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Minor in Leadership Skills (21-22 credits)


Adviser: Lisa Brockenbrough Sanon-Jules, Civic Square Building Room 142, 848-932-5202

Program Webpage: http://sebs.rutgers.edu/minors/leadership-skills

Employers consistently report leadership as a key skill that is increasingly important in the workplace and increasingly difficult to find among job applicants. Prospective employees with knowledge and experience in leadership skills have an important competitive edge over others. Students who obtain the Minor in Leadership Skills will have that edge, setting them apart from others in their educational and professional endeavors.

Through the Minor in Leadership Skills, our students will develop and hone their knowledge and skills in critical areas including group processes, team dynamics, ethics, inclusivity, conflict management, communication, and advocacy. Students will develop a personal leadership philosophy, apply critical thinking skills, and cultivate their leadership style. Whether students decide to pursue advanced studies, enter the workforce, or choose other paths, they will have the knowledge, perspective, and skills to make a positive contribution as a leader.

The Minor in Leadership Skills consists of 18 credits of coursework offered through the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. Principles of Leadership, Stewardship and Leadership, and Leadership and Social Change are 200-level courses which establish the foundation for the curriculum.

At the 300 level, Presentation Skills: Advocating for Change, Communication for Today's Leader, The Ethical Leader, and Conflict Management Practicum immerse students in the issues and challenges leaders face.

Group Process/Team Dynamics, International Relations: Leadership for Sustainable Development Practicum, Leadership Practical Applications, and Transformational Leadership are 400-level courses which expand the scope and further prepare students for working with and leading others. Leadership Skills for Facilitating Effective Meetings, Meeting Management/Parliamentary Procedures, and Emotional Intelligence provide additional skill development while engaging students in practical applications as they learn, practice, and process their experiences.

Through the Minor in Leadership Skills, students will integrate content knowledge and skills from their major with leadership knowledge and skills. They will gain the ability to apply these skills within the context of their community and workplace.


Policy on Artificial Intelligence Technology

Cultivating ethical leaders is the foundation of our work. Our coursework is rooted in the development of integrity, critical thinking, and personal growth. Intellectual honesty is vital in our courses and in our assessment of our students' work. While AI has revolutionized many fields, it is important to acknowledge that it is limited in contributing to students' academic and personal growth. As such, our expectation is that all work submitted through our courses is original work, completed in accordance with the Rutgers University Academic Integrity Policy. It is expected that students do not engage in unauthorized collaboration or make use of AI composition software such as ChatGPT for any of the assigned course work.


Learning Objectives

The Leadership Minor will:

  • Introduce students to leadership theory, methods, and models as the underpinning to responsible leadership behavior.

  • Provide students the opportunity to develop their interests, knowledge, and skills in leadership in addition to completing their major requirements.

  • Prepare students to serve in formal and informal leadership positions.

  • Enhance students' ability to think critically about leadership in various contexts.

  • Develop students' personal leadership agenda for action and service.

  • Engage students to effectively organize and lead others.

  • Prepare students to serve as a responsible, ethical and inclusive leaders.


Learning Goals

As a result of completing the Leadership Skills Minor students will:

  • Identify leadership philosophy, styles, and traits.

  • Demonstrate effective leadership communication skills.

  • Demonstrate effective conflict management skills.

  • Analyze ethical leadership situations.

  • Evaluate group process and team dynamics.

  • Analyze leadership theories and models.


Required Courses (15 credits)
  11:607:200  Principles of Leadership (3)
  11:607:380 Communication for Today¿s Leader (3) or 11:607:381: Presentation Skills Advocating for Change (3)
  11:607:382  Conflict Management Practicum (3)
  11:607:385  The Ethical Leader (3)
  11:607:485  Understanding Group Dynamics and Team Processes (3)

AND at least 3 credits from the following courses:

Electives (3 credits)
  11:607:201  Stewardship and Leadership (3)
  11:607:202  Leadership and Social Change (3)
  11:607:204  Self Leadership (2)
  11:607:211  Building Leadership Character (1.5)
  11:607:250  The Cross Cultural Leader (3)
  11:607:255  Inclusive Leadership (1.5)
  11:607:380  Communication for Today's Leader (3) (if not taken as required course)
  11:607:381  Presentation Skills: Advocating for Change (3) (if not taken as required course)
  11:607:383  Meeting Management/Parliamentary Procedures (1.5)
  11:607:384  Emotionally Intelligent Leadership (1.5)
  11:607:388  Facilitating Effective Meetings (1.5)
  11:607:486  Leadership in Practice: Designing Your Success (3)
  11:607:487  Transformational Leadership (3)