CERTIFICATION PATHWAY

Theory U | Awareness-Based Systems Change

Practitioner Certification

The Awareness-based Systems Change (ABSC) Practitioner Certification builds your capacity to apply the theory, methods, and tools of Theory U to transform your team, organization, industry, or community.

What is Required?

What's In It For Me?

1. Deepened understanding of systems thinking: You'll gain a lived experience of systems thinking and the impact you can have on the whole. 

2. Enhanced leadership skills: The certification builds essential leadership qualities for fostering transformative change, including cultivating your capacity for presencing, i.e. sensing and actualizing the emerging future. The certification learning journey supports you to connect with your authentic self and, from there, influence systemic change.

3. New methods and tools for problem-solving: Our programs equip you with the methods and tools to approach complex challenges in innovative ways by going to the root causes of issues, rather than just addressing symptoms.

4. Connection to a global community: Participating in our programs connects you with like-minded changemakers around the world and across sectors in a context of peer learning and eco-system activation. 

5. Personal growth: Supported by practices to cultivate your inner condition, you'll likely find yourself exploring new dimensions of your own awareness and developing a deeper understanding of your unique role in the world - what is uniquely yours to do. 

6. Increased marketability: Certification from a leader in the field signals to others your commitment to transformative change methodologies and continuous professional development.

7. Contribution to positive social change: Equipped with the mindset and tools to contribute to positive social change, you'll be prepared to activate change processes in your own context toward a more sustainable and equitable world.

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FAQs

Questions about this certification?

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Commonly Asked Questions
  • I don't see one button to purchase the entire Certification at once. How does it work?
    Certifications are not purchased all at once. You can do the component programs and final action learning project at your own pace. Some programs are immediately available, others are released during the year. If you want to receive notifications about program openings, you can sign-up to our newsletter here.
  • Do I need to follow the recommended order?
    The pathway is flexible. The order you see on this page is a recommendation. You can pursue the suggested programs in this order or differently. When you have finished all relevant components, the certification will appear on your profile page.
  • What is the completion time?
    The certification pathways are built in a flexible way so you can shape the learning journey to suit your needs. Some programs are several months long and others that take a few days. The primary focus of the certification pathway is application and that takes time, so if you know from the start that you would like to pursue a certification pathway, it will need some forward planning. Once you begin your action learning project - the last stage in the certification process - you have a limit of 2 years to submit it.
  • If I have participated in these programs in the past will that be taken into consideration?
    Yes, all the programs you have completed will be displayed on your profile page. If any information is missing, you will be able to manually upload your program certificate of completion on your profile and it will be considered for the certification.
  • I’ve heard that the Digital Leadership Program can count as an option in the Deepening category. Is that true?
  • Can I submit the Action Learning Project now?
    The final Action Learning Project can only be submited after you have completed all the required programs. Also, currently the certification pathways are in soft launch mode and some of the functions are still in development. This functionality will be enabled in 2024. Please sign up for notifications here to receive the launch announcement.
  • I have missed a program registration deadline. Is it possible to join the program that is in progress at the moment? When is a new program starting?
    It is not possible to onboard new participants for an existing course, as each module of the course builds on the previous one. Our programs calendar can be followed here.
  • I have missed a required program date. Does it mean I can only take the program again next year?
    Our offerings calendar varies depending on the program. We always try to be inclusive and run offerings in different formats and locations so everyone has an opportunity to attend. Here’s an overview of our program schedule for your reference. Depending on circumstances the schedule might be subject to change:
    • u-lab 1x – online with live sessions from MIT, USA. This is a free program with option of paid certificate. Annually in Sep-Oct.
    • u-lab 2x – online with live sessions on Zoom. This is a free program for teams with option of paid certificate. Annually in Feb-Apr.
    • PFP – in person in Berlin, Europe. Annually in June.
    • ELP (equivalent to PFP) – in person in Latin America and soon in Africa and Asia. The Latin America program runs Annually in March.
    • SPT Basics – in person and online offerings around the year and in several locations around the world.
    • Scribing Essentials – online with live sessions on Zoom. Offered annually in March-April and in October.
    • Digital Leadership (the version online with live sessions is the only version considered for the pathways) hasn’t a scheduled date for the current year. 
  • Can the u-lab 2x project be the Action Learning Project I need to submit?
    The Action Learning Portfolio documents a full U journey that you co-lead for either your own team or another group, applying the tools you have learned throughout the certification pathway. It is not a documentation of your u-lab 2x process. However, if you continue to evolve your u-lab 2x project with a U-journey of your design, that process can be the focus of your portfolio. Alternatively, if you want to document a U-process unrelated to your u-lab 2x project, please do so.
  • How can I be notified when new programs are available?
    You can sign up for our newsletter as we always announce new open programs there. 

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