The Leadership Studies Minor prepares students to ethically and effectively lead through a combination of academic coursework, critical self-reflection and team projects. This academic credential is available to all undergraduates, regardless of major or college. By including the minor with a chosen field of study, undergraduates will gain knowledge, skills and dispositions that prepare them to lead in community, business, government and other related contexts.
Students may declare the leadership studies minor at any point in their undergraduate career. To declare the leadership studies minor, please submit a declaration form online on the School of Education website.
This minor offers leadership education that incorporates:
- Understanding, critiquing and applying leadership theories.
- Gaining a historical and situational analysis of leadership.
- Developing core leadership competencies relevant to everyday leadership and leadership in times of crisis.
- Practicing and observing leadership in action.
- Engaging with peers in collaborative and intentional ways.
Requirements
Core Requirements
The minor involves 16 credit hours of coursework, including an introductory course (LEAD 1000), nine credits of electives, and a capstone course with an experiential practicum and electronic portfolio of learning (LEAD 4000). All coursework must be completed with a grade of C- or better to fulfill the requirements.
Pathway Options
Students enrolled in the Presidents Leadership Class, INVST, the Engineering Leadership Program, Multicultural Leadership Scholars or ROTC units should talk to their respective coordinators about how these programs can be integrated as pathways to the Leadership Studies Minor (see details below)
General Pathway
Completion of the Leadership Studies Minor requires students to take 9 credits of elective coursework across three categories.
- Leadership Foundations: Courses focus on moral and ethical reasoning, ability to critically evaluate behavior, and improved decision-making in life choices. (3 credits)
- Leadership Application: Courses focus on enhanced ability to function in a team, building a team with diverse perspectives, and leading a team effectively to accomplish a shared goal. (3 credits)
- Leadership in Context: Courses focus on historical and situational analysis, critical evaluation of historical and contemporary leaders, and ability to connect leadership behaviors to organizational outcomes. (3 credits)
Students are responsible for understanding any prerequisites or conditions for chosen electives. At least two out of three elective courses must be completed to enroll in the capstone course, one elective course must be outside the student’s major.
Students may petition for a course not included on the following list to count towards a minor elective. They may petition an elective be moved to a different category as needed in their plan of study. Visit the minor website for petition information and contact leadershipstudies@colorado.edu with any questions.
Approved Electives by Category
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Leadership Foundations | ||
| Leading People and Effective Communication 1 | ||
| Culture and Power | ||
| Ways of Knowing: Constructions of Knowledge in the Academy and Beyond | ||
| Discourse, Culture and Identities | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| Gender and Communication | ||
| Cultural Diversity and Awareness | ||
| Renewing Democracy in Communities and Schools | ||
| Complex Leadership Challenges | ||
| Foundations of Comparative Ethnic Studies: Race, Gender and Culture(s) | ||
| Introduction to Social Justice | ||
| Place, Power, and Contemporary Culture | ||
| Honors Diversity Seminar | ||
| Renewing Democracy in Communities and Schools | ||
| Individual, Team, and Organizational Development | ||
| Methods of Leadership and Management 1 | ||
| Leadership and Ethics | ||
| Environmental Justice | ||
| Philosophy and Race | ||
| Philosophy and Gender | ||
| Environmental Ethics | ||
| Critical Thinking: Contemporary Topics | ||
| Social and Political Philosophy | ||
| Philosophy and the International Order | ||
| Survey of Western Political Thought | ||
| Free Speech and Dangerous Ideas | ||
| Diversity, Disagreement, and Democracy: an Introduction to the Theory and Practice of Democracy | ||
| Social Psychology | ||
| Psychology of Personality | ||
| Developmental Psychology | ||
| United States Race and Ethnic Relations I | ||
| Contemporary Social Issues and Human Values | ||
| Social Problems | ||
| Environment and Society | ||
| Whiteness Studies | ||
| 2. Leadership Application | ||
| Leading People and Effective Communication 2 | ||
| Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Anthropological Perspectives: Contemporary Issues | ||
| Leadership Challenges | ||
| Business Solutions for Global Development | ||
| Experimental Seminar: Corporate Boards in Action | ||
| Public Speaking | ||
| Group Interaction | ||
| The Practice of Intercultural Communication | ||
| Business and Professional Communication | ||
| Persuasion in Society | ||
| Water Profession: Communication and Utility Finance | ||
| Strategies for Social Change | ||
| Renewing Democracy in Communities and Schools | ||
| Becoming a Learning Assistant and LA Mentoring I: Becoming a Mentor | ||
| Leadership and Professional Skills | ||
| New Venture Creation | ||
| Intelligent Leadership | ||
| Entrepreneurial Environments | ||
| Asian Pacific American Communities | ||
| Women of Color: Chicanas in U.S. Society | ||
| Social Justice, Leadership and Community Engagement Internships | ||
| International Development: Economics, Power, and Place | ||
| Responding to Social and Environmental Problems Through Service Learning | ||
| Dialogue Across Difference | ||
| Facilitating Peaceful Community Change | ||
| The Community Leadership Internship, Part 1 | ||
| Community Leadership Internship, Part 2 | ||
| Redefining the Employee-Employer Relationship | ||
| Managing Employee Reward Systems | ||
| Individual, Team, and Organizational Development | ||
| Communication and Conflict Management | ||
| Leadership Foundations & Applications II | ||
| Introduction to Public Policy Analysis | ||
| Political Parties and Interest Groups | ||
| Judgment and Decision Making | ||
| Women's Mental Health: A Biopsychosocial Approach | ||
| Facilitating Peaceful Community Change | ||
| 3. Leadership in Context | ||
| Multicultural Perspective and Academic Discourse | ||
| School and Society | ||
EMEN 4830 | CU in D.C. Our Sustainable Future (Maymester) | |
| The Empire of Modern Science | ||
| Contemporary African American Social Movements | ||
| Survey of Chicana/o History and Culture | ||
| Indigenous Rights and Red Power Movement | ||
| People of Color and Social Movements | ||
| Gender, Sport and Culture | ||
| Inside-Out: Prison and Social Justice | ||
| Seminar on the Civil Rights and Black Power Movements | ||
| Sport for Social Justice | ||
| Geographies of Global Change | ||
| Political Geography | ||
| Revolution in History | ||
| Issues in Modern U.S. Politics and Foreign Relations | ||
| Issues in the History of U.S. Society and Culture | ||
| Athens and Greek Democracy | ||
| Alexander the Great and the Rise of Macedonia | ||
| History of U.S. Foreign Relations, 1865-1940 | ||
| History of U.S. Foreign Relations Since 1941 | ||
| U.S. Military History since 1898 | ||
| The Vietnam War in US Politics and Culture | ||
| Critical Thinking in Development | ||
| Nonviolent Social Movements | ||
| Leadership 1: Adaptive Leadership | ||
| Leadership 2: Leadership in a Complex World | ||
| Leadership and Management | ||
| Individual, Team, and Organizational Development | ||
| Global Inquiry for 21st Century Leadership | ||
| Global Issues in Leadership | ||
| Survey of Western Political Thought | ||
| Introduction to Comparative Politics | ||
| Introduction to Public Policy Analysis | ||
| Introduction to International Relations | ||
| The American Presidency and the Executive Branch | ||
| Political Parties and Interest Groups | ||
| American Foreign Policy | ||
| Global Development | ||
| International Organizations | ||
| Race, Class, Gender, and Crime | ||
INVST Pathway
Students who are selected members of INVST cohorts can meet the requirements of the Leadership Studies Minor as outlined below. Students should meet with the INVST professional staff for additional guidance.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Course | ||
| EDUC 4800 | Special Topics Climate Justice | 3 |
Will accept alternative courses for cohorts impacted by COVID-19. | ||
| Electives | ||
| One elective required from each of the three categories below | ||
| 1. Leadership Foundations | 3 | |
| People of Color and Social Movements | ||
| 2. Leadership Application | 3 | |
| Facilitating Peaceful Community Change | ||
or INVS 3931 | The Community Leadership Internship, Part 1 | |
or INVS 3932 | Community Leadership Internship, Part 2 | |
| 3. Leadership in Context | 3 | |
| Community Leadership in Action, Part 1 | ||
| Capstone | ||
| LEAD 4000 | Leadership in Context and Emerging Challenges: A Capstone | 4 |
Engineering Leadership Program Pathway
Students who are selected members of the Engineering Leadership Program (ENLP) can meet the requirements of the Leadership Studies Minor as outlined below. Students should meet with the ENLP professional staff for additional guidance.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Course | ||
| ENLP 2000 | Leadership, Fame and Failure | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| One elective required from each of the three categories below | ||
| 1. Leadership Foundations | 3 | |
| Complex Leadership Challenges | ||
| 2. Leadership Application | 3 | |
| Intelligent Leadership | ||
| 3. Leadership in Context | 3 | |
| The Empire of Modern Science | ||
| Capstone | ||
| LEAD 4000 | Leadership in Context and Emerging Challenges: A Capstone | 4 |
Multicultural Leadership Scholars Pathway
Students who are selected members of the Multicultural Leadership Scholars can meet the requirements of the Leadership Studies Minor as outlined below. Students should meet with the MLS professional staff for additional guidance.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Course | ||
| LEAD 1001 | Becoming a Leader: Multicultural Leadership Scholars | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| All courses required from each of the three categories below | ||
| 1. Leadership Foundations | 2 | |
| Topics in Leadership: Introduction to Research Methods | ||
| 2. Leadership Application | 4 | |
| Dynamics of Power, Privilege, Oppression and Empowerment in Leadership | ||
| Field Practicum 1 | ||
| 3. Leadership in Context | 3 | |
| Social Justice, Leadership and Community Engagement Internships | ||
| Capstone | ||
| LEAD 4000 | Leadership in Context and Emerging Challenges: A Capstone | 4 |
Presidents Leadership Class Pathway
Students who are selected members of the Presidents Leadership Class can meet the requirements of the Leadership Studies Minor as outlined below. Students should meet with the PLC professional staff for additional guidance.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Course | ||
| PRLC 1810 | Leadership Foundations and Applications I | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| One elective required from each of the three categories below | ||
| 1. Leadership Foundations | 3 | |
| Multilevel Issues in Leadership (or PRLC 4010 (Maymester) CU in D.C. Science Policy) | ||
or ENLP 3100 | Complex Leadership Challenges | |
| 2. Leadership Application | 3 | |
| Leadership Foundations & Applications II | ||
or PRLC 3810 | Global Issues in Leadership | |
| 3. Leadership in Context | 3 | |
| Global Issues in Leadership | ||
or PRLC 3800 | Global Inquiry for 21st Century Leadership | |
| Capstone | ||
| LEAD 4000 | Leadership in Context and Emerging Challenges: A Capstone | 4 |
Air Force ROTC Pathway
Students pursuing the Leadership Studies Minor through Air Force ROTC can meet the requirements for the Minor as outlined below.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Course | ||
| AIRR 1020 | Competition and Security | 1 |
| AIRR 2010 | Team and Leadership Fundamentals 1 | 1 |
| AIRR 2020 | Team and Leadership Fundamentals 2 | 1 |
| Electives | ||
| One elective required from each of the three categories below | ||
| 1. Leadership Foundations | 3 | |
| Leading People and Effective Communication 1 | ||
| 2. Leadership Application | 3 | |
| Leading People and Effective Communication 2 | ||
| 3. Leadership in Context | 3 | |
| National Security, Leadership Responsibilities/Commissioning Preparation 1 | ||
| Capstone | ||
| LEAD 4000 | Leadership in Context and Emerging Challenges: A Capstone | 4 |
Army ROTC Pathway
Students pursuing the Leadership Studies Minor through Army ROTC can meet the requirements for the minor as outlined below.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Course | ||
| MILR 1011 | Adventures in Leadership 1 | 2 |
| MILR 1021 | Adventures in Leadership 2 | 2 |
| Electives | ||
| One elective required from each of the three categories below | ||
| 1. Leadership Foundations | 3 | |
| Methods of Leadership and Management 1 | ||
| 2. Leadership Application | 3 | |
| Military Operations and Training 1 | ||
| 3. Leadership in Context | 3 | |
| Leadership 1: Adaptive Leadership | ||
| Capstone | ||
| LEAD 4000 | Leadership in Context and Emerging Challenges: A Capstone | 4 |
Naval ROTC Pathway
Students pursuing the Leadership Studies Minor through Naval ROTC, including traditional Midshipmen programs, Seaman to Admiral (STA-21) and Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Educational Program (MECEP), can meet the requirements for the minor as outlined below.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Course | ||
| NAVR 4010 | Leadership and Management | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| One elective required from each of the three categories below | ||
| 1. Leadership Foundations | 3 | |
| Leadership and Ethics | ||
| 2. Leadership Application | 3 | |
| Seapower and Maritime Affairs | ||
| 3. Leadership in Context | 3 | |
| Naval Operations and Seamanship | ||
| Capstone | ||
| LEAD 4000 | Leadership in Context and Emerging Challenges: A Capstone | 4 |