Strategic, financial, and people leadership for today’s lab leaders

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Lead strategically. Communicate effectively. Build a resilient lab.

Advanced Lab Management Certificate

Managing a lab takes more than technical knowledge—it demands strategic thinking, financial insight, and strong leadership.
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The Advanced Lab Management Certificate program:
  • Covers topics from budgeting and planning to team engagement and crisis response, providing you with the tools to lead with clarity and confidence
  • Is your opportunity to grow as a decision-maker, a project leader, and a resilient force in your organization
  • Delivers 10+ impactful hours of learning across 10 self-paced courses.
  • Features engaging lecture videos, supporting slides, skill-testing activities, interactive elements, and a short quiz for each course.
Lab Management Submark
Each course is a stand-alone class with no required prerequisites and courses can be taken in any order. Completing all 10 courses will earn an Advanced Lab Management Certificate.
Please note: Enroll now and get immediate access to the first five courses in Stream 1. The remaining five courses in Stream 2 will launch by Fall 2025 and will be automatically added to your account as they launch.
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Launch Price: $699 until June 30
Price increases to $799 on July 1. Enroll now and save $100!
What's included?

10 expert-led, self-paced courses

The Advanced Lab Management Certificate is divided into two in-depth learning streams. The first stream, Strategic and Financial Management for Labs, includes five courses focused on planning, budgeting, and cost control, and is available now for immediate enrollment.

The second stream, Leadership and Operational Resilience for Labs, features five additional courses on leadership development, lab culture, motivating lab staff, root cause analysis, and business continuity, and will launch in Fall 2025.

Learners who enroll in the full certificate will receive immediate access to the first stream and automatic access to the second stream’s courses as they become available—ensuring a continuous and comprehensive learning journey.

What is this certificate about?

  • Strategic and Financial Management for Labs: Labs need leaders who can think long-term, manage budgets, and guide operations with purpose. This part of the certificate equips you with the skills to develop strategic plans, oversee lab finances, manage costs and resources, lead complex projects, and prepare for operational disruptions. You’ll learn how to align your lab’s mission with practical execution—turning big-picture thinking into measurable results.
  • Leadership and Operational Resilience for Labs: Strong labs are led by adaptable, people-focused leaders. This stream focuses on helping you lead teams with empathy and effectiveness while strengthening your lab’s day-to-day operations. You'll explore leadership styles, employee motivation, business continuity planning, feedback strategies, and how to respond to and prevent lab errors—ensuring your lab remains productive, agile, and resilient under pressure.

Who is this certificate for?

Whether you’re a seasoned lab manager, a technical lead stepping into a leadership role, or an operations professional looking to expand your impact, the Advanced Lab Management Certificate is built for you. This program is ideal for experienced lab professionals who want to sharpen their strategic thinking, lead teams more effectively, and manage lab operations with greater confidence and clarity.

Lab directors, managers, senior scientists, and those responsible for lab planning, budgeting, or personnel oversight will find practical tools and advanced training to help them lead with purpose and resilience.

What are the benefits of this certificate?

By completing the Advanced Lab Management Certificate, engaged learners will gain:

  • Strategic and Financial Expertise: Build advanced skills in strategic planning, budgeting, cost management, and project execution to strengthen lab operations and align with organizational goals.
  • Operational Resilience: Develop the ability to lead through change, manage crises, and ensure business continuity—keeping your lab productive and protected under pressure.
  • High-Impact Leadership Skills: Enhance your leadership approach with training in motivation, communication, feedback, and adaptive leadership to support team performance and engagement.
  • Root Cause Thinking and Continuous Improvement: Learn how to identify and address lab errors, implement sustainable solutions, and foster a culture of accountability and growth.
  • Professional Recognition: Earn an IACET-accredited credential that validates your advanced knowledge and demonstrates your leadership readiness in the lab environment.

Are you facing challenges like...

  • Leading complex lab projects without formal training
  • Navigating budgeting and cost decisions with uncertainty
  • Feeling pressure to make high-stakes decisions without strategic tools
  • Managing team dynamics without guidance on motivation or feedback
  • Preparing your lab for disruptions, errors, or emergencies
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If any of these sound familiar, the Advanced Lab Management Certificate is for you. This program gives you the structure, tools, and confidence to lead your lab with clarity, strategy, and resilience.

Why invest in this program?

Advanced Skill Development

Gain high-level expertise in strategic planning, financial oversight, team leadership, and operational resilience—skills essential for driving impact in senior lab roles.

Immediate Real-World Application

Learn practical, lab-focused strategies you can apply right away to improve operations, manage budgets, lead projects, and support your team through challenges.

Two-Stream Structure for Deeper Focus

Benefit from a thoughtfully designed curriculum that balances strategic and financial leadership with people-focused resilience training—giving you a well-rounded advanced leadership toolkit.

Career Growth and Recognition

Earn an IACET-accredited certificate that demonstrates your readiness for advanced leadership roles, enhances your professional credibility, and strengthens your promotion potential.

Expert-Led Instruction

Learn from seasoned lab management professionals with real-world experience guiding complex lab operations, teams, and organizational change.

Flexible, Self-Paced Format

Advance your career on your own schedule with a format designed to fit into your busy life—no time off or travel required.

What are the unique features of the certificate?

  • Official Certification
  • IACET-accredited institution
  • 10 online courses
  • 100% self-paced
  • 10+ hours of learning
  • Live monthly office hours
  • Lifetime access to updates
  • Earn 1.0 CEU
  • Backed by 30+ years’ industry experience

Meet The Instructors

Scott Hanton

PhD

Years of Experience
Scott Hanton is the editorial director at Lab Manager and the leader of the Lab Manager Academy. He spent 30 years working in industrial chemistry labs, with 20 years as a lab manager. He had roles of general manager, laboratory operations manager and chief scientist for Intertek Allentown. Previously, he had roles of research scientist, laboratory supervisor, and section manager at Air Products & Chemicals. Through these different roles, Scott developed expertise in polymer mass spectrometry, analytical characterization, people leadership, and business management. He earned a BS in Chemistry from Michigan State University and a PhD in Physical Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Scott is an active member of ACS, ASMS, and ALMA.

Tracy Durnan

MBA

Years of Experience
Tracy Durnan has led an impressive career as a researcher and administrator in her thirty years working in the field of biomedical research. Tracy served as the Senior Manager of Facilities Operations and Laboratory Support at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center for 15 years. In 2017, she received the Sylvester Stars Award from the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, which recognizes excellence in research administrative staff. Tracy had the unique distinction of receiving nominations for the Sylvester Stars award from more faculty members than any previous recipient. In her role, Tracy led the onboarding of new research labs and significant process improvement efforts in both the research and hospital operations at Sylvester. Tracy has led over a dozen major renovation projects, improving the working environment for hundreds of employees. Tracy is also an expert in disaster preparedness; she published an article in Lab Manager Magazine on the topic of disaster preparedness in September 2018 and has presented talks on the topic at national conventions. Finally, she recently received certification in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Before joining the Sylvester Research Administration team, Tracy was the Research Laboratory Coordinator of one of the largest labs at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX for four years.

Tracy has also worked in laboratory leadership roles at institutions such as NASA and the University of Colorado Medical Center.

Tracy holds a Bachelor degree in biology from Colorado State University and an MBA in health sector policy and administration from the University of Miami.

Completing this certificate will help you

  • Reduce stress and lead with confidence by gaining formal training for high-responsibility tasks like budgeting, project oversight, and crisis planning.
  • Master advanced leadership skills that are typically only learned through years of trial and error—from motivating teams to receiving feedback and managing lab errors.
  • Boost lab performance and team morale by applying proven strategies that drive clarity, communication, and accountability.
  • Differentiate yourself in the job market with specialized, lab-focused leadership training that goes beyond general management programs.
  • Accelerate your career by adding practical, high-value skills that make you a stronger candidate for promotions or expanded responsibilities.
  • Earn an IACET-accredited certificate and 1 CEU to enhance your resume, support professional development goals, and demonstrate your commitment to lab leadership excellence.
Advanced Lab Management Certificate Submark

Advanced Lab Management Certificate Curriculum

Not ready for the full certificate? The 2 stream credentials below can also be taken separately
Strategic and Financial Management for Labs
Leadership and Operational Resilience for Labs
Stream Credential

Strategic and Financial Management for Labs

Labs operate at their best when guided by a clear strategy and supported by sound financial decisions. To achieve this, lab leaders must develop the skills to plan ahead, manage resources wisely, and guide projects from concept to completion. The Strategic and Financial Management for Labs stream equips lab professionals with the tools to lead with purpose and drive operational excellence.

This program covers essential areas such as strategic planning, budgeting, cost and resource management, lab-specific project execution, and crisis preparedness.

Each course is designed to help lab leaders make informed decisions, align their operations with organizational goals, and build a strong foundation for long-term lab success.
Stream Credential

Leadership and Operational Resilience for Labs

Labs rely on strong, adaptable leaders who can guide their teams, manage uncertainty, and foster a culture of trust and accountability. The Leadership and Operational Resilience for Labs stream empowers lab managers to lead people effectively while strengthening day-to-day operations.

This program explores key topics such as leadership styles, team motivation, business continuity, error prevention through root cause analysis, and receiving feedback constructively.

Each course is crafted to help lab leaders build resilient teams, support continuous improvement, and ensure their lab can thrive in the face of change.

This stream will launch in the Fall of 2025.
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Take Your Lab Leadership to the Next Level—Start Your Advanced Training Today.

Enroll in the Advanced Lab Management Certificate program and build the strategic, financial, and leadership skills your lab needs to succeed.
Lab Manager Academy is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. IACET is recognized internationally as a standard development organization and accrediting body that promotes quality of continuing education and training.