Overview
Leadership Capstone Seminar serves as the culminating experience in the Leadership Studies Certificate program, bringing together everything students have learned about leadership theory, context, and application. In this advanced, practice-oriented seminar, students apply their leadership knowledge to authentic challenges that reflect the complexity of real-world environments.
The course centers on a major applied project, professional portfolio, and a concise leadership “elevator pitch” — all designed to demonstrate each student’s growth and readiness to lead with awareness, integrity, and strategic focus. Through these experiences, learners connect classroom knowledge to practice, integrating insight from their academic, co-curricular, and professional journeys.
Students engage deeply with the dynamics of ethical leadership, systems thinking, and adaptive change. They examine how contextual factors and organizational environments influence outcomes, exploring how effective leaders navigate uncertainty while fostering collaboration and resilience.
By the end of the course, students articulate a personal leadership philosophy, showcase their accomplishments through a polished portfolio, and demonstrate their ability to think critically, communicate effectively, and act purposefully in a variety of settings. The capstone experience provides a bridge from theory to professional application — preparing certificate graduates to lead confidently and responsibly in an evolving world.
3 credits
Prerequisites: LDST 3010 and LDST 3220
Catalog description
Culminating experience in the Leadership Studies Certificate program emphasizing applied leadership, integration, and reflection. Through a major project, portfolio, and professional presentation, students demonstrate readiness to lead ethically, strategically, and adaptively across diverse environments.
Typically Offered: Spring