SDSU Leadership
Minor
Leadership Starts with the SDSU Leadership Minor
The SDSU Leadership Minor is a cross-departmental program offered through the Department of Administration, Rehabilitation, and Postsecondary Education (ARPE) and Student Life & Leadership.
The SDSU Leadership Minor seeks to develop emotionally intelligent, transformational
leaders capable of taking themselves and others to higher levels of performance, purpose,
and collaboration. Established in 2008, the minor is an interdisciplinary program
open to all SDSU undergraduate students. The Leadership Minor consists of required
coursework, experiential opportunities or Field Labs (which include internships, service
learning, and formal leadership roles), plus elective coursework determined by the
student, and a capstone class that integrates the art and science of leadership. The
minor requires the completion of 15 units.
The research is clear that employers want students who can lead and work well with
others. In the Leadership Minor program, students explore a variety of leadership
theories and foster critical thinking related to leadership styles and practices.
Central to the minor is increasing students’ self-awareness through the exploration
of strengths, values, beliefs, culture, and identity. The curriculum considers ethical
approaches to leadership, relational leadership, and a social change perspective.
Course Requirements for the Leadership Minor
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InquireStudents engage the SCIENCE of leadership through sound theoretical exploration by critically examining the underpinnings of current leadership research. In collaboration with their instructors, students lay a foundation for understanding leadership and its application. Through the process of inquiry, the Leadership Minor fosters self-awareness and emotional intelligence and a corresponding awareness of others in order to promote effective engagement that transforms people, programs, and organizations. |
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ServeThe data are clear: employers want to hire college graduates who can lead others and work collaboratively as part of a team (National Association of Colleges and Employers). According to NACE (2016), leadership and teamwork are among the top two skills employers seek on a candidate’s resume. The ART and practice of leadership is explored through three modes of service that develop these critical skills:
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ExploreSDSU Leadership Minor students benefit from cross-discipline collaboration with peers and faculty from the College of Education, the College of Business Administration, the College of Engineering, and other academic departments. These schools and colleges collectively afford students the opportunity to choose courses that support their academic and professional pursuits; courses that prepare them to effectively lead in the workplace and in their communities. |
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IntegrateThe Capstone course, led by award-winning faculty, integrates the art and science of leadership and extends students’ understanding of leadership through the completion of an applied project. The focus of the Capstone is the interplay of current research on leadership along with the students’ experiences as leaders. One cornerstone of the Leadership Minor is praxis: connecting theory to practice. |
Meet with an Advisor
The minor in Leadership consists of 15 units (see course requirements). You must meet with the Leadership Minor Advisor to enroll in the minor.
We are located in Workstation #17 in Student Life & Leadership for advising. See the Peer Advisors tab for office hours.
Declaration of Minor
You may pick up a Declaration of Minor from the Registrar’s Office. The SIMS Minor Code for the Leadership Minor is 331907.
Faculty and Staff
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Dr. Lisa Gates, Ph.D.Director and Advisor for the SDSU Leadership Minor |
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Dr. Randall Timm, Ed.D.Dean of Students, Student Life & Leadership |
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Dr. Kara Bauer, Ed.D.Director, Residential Education |
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Erica Aros, M.Ed.Associate Director, Student Ability Success Center |
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Dr. Robyn Adams, Ph.D.Associate Director, Student Life & Leadership |
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Dr. Caren Sax, Ph.D.Professor and Chair, Department of Administration, Rehabilitation, and Postsecondary Education |
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Shareka White, M.A.Assistant Director, Educational Opportunity Programs & Ethnic Affairs |
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Chelsea Winer, M.A.Student Life Advisor, Student Life & Leadership |
Leadership Minor FAQs
The university will not allow “double dipping,” that is, having a course satisfy both a major and minor requirement. However, your upper division electives for the minor CAN count toward your upper division GE electives—this will save you time. Also, if you have taken a course/or wish to take one that is NOT on the approved list, and you believe that it could count toward your electives, please email the information below to Dr. Lisa Gates at [email protected] or deliver it to the ARPE Office Suite in EBA-246.
Please include:
- Your contact information (name, Red ID, email, phone number)
- A typewritten, well-reasoned rationale for why you believe the course should be approved as an elective (include the title of the course, the course number and the course description)
- A brief (1-2 paragraphs) description of how it relates to the Leadership Minor theories,
concepts, pathways, etc., the coursework required, and how many units it comprises.
What is Leadership to You?
Hear from Leadership Minor students what leadership means to them.
Leaders Abroad
Enhancing Your Leadership Development through the Study Abroad Experience
Study abroad can be one of the most beneficial experiences in a college student's career. Studying abroad teaches students to be independent in a way college does not. Whilst abroad, students learn to navigate new areas, currencies, and languages. In turn, this will develop their leadership skills.