Course Requirements

The Graduate Certificate in Leadership Studies requires completion of 12 hours of coursework as outlined below.

LDST 710: History & Theory of Leadership Studies (3 credit hours)

Theoretical foundations in leadership, organizational decision making, and communication will enhance students' development of expertise in assessing organizational and systems issues, and facilitating unit-, organization-, and system-wide improvements. Traditional approaches to leadership, organizing and communicating are contrasted with emerging approaches that promote sensitivity to diverse organizational cultures, systems, and populations. Through examination of theoretical perspectives, the student will develop an ability to integrate the contributions of different points of view and ways of thinking crucial to effectively assess, design and lead high performing organizations in a dynamic world. Contexts discussed will include for-profit, not-for-profit, healthcare, community, and military organizations.

LDST 720: Leadership Ethics (3 credit hours)

This course establishes a theoretical groundwork with readings and discussions that will familiarize students with five perspectives on ethical decision making and behavior as well as the essential competencies of leadership. For each of those perspectives, students will engage in reflections, collaborative case studies, and debates based on a case in point approach as well as a single-authored analysis of a selected leadership case.

LDST 730: Managing the Work of Leadership (3 credit hours)

Through webinars and case in point pedagogy, this course prepares students to manage the day to day communicative and executive functions necessary for doing the work of leadership. Topics will include crisis management, stakeholder engagement, speech writing, fundraising, image management, and professionalization.

LDST 740: Leadership & Power (3 credit hours)

Leadership and power often are confused and this misunderstanding can lead to members of oppressed groups dismissing their own leadership potential. Through reading, reflective writing, and engaged discussion, this course will help students understand power and leadership as distinct concepts that occasionally intersect. Within their various systems, people continuously perceive, encounter, and work within different power dynamics. Thus students will learn about historical and culturally diverse understandings of power, the ethical responsibilities of power, the dangers of misuse of power, and doing the work of leadership with (and without) power.