Enlighten your future.
Nova Chief of Staff Certification equips EAs, Chiefs of Staff, and aspiring leaders to function at the highest levels of a company.
Through hands-on job experience and expertly crafted curriculum, Nova coursework prepares students for the ins and outs of the Chief of Staff and other leadership roles so they can hit the ground running in their careers.
Practice makes perfect.
In any field or industry, experience is critical to career success, and experiential learning is the way to achieve it. When you take Nova’s Chief of Staff Certification course, you’re not only gaining foundational knowledge about the duties of a Chief of Staff, but also firsthand experience through relevant assignments, tools, and templates.
Coursework designed for you.
Looking to empower your future and add skills to your resume? The Nova Chief of Staff Certification course offers hands-on practice in the daily functions of the CoS role relevant to many professionals, including:
Current & Aspiring Chiefs of Staff looking for a proven framework and abundance of resources.
Executive assistants looking for a more strategic role with greater responsibility.
Business operations managers, executive partners, or general managers looking to advance.
Highly organized leaders who enjoy working with executives at the top.
Consultants looking to settle into an industry or business.
Companies looking to elevate leaders and promote top employees.
Undergraduate and graduate business school students looking to land their dream job.
Generalists who want to thrive in a company and learn a business from the top down.
Anyone who wants to learn more about the Chief of Staff position and the foundational skills required to support senior leaders with impact.
SAVE BIG Now Through June
Nova is turning three, and to celebrate, we’re giving you $350 off lifetime access to our flagship Chief of Staff Certification Course!
Use promo code SUMMERSALE350 and gain access to 50 hours of self-paced content, AI-powered enhancements, hands-on practice, live instructor touchpoints, events, 30+ templates & tools, and so much more.
The Nova Chief of Staff Certification Course has transformed careers across the globe — and the results speak for themselves. But don’t just take our word for it: hear directly from the students who’ve lived it.
Trusted by 2,000+ Students Globally
Meet Beth
Role prior to taking Nova’s course:
Senior Director, Alumni Relations & Development, University of Chicago
Role after completing Nova’s course:
CoS to the Chancellor of University of Illinois Chicago
Meet Leah
Role prior to taking Nova’s course:
Executive Assistant, Easter Seals Canada
Role after completing Nova’s course:
De Facto Chief of Staff
Meet Nicola
Role prior to taking Nova’s course:
Executive Assistant, Linxon
Role after completing Nova’s course:
Chief of Staff, HALO Trust
The Three Paths to Certification
Nova’s acclaimed Chief of Staff Certification is available via three tracks. Choose the one that’s right for you!
But hurry, our 3-Day Virtual Cohort and In-Person Tracks sell out quickly.
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Self-Paced Track
The most accessible and flexible option. Work at a pace that fits your schedule, anytime and anywhere.
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Our online course is self-paced and flexible, providing you with lifetime access to the course, tools, and resources.Through office hours, unlimited feedback, and coaching, students have ongoing opportunities to engage with Team Nova and their peers.
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3-Day Virtual Cohort Track
Get certified in just 3 days and collaborate with peers. Limited space is available.
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Led by Team Nova, this new and accelerated format mirrors the in-person experience and includes a mix of lectures, group discussions, solo work, and real-time collaboration with peers.Come away with ready-to-use templates, tools, and systems, and the confidence to apply them without delay.
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3-Day In-Person Track
Some of us prefer to learn together. Offered in cities throughout the country.
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Offered at the APC and Ignite conferences, our in-person course equips you with all of our certification content in a group setting with many in-person perks.The experience includes a mix of lectures, group discussions, solo work, and real-time collaboration. Enjoy the benefits of attending a conference, while spending 3 days with Nova Chief of Staff.
Looking to level up your organization? Nova’s Team Training format will enhance your strategic operators at the highest level, providing a flexible and custom learning experience that provides with the expertise to surpass organizational goals. Learn more here.
Inside the Certification:
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1:1 kick-off meeting with instructor
Deep understanding of the role and the value of the position to the organization. Hear from current and past Chiefs of Staff as well as executives supported by the role.
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Hands on practice of business planning activities including brief preparation, strategic recommendations, complex meeting agendas, and more.
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Dive into real-life scenarios that include writing executive communications, planning company events, and preparing a sales presentation for your leader.
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Participate in a mock meeting with your leader, capturing and then preparing an executive level prioritization document, and project manage a complex executive team event.
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Learn how to approach the financial areas of your business, prepare an org chart, kick off an employee newsletter, reflect on your network, hone your executive presence, and more.
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1:1 final meeting with instructor
Conduct a mock meeting with your leader where you present updates on completed work from the course and record the virtual presentation. Prepare for your first 90 days as a CoS.
You’ll leave the course with a treasure chest of resources, tools, and templates to take to a Chief of Staff, Sr. Executive Assistant, or similar role. A few noteworthy items include a flier summarizing what you learned in the course (helpful for job interviews), a snazzy digital badge to share on your LinkedIn (LI), a course certificate of completion, and access to an exclusive LI group for course graduates.
The Self-Paced Certification
Through 50 hours of self-paced online course content, instructor touchpoints, events, and hands-on experience derived from real Chief of Staff responsibilities, you’ll leave the course equipped to land the job you want or excel in the one you have. You’ll also take home a competency summary for current/future employers and retain lifelong access to course resources, including 30+ tools and templates.
One small investment. Unlimited opportunity.
$1,850
$4,500 in value!
*Pay all at once or take advantage of our payment plans.
Want to talk it through before enrolling?
Book a discovery call with a Nova graduate.
Save When You Bundle!
The Self-Paced Certification:
Learning is simply better together.
From an accountability buddy to shared perspective and deeper engagement, enrolling in Nova’s course with others makes the experience even more valuable.
With savings from $300-$600 per student, bundled enrollment means BIG savings.
So, grab a friend, a teammate, or a few of each, and register below.
Save $300 per person!
Save $400 per person!
Save $600 per person!
Want to enroll a different number of students than what’s listed above?
Just send us a note, we’ll take care of the rest: hello@novachiefofstaff.com
And if you’re interested in training your team with customized formats, including 3-day in-person, virtual, or cohort-style, we do that too. Learn more here.
Meet the Founder, Maggie Olson.
Our Founder, Maggie Olson, built Nova to provide a premier destination for people to learn more about the CoS role and get the tools they need for success.
With 20 years of experience in retail, F&B, and tech, she has held leadership roles at Nordstrom and T-Mobile. As the first Chief of Staff to the President of T-Mobile Business Group, Maggie built the Chief of Staff model, establishing a highly efficient team and executive back-office structure supporting the President, SVPs, and over 5,000 employees. Through Nova, she continues to shape business leadership and equip Chiefs of Staff, Executive Assistants, generalists, and strategic operators with the skills they need to make an impact through their role.
Meet your Course Facilitators.
Maggie Olson teams up with expert facilitators to guide Nova students through the course experience.
Chief of Staff, Therapist, Coach
Chief of Staff, Strategic Advisor
Meet your Guest Instructors.
To build and design the acclaimed Nova curriculum, we've collaborated with CoS specialists and business leaders to ensure that our certification program is the best available.
World-class impact.
Our students enroll from some of the most influential companies on the planet, representing a diversity of industries.
Join the global community.
Nova’s Chief of Staff Certification course is endorsed by top industry professionals and organizations. With students from 45 countries, Nova is a global community of learners dedicated to advancing their careers. You can join the momentum and take advantage of Nova’s resources designed to support you on your Chief of Staff journey–no matter where in the world you’re located!
What students are saying.
You can also learn more about their journeys through our case studies.
Want to talk it through before enrolling?
Book a discovery call with a Nova graduate.
Learn about the certification.
Complete the form below to access the syllabus.
If you’re considering enrolling in our Chief of Staff Certification course, reviewing the syllabus is a great way to gain insights into our industry agnostic course curriculum! Complete the form below to receive the syllabus, as well as news and updates from Nova.
The Nova Promise
Nova is committed to leveling the playing field and proudly partners with the following groups to ensure accessible pricing to our world-class Chief of Staff Certification course:
Recently laid off
Financial hardship
Current students
Emerging market countries
Veterans
Learners who’ve tried & paid for other CoS resources but see Nova as the missing link
To confirm your eligibility, please contact our team.
FAQ
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You can complete the Certification through:
Online Self-Paced Course (start anytime).
Virtual 3-Day Cohort (accelerated, live training with Team Nova).
In-Person Course (multi-day, onsite or conference).
Corporate Team Training (custom programs for companies).
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From tenured Chiefs of Staff to early-career Executive Assistants—and anyone looking to contribute at a high level—this course is designed for high-potential professionals who want to lead strategically.
Whether you're already operating at the executive level or preparing to make that leap, the program equips you with a powerful, real-world toolkit to make confident, informed decisions every day.
Our students include:
Current and aspiring Chiefs of Staff
Executive Assistants looking to expand their strategic influence
Business operations professionals
Business school students and early-career professionals exploring the CoS path
Future entrepreneurs
Individuals curious about the growing Chief of Staff movement
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The course is $1,850 per student through 2025. Enrollment includes:
50–60 hours of online instruction
Lifetime access to the curriculum and all future updates
Live calls with Team Nova, including weekly office hours, new student kickoff, and graduation sessions
30+ exclusive templates and tools ready for immediate use
12+ AI-focused assignments and a bonus 13-page AI Guide for CoSs and EAs
Lifetime access to the Nova Chief of Staff team and community, with unlimited feedback from real humans
A digital learning badge and certificate of completion
We also offer in-person certification events three times per year or by request for teams.
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Graduates receive a certificate of completion, a digital badge for LinkedIn, and a PDF summary of demonstrated skills they can use for job searches or performance reviews.
How is the online course structured?
The course is fully online, self-paced, and designed to work around your schedule. The curriculum includes:
6 modules totaling 50–60 hours of instruction
20+ assignments rooted in real-world business operations
12+ AI-focused assignments and a bonus 13-page AI Guide
30+ customizable templates
Live calls with Team Nova, including weekly office hours, kickoff, and graduation sessions
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The course is fully online, self-paced, and designed to work around your schedule. The curriculum includes:
6 modules totaling 50–60 hours of instruction
20+ assignments rooted in real-world business operations
12+ AI-focused assignments and a bonus 13-page AI Guide
30+ customizable templates
Live calls with Team Nova, including weekly office hours, kickoff, and graduation sessions
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You’ll meet directly with Maggie Olson, Founder and CEO of Nova Chief of Staff, or another Team Nova leader for two personalized sessions:
Kickoff Call – A strategic orientation where you’ll set goals for the course
Graduation Call – A reflective, practical planning session focused on applying what you’ve learned to your role or job search
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Yes. Students can email the instructor inbox at any time to receive personalized feedback from Team Nova.
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The curriculum helps develop core competencies in:
Business planning and rhythm of business
Meeting design and facilitation
Executive project management and prioritization
Executive event leadership and communications
Cross-functional stakeholder management
Presentation development and storytelling (digital, visual, and verbal)
Operating under ambiguity
Internal culture building
Executive presence
AI optimization
Strategic gap-filling as a Chief of Staff
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Most students complete the course in 12 weeks. With lifetime access, you’re free to move at your own pace.
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“Nova’s course gave me the confidence and validation that I can do the job. It was just what I needed. And all the tools, templates, and hands-on practice helped me feel prepared to step up and go after what I want—not to mention the validation that I was capable.”
– Anne, Nova Student, 2025
In addition to confidence and clarity, students leave with:
A portfolio of practical work aligned to CoS responsibilities
30+ templates for immediate on-the-job use
A one-page summary of new skills for interviews or reviews
A digital certificate and LinkedIn badge
Membership in our global Nova CoS alumni community
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Graduates receive a certificate and LinkedIn badge linked to a verified list of skills. You'll also join the Nova CoS alumni network—a growing community of strategic operators across industries who share resources, connections, and job leads.
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You can absolutely take the course while working or between roles. Many students tailor their assignments to real-life projects, which adds immediate value and relevance.
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Yes. The Nova Guarantee offers a full refund to any student who completes the entire course and doesn’t find it valuable—though no one has taken us up on it yet.
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Yes. In addition to your kickoff and graduation calls, we host weekly office hours where you can:
Receive real-time feedback
Connect with peers
Troubleshoot challenges
Students can also email the instructor inbox at any time for help or feedback.
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Yes. Nova students receive 20% off coaching and generous discounts on additional Nova courses.
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Yes. We offer team pricing and support a range of formats—from virtual cohorts and three-day intensives to in-person trainings onsite. Learn more: www.novachiefofstaff.com/trainmyteam
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We use a complete/incomplete model. Students must complete all 50+ hours and assignments. Team Nova reviews all submissions before issuing certification. The focus is on practical application—not perfection.
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There’s no written exam. The final assignment is a recorded 10-minute mock 1:1 with an executive where you present your work for approval—a chance to synthesize your learning and demonstrate strategic thinking.
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Just click the “Enroll Now” button above and follow the prompts!
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Yes. Many students are sponsored by their employers. We can provide invoices, syllabus, and supporting documents to help with reimbursement or approval. Visit our Free Resource Library to find a template.
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Nova is the global leader in Chief of Staff education. With 1,500 students across 40 countries and partnerships with top organizations, our curriculum is practical, proven, and immediately applicable. Students consistently report impact from day one—whether it’s aligning their executive’s priorities, improving team communication, or leading initiatives with confidence.
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A Chief of Staff is a CEO or Founder’s right hand, their strategic thought partner, who is focused on the leader’s priorities. A CoS can manage large scale projects, create and implement strategic plans, and facilitate high-level meetings and engagements. Chiefs of Staff are masters of follow through and are highly organized, and depending on the size and needs of the business, they may also oversee functions like employee culture, operations, or HR.
A Chief of Staff allows a CEO or Founder to stay focused on their vision— the “what,” while the CoS steps in to focus on the execution—the “how.” Chiefs of Staff drive organizational clarity by helping lead an effective Rhythm of Business, removing friction and roadblocks, driving process and efficiency, strategic planning, resourcing, and many other capabilities, all dependent on what the business needs.
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Happy to clarify here. Executive Assistants and CoS both support CEOs or Founders, and at first glance it may be hard to understand the difference: both drive organization and focus, and keeping the CEO / Founder prepared is of utmost importance. However, an EA is focused on highly detailed tasks including expenses, travel, meeting and scheduling logistics, and often personal errands and support for their leader. The CoS is a senior level leader who is a strategic thought partner to the business leader, and may act as their proxy in certain situations. A CoS can manage complex company wide initiatives, lead large teams, oversee operational aspects of the business, and drive strategic planning at a high level.
COOs and CoS are both strategic, senior leadership roles focused on major company initiatives, but the key difference between the two is that the COO is focused on the overall health of the total business, where the CoS is a role truly designed to support the CEO or Founder and their specific priorities. This includes CEO communications support, priorities alignment and driving, and more. The CoS role is more behind the scenes than the COO, which is more of an outward facing role.
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This course is designed to set you up for success in landing and excelling in a Chief of Staff role. Through over 50 hours of hands-on, real-world practice, you’ll gain in-depth knowledge of key Chief of Staff duties and leave with a comprehensive portfolio showcasing your work. You will also receive over 30 templates and tools to help you excel on the job, as well as a professional slide deck and a one-page summary of your newly acquired skills to share with potential employers or during interviews. Additionally, graduates gain access to an exclusive LinkedIn group for networking, discounted student coaching packages for continued growth, and a digital badge and certificate of completion to elevate your professional profile. This comprehensive support ensures you are not only prepared for the role but stand out as a top candidate in your job search.
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CEOs or Founders often turn to hiring a CoS when they realize that they are spending too much time on tactical, executionary items like planning, tracking, and follow up tasks, and not enough time on the strategic, visionary items necessary to guide their business. Additionally, CEOs or Founders often feel they are missing the organizational rigor in their operating rhythm, business planning, and preparedness.
A CoS can step in and take executional and operational items off a founder’s plate, drive priorities and transparency, ensure leadership teams are focused in the same direction, and create and lead operating cadence/rhythm of business, all leading to greater organizational clarity and focus.
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Yes! If you’re PACE-certified through the American Society of Administrative Professionals (ASAP), the Nova Chief of Staff Certification course (available online and in-person) has been calculated by PACE for 2.2 CEUs toward your 2.4 CEU recertification requirement.
This means completing our course will help you fulfill nearly all of your 24 months of PACE recertification needs while building valuable skills for your role.
To learn more about PACE certification and recertification requirements, visit the ASAP website.
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We host public information sessions several times a month for anyone curious about the Chief of Staff role or our course. Join us: www.novachiefofstaff.com/novacontent
Want to talk it through 1:1 before enrolling?
Book a discovery call with a Nova graduate. -
Contact the Nova team here.
Swing by the Blog
Did you know that Nova has a blog? Gain valuable insights and stay current with key context from across the Chief of Staff spectrum by poppin' into the blog every so often. Below is a sneak peak of our 3 most recent write-ups.
Shine bright in your role!
Gain access to over twenty FREE resources from Nova.