Welcome to the DLC Leadership Program!
This is the homepage for DLC Leadership Program journey. From here, you can read the program overview, download the course syllabus, and access your My Journey learning dashboard.
Intro Video
We’re so excited for you to be joining us for our Fall 2026 cohort. Please take a few minutes to view our intro video for a quick overview of how the program works and suggestions on navigating that content that will set you up for success – and a completion certificate!
You can also view a text outline of the requirements below.
Course Requirements
Complete All Foundational Courses
A foundational course is a deep dive into topics that are essential for community leaders. Each course is made up of three modules which build upon one another. Completing all three courses will earn you the Foundations DLC Certification*.
Complete All Masterclass Courses
Masterclasses are single topic modules taught by guest lectures who are masters in their fields. These modules become available after completion of the foundational courses. If you complete both the foundational courses and all of the masterclasses, you will earn the Advanced DLC Certification*.
*Complete Pre- and Post-Course Surveys
You will be asked to complete a brief survey at the start of the program and again at the end of the program. Completion of the pre- and post-course surveys are required to earn the certification.
Coursework Details
The F.A.X. Learning Model
All courses are made up of learning modules. Each learning module is comprised of 3 parts: Foundation, Application, and eXpansion (F.A.X.). These parts are designed to build on one another, laying the groundwork for shared understanding and essential competency before expanding to practical application. This type of scaffolding approach sets learners up for success — in coursework and more broadly — and is modeled on the tell, show, do teaching method.
1
Foundation
This section introduces the core concepts, frameworks, and research behind the topic. You’ll learn the “why”, understanding the evidence base and theoretical grounding that makes these approaches effective. This is where we build your knowledge foundation.
2
Application
Here’s where theory meets practice. This section translates concepts into actionable strategies you can use in your community. You’ll explore real-world scenarios, common challenges, and practical techniques for implementing what you’ve learned. This is the “how”, giving you concrete tools and approach.
3
eXpansion
This section goes broader and deeper, exploring related topics, edge cases, and advanced considerations. You’ll encounter additional perspectives, resources for further learning, and connections to other areas of digital leadership. Think of this as the “what else”, expanding your understanding beyond the core content and helping you see how everything connects.
Foundational Courses
Foundational modules cover the core competencies every digital community leader needs, regardless of the size or type of community you’re managing. These are the essential skills that form the backbone of effective digital leadership, from conflict resolution to community design to protecting your own well-being in this work.
Each foundational course is made up of 3 learning modules and takes approximately 60-90 minutes to complete. Completing all foundational courses will earn you the Foundations DLC Certificate. All foundational courses must be completed before masterclass courses are unlocked.
Masterclass Courses
Masterclass modules dive into specialized areas of expertise, taught by our organizational partners and industry experts. These focused sessions let you build skills in specific domains relevant to your community’s unique needs, whether that’s handling particular types of harm, working with specific platforms, or developing advanced techniques for community engagement.
In the Masterclass modules you’ll learn directly from the masters themselves – industry experts who have lent their expertise to create focused, practical modules on specialized topics. Think of these as TL;DR sessions from the people doing this work in the field: trust and safety professionals, veteran community managers, advocacy organizations, and researchers who’ve spent years developing best practices in their areas.
Each masterclass is designed to give you something tangible you can integrate into your community today, whether that’s a template, a framework, a protocol, or a specific technique you can put into practice immediately.
Each masterclass course is a single learning module and takes approximately 45 minutes to complete. Completing all masterclasses will earn you the Advanced DLC Certificate.