Leadership Academic Programs

The USF Leadership Studies Minor is premised on the belief that leadership requires a deep understanding of the self and the core values that drive one's actions. The curriculum begins by developing a compelling personal vision that clearly defines who you are, what you believe, and how you fit into your world. Through an interdisciplinary approach, the curriculum examines the historical, contemporary, philosophical, theoretical, and practical aspects of leadership. The series of courses is designed to help students develop personal and organizational leadership skills culminating with an emphasis on leading communities and organizations in a global environment.

Students will engage in research, practice, and guided discussions that encourage one’s thinking about who they are, who they may become and how they may pursue a life with meaning, dignity and purpose. Upon completion of the minor, students will understand the concepts of leadership, followership and citizenship to more effectively and actively engaged in individual, organizational, and global change.

The minor in Leadership Studies consists of a minimum of 18 credit hours with a "B" (3.0) average and no grades less than a C- in the Leadership courses. All students shall complete two courses from each tier in the sequence progressing through the three dimensions of leadership:

The leader as a person;
The leader as a member of teams/organizations; and
The leader as a member of the broader global society.

Each dimension emphasizes the nature of change and the development of human capacities to understand leadership in a structured way from the differing personal, organizational, and global systems perspectives.

Students must complete 6 credit hours from each tier (total 18 cr. hrs.).
Courses in green are core prerequisites that must be completed in order to obtain a minor in Leadership Studies.

Tier 1: Personal Systems	Tier 2: Organizational Systems	Tier 3: Global Systems
6 hrs	6 hrs.	6 hrs
LDR 2010 Leadership Fundamentals	COM 3120 Organizational Communication	LDR 3263 Leadership Practicum
or	LDR 3214 Leadership in the Fraternal Movement	LDR 4204 Ethics & Power in Leadership
LDR 3331 Leading in the Workplace	LDR 4114 Contemporary Leadership Readings	LDR 4230 Global Leadership
plus	LDR 4164 Organizational Theory & Process	LDR 3930 Special Topics (GLOBAL)
LDR 4104 Leadership Theories	LDR 4564 Images of Leadership in Print & Film	-Leadership and Social Change -Directed Study
	LDR 3930 Special Topics (Organizational)
	-Multicultural Leadership -Leadership in Action -Directed Study

Click here to download the Leadership Studies Program: Program Certificates and Minor brochure.

Program Certification in Ethical Leadership

A certificate in leadership is awarded to students who complete the following courses and activities:

SLS 2260: Leadership Fundamentals - The introductory course for the Leadership Studies program, this course is designed to cover a broad range of leadership topics including self-development, diversity, communications, conflict resolution, group roles, teamwork, decision-making, ethics, organizational design and change and community building and renewal.

SLS 3948: Community Leadership Practicum - This course provides an opportunity for students to apply and test leadership knowledge, skills and abilities. Students are placed in a position of leadership to practice theory and examine personal obligations to citizenship and community.

SLS 4274: Ethics and Power in Leadership - This course addresses the possibility of ethical leadership. Challenges to ethical leadership are explored and responses from leadership, moral theories and moral psychology are reviewed. Personal moral development is emphasized.

For more information on the Leadership Development & Programming office please contact:

Charlie Justice, Assistant Director of Leadership | justicec@usfsp.edu | (727) 873-4118