The Nova Chief of Staff In-Person Certification course is designed for executive support professionals looking to advance into or refine their role as a Chief of Staff. This course is particularly suited for individuals who thrive in an interactive, in-person learning environment, where hands-on activities, live discussions, and real-time feedback foster deeper engagement and retention. It’s especially beneficial for senior executive assistants, project managers, and leaders transitioning into strategic advisory roles.

The course length is approximately 3 days of intensive and immersive in-person learning. Expect a few hours of pre & post work outside of the in-person training to prepare and finalize your certification. This fast-paced format allows you to earn your certification quickly while still providing ample time for deep learning and hands-on practice.

The course covers a wide range of topics, such as business planning, events, communications, storytelling, presenting, executive project management, employee culture, networking, succeeding as a Chief of Staff, and leveraging tools and templates to streamline your work. The course equips you with practical skills, confidence, and a strategic mindset to excel in your role and stand out as a trusted leader in your organization.

The course format is highly interactive, featuring a mix of expert instruction, group discussions, hands-on exercises, and real-world scenarios. The in-person format ensures active participation and deeper learning.

The course is led by Nova's founder, Maggie Olson, and a team of seasoned Chief of Staff professionals. Maggie brings years of expertise and real-world insights to ensure the curriculum is relevant and impactful.

The in-person course is a fast-paced, immersive 3-day program that focuses on hands-on learning, group collaboration, and real-time feedback. It offers direct access to Nova’s founder, Maggie Olson, for tailored insights and guidance. You’ll also build lasting relationships with peers from diverse industries, creating a powerful professional network.

The online course, on the other hand, is self-paced and designed for busy professionals who need flexibility. Online students enjoy lifetime access to the course, including future updates to content, newly added assignments, and two touchpoints with the instructor. It’s ideal for those who prefer to work autonomously and want the convenience of learning from anywhere at their own pace.

Both options deliver the tools, confidence, and certification to elevate your career, whether you thrive in an interactive environment or prefer independent learning.

The fee includes access to all course materials, templates, and tools, in-person instruction, networking opportunities, and if applicable, conference F&B too!

To ensure a quality experience, class sizes vary by location. Our first course was capped at 60 students and sold out in three weeks, so don’t wait to secure your seat!

Our course was built for a wide variety of professionals, including aspiring and existing Chiefs of Staff and those simply interested in learning how to support their business leader more strategically. The only requirement is that you come eager and curious to learn!

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.

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.

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.

Looking to talk it through before registering? Book a discovery call with a Nova graduate.