Central Michigan University recently became the first public institution in Michigan to offer a minor in leadership. The minor focuses on providing in-depth instruction on desired qualities of leaders, and on the application of such qualities. The minor will provide students with the courses and experiences necessary to serve as leaders in their community and professions.

For information regarding the minor or enrollment information please contact Dr.Eric Buschlen in the RPL Department at (989) 774-2390 or by email  busch1el@cmich.edu.

Leadership Studies Minor

B.A., B.A.A., B.F.A., B.S., and B.S. in B.A. degrees


The Leadership minor is a 24-credit-hour interdisciplinary program that includes both theoretical and experiential components. The major objective of the program is to educate students for and about leadership and prepare them to acquire leadership positions in their community and profession. The minor complements a wide variety of academic programs such as: health professions, business, political science, recreation, parks and leisure services, military science, communication, and education.


Required Courses (12-15 hours):

LDR 200 (3) Introduction to Leadership 
COM 461 (3) Communications in Leadership (LDR Minors Pre-Req = LDR 200)
PHL 118 (3) Moral Problems  OR
PHL 218 (3) Ethical Theory  OR
PHL 318 (3) Business Ethics
LDR 402 (3-6) Applications of Leadership 


Electives (12 hours): Choose one course from each of the three electives tracks listed below. The fourth course may be selected from any of the tracks, or LDR 402 can be taken for six credits, three of which count in the core requirements, the other three credits would count as elective credits. Elective tracks and courses to be selected in consultation with an advisor.


Track 1 Understanding Human Behavior and Development
Courses in this track provide a study of the theories, frameworks, and research, which assist in the understanding and prediction of human behavior. Each course addresses aspects of how behavior develops through normal maturation processes, the identification of traits and behavior to meet environmental demands or personal goals.

EDU 280 (3) - Education of Children 
HDF 100 (3) - Human Growth and Development
MSL 102 (3)- Basic Leadership 
PSC 101 (3) - Political Behavior 
PSC 235 (3)- Politics and Personality 
PSC 398 (3)- Political Leadership 
PSY 100 (3) - Introduction to Psychology 
PSY 220 (3)- Development Psychology 
PSY 340 (3) - Studies in Personality
(You may count only one of EDU 280,HDF 100, or PSY 220) 

Track 2 Interpersonal and Group Interaction
Courses in this track address the major tenets of social interaction that may lead to group productivity and overall effectiveness. Each course provides an examination of how groups can develop into functioning units through the study of patterns of individual and group interaction (e.g., communication) within organizations and society in general.

BLR 110   (3) - Alternative Dispute Resolution in Business 
ENG 402   (3) - Argumentation and Exposition 
COM 264  (3) - Organizational Communication 
COM 267  (3) - Introduction to Debate 
COM 353  (3) - Communication in Small Groups 
COM 361  (3) - Dynamics of Interpersonal Communication 
COM 367  (3) - Nonverbal Communication 
COM 560  (3) - Communication and Change: The Diffusion of Ideas and Information 
COM 561  (3) - Communication in Conflict Management 
MGT 348  (3) - Dynamics of Organizational Behavior 
MGT 355  (3) - Communications: Managerial Applications 
MSL 201  (3) - Individual Leadership Studies 
MSL 202  (3) - Leadership and Teamwork 
PES 300  (3) - Wilderness Experience for Leadership Development 
PSC 327  (3) - Lobbying and Interest Group Behavior 
PSY 330  (3) - Social Psychology 
PSY 336  (3) - Industrial/Organizational Psychology 
PSY 531  (3) - Group Dynamics 
PSY 535  (3) - Organizational Psychology 
RPL 205  (3) - Outdoor leadership 
RPL 206  (3) - Recreation Activities Leadership 
RPL 435  (3) - Leadership in Adventure Education Programming 
RPL 307  (3) - Management Skills in Leisure Services 
SOC 100 (3) - Introductory Sociology
SOC 201 (3)- Social Psychology 
SOC 306 (3)- Modern Social Organizations


Track 3 Leadership in a Social, Political, or Historical Context
Courses in this track put the analysis of effective leaders and leadership practices into a specific historical, political, and/or social context. Each course provides a broad perspective of leadership as it examines a set of complex environmental variables which affect leader development and effectiveness.

BCA 210 (4) - Survey of the Mass Media 
HSC 203 (3) - Leadership for the Health Professions
HSC 520 (3) - Health Services Administration 
HST 110 (3) - The American Experience 
HST 238 (3) - Ancient Greece and Rome 
HST 312 (3) - American Military Experience 
HST 325 (3) - African-Americans in Twentieth Century America
LAR 145 (3) - Racism and Diversity in America 
MSL 301(3) - Leadership and Problem Solving 
MSL 402 (3) - Officership 
PSC 105 (3) - Introduction to American Government and Politics 
PSC 125 (3) - African-American Politics 
PSC 150 (3) - World Politics 
PSC 242 (3) - Introduction to Comparative Politics 
PSC 261 (3) - State and Local Government 
PSC 275 (3) - Great Political Thinkers 
PSC 321 (3)- The American Chief Executive 
PSC 371 (3) - American Political Thought 
PSC 373 (3) - American Individualism 
REL/PHL/SOC 345/PSC325 (3)- The Civil Rights Movement 
RPL 405 (3) - Administration of Recreation and Parks 
SOC 221 (3) - Social Problems 
SOC 402 (3) - Analysis of Social Change 
SOC 403 (3) - Political Sociology
WST/PSC 326 (3) - Women and Politics

Total: 24 Semester Hours