Online Leadership Intensive

When you are ready to apply for a course or CTD program, you can do so by creating or logging into your MyCTD account found on the top right corner of this page. Once you have logged into your MyCTD account, please follow the prompts to enter required account information, apply for the course(s) of your choice, and submit additional application materials if necessary.

For detailed guidance on the application process, we encourage you to reference the following documents:

• Step by step course registration guidance: With screenshots
• Step by step course registration guidance: Text only

To qualify for Emerald tier Civic Education Project (CEP) Courses, students must be in grade 7 through 10 and must also provide one of the following:

• Qualifying score of 90^th  percentile or higher on a nationally normed grade-level assessment in the required qualifying subject area (Verbal/reading for CEP courses) for the desired course; OR
• Successful completion of a CTD course, with the same qualifying subject area within the past two years; OR
• Submission of a portfolio application, consisting of a teacher recommendation (available after submitting the application) and the student’s transcript or most recent report card, demonstrating that the student is performing exceptionally well in the qualifying subject area; OR
• Participation in above grade-level testing such as the PSAT™8/9 test taken in grades 5 or 6, the ACT^® or SAT^® test taken in grades 6, 7, 8 or 9 (Above-Grade-Level Assessment)

Tuition 

• All courses: $700
• Tuition increases by $25 after the Early Bird Rate Deadline, 10 days before the session start date.

Withdrawals

Please see our withdrawal information for policies specific to this program.

Financial Aid

CTD offers need-based financial aid awarded as requests are received. Families are encouraged to apply early because the amount of aid available is limited. Please see the Financial Aid page for details. 

• The deadline to complete a financial aid application is approximately two weeks prior to the course start date, specific to each session.
• You will receive the FACTS application link in your application confirmation email once the $60 dollar tuition deposit is paid and the application is submitted.
• It is imperative that you complete the financial aid application as soon as possible as it may take FACTS up to ten days to process your information.
• If you previously completed a FACTS application for the 2022-2023 academic year for CTD, you must still attach the 2023-2024 FACTS application to your FACTS account. You will be able to link your FACTS account to this new FACTS information. You may need to update financial information.
• If you experience difficulties with the FACTS process please call the FACTS helpline at 866/412-4637.

Courses in the Leadership Intensive series focus on skill-building, exploring concepts within the practice and study of leadership, and a deep dive into subject-area specific topics. View sample syllabi to learn more. 

Leadership Intensive Curriculum Components

Class Meetings
Examine course themes and concepts through academic research and topic-focused presentations designed to build your skills. Dialogue with peers to identify diverse viewpoints and consider new ideas in your leadership development.

Independent Course Work
Dig into theories, models and current events that help you consider new ideas and ways of approaching your leadership development. Apply course material through guided questions and engaging assignments that broaden your perspective and build critical thinking skills.

Speakers
Meet with government, business, and nonprofit leaders at the top of their fields to hear their experiences and paths to socially responsible leadership.

Teambuilding
Build communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills with classmates through instructor-led activities.

Our Leadership Intensive courses draw from a diverse student body, and our inclusive class communities honor multiple perspectives and interpretations of leadership. Courses are appropriate for students at various comfort and skill levels, and instruction will be tailored to meet students of diverse backgrounds and talents.

Our online courses are designed to allow each student to explore their strengths and potential as an engaged and creative leader through:

• Weekly live, online 105-minute class sessions, 7 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. CST
• Flexibly-paced assignments, lessons, and reflections
• Guest speakers and online meetings with community organizations

Students will be engaged in pre-college level academically stimulating and engaging activities designed to develop higher-level thinking skills. To be successful in these courses, a student should have a keen interest in the subject, be eager to work through academic challenges, and have a desire to learn in an online environment.
 
Outside of live class sessions, students should expect to spend 2-3 hours (Fall, Spring, and Summer 9-week courses) per week engaged in independent course work. Our dedicated instructors will initiate and guide online lessons and discussions. Students should possess effective communication skills, including proficient reading and writing skills, and feel comfortable asking questions to guide their learning. The course syllabi will guide pacing, and instructional staff office hours are available to help students process content and stay on track. 
 
Online class sessions will occur at a consistent time throughout the course; see course listings for class times. When attendance is not possible, students can access recordings of real-time class sessions any time after they occur.
 
After each live class session, students will have the opportunity to provide short feedback so instructional staff and program administrators can monitor student progress and adjust teaching methods accordingly to meet the needs of diverse learners.

Schoology, the learning management system used by CTD, is a user-friendly platform designed specifically for K-12 online learners, and is COPPA compliant.

Students will receive login information to Schoology via e-mail 24-48 hours before the course start date.

With their login information, students will receive information about a live, online orientation for all new Online Program students. (Returning students are also welcome to repeat the orientation.) The orientation will be recorded for students to view at a later time, if desired.

Access to course material begins on the course start date.

All students receive a detailed evaluation after completion of the program. The evaluation provides feedback on the student’s achievements during the course and outlines areas for further growth. Evaluations are sent via e-mail and able to be accessed via MyCTD.

All course work and communication (including instructor contact information, the course syllabus, and assignments) take place within the Schoology course site. Schoology can be accessed on a desktop or laptop computer, or with the Schoology mobile app for iOS or Android tablets and phones. While tablets may be sufficient for most course work, some web tools and/or websites may require the use of a computer.

Students need access to a stable internet connection and updated web browser.

Participation in “live” course activities or multimedia recordings may require a computer web camera, microphone or headset.

• For questions regarding CEP Program admissions and financial aid, please contact:
  ctd-admissions@northwestern.edu

• For questions regarding current CEP Program enrollments, please contact:
  cep@northwestern.edu

• For questions about school partnerships with CEP Programs, please contact:
  ctd-school-services@northwestern.edu