Mar 29, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Leadership Studies Certificate


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The Undergraduate Certificate in Leadership Studies will allow students to demonstrate their preparedness to lead, live, and work in an interconnected and interdependent global community. Students will improve their understanding of leadership and develop the skills needed to lead in their particular field through a series of courses designed to provide a rich leadership focus.

The modern workplace demands employees who understand the foundations of leadership, can navigate organizational change, value community leadership and relationships, and who embrace ethics, diversity, and an international understanding. Students who participate in this Undergraduate Certificate in Leadership Studies will master these skills and benefit from an additional degree credential, that alongside with their major(s) and/or minor(s) demonstrates their dedication to and experiences with leadership.

The structure of the Undergraduate Certificate in Leadership Studies offers a coherently planned academic core for students who otherwise might take very few courses that have an explicit focus on leadership. The core of the Certificate consists of four distinct pillars that are complimentary to a variety or existing undergraduate programs and are reflected throughout the content of course work in the following ways:

  • Understanding core concepts about leadership
  • Fostering team and organizational leadership
  • Embracing community leadership
  • Focusing on intercultural communication skills

Leadership Studies Program of Study


The program consists of 18 credits of undergraduate study in leadership. Students will take one course from each of the four pillars and two additional elective leadership courses.

Leadership Foundations (3 credits)


Organizational Change (3 credits)


Ethics, Diversity, and International Understanding (3 credits)


Electives (6 credits)


Any course in the above pillars not already counted

Any approved study abroad experience (can only count 3 credits for certificate)

Approved courses include but are not limited to:


Other Vital Elements


At least 12 credit hours must be taken for a letter grade

At least 12 credits at 200-level or above and a minimum of 6 credit hours at 300-level or above

Students must earn a C or better in each required certificate course

At least one course needs to be taken in the sister discipline (EDL or CLD)

No more than 9 credits in the certificate are used to satisfy requirements for the student’s bachelor’s degree, minor, or another certificate (exclusive of free or unrestricted electives)

For questions regarding this program, contact Program Director Dr. Jayson W. Richardson at jayson.richardson@uky.edu, or 859-379-9097.

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