Minor in Leadership Studies

Â鶹ÒùÔº explore varied approaches to leadership and can apply their leadership practice as part of a start-up, community organization, nonprofit, the military and more.

The undergraduate minor in leadership studies prepares students to become ethical leaders through a combination of academic coursework, self-reflection and team projects. This minor provides leadership education, allowing students to understand, critique and apply leadership theory. Â鶹ÒùÔº develop core leadership competencies relevant to the 21st century.

  • Gain a historical and situational perspective of leadership
  • Practice and observe leadership in action
  • Complement your undergraduate studies and skills with a minor

Join a community of students who are agents of change and advocates on behalf of all students

Be a part of a program that is nationally recognized for innovating education through our shared commitments to democracy, diversity, equity and justice

Top 25 university worldwide in education, among 500 international schools of education

(ShanghaiRanking Global Ranking, 2019)

Be successful.

Make a difference in the community and in your career by applying your understanding of leadership to many different opportunities.

 

Gain important credentials that distinguish you in your job search and future leadership roles

 

Develop essential skills and dispositions that prepare you to lead in community organizations, business, city government and social services

 

98% of Leadership Studies Minors graduate within 6 years

Academic Plan & Requirements

The minor is open to all undergraduate students, regardless of college or school.

Â鶹ÒùÔº can enter the minor program in a few ways:

To earn the minor in leadership studies, students must complete a minimum of 16 credit hours of coursework, including an introductory course, 9 credits of electives and a capstone course.

Elective category topics include:

  • Leadership Foundations: Courses focus on moral and ethical reasoning, ability to critically evaluate behavior and improved decision-making in life choices.
  • Leadership Application: Courses focus on enhanced ability to function in a team, building a team with diverse perspectives and leading a team effectively to accomplish a shared goal.
  • Leadership in Context: Courses focus on historical and situational analysis, critical evaluation of historical and contemporary leaders and ability to connect leadership behaviors to organizational outcomes.

Additionally, students complete an electronic portfolio (or ePortfolio) as a requirement for completion of the leadership studies minor. The purpose of the ePortfolio is to document learning through the minor and co-curricular experiences, blend theory with practice, and define an evolving leadership lens.

Community & Involvement

We offer students many opportunities to network with peers and faculty, further their studies, and get the most out of their undergraduate experience.

Be inspired.

The School of Education has many alumni across the nation helping to advance democracy, diversity, equity and justice within communities and educational settings.

Anisah Spahn

BA elementary education
Anisah Spahn worked as a learning assistant in the School of Education and as an undergraduate student ambassador. After graduation, she became a teacher resident at Denver Green School and is working toward a graduate degree in communication sciences and disorders.  

Meredith Nass

BAM in ethnic studies and education
A native of Durango, Meredith Nass has used her degree to help address critical questions about world injustices and how educators and community leaders can become transformative educators and policymakers. Nass works for the School of Education as the student coordinator and is a community organizer through the Coalition to Expand Voting Rights in Boulder. 

Garrett Cease

MA in curriculum and instruction plus teacher licensure in English education
Garrett Cease graduated from CU Boulder with a double major in English and philosophy, and then returned to complete a School of Education master’s degree in curriculum and instruction while gaining teacher licensure in English education. As both a sixth grade teacher and an enthusiast for meditation, yoga, rock climbing and skiing, Cease practices his wellness techniques in the classroom to help guide his teaching and students. 

Andrés Martínez

MA in educational equity and cultural diversity
After spending 23 years as a social studies teacher at Thornton High School, Andrés Martínez decided to continue his professional career with a master’s degree. While earning his MA, Martínez was integral at advancing the Seal of Biliteracy initiative for his school district, Adams 12. He also proposed teaching ethnic studies at his school, with hopes of that becoming an official part of the school’s curriculum.