Leadership, B.A.

Program Coordinator: Aaron Burgess, Ed.D.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The primary focus of the Bachelor of Arts in Leadership program is to provide students with opportunities to explore leadership careers in various organizations or advance within their current professional fields by examining effective leaders and leadership styles, as well as the process of guiding and inspiring a team, and then using what they have learned to recommend or apply appropriate ethical solutions in a variety of professional contexts. Through its emphasis on the interrelationship between leadership and ethical decision-making, appropriate application of personal power and influence, the social dynamics between leaders and followers, the importance of interpersonal and group dynamics, and effective communication strategies, the Bachelor of Arts in Leadership curriculum encourages students explore foundational leadership principles within the context of an informed Christian worldview and integrate key leadership principles and research at both the individual, group, and organizational level.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Arts in Leadership program, students should be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to succeed in a leadership position or to enter into graduate school;
• understand the framework under which leadership in various organizations operates, and embrace the opportunity to lead the organization in achieving its goals;
• think critically and articulate—in both oral and written form—a comprehensive knowledge of leadership issues, particularly from a Christian perspective and framework;
• explore relevant and critical questions concerning leadership, and meaningfully address such issues from a variety of perspectives;
• comprehend relevant theories, best practices, and structures, and practically apply such knowledge to contemporary leadership issues;
• understand the ethical implications of leading, and prepare to act with honesty and integrity as leaders who will become agents of positive change in organizations.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants to the Bachelor of Arts in Leadership program are selected on the basis of their academic background and professional experience. Admission requirements include the following:

• submission of official transcripts of all previous college or university courses completed to date;
• completion of at least 56 transferable credit hours from a regionally-accredited institution(s) of higher learning with a grade of C- or better for each course;
• an overall GPA of 2.00 or higher (on a 4.00 scale) for all previous college or university coursework completed to date (an applicant with a GPA less than 2.00 may apply for probationary admittance);
• completion of an online application and Registration Agreement Form.

Applicants from foreign countries and U.S. territories must also provide recent evidence of proficiency in English by: 1) scoring 80 or above on the Internet-based TOEFL with subscores in writing, reading, speaking and listening of at least 20; 2) scoring 550 or above on the written TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) with subscores in writing and reading of at least 50; or 3) scoring 6.0 or above on the IELTS (International English Language Testing System). All tests of English proficiency must have been taken in the last two years to be considered for acceptance.

College-level courses from regionally-accredited institutions will be evaluated for transfer credit; credit is granted only if applicable grades were obtained. Equivalence of course content and transfer credit is determined by the GPS Leadership Program Coordinator.

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts in Leadership program are also eligible to complete specializations that are offered as part of the Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Options include specializations in Finance, Human Resource Management, Management, and Marketing.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

The student must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours (with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00) including:

1. Successful completion of the GPS General Education Core (39 hours):
   • 15 credit hours in Arts and Humanities (Minimum of 3 credit hours in an English composition course with a research writing component; minimum of 3 credit hours in Bible/Theology)
   • 15 credit hours in Natural and Social Sciences, and Mathematics (Minimum of 3 credit hours in Mathematics; minimum of 3 credit hours in Social Science; and minimum of 3 credit hours in Natural Science with laboratory)
   • 9 credit hours in Liberal Arts electives
2. Completion of at least 30 credit hours of upper division course work (3000 level or higher);
3. Successful completion of the 40-credit hour Bachelor of Arts in Leadership curriculum with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50. A student who receives a grade below "C-" in any course that is part of the 40-credit hour curriculum will be required to repeat that course until a grade of "C-" or better is earned. All repeated coursework to replace grades of D+, D, F, W, or X is at the student's expense.