What you will study
The goal of UCM’s interdisciplinary Leadership Studies minor is to help you understand
your role as a leader in any career. To earn this minor, you’ll complete courses from
six of these competency areas:
- Leadership and Advocacy Roles
- Management of Resources
- Promotion, Marketing and Communication
- Diversity and Cultural Differences
- Decisions in the Legal and Ethical Realms
- Venture/Start-up Development
- Career Development
- Managing People
View UCM’s course catalog for a list of courses tied to each competency. You’ll likely find you’re taking some
classes as part of your major, which allows you to more quickly complete the Leadership
Studies minor.
Complete a capstone that enhances your resume
No matter your major, you’ll complete a capstone course for your UCM Leadership Studies
minor to gain real-world experience. With the help of UCM faculty, you’ll design and
implement a sustainable service project. Successful projects have ranged from an adult
swim instruction program to a two-day community festival.
Upon completing all your courses, you’ll attain nationally recognized NSLS certifications
that boost your value to employers.
National Society of Leadership and Success
- The University of Central Missouri maintains active involvement with the National
Society of Leadership and Success — the nation’s largest leadership honor society.
NSLS worked with UCM faculty and a former student to develop some of the NSLS certification
requirements, so you can be confident you’re receiving a vetted, high-quality education.
Unique learning opportunities in leadership studies
Enhance your leadership skills and create a peer network through these University
of Central Missouri resources for your Leadership Studies minor:
- A close working relationship with NSLS: Get an expert review of your student portfolio by the National Society of Leadership
and Success (NSLS) to determine your competency level and what level of certification
you can achieve. This process was established by a UCM student who collaborated with
the NSLS as part of their capstone.
- Leadership certification: Earn nationally recognized leadership certification for your Leadership Studies minor.
Completing your coursework, including your capstone, allows you to achieve an Advanced
(Level 2) Leadership Certificate to help you stand out in the job market. Levels 2
and 3 certifications are available for a small additional cost.
- NSLS student organization: Join UCM’s chapter of the NSLS, which requires a fee but provides you with lifetime
membership. You’ll network with students pursuing a variety of majors — as well as
real-world leaders — and access even more learning opportunities. Previous activities
have included leadership workshops and watch parties for speaker broadcasts, which
include opportunities to reflect on and ask questions about speeches from notable
individuals such as President Bill Clinton, the Dalai Lama and Trevor Noah. Your participation
can also earn you three NSLS Leadership Certificates.
What can you do with a minor in Leadership Studies from UCM?
A Leadership Studies minor from the University of Central Missouri adds value to your
bachelor’s degree, no matter what career path you choose. If you’re an Art and Design
major, for example, this minor can provide you with business-related skills for a
well-rounded education. If you ever decide you’re ready for a change of career, the
Leadership Studies minor can help you demonstrate other skills for employment in a
new field.
Understanding your role as a leader
UCM program coordinators for the Leadership Studies minor — as well as professors
and instructors for the various competencies — will help you understand how leadership
skills apply to your intended career. Should you decide you wish to pursue leadership
positions, use the interactive tool below to learn more about your options.
Financial assistance options for your Leadership Studies minor
The expanded skill set you’ll acquire with UCM’s Leadership Studies minor will enhance
your value to employers, who will appreciate your ability to understand how your role
fits into a bigger picture. To gain this experience, the University of Central Missouri
offers funding that can help you finance your education. Get information on available loans and grants, as well as work-study programs. You
may also qualify for scholarships to help you realize your goals.
What scholarships are available for leadership studies students?
Your UCM major likely qualifies you for numerous scholarship opportunities. These
are made available by UCM, our alumni and other kind supporters. Search the UCM Scholarship Finder to learn what forms of aid are available to you.
Meet Dr. Eric Nelson
Program co-coordinator, Leadership Studies minor
Dr. Nelson is a training and development specialist with interests in all the functional
areas of business. He holds a Ph.D. in Education, specializing in Workforce Training.
His experience and expertise allow him to effectively guide UCM students as they develop
their capstone proposals. Dr. Nelson also serves as faculty advisor for UCM’s chapter
of the NSLS.
Get Inspired
Leadership Studies capstone examples
Students continue to impress us with their ingenuity when completing the Leadership
Studies minor capstone. One student streamlined UCM’s events process for Martin Luther
King Jr. Day. Others designed and implemented our largest toy drive to date, as well
as the two-day Warrensburg Main Street festival. With sustainability at the core,
their achievements are still going strong.
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Courses & Requirements
UCM’s Leadership Studies Minor focuses on competencies. Because many majors across
campus include the same competencies, this minor requires only a few additional courses
for some majors.
Leadership Studies Minor students must complete knowledge competencies 1 and 2 and
at least four more of the eight competencies to fulfill the minor.
The eight competencies:
- Leadership and Advocacy Roles
- Management of Resources
- Promotion, Marketing and Communication
- Diversity and Cultural Differences
- Decisions in the Legal and Ethical Realms
- Venture/Start-up Development
- Career Development
- Managing People
The National Society of Leadership & Success (NSLS). Leadership studies students can
earn a minor while simultaneously completeing three levels of a nationally recognized
leadership certification as a member of NSLS.
National Society for Leadership and Success (NSLS) Chapter
The UCM National Society of Leadership & Success (NSLS) chapter has over 300 members
representing nearly all majors on campus. Membership in NSLS* is required as part
of the minor. NSLS contributes to student success through leadership workshops, networking
opportunities, and career development activities. Through a cooperative effort with
NSLS, you may earn three Leadership Certificates.
The NSLS Student membership lifetime dues are less than $100.
Coordinators
Contact Drs. Eric Nelson and Mary McCord for more information about the Leadership
Studies Minor.
Dr. McCord is the coordinator for the Leadership Studies minor. McCord has her Ph.D.
in Management from the University of Oklahoma. She has been a member of the UCM faculty
since 1999. You can contact her at mccord@ucmo.edu.
Dr. Nelson is best characterized as a training and development specialist with interests
in all of the funcaitonal areas of a business. He has a Ph.D. in Education specializing
in Workforce Training from the University of Illlinois. Eric is the faculty adviser
for the UCM Chapter of NSLS. You can contact him at enelson@ucmo.edu.
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