Become an effective and ethical leader that creates positive change.
The Leadership Development degree will prepare you to address complex challenges and positively impact any organization. This unique program — the only 4-year degree in Rhode Island — will equip you with leadership skills regardless of your current professional level (early career or management) or your industry.
This program covers:
How to develop approaches for real-world problem solving
How to mobilize individuals and teams toward organizational goals
How to work effectively in diverse settings
How to reflect on moral and ethical leadership
How to utilize your existing workplace experiences for impact
You can further tailor your leadership skills to your own goals, with three elective courses in any of the following concentrations: Organizational Leadership, Global Leadership, or Civic Leadership.
Student-to-faculty ratio for a highly personalized program
47
Average transfer credits
LDR 101: Leadership Theory (3 credits) This course examines the development of leadership theory and practice from a contemporary and historical perspective. Emphasis is placed on new models of “adaptive” leadership emerging in 21st century work, community, and civic contexts. Students will develop a leadership learning plan to guide their study of leadership.
LDR 201: Leadership and Diversity (3 credits) The study of leadership within a multicultural, multiethnic, global context is the focus of this course. A special emphasis is placed on understanding issues of power, influence, and authority when diverse groups practice leadership in a global society.
LDR 300+ (3 credits of any elective at this level) For this course, you’ll choose from 300-level topics that suit your interest, including Leadership and Wellness, Practical Lessons in Leadership, Change Management, Leadership and Coaching, and more.
LDR 480: Leadership Development (3 credits) Through course readings and discussions, self-assessments, reflections, and other activities, students will develop an understanding of who they are now and who they wish to become as leaders. Based on these understandings, students will create a personal development plan to assist them in becoming ethical and effective leaders. Prerequisites: LDR 101 and 201
LDR 481: Leading Teams (3 credits) Students will develop the skills and lay the groundwork for the leadership project to be carried out in LDR 491 Leading Change, integrating leadership theory with practice. Students will learn project development and relationship building, while developing an understanding of systems thinking and the dynamics of organizational change. Prerequisite: LDR 480
LDR Concentration Courses (9 credits) You can further tailor your leadership skills to your own goals by creating a three-course concentration in any related field. Some examples are accounting, biology, communication, fire sciences, legal studies, or management. Speak with an adviser for details.
LDR 491: Capstone – Leading Change (3 credits) This capstone course enables students to produce a substantial leadership project that involves mobilizing others to create change. A thesis may substitute for an organizing project.
The Leadership Development program begins with the premise that anyone—at any level—can be a leader. While focusing on learning the skills of an effective leader, you will also learn how to apply these skills in a wide range of settings, particularly your own. You’ll become more effective in your current role and more ‘marketable’ and better prepared to advance in your career—no matter what direction.
Develop their leadership knowledge, skills and abilities and increase their self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Develop their ability to effectively relate with and lead team members of diverse backgrounds
Develop the ability to reflect on and learn from their own experiences to allow them to continuously develop as leaders
Develop their ability to engage in ethical and values-based reasoning
Develop critical and analytical thinking to allow them to engage in sound decision- making
Elsa Campos is Growing Her Career Thanks to This Under-Used Employer Benefit
Just a couple of years out from earning a bachelor’s in Leadership Development at Providence College School of Continuing Education (PCSCE), Elsa Campos has received several promotions along with a team of four to manage, and is in line to become a department head at Farmers Insurance. Her success is owing to her drive and effort to go back to school. But it may never have even been possible if she hadn’t taken advantage of a valuable yet under-utilized employer benefit.
How A Failed Startup Led to a New Path Forward for Coast Guard Veteran
“I think we’re all still trying to figure out what we want to be when we grow up. But in my experience, after opening a company of my own and failing, a lot of my downfalls had to do with an arrogant mindset — that because I was successful doing this before, I can make other people successful doing it, too.”
In this video, Michael Vendetti describes how PCSCE’s leadership program shaped his perspective of what it means to be a leader and how it has contributed to his career growth as the director of property, safety, and security for Collette travel services.
In this video, Professor Sarah Graumann describes key themes of the Leading Teams (LDR 481) course and the growing importance of teamwork in the workplace, especially during a pandemic, during a live interview with GoLocalProv.
Accelerating Your Career and Leadership Development
In this video, Program Coordinator Dr. Matthew Eriksen describes how the program supports career development and strives to help students dually achieve peak professional performance and personal fulfillment during a live interview with GoLocalProv.
Faculty
Here we spotlight a few of the faculty contributing to this program.
Professor Matthew Eriksen, Ph.D. Dr. Eriksen chairs PC’s Department of Management and is the Director of the PC Leadership Fellows. He teacher LDR courses including Leader Development, Leadership and Wellness, Managing Peak Performance, and the Capstone course.
Professor Sean Kenny Professor Kenny offers more than 25 years of experience coaching work teams in the medical device, pharmaceutical, nonprofit, and retail sectors. He teaches LDR 101 (Leadership Development and Theory).
Professor Kirtley Fisher Professor Fisher has worked in leadership roles in the United States Congress and the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. She teaches LDR 201 (Leadership and Diversity).
Connect With Us
Ready to take the first step? Our advisers will help you create a personalized education plan. This includes guidance on the number of credits you can transfer as well as financial aid.
