Minor in Leadership Skills (21-22 credits)

Employers consistently report leadership as one of several skill priorities that is increasingly important in the workplace and increasingly difficult to find among job applicants. Prospective employees with knowledge and experience in leadership have an important competitive edge over others. Students who obtain the minor in leadership skills will have that edge, setting them apart from other students in their career search.

Through the minor in leadership skills students will develop and hone their knowledge and skills in critical areas including group processes, team dynamics, ethics, conflict management, communication, and advocacy. Students will develop a personal leadership philosophy, apply critical thinking skills, and hone their leadership style. Whether students continue on to graduate school, enter the workforce, or choose another path, they will have the knowledge, perspective, and skills to make a leadership contribution in their future endeavors.

The leadership minor includes 14 courses offered at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences from which students can choose. Principles of Leadership, Stewardship and Leadership, and Leadership and Civic Engagement are 200-level courses which establish the foundation for the curriculum. At the 300 level, Presentation Skills: Advocating for Change, Communication for Today's Leader, The Ethical Leader, and Conflict Management Practicum immerse students in the issues and challenges leaders face. Group Process/Team Dynamics, International Relations: Leadership for Sustainable Development Practicum, Leadership Practical Applications and Transformational Leadership are 400-level courses which expand the scope and further prepare students for working with and leading others. Leadership Skills for Facilitating Effective Meetings, Meeting Management/Parliamentary Procedures, and Emotional Intelligence provide additional skill development while engaging students in practical applications as they learn, practice, and process their experiences.

Through the minor in leadership skills students have the opportunity to integrate knowledge and skills from their major with leadership knowledge and skills preparing them for application within the context of their community and workplace during their studies at the university and afterwards in their careers.

Objectives

The leadership minor will:

• introduce students to leadership theory, methods, and models as the underpinning to responsible leadership behavior;
• provide students the opportunity to develop their interests, knowledge, and skills in leadership while completing their major requirements;
• prepare students while on campus to serve in formal and informal leadership roles while on campus;
• enhance students ability to think critically about leadership and the world around them;
• build students personal leadership development agenda for action and service;
• engage students to effectively organize and lead others; and
  
• prepare students to serve as a responsible leaders.

Required Courses (18-19 credits)

11:607:200  Principles of Leadership (3)

One of the following two courses:

11:607:380  Communication for Today's Leader (3)
  or 

11:607:381  Presentation Skills: Advocating for Change (3)

11:607:385  The Ethical Leader (3)

11:607:485  Group Process/Team Dynamics (3)

11:607:486  Leadership Practical Applications (3)
  or 

11:607:487  Transformational Leadership (3)
  or 

11:607:488  International Relations: Leadership for Sustainable Development Practicum-Travel Seminar (4) 

Electives (3-4 credits)

At least three credits from the following courses:

11:607:201  Stewardship and Leadership (3) 

11:607:202  Leadership and Civic Engagement (3) 

11:607:380  Communication for Today's Leader (3) (if not taken as required course) 

11:607:381  Presentation Skills: Advocating for Change (3) (if not taken as required course)

11:607:383  Meeting Management/Parliamentary Procedures (1.5) 

11:607:384  Emotionally Intelligent Leadership (1.5) 

11:607:388  Facilitating Effective Meetings (1.5)

11:607:486  Leadership Practical Applications (3) (if not taken as required course)

11:607:487  Transformational Leadership (3) (if not taken as required course)

11:607:488  International Relations: Leadership for Sustainable Development Practicum-Travel Seminar (4) (if not taken as required course)