CLS Education
Leadership and Consulting Concentration
Business is becoming more competitive, more technical, and more global. Traditional organizational structures are giving way to more flexible and responsive organizations. Management and leadership in these new organizations are largely channeled through communications technologies such as the Internet, e-mail and virtual teams. Whereas traditional leadership was focused at the top, leadership in these new organizations occurs throughout all organizational levels. To serve this emerging need, we have developed a concentration in the School of Management and Center for Leadership Studies that prepares students to take entry-level roles in consulting firms and other organizations that will require exemplary leadership skills. This concentration is available as a primary concentration. However, we believe many students will find a combination of Leadership and Consulting with other concentrations such as Management Information Systems (MIS) or Marketing to be very attractive to future employers.
Students will make use of traditional methods of learning such as texts and lectures. However, this concentration emphasizes hands-on practice by means of simulations, student projects in local companies, cases, and guest speakers. An innovative part of the program is a comprehensive assessment of leadership skills. Students will use feedback from this assessment to develop personal development plans to enhance their leadership potential. Courses also provide practice in presentations and writing.
To fulfill the requirements of the Leadership and Consulting concentration, students must complete the standard core curriculum for the management degree option and the following three undergraduate LEAD courses. Each course is four credit hours.
LEAD 351
Individual Leadership and Development
Leadership happens! Whether you are working one-on-one or in small groups, leadership guides the vision. This course will provide a survey of the major theoretical topics in leadership. Through self-assessments and guided exercises students focus on individual skills development to improve their leadership abilities.
LEAD 352
Team and Group Leadership
Leading in a team-based environment requires unique leadership skills. This course begins with an emphasis on one individual leading a team of individuals. Over time a shared leadership model emerges whereby students learn how to distribute leadership within their teams. Students will work in teams to learn the process of developing and leading an effective project team. Teams work both face-to-face and virtually to learn how to function effectively in a technological, global environment.
LEAD 353
Strategic Leadership and Consulting
What is the role of leadership in larger systems and how do you handle a unique organizational culture? Learn how to work in organizations to promote strategic change, implement organizational learning, and work across different boundaries/units and cultures. The intent of this course is to develop the capacity in students to consult with organizations on strategic leadership and change management practices. Students will work in project teams and consult with local organizations to assist with unique strategic change issues.
Terms of Use