The Certificate of Leadership (COL) is an embedded certificate, meaning that it allows students to earn an additional certification while completing coursework required for the declared undergraduate degree
Undergraduate students in any program of study may declare the intention to pursue the Certificate of Leadership. Students may seek entry into the program by enrolling in the foundational LDRS 2000 course or speaking with an academic advisor. Interested students should complete the Student Record Update form and submit this to the COL office in University Hall or email to COL@augusta.edu.
Although the full certificate requirements may be completed in less than one year, it is ideal that students enroll in the foundational course during the second semester of the freshman year or during the sophomore year. Full requirements are described below.
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There are four steps associated with the Certificate of Leadership: one foundational course, two bridge courses, an experience in leadership, and a capstone course. Each step is explained below. The Certificate of Leadership requires 9-12 hours of approved course work with a C or better.
The Foundational Course is a 3-credit, introductory education to leadership, ethics, and professional behavior. The foundation introduces the concepts and relationships among leadership, engagement, and professionalism through readings, experiences, and assignments. This step is required for students pursuing the COL and counts as a free elective for all majors. Course options include LDRS 2000, MILS 2011 or MILS 2021.
Bridge Courses are value-added courses which incorporate leadership competencies. These courses are offered throughout the curriculum and may also satisfy requirements for the student’s major or minor. These courses foster student leadership and professional development within the particular field by allowing a student to practice and build upon his or her leadership skills and philosophy. In the context of discipline specific courses, students will have opportunities to engage in public speaking, team building, course organization or assistance and other types of experiences wherein students learn by doing. All Bridge courses can be identified in the Course Schedule through the attribute ”COL” indicating that the course may be applied to the COL. Note that if the Bridge course includes direct leadership experience of at least 120 hours, this will satisfy #3 Primary Leader Experience. See the Track Sheet for Bridge course options.
Students must take on the role of sole or primary leader in a class or community project requiring a minimum of 120 hours. This experience should allow the student to engage directly in a leadership experience and enact the foundation skills and theories learned thus far. Bridge courses that include 120 of direct leadership experience satisfy this requirement. All experiences must be approved by the COL Program Director.
The last step of the certificate is the Leadership Capstone Course, LDRS 4999. Each student will cap off the certificate with LDRS 4999 (0 cr) for which s/he will give an oral or written presentation about the leadership experiences and skills they have learned. This course will also provide post-program assessments and guidance on graduation with the certificate. Spring only.
Program Requirement 9-12 credits: |
Foundation (3 cr) |
Bridge 1 (0-3 cr) |
Bridge 2 (0-3 cr) |
Primary Leader Experience (120 Hours; 0-3 cr) |
Capstone in Leadership (0 cr) |
Course: |
LDRS 2000Introduction to Leadership and Professionalism or other MILS options |
See options on Track Sheet |
See options on Track Sheet |
See options on Track Sheet |
LDRS 4999Capstone Seminar in Leadership |
Recommended Semester: |
After prerequisites (COMM1110/COMS 1100 and ENGL 1101) |
Any |
Any |
Any |
Spring only, Senior year |
Program Requirement 9-12 credits: |
Foundation (3 cr) |
Bridge 1 (0-3 cr) |
Bridge 2 (0-3 cr) |
Primary Leader Experience (120 Hours; 0-3 cr) |
Capstone in Leadership (0 cr) |
Course: |
LDRS 2000Introduction to Leadership and Professionalism or other MILS options |
LDRS 3000 (OL) Experience in Leadership |
See options on Track Sheet |
See options on Track Sheet.LEAD Orientation Leaders take LDRS 4960 Internship in Leadership |
LDRS 4999Capstone Seminar in Leadership |
Recommended Semester: |
After prerequisites (COMM1110/COMS 1100 and ENGL 1101) |
Spring |
Any |
Summer |
Spring only, Senior year |
Program Requirement: 9-12 credits |
Foundation (3 cr) |
Bridge 1 (0-3 cr) |
Bridge 2 (0-3 cr) |
Primary Leader Experience (120 Hours; 0-3 cr) |
Capstone in Leadership (0 cr) |
Course: |
LDRS 2000 (MP)Introduction to Leadership and Professionalism (MP Section) |
LDRS 3000 (MP) Experience in Leadership |
See options on Track Sheet |
See options on Track Sheet |
LDRS 4999Capstone Seminar in Leadership |
Recommended Semester: |
Spring |
Spring, Term 2 |
Any |
Any |
Spring only, Senior year |
Program Requirement: 9-12 credits |
Foundation(3 cr) |
Bridge Course 1(2 cr) |
Bridge Course 2(0-3 cr) |
120 Hours of Leadership Experience * (may be accomplished through B1 or B2)(0-3 cr) |
Capstone(0 cr) |
Military Science/ ROTC |
MILS 2011, Individual Leadership Studies, OR MILS 2021, Leadership and Teamwork |
MILS 3021 Leadership and Ethics |
MILS 3011 Leadership and Problem Solving |
MILS 4011 Leadership Management or MILS 4060 Leadership Development and Assessment |
LDRS 4999Capstone Seminar in Leadership |
Recommended Semester: |
SO |
JR |
JR |
SR |
SR Spring |
Program Requirement: 9-12 credits |
Foundation(3 cr) |
Bridge Course 1(2 cr) |
Bridge Course 2(0-3 cr) |
120 Hours of Leadership Experience * (may be accomplished through B1 or B2) (0-3 cr) |
Capstone(0 cr) |
Nursing Majors |
LDRS 2000Introduction to Leadership and Professionalism or other MILS options (3 credits) |
NURS 3802 Introduction to Nursing Practice (up to 3 of 7 credits) |
NURS 4803 Leadership, Management, and Contemporary Nursing Topics (3 cr) or PSYC 2150 Introduction to Human Diversity (3 cr) |
NURS 4806 Transition to Professional Nursing Practice (up to 3 credits) |
LDRS 4999Capstone Seminar in Leadership (0 cr) |
Recommended Semester: |
SO |
Any |
Any |
SR Spring |
SR Spring |
Requirement |
Intro(1) |
Foundation(3 cr) |
Bridge Course 1(3 cr) |
Bridge Course 2(0-3 cr) |
120 Hours of Leadership Experience (0-3 cr) (may be accomplished through B1 or B2) |
Capstone(0 cr) |
Courses |
INQR 1000 Intro to Entrepreneurship and Innovation |
LDRS 2000 (ENTR) Introduction to Leadership and Professionalism |
LDRS 3000 HS Pitch Competition |
Art 4550 Design Thinking |
LDRS 4960 Innovate Competition |
LDRS 4999Capstone Seminar in Leadership |
Recommended Semester: |
FR Fall |
FR Spring |
SO Fall |
Any |
JR/SR Spring |
SR Spring |
Upon graduation students who successfully complete all of the requirements listed above will be awarded the Certificate of Leadership and an honor cord in addition to the baccalaureate degree. The student’s official academic transcript will also indicate completion of the Certificate.