The Bachelor of Arts in Leadership Studies from the School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) emphasizes a multidisciplinary understanding of the theory and practice of leadership applicable to various environments. The degree offers an interdisciplinary liberal arts and professional studies curriculum that is especially suited to those who are already working and seek to advance their depth of knowledge of leadership and enhance their professionalism. The degree is equally appropriate for managers and leaders in the corporate or non-profit fields.
This major advances students’ knowledge and professional skills related to effective leadership, communication, management of change and conflict, the role of technology and globalization in governance. Expertise in leadership is honed upon a solid foundation of ethics and responsibility, analysis and critical thinking, creativity and innovation. Courses are offered by School of Continuing and Professional Studies and the College of Communication with electives courses available from the Department of Psychology.
This major is designed for working adult students and provides:
- Flexible scheduling including online options available
- Financial Aid, flexible payment options, and special adult student tuition pricing
- Acceleration and affordability through transfer credit and prior learning assessment (PLA) credit
- Opportunities to combine bachelor's and master’s programs and apply graduate courses to both programs
- Individualized program planning, course selection and advising assistance provided
- Enhanced career opportunities through professional portfolio development, and career placement services instruction from industry practitioners, and wide-ranging Career Services support
- Degree granted by DePaul University, with its excellent academic reputation and the opportunity to join its prestigious and extensive alumni network
| Program Requirements | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|
| College Core Requirements | 78 |
| Major Requirements | 76 |
| Open Electives | 38 |
| Total hours required | 192 |
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Analyze and apply knowledge and theories of leadership.
- Investigate problems using qualitative and quantitative methods.
- Apply ethical principles in context.
- Explain the value of social justice in organizational contexts.
- Apply various methods of communication in multiple settings.
- Utilize principles of reflective practice in leadership studies.
- Analyze and apply different liberal arts perspectives.
College Core (78 credits, 20 credits in residence):
Lifelong Learning Requirements (32 credits, 16 credits in residence):
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LL 201 | REFLECTIVE LEARNING 1 | 2 |
| or RPL 101 | PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT | |
| LL 305 | ACTIVE CITIZENS: MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY, WORKPLACE WORLD | |
| LL 205 | QUANTITATIVE REASONING | 4 |
| or LL 206 | ADVANCED MATH FOR PROFESSIONAL STUDIES | |
| LL 261 | ESSAY WRITING | 4 |
| LL 270 | CRITICAL THINKING | 4 |
| LL 290 | RESEARCH WRITING 1 | 4 |
| LL 301 | RESEARCH METHODS 1 | 6 |
| LL 302 | EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PRACTICUM 1 | 4 |
Liberal Learning Requirements (46 credits, 4 credits in residence):
- Liberal Arts in Action Requirement: CCA 281, CCH 281, CCS 281 or courses with LA1 designation, 6 credits
- CORE CURRICULUM ARTS & IDEAS, courses with the CCA, AL, PI, or RD requirement designations, 12 credits
- CORE CURRICULUM HUMAN COMMUNITY, courses with the CCH, SCBI, or HI requirement designations, 12 credits
- CORE CURRICULUM SCIENTIFIC WORLD, courses with the CCSW, SI, SILB, or SISK requirement designations, 12 credits
- IN 307 INTEGRATIVE LEARNING, 4 credits 1
- 1
Must be completed in residence.
Major Requirements (76 credit hours)
40 credit hours must be completed in residence in the major, including FA 199 and LL 303
Professional Studies Core (20 credit hours, 8 credits in residence)
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CAREER ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING | ||
| FA 199 | CAREER ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING | 2 |
| PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATIONS | ||
| DCM 330 | PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION IN THE WORKPLACE | 4 |
| ETHICS OR SOCIAL JUSTICE, courses with the PSES requirement designation. Choose one of the following: | ||
| DCM 317 | ETHICS IN THE PROFESSIONS | 2 |
| DCM 318 | SOCIAL JUSTICE IN THE PROFESSIONS | 2 |
| CREATIVITY OR INNOVATION, courses with the PSCI requirement designation. Choose one of the following: | ||
| CCA 170 | CREATIVITY AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP | 2 |
| DCM 319 | CREATIVITY AND INNOVATIVE THINKING | 2 |
| GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES, courses with the PSGP requirement designation. Choose one of the following: | ||
| CCH 283 | GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES OF WORK & FAMILY | 4 |
| CCH 300 | GLOBALIZATION AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE | 4 |
| CAPSTONE PROJECT | ||
| LL 303 | CAPSTONE PROJECT | 6 |
Leadership Studies Core (48 credit hours)
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| DCM 301 | EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP IN A CHANGING PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT | 4 |
| DCM 302 | PROJECT MANAGEMENT: DESIGN AND ASSESSMENT | 4 |
| DCM 303 | LEADERSHIP MODELS FOR STRONG ORGANIZATIONS | 4 |
| DCM 304 | EVOLVING PROFESSIONAL ETHICS | 4 |
| or BADM 359 | ETHICAL BUSINESS BEHAVIOR | |
| DCM 307 | ANALYZING HUMAN BEHAVIOR | 4 |
| DCM 308 | INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS | 4 |
| CCH 299 | ASSESSING AND MANAGING CONFLICT | 4 |
| DCM 312 | ADVANCED LEADERSHIP THEORY & PRACTICE | 4 |
| BADM 310 | GENDER IN BUSINESS AND LEADERSHIP | 4 |
| DA 200 | DATA ANALYTICS | 4 |
| or DA 233 | APPLIED INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS | |
| CMNS 251 | ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION | 4 |
| CMNS 353 | COMMUNICATION AND ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE | 4 |
| or CMNS 316 | COMMUNICATION AND DECISION-MAKING IN GROUPS AND TEAMS | |
Leadership Studies Electives (8 credit hours)
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BADM 270 | BUSINESS STARTUPS | 2 |
| BADM 315 | ECONOMICS FOR DECISION-MAKING | 4 |
| BADM 334 | HUMAN RESOURCE AND TALENT DEVELOPMENT FUNDAMENTALS FOR MANAGERS | 4 |
| BADM 335 | RISK MANAGEMENT IN THE WORKPLACE | 4 |
| BADM 340 | IMPLEMENTING CORPORATE TRAINING PROGRAMS | 4 |
| CCH 220 | FRAUD IN REAL WORLD ORGANIZATIONS | 2 |
| CMNS 313 | NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION | 4 |
| DCM 324 | EFFECTIVE GROUP AND PERSONAL DYNAMICS | 4 |
| HLTH 330 | HEALTH LEADERSHIP | 4 |
| PSY 347 | SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY | 4 |
| PSY 380 | INDUSTRIAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY | 4 |
| PSY 382 | ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR | 4 |
Open Electives (38 credits)
Open electives can be fulfilled through courses taken in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies and other DePaul colleges, transfer courses, assessment of prior learning (PLA), and independent studies.