View information for the Department of Political Science, Public Administration, and Leadership Studies, including Learning Objectives for the department and its programs.
Nancy Burroughs, Ed.D., Director
The Leadership Studies B.S. degree program is drawn from various departments. Courses in Communication Studies, Economics, Ethnic Studies, Gender Studies, Management, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Social Sciences, Sociology, and new courses in Leadership Studies can prepare students for leadership roles and positions in multiple fields.
Program Director Office: Demergasso-Bava Hall - DBH 130
Program Director: (209) 667-3271
The Leadership Studies program combines a unique interdisciplinary relational leadership approach to the preparation for leadership with a strong understanding of organizational and interpersonal dynamics from a multicultural approach. The program offers an opportunity for students to enhance their understanding and practice of leadership by exploration and application of leadership skills and research with diverse groups, organizations, and communities through a variety of experiential learning activities. Students are encouraged to tailor their leadership interests to their professional goals by making choices and taking charge of their own learning to serve and lead to solve current and future challenges critically and creatively. A degree in Leadership Studies may lead to advanced study in several programs, such as the Master of Public Administration, the Master of Social Work, the Master of Business Administration, and other disciplinary-specific graduate programs.
View the degree program Roadmaps , which provide recommended advising maps to complete the degree program. Please consult your academic advisor as you develop your academic plan.
Students are urged to check the prerequisites of each course in the program. Course prerequisites assist students in selecting their coursework. Those without the formal prerequisites who feel they may be qualified for other reasons must contact the course instructor to determine if they are eligible to enroll.
*Credit for Approved Coursework
Up to 10 semester units of credit may be granted or approved toward the major for otherwise nontransferable coursework applicable to a technical or vocational degree or certificate, but not to exceed 70 units of transferrable work from a community college. Must be approved by Program Director.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students in the Leadership Studies program will learn the following:
-
Leadership Theories and Research. Students will identify, research, and analyze leadership frameworks using a theory-into-practice interdisciplinary-based approach to make effective data-inferenced decisions and function as agents of change in diverse work environments.
- Leadership Development. Students will integrate and articulate diverse perspectives as they become aware of and develop their own personal leadership toward supporting inclusive workplace and collaborative conflict resolution practices.
- Leadership Communication. Students will demonstrate professional-oriented communication knowledge and skills to communicate ethically, confidently, and effectively with individuals and groups representing diverse interests and populations to promote effective leadership practices.
- Organizational Dynamics. Students will diagnose and evaluate complex organizational situations and social effectiveness through critical, reflective, and analytical tools to analyze systematic problems and opportunities in an effort to strengthen personal and organizational development.
2. Complete the following prerequisite to the major:
3. Complete the major.*
36 upper-division units, as approved by the major advisor with a letter grade of C- or better in all courses that count toward fulfilling the requirements for the major. Of these, no more than 8 units of CR-graded coursework in courses exclusively graded CR/NC may apply toward the major.
4. Completion of a minor is encouraged but is not required.
The Major
(36 units minimum)
2. Research Skills
(3 units)
3. Leadership Development - Core Support
(6 units)
4. Professional Communication
(3 units)
5. Organizational Dynamics
(3-4 units)
6. Social Relations and Culture
(3 units)
7. Leadership Electives
(6 units)
8. Leadership in Action Capstone
(2 units)