The School of Human Resource Education’s Human Resource and Leadership Development program area and the Center for Student Leadership and Involvement in the Office of the Dean of Students are proud to announce a collaborative effort to bring an exciting new opportunity to LSU students – a minor in Leadership Development
NOTE - NEW CLASSES HAVE BEEN ADDED SO STUDENTS GRADUATING AS EARLY
AS MAY 2007 OR AUGUST 2007 CAN COMPLETE THE MINOR. Scroll down
to "When will the classes be offered" section for more information.
Why create this minor?
One of LSU's fundamental roles is to develop tomorrow's leaders. In addition, most organizations report they are hungry for new leadership talent and come to LSU looking for that talent. Yet, there is no systematic academic mechanism on campus for students to
a) develop a complete set of skills needed to lead organizations and communities, and
b) obtain formal transcript recognition that can be marketed to future employers.
As a result, students from many curricula will find themselves thrust into leadership roles within their profession and chosen organizations without complete preparation.
This minor will enable students from any curricula to develop the skills and competencies for leadership in any setting, including organizations and communities. It is designed to be taken in conjunction with any major/curricula as leadership will be taught from a broad perspective rather than a single disciplinary perspective.
Why is it called a minor in Leadership "DEVELOPMENT"?
This minor will specifically develop leadership skills, not just an intellectual understanding of leadership. Students will take a progression of courses that move them from the self-awareness needed for leadership all the way through an internship experience where they practice skills learned. By focusing on competency, we will be able to market these students to employers, graduate and professional schools as having demonstrated the ability to lead, not just having learned about leadership.
Do I have to be in any specific major to sign up for this minor?
NO! This minor will enable students from any curricula to develop the skills and competencies for leadership in any setting, including organizations and communities. It is designed to be taken in conjunction with any major/curricula as leadership will be taught from a broad perspective rather than a single disciplinary perspective.
What courses will I have to take?
The minor consists of three components totaling 18 semester hours:
- Leadership core courses – 9 hours (click here to see course descriptions (click here to see course descriptions)
- Leadership internship – 3 hours
- Leadership electives – 6 hours
The 6 hours of electives
will allow students to utilize a variety of electives from around campus
to supplement the core curricula. The electives will also allow them to
take courses within their major curricula that are appropriate for a leadership
development minor. We intend to collaborate with any department that has
suitable elective courses so the minor will work for their students. Click
here to see the currently approved list of electives, but note that
we are always willing to consider adding new courses if the ones you want
do not appear on the list.
The leadership internship will provide a strong mechanism for integrating academic coursework with practical leadership experience. Students will be asked to engage in some type of leadership activity, which may be a formal office in a student organization or more informal types of leadership. We also envision collaborating with the Communication Across the Curriculum as well as the Center for Community Engagement, Learning and Leadership to develop the minor and integrate it as appropriate with these programs.
When will classes be offered?
The core classes needed for this minor will be offered on the following schedule for the next two years:
Fall 2006 - HRE 2723, HRE 3723
Spring 2007 - HRE 3723, HRE 4723, HRE 4804
Fall 2007 - HRE 2723, HRE 4723, HRE 4804
Spring 2008 - HRE 3723, HRE 4804
Thus, anyone graduating between May 2007 and August 2008 will be able to complete the minor, provided they also complete 6 hours of elective courses. Of course more courses will be offered after Spring 2008. We will announce the schedule of classes after Spring 2008 in the future.
What do I have to do to add this minor?
Contact your course advisor in the department/college of your major to declare this minor for your program of studies.
Will this be marketable to employers?
The short answer is a resounding YES! Leadership skills are one of the most important characteristics employers look for in today’s graduates. Students from all majors who have developed leadership competency are highly sought after. This minor should make LSU a premier source of employment and professional/graduate school candidates as it will be one of the few universities offering such a minor.
How will the minor help me market myself to employers?
By creating a minor, we are offering students a way to make their leadership skills much more marketable. Currently, leadership development occurs through a patchwork of extra-curricular activities and selected courses. It is largely up to the student to convince employers that they have developed the requisite leadership skills. This minor will provide students a formal credential through transcript documentation that certifies they have developed leadership competency and help them be more competitive in the marketplace. In addition, students can put the minor on their resumes along with their major.
Will this minor help me if I am going on for a graduate/professional
degree?
Yes. Many graduate programs are looking for evidence of leadership ability and potential in their applicants. This includes technical as well as non-technical degrees. For example, even medical schools are looking for applicants with leadership experience.
Leadership Development Minor Conceptual Framework (18 Semester Hours)
*Click on a course to view syllabus
Who should I contact for more information about the minor?
You may contact any of the following:
School of Human Resource Education – Human Resource and Leadership Development concentration
Dr. Ed Holton, Jones S. Davis Distinguished Professor – 578-2456, eholton2@lsu.edu
Dr. Reid Bates, Associate Professor – 578-2457, rabates@lsu.edu
Dr. John-Paul Hatala, Assistant Professor - 578-1597, jphatala@lsu.edu
Office of the Dean of Students
Center for Student Leadership and Involvement – Dr. K.C. White, Dean of Students, 578-5160, kcwhit1@lsu.edu
Career Services – Dr. Mary Feduccia, Director, 578-2162, mfeducc@lsu.edu
