Courses and More Info

Option #1: In-Person

Certificate in Leadership and Human Relations

The Certificate in Leadership and Human Relations is an on-campus, 16-credit program designed for students who are interested in dynamic experiences and projects that allow them to practice new leadership skills and gain immediate feedback from a supportive community of faculty and peers. Integrating the fields of leadership and personal development, the certificate program approaches leadership as a personal and relational process. Regardless of academic major, students will be primed to be high-integrity change agents in their discipline and in the world.

Certificate Requirements

Students must complete all 16 credits with a grade of “C” or above.

Course Number and Title	Credits
LEAD 325 Foundations of Leadership	3
LEAD 326 The Practice of Leadership	3
LEAD 327 Relational Leadership	3
Select from the following courses: LEAD 225 Civic Engagement and Leadership LEAD 480 Studies in Leadership CONFLICT/COMM/SOC 390 Conflict Management CONFLICT 401 Negotiation CONFLICT 405 Culture and Conflict IPS 410 Case Studies in Leadership	6
LEAD 495 Leadership Experience	1
Total	16

Four semester sequence Recommended. Semester 1: LEAD 325; Semester 2: LEAD 326; Semester 3: LEAD 327; Semester 4: LEAD 495. Electives taken concurrently.

Two semester sequence: Semester 1: LEAD 325 and LEAD 327; Semester 2: LEAD 326 and LEAD 495. Electives taken concurrently.

Option #2: Online

Applied Leadership Certificate

The Certificate in Applied Leadership: Growing into a High-Impact Leader is a fully online, 12-credit program designed for non-traditional students or working adults who want to augment their current professional and leadership skills. Each course is packed with perspectives and activities students can immediately put to use where they work and live. The primary focus of this program is “you,” and is best suited for students interested in self-reflection and professional growth. Regardless of academic major, individuals will gain deep insight into the challenges facing today’s leaders, will hone their own leadership style to address these challenges, and will connect with like-minded people.

Certificate Requirements

Students must complete all 12 credits with a grade of “C” or above.

Course Number and Title	Credits
LEAD 325 – Foundations of Leadership	3
LEAD 326 – The Practice of Leadership	3
IPS 410 – Case Studies in Leadership	3
LEAD 490 – Capstone in Leadership	3
Total	12

Four semester sequence Recommended. Semester 1: LEAD 325; Semester 2: LEAD 326; Semester 3: IPS 410; Semester 4: LEAD 490.

Two-semester sequence: Semester 1: LEAD 325 and IPS 410; Semester 2: LEAD 326 and LEAD 490.

More Info

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the prerequisites?

A: See the Boise State catalogue for full information. The short version is: sophomore status is required to enroll in courses. LEAD 325 is a prerequisite for LEAD 326. LEAD 325 and LEAD 326 are the prerequisites for LEAD 495. We recommend planning on two years to complete the certificate, but it can be done in one year.

Q: When are the courses offered?

A: We offer both day and evening options for our three core courses (LEAD 325, 326, 327). LEAD 325 and LEAD 326 are also offered online (see certificate option #2). All courses are offered every fall and spring, and sometimes in summer.

Q: How do I declare my LEAD certificate and ensure I receive it upon graduation?

A: Go to my.boisestate.edu and access the major change form. Select the certificate you wish (Leadership and Human Relations OR Applied Leadership). Also, if the catalogue year for your major is different from the catalogue year for the certificate, fill out a Catalogue Year Update Form through the registrar.

Course Descriptions

LEAD 225 Civic Engagement and Leadership (2-3-3) (S). Provides students with opportunities to learn about political and social community dynamics while becoming catalysts for collaborative social change. Students will integrate service, education, and reflection to create meaningful change in communities. The culmination of this learning will take place on an intensive weeklong service trip. Students must be accepted into alternative break program prior to registration. PREREQ: PERM/INST

LEAD 325 Foundations of Leadership (3-0-3) (F, S). An introduction to concepts, frameworks, ideas and beliefs related to leadership. Intended to inspire students to engage in deeper self-exploration about why they lead and how they can begin to serve as a catalyst for progress in their relationships, communities and organizations. PREREQ: sophomore standing.

LEAD 326 The Practice of Leadership (3-0-3) (F, S). An exploration of selected concepts, frameworks, ideas and beliefs related to the art and practice of leadership. The course is intended to help students move from knowledge and awareness, to applying their learning in various contexts. PREREQ: sophomore standing, LEAD 325.

LEAD 327 Relational Leadership (3-0-3) (F, S). The purpose of this course is to enhance the critical leadership component of working effectively with others. Tools will be provided for developing the internal qualities and the external behaviors that lead to both individual and team success. PREREQ: sophomore standing.

LEAD 480 Studies in Leadership (3-0-3) (F/S). Examination of special topics and skills in leadership. Content varies from semester to semester. Subjects may include leading groups, leading change, gender and leadership, creativity and leadership, etc. Course may be repeated for credit. PREREQ: sophomore standing.

LEAD 495 Leadership Experience (0-3-1) (F, S). This experiential course offers students an opportunity to practice the skills and perspectives they have learned in previous leadership courses. Students will select one or more community projects to organize, implement, and reflect on as a vehicle to demonstrate leadership. PREREQ: LEAD 325, LEAD 326, LEAD 327, and sophomore standing. Note: This course is for the Leadership and Human Relations Certificate.

LEAD 490 Capstone in Leadership (3-0-3) (F, S). This experiential course offers students an opportunity to practice the skills and perspectives they have learned in previous leadership courses. Students will select a team-based community or business project to organize and implement as a vehicle to demonstrate and reflect upon leadership principles. PREREQ: LEAD 325, MDS 410, and sophomore standing. The completion of LEAD 326 is recommended. COREQ: LEAD 326. Note: This course is for the Applied Leadership Certificate.

Certificate in Leadership and Human Relations

Program Learning Outcomes

Ethics: Articulate and act on one’s core values, ethics, and sense of purpose in the world.
Emotional Intelligence: Use the constructs of emotional intelligence to identify and effectively respond to the emotions of self and others.
Diversity: Mobilize the unique contributions that people bring as a result of their diverse perspectives.
Scholarship of Leadership: Draw upon scholarship to apply appropriate frameworks to a variety of leadership contexts and challenges.
Communication: Communicate clearly, purposefully, and mindfully.
Problem-Solving: Identify the essential characteristics of problems that need solutions, select a strategy to address the problem, and learn from both successes and failures.
Cultural/Political Landscape: Adapt leadership behavior for different organizational, cultural, personal, and political landscapes/contexts.

Applied Leadership Certificate

Program Learning Outcomes

Ethics: Articulate and act in alignment with your core values, ethics, and sense of purpose in the world.
Self-Awareness: Reflect on your strengths and areas for improvement as a leader and a follower
Diversity: Mobilize the unique contributions that people bring as a result of their diverse perspectives.
Scholarship of Leadership: Draw upon theory and evidence to make informed leadership choices for a variety of contexts and challenges.
Communication: Approach online communication in ways that are consistent with your leadership values.
Problem-Solving: Identify the essential characteristics of problems that need solutions, select a strategy to address the problem, and build on both successes and failures.
Cultural/Political Contexts: Adapt leadership behavior for different organizational, cultural, personal, and political contexts.

“Our study found that today’s leadership capacity is insufficient to meet future leadership requirements… most organizations today are experiencing a leadership deficit now, and can expect a leadership gap in the future.”
Center for Creative Leadership