Santa Clara Launches Free Leadership Course for All

Learning the skills to advance your career or start a business just became free for anyone with internet access.

Santa Clara University's My Own Business Institute (MOBI) launched its 2026-2027 course catalog featuring a completely free Leadership and Professional Success certificate course. The ten-session program teaches essential workplace skills including leadership, project management, negotiation, and business ethics without requiring any fees or prerequisites.

The timing couldn't be better. As career development costs continue to climb and professional training remains out of reach for many workers, MOBI is removing financial barriers entirely.

"Our goal has always been to make business education accessible to everyone," said Trish Kalbas-Schmidt, MOBI's Senior Director. The new course serves both aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals looking to level up in their current careers.

MOBI didn't stop with leadership training. The expanded catalog includes four brand new topics addressing modern business challenges: mental health management for business owners, data analytics simplified for small businesses, smart expense management, and succession planning for transferring business ownership.

The mental health session tackles a critical but often overlooked issue. Brian Moran, who created the course content, notes that entrepreneurs carrying the weight of their businesses face unique mental health challenges tied to self-worth and isolation.

Nicole Ruccolo designed the data analytics course to demystify what sounds technical. "In reality, it is simply the process of using the information you already have about your business to make better decisions," she explains.

Perhaps most impressive is MOBI's commitment to accessibility beyond just cost. The flagship Starting a Business course is now available in text, video, and audio formats. Eight new audio and video sessions join the MOBI On Demand library, letting learners choose how they absorb information based on their needs and learning styles.

The Ripple Effect

MOBI's expansion reaches far beyond Silicon Valley. The program works with over 125 partners worldwide, gathering feedback to ensure courses meet real needs in diverse communities. Students from any country can access the same quality business education previously available only to university students paying tuition.

This model proves that elite business education doesn't need to come with an elite price tag.