development experience to meet multiple learning styles, helping you know yourself better, and build the leadership capabilities to have high impact in your family, your team, your organization, your community and around the world.
If this sounds like it might be part of the change you’d like to see in your life and career, we hope you’ll apply.
[A college degree is not required. And if you already have an MBA, you’re welcome. We do best with students of any change who are thirsty for change, driven for excellence, and eager for connection.]
How much does it cost?
Individual tuition for our base level is $5,000 for the entire year. And it’s not just the money, it’s the time you’ll be investing as well.
There are two reasons for the tuition. The first is that the CLU requires a significant amount of commitment. Not only time (see below) but the decision to overcome your status quo. One way we can make that likely to happen is to raise the stakes.
The other reason it’s not free is that in order to build an environment focused on group dynamics and change, we’re investing in people. Every section of the CLU has a leader coach behind it, content creators, technical gurus, and systems to keep everything running smooth.
If this sort of change or investment is too much, we totally get it. Catalyst Leader University probably isn’t for you.
Check out our tuition structure for individuals and teams here.
What are the requirements to be admitted?
We welcome people of all ages, from all backgrounds, who share a desire to make work that matters and who have shown a willingness to contribute important work. We believe that every person we admit to the program will somehow raise the average, producing a community that will provoke, amplify and reward excellent work.
Some of our students are the kind of people who could easily go to some of the best leader development universities, but would prefer the intimate, flexible, blended experience that Catalyst Leader University. Everyone who is part of CLU is ultimately seeking transformation, not merely a certificate.
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Consider asking your boss
If you have a job, that’s fabulous (freelancers and entrepreneurs are welcome too). This requires a commitment of time and money.
We’re eager to select people with an employer who can support the time and energy it will take, and we’re thrilled if they want to support your tuition as well.
Is the program open to participants from outside North America?
Definitely. There are two things you should note:
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We require exceptional spoken and written English skills from all our students
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You’ll need to be aware of the time zone issues. Most of the students will likely be in North America, and thus be in similar time zones. You don’t need a visa, but you do need to be present and awake at the scheduled group leader coaching times.
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What if I have a family or other time commitments?
You're in good company. CLU is specifically created to give you the maximum flexibility while also helping you to stay on track and on target with your leadership growth.
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What is your class attendance policy?
Since CLU is a year long program, we understand that sometimes life happens which could stand in your way of active participation. However, the more active you are in the courseroom by engaging the online discussions, providing feedback and encouragement to others learners, and through the leader coaching, the more you will get from the course.
Will I have to travel for any course related activities?
You don’t. It’s optional to choose to meet fellow students (we’ll make it easy to find one another) but it’s certainly not required.
Will the course follow the curriculum of a traditional leadership program?
Our program is uniquely designed to help you grow as a leader from the inside-out built around the what research over the past 20 years has identified as the five core principles of a high-impact leader. So, while you will be learning about and applying some of the same concepts, our blended learning approach provides a lot of flexibility in learning. In addition, you can continue your leadership growth journey after completing the Core Curriculum by progressing to the Master Class. This helps to avoid the "flavor of the month" approach to leader growth and creates a path where you can continue to grow in these key areas and have a continuity of experience.
How is the program structured and what can I expect?
At Catalyst Leader University, you will grow as a high-impact leader from the inside out. We will explore each of the five focus dimensions of a high impact leader (character-focused, growth-focused, relationship-focused, results-focused, future-focused) and how to practically apply these to your life and leadership to make a significant difference starting day one.
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Courses are built around some of the best content in leader development today from some of the top wisdom leaders like John Maxwell, Daniel Pink, Simon Sinek, Patrick Lencioni, Stephen Covey, Kouzes and Posner, Dr. Henry Cloud, Seth Godin, Bill George, Chris McChesney, Sean Covey, Jim Huling, John Kotter, Marcus Buckingham...to name just a few
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Each week will include the following:
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Watching the introduction videos for the week by Dr. Jason Brooks or other leadership experts
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Reading on a particular topic of leadership
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Engaging in online discussions on the content (typically 1-2 questions per week)
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Responding to other learners discussions to build the conversation and collaborative learning
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Participating in a group coaching video conference with your dedicated leader coach
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Building relationships and networking support through our online community
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While this may seem like a lot, the flexibility of being able to work at your own time and at your own pace allows for great freedom. Typically, learners will invest approximately 4 hours per week to accomplish all the course components. In the grand scheme, there is no greater investment of time and money that you can make than in your own growth and development.
What is the usual class size?
Typical size of the cohort is 50. Research shows this is a great size for online learning and group coaching. For companies who what to create a cohort exclusively for their team, we have flexibility to accomplish that goal as well.
How much time can I expect to spend on coursework each day?
There are multiple aspects to our program but, overall, you should expect to invest 4-6 hours per week into your leader development. Reading assignments for the topics being discussed should be approximately 2 hours per week. We know not everyone enjoys reading, but "leaders are readers", which is why this is part of our program and will hopefully help to develop this as a habit for you. In addition, 45 minutes each week will be set aside for your leader coaching video/audio conference. Then, you should expect to spend no more than 2 hours each week responding to the online discussions and providing feedback and support to others in our course. Of course, the more you do and the more active you are in the course and group coaching, the greater growth you'll experience.
It’s a commitment, which is part of why it works. You give a lot, but you get far more than you give in return.
Where does the program take place?
The program is online with weekly video/audio group coaching calls with your leader coach.
How often are new cohorts of Catalyst Leader University launched?
At this point, we're launching new cohorts every quarter. If your organization has a leader group who will be learning together in your own courseroom, this can begin at the start of the month following the decision to move forward.
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What is included in the program fee?
The course is entirely virtual, so no travel is required. There may be optional opportunities to meet fellow learners in your area, but that’s not included in tuition.
If you select the level option that includes all course books, we’ll ship everyone course materials before the course begins. Most of the readings are non-optional, and we trust that CLU students will keep each other on the hook for doing the work.
Whenever possible, we’re going to direct students to online readings and videos, though there are books that are worth buying (or finding in the library, and you’re on the hook to acquire those.
In addition to the course itself, perhaps our biggest goal is to build a powerful alumni network. Fellow high-impact leaders, pushing each other to make a difference. After the course, support for/between/by our members goes on
There are no hidden fees, add-ons, or other surprises.
Is reimbursement possible?
Depending on where you live, the cost might be tax deductible, and we will do whatever we can to help you be reimbursed by your company, as more and more enlightened organizations are understanding the value of continuous learning.
We need to note that the Catalyst Leader University is informal, unaccredited, and non-bureaucratic. If you need an official course credit or the full facilities of a bursar’s office, this isn’t for you.
What types of payment are accepted?
We use accept all standard credit card options, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, as well as PayPal. We’re not currently set up to bill your company, so we ask that you expense this if permitted.
What is your cancellation policy?
The Catalyst Leader University is a mutual commitment. We commit to welcoming you into a small, focused cohort of professionals, and doing everything we can to deliver on the promises of the program. In return, we ask you to commit to spending the time, money and passion it takes to level up, at the same time you contribute to others in the course.
We understand that life can interfere and that plans change, and we’ve tried to create a refund policy that respects you, our students and our mutual commitments.
DEPOSIT: We require a $500 deposit to secure your spot in the next cohort group Catalyst Leader University and to accept our admission offer. Your deposit is non-refundable.
TUITION: The rest of your tuition is fully refundable any time between the day we receive it and fourteen days before the start of the program. Afterwards, no refunds are possible. We do appreciate notification of withdrawal as soon as possible so that we can attempt to fill your spot with another student who may be on the waitlist.
If you’re unable to participate, we’ll donate half your tuition to HOPE International, a charity that believes families in poverty have the God-given talents and skills to provide for their families and provide the guidance, finances and support to achieve.
WITHDRAWAL: If, in the opinion of our coaches, you’re not contributing to the culture and forward motion of your cohort, we’ll let you know. If you’re still not able to actively participate, we’ll ask you to withdraw from the workshop. In this situation, no refund is possible.
Are there scholarships available?
We offer a handful of scholarships, reserved each year for full-time nonprofit executives with a proven track record of charitable work. Each course, we carefully review all incoming scholarship applications and often have more deserving nonprofit candidates than scholarships available. We will contact qualified candidates directly throughout each round of admissions.
Where did the logo come from?
The CLU logo was intentionally designed to highlight the 5 Core Principles of a Catalyst Leader, the foundational focus of the program. This provides a great reminder for learners to anchor back to their development and for those who are looking to grow as a high-impact leader to understand the core aspects of our program.