Leadership Institute
Website: https://www.washburn.edu/academics/leadership-institute/index.html
Director: Lauren Edelman, Ed.D.
Associate Director: Madeline Lambing, Ed.D.
Benton Hall, Room 408
(785) 670-2000
leadership@washburn.edu
Vision
Establish an innovative platform for leadership education that is recognized as a pioneering model for leadership development.
Mission
To further develop students into ethical and intentional leaders who value diversity and are prepared to immediately exercise effective leadership in today’s changing society by cultivating the study of leadership and facilitating transformational learning experiences designed to challenge, motivate, and inspire.
Minor and Certificate Programs
The Leadership Studies Minor and Certificate are interdisciplinary programs open to students in all majors and degree programs. The Leadership Studies Minor and Certificate combine academic, co-curricular and community leadership experiences. The Leadership Studies Minor is designed to be completed concurrently while earning a baccalaureate degree. Students completing an associate degree or baccalaureate degree are able to earn a Leadership Studies Certificate. Leadership Studies Minor and Certificate requirements must be completed at the time of graduation. These programs provide graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary to be effective leaders in a variety of sectors and setting.
Student Learning Outcomes
Washburn graduates who complete the Leadership Studies Minor or Certificate will be able to:
- Critique and analyze the concept of leadership.
- Identify the historical, psychological and social bases of leadership.
- Accept and appreciate the ethics and responsibilities of leadership.
- Recognize and demonstrate mastery of the skills and abilities necessary for effective leadership.
- Convert leadership theory into action.
- Observe and evaluate leadership in a variety of contexts.
Leadership Core Curriculum
The Leadership Studies Certificate requires 12 credit hours and the Leadership Studies Minor requires 18 credit hours of leadership curriculum. As cultivated at Washburn, leadership is broadly defined and inclusive in scope in order to expose students to many differing views of leadership. The Leadership Institute takes an integrative approach to the education, experience, and empowerment of personal leadership development. Three multidisciplinary leadership courses and one leadership internship experience constitute the core curriculum of the Leadership Studies Minor and Certificate. Each course has a primary focus and emphasis, but all courses work toward the following interrelated goals:
- To foster the ability to think critically and analytically about leadership.
- To advance the understanding of the historical underpinnings of leadership.
- To advocate internalization of the ethical basis for leadership.
- To promote the development of leadership skills.
- To aid comprehension of the theoretical components of leadership.
- To enhance a self-reflective, self-assessing awareness of one’s own leadership potential.
- To cultivate the ability to convert leadership theory into action.
Core Curriculum
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LE 100 | Exploring the Concept of Leadership 1 | 3 |
| LE 200 | Ethical Responsibilities of Leadership | 3 |
| LE 300 | Leadership Skills Development | 3 |
| LE 400 | Leadership Internship | 3 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
- 1
Approved as social sciences general education credit
Additional Leadership Courses
LE 125 Foundations of Leadership in Society (1-3)
This course will expose students to a variety of concepts, theories and skills relevant to contemporary leadership thought. Students will be challenged to consider their personal conceptions and philosophy of leadership. Students will examine leadership within particular contexts such as creating change, ethical leadership, leadership and management, and historical leadership thought and leaders. Prerequisite: None.
LE 301 Leadership Skills Integration (0-3)
Students will integrate their learning from a leadership skills course from another department with the curriculum of the Leadership Institute. Outcomes include development of individual and interpersonal leadership skills, teamwork and collaboration skills, and an understanding that leadership is more than the exercise of power; techniques for embracing and leading change are practiced in a semester-long change project. Prerequisite: LE 200 or appropriate HN 201 section or consent; Corequisite: NU 450 or another departmental leadership skills course at a 300 level or higher.
LE 320 Leadership Campus Experience I (0-1)
Students will review a contemporary leadership theory as a framework with which to integrate their learning from a campus leadership position with an understanding that leadership is more than just a position. Students will begin to think critically about creating change in association with a campus leadership experience. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor or junior standing.
LE 321 Leadership Campus Experience II (0-1)
Students will participate in a campus leadership position and reflect on the experience to develop a greater awareness of self and how they contribute to the process of leadership. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor or junior standing and completion of LE 320.
LE 322 Leadership Campus Experience III (0-1)
Students will reflect on leading change through implementation of a change project. Within this course, students will reflect on their learning from their student involvement within the framework of leadership theories. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor or junior standing and completion of LE 320 and LE 321.
LE 350 Leadership Practicum Experience (3)
Students pursuing the Leadership Studies Certificate will practice a "change agent" leadership role by implementing and evaluating a change process, and produce a detailed record of the experience suitable for archiving. Prerequisite: LE 300 or consent of instructor.
LE 375 Gender and Leadership (3)
An examination of an analytic framework for understanding the role that gender plays in defining and determining access to leadership and power. Contains an analysis of the myths, challenges, and opportunities that accompany the issue of gender through an exploration of gender and leadership both conceptually and practically. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor or junior standing.
LE 398 Special Projects - Leadership (0-3)
Independent study or project in leadership. The same project may be repeated up to 3 credits. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
LE 399 Special Topics in Leadership (0-3)
Special topics in leadership. May be repeated for different topics. See course schedule for current offerings. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor or junior standing.
LE 401 Leadership Internship Integration (0-3)
Students integrate their learning from an internship from another department with the curriculum of the Leadership Institute. Students must practice a "change agent" leadership role within this internship. Within this course, students will reflect on their learning from the internship within the framework of the Leadership Institute curriculum. Prerequisite:Consent of Instructor. Corequisite: NU 462 or another departmental leadership internship course.
Leadership Studies Minor
Requirements for the Minor
Students will complete at least 18 credit hours of coursework. In addition to 12 credit hours of required leadership core curriculum courses, students must complete at least 6 credit hours of elective courses from one of four thematic tracks. Some courses require completion of relevant departmental prerequisites.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LE 100/HN 202 | Exploring the Concept of Leadership | 3 |
| LE 200/HN 201 | Ethical Responsibilities of Leadership | 3 |
| LE 300 | Leadership Skills Development | 3 |
| LE 400 | Leadership Internship | 3 |
| Select 6 credits hours from one of the four thematic tracks | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Elective Courses
Students must complete at least 6 credit hours from one of the four thematic tracks. At least 3 credit hours must be a level 300 course or higher. Elective courses which may count towards the minor include:
Leadership in Business, Communication, and the Media
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BU 342 | Organization & Management 1 | 3 |
| BU 343 | Entrepreneurship, Creativity, and Innovation 1 | 3 |
| BU 345 | Human Resources Management 1 | 3 |
| BU 346 | Organizational Behavior 1 | 3 |
| BU 355 | International Business 1 | 3 |
| CN 101 | Introduction to Communication Studies | 3 |
| CN 150 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| CN 302 | Communication Theory | 3 |
| CN 308 | Organizational Communication 1 | 3 |
| CN 330 | Communication in Conflict and Negotiation 1 | 3 |
| CN 341 | Persuasive Speaking 1 | 3 |
| CN 342 | Communication-Teams and Groups 1 | 3 |
| CN 350 | Persuasion | 3 |
| CN 351 | Interpersonal Communication 1 | 3 |
| CN 363 | Intercultural Communication 1 | 3 |
| CN 367 | Crisis Communication 1 | 3 |
| CN 370 | Communication Training & Development 1 | 3 |
| LE 125 | Foundations of Leadership in Society | 1-3 |
| MM 360 | Minorities & The Media 1 | 3 |
| MM 411 | Entrepreneurial Media 1 | 3 |
| MM 485 | International Media Systems 1 | 3 |
| PH 313 | Professional Ethics 1 | 3 |
- 1
Completion of prerequisite course(s) required prior to enrollment in course
Leadership in a Cultural Context
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AN 112 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| AN 321 | Anthropology of Women 1 | 3 |
| AN 324 | History and Theory of Anthropology | 3 |
| BU 355 | International Business 1 | 3 |
| BU 356 | Cross-Cultural Management | 3 |
| CJ 303 | Diversity in American Culture | 3 |
| CN 363 | Intercultural Communication 1 | 3 |
| EN 110 | Multicultural American Literature | 3 |
| EN 214 | Women & Literature | 3 |
| HI 329 | Civil Rights Movement 1 | 3 |
| HI 381 | History & Psychology of Sex & Gender | 3 |
| HS 450 | Multicultural Issues | 3 |
| LE 125 | Foundations of Leadership in Society | 1-3 |
| LE 375 | Gender and Leadership | 3 |
| MM 360 | Minorities & The Media 1 | 3 |
| MM 485 | International Media Systems 1 | 3 |
| PY 309 | Theories of Personality | 3 |
| RG 102 | World Religions | 3 |
| SO 100 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| SO 101 | Social Problems | 3 |
| SO 310 | Social Class in the U.S. 1 | 3 |
| SO 314 | Organizations 1 | 3 |
| TA 381 | Technology and Ecology | 3 |
| WG 375 | Women and Popular Culture | 3 |
- 1
Completion of prerequisite course(s) required prior to enrollment in course
Leadership and Social Change
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AN 336 | Globalization 1 | 3 |
| BI 202 | Biology of Behavior 1 | 3 |
| BI 203 | Human Impact on the Environment | 3 |
| CN 361 | Communication in Social Movements | 3 |
| CN 364 | Gender Communication | 3 |
| HS 300 | Prevention and Social Change | 3 |
| HS 325 | Group Work (Group Counseling) | 3 |
| HS 355 | Peacemaking | 3 |
| LE 125 | Foundations of Leadership in Society | 1-3 |
| LE 320 | Leadership Campus Experience I (3 credits total for elective) | 1 |
| LE 321 | Leadership Campus Experience II (3 credits total for elective) | 1 |
| LE 322 | Leadership Campus Experience III (3 credits total for elective) | 1 |
| LE 375 | Gender and Leadership | 3 |
| PH 102 | Ethics: Introduction to Moral Problems | 3 |
| PH 104 | Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking | 3 |
| PH 211 | Introduction to Ethical Theory 1 | 3 |
| PO 395 | Non-Profit Management | 3 |
| PY 100 | Basic Concepts in Psychology 1 | 3 |
| PY 310 | Social Psychology | 3 |
| PY 325 | Community Psychology 1 | 3 |
| SO 338 | Strategies for Social Change 1 | 3 |
| SW 352 | Micro Social Work Practice 1 | 3 |
- 1
Completion of prerequisite course(s) required prior to enrollment in course
Leadership in a Historical/Political Context
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CN 309 | Political Communication 1 | 3 |
| HI 102 | Modern World History | 3 |
| HI 111 | History of the United States through the Civil War | 3 |
| HI 112 | History of the United States since the Civil War | 3 |
| HI 303 | Colonial America to 1763 1 | 3 |
| HI 305 | Early National United States 1 | 3 |
| HI 315 | Women in US History 1 | 3 |
| HI 317 | Topeka & Urban American History 1 | 3 |
| HI 380 | Women in World History 1 | 3 |
| LE 125 | Foundations of Leadership in Society | 1-3 |
| MS 110 | Fundamentals of Military Leadership | 3 |
| MS 432 | Hitler, WWII, and Holocaust | 3 |
| PH 103 | Introduction to Political Philosophy | 3 |
| PH 312 | Social-Political Philosophy 1 | 3 |
| PO 106 | The Government of the United States | 3 |
| PO 107 | Kansas, State, and Local Government | 3 |
| PO 235 | Governments of the World: Comparative Politics | 3 |
| PO 245 | Introduction to Public Administration | 3 |
| PO 305 | Public Policy | 3 |
| PO 337 | Religions and Politics 1 | 3 |
- 1
Completion of prerequisite course(s) required prior to enrollment in course
Specialized Track Option
At the approval of the Leadership Institute Director, the elective track can be customized to an individual student’s interests. To elect this specialized track option, a student must present a justifiable rationale to take one class from each of two separate tracks in order to satisfy the six hours of elective credits required. This rationale should be based on the student’s individual career interests and academic plan. Furthermore, in unique circumstances based on a personalized opportunity, a student can include up to three independent study credit hours with their specialized track. Students electing this option would gain approval from their major department utilizing an independent study course number in that discipline.
Guidelines for the Minor
- 18 total credit hours (9 credit hours must be upper-division coursework). One elective must be upper-division level, in addition to LE 300 and LE 400.
- The Leadership Institute permits using “correlate” courses to satisfy the requirements of both a major and the Leadership Minor (e.g. a student with a Management major could include major course requirements from the College of Arts & Sciences, but cannot select Management courses from the list of Minor electives for the Leadership Minor). Further, Business electives for the Leadership Minor cannot also be used as Business electives within a Business major (this includes Economics and Accounting).
- LE 100 is a General Education course in the social sciences. This course may also be taken for Honors credit by registering for the course as HN 202. Please note HN 202 cannot be taken as A/P/F.
- LE 200 can also be taken for General Education and/or Honors credit by registering for the course as HN 201. HN 201 counts as general education credit in the humanities and fine arts. Please note HN 201 cannot be taken as A/P/F.
Leadership Partnerships
Given the interdisciplinary nature of Leadership Studies, the Leadership Institute recognizes the value in partnering with academic departments that focus on leadership development. These partnerships are approved in advance by both the School/Department and the Leadership Institute.
Current Partnerships
School of Nursing: Currently, the Leadership Institute partners with the School of Nursing. Nursing students can supplement NU 450 Leadership, Management, Health Policy (2 credit hours) and NU 462 Quality and Safety in Healthcare (3 credit hours) as substitutes for LE 300 Leadership Skills Development (3 credit hours) and LE 400 Leadership Internship (3 credit hours); however, students opting to complete their Leadership Minor or Certificate in this way must enroll in LE 301 Leadership Skills Integration (1 credit hour) concurrently with NU 450 Leadership, Management, Health Policy to substitute for LE 300 Leadership Skills Development, and LE 401 Leadership Internship Integration (1 credit hour) concurrently with NU 462 Quality and Safety in Healthcare to substitute for LE 400 Leadership Internship. The content in LE 301 Leadership Skills Integration and LE 401 Leadership Internship Integration will integrate coursework in the departmental leadership course with the content covered in the Leadership Institute specific courses, LE 300 Leadership Skills Development and LE 400 Leadership Internship.
Transferability of applicable course credit will be prescribed for each institution in WU’s transfer guide, though ultimately is left at the discretion of each academic department. Transfer students will only be able to transfer a maximum of 6 credit hours toward completion of a Leadership Studies Minor.
Leadership Studies Certificate
The Leadership Studies Certificate is obtained by successfully completing 12 credit hours of leadership core curriculum.
Leadership Institute Contact Information
The Leadership Institute website https://www.washburn.edu/academics/leadership-institute/index.html is a source for more information about the Leadership Institute, its activities and programs. Alternatively, you can contact the Leadership Institute at leadership@washburn.edu or 785-670-2000.