Leadership Minor 

Leadership Minor

Overview

The McIntire School of Commerce, continuing its traditions of innovation, student-centered education, commitment to the greater University, and pursuit of Jeffersonian ideals, has created a Leadership Minor for undergraduate students throughout the University. This initiative allows students to develop intellectual depth in their chosen fields of study while enabling them to enhance their contributions within these fields and to society through the effective exercise of leadership.

Our approach to leadership is dynamic and significant in its impact: Leadership involves creating meaningful and sustainable change, in and with other people. We focus particularly on leadership that is framed by an ambitious vision, including the ability and desire to solve important problems and to promote constructive change.

The Purpose

The purpose of the Leadership Minor is to build students’ identities as leaders, transform their thinking, and give them the capability to expand the thinking of others. We teach our students to have a real impact on others through the application of their knowledge to practical projects. Our intention is that these projects are of interest to the students and of value to the University community.

Eligibility

The Leadership Minor begins with an application process open to students who are enrolled in COMM 2600/SOC 2600 "Leadership across the Disciplines" (3 credit hours) during the spring of second year. The application process is open to all undergraduate students enrolled in that second-year course whose academic requirements allow them the flexibility to take the required 15 credit hours. For those admitted to the program, COMM 2600/SOC 2600 constitutes the first three credit hours of the program. During this course, late in the semester, the application process begins and all students in the course are eligible to apply for the Leadership Minor program.

The Selection Criteria

In addition to a review of current leadership activities and plans, the application process will require a brief description of a proposed field project. Admission is NOT limited to students with the most leadership experience; students who have a demonstrated strong interest and potential for personal development and leadership are desired.

The Curriculum

Required Courses

COMM 2600/SOC 2600 "Leadership across the Disciplines"

This multidisciplinary course, covering many perspectives on leadership, is open to second-years of any major.

COMM 3610 "Learning to Lead"

This course will focus on developing the skills of successful leadership and includes a written proposal for a fourth-year field-based project to be implemented during the fourth year.

COMM 4881 "Leadership Practicum"

This course serves as the final phase of the program, during which fourth-year students implement their projects while working closely with advisers.

Electives

In addition to the nine (9) required hours, students must complete two of the following courses: 

COMM 3200 "Project Management"

COMM 3600/SARC 3100 "Principles and Practice in Arts Administration"

RELG 2630 "Business, Ethics, and Society"      OR

COMM 3810 "Business Ethics"

COMM 4621 "Managing and Leading"

COMM 4623 "Leading Change"

COMM 4640 "Advanced Managerial Communication"    OR

COMM 4641 "Public Speaking & Persuasion"                 OR

COMM 4643 "Advanced Business Speaking"

COMM 4821 "Managing Sustainable Development"       OR

COMM 4824 "Sustainable Development Practicum"

PLAC 5240 "Collaborative Planning for Sustainability"

PLAP 3310 "American Presidency"

PPOL 4750 "Political Leadership in American History"

ROTC "Leadership Courses"

For more information, please contact Professor Tom Bateman at tsb3c@virginia.edu.