Leadership Studies Certificate
Learn to lead and make change
Through K-State's leadership studies certificate, our innovative faculty will challenge you to exercise leadership in the moment. You will not find a typical classroom experience. Instead, you will build confidence in your ability to create change and inspire diverse groups of people to work together for a common good.
With smart planning, you can often achieve the certificate through courses already required by your academic major, resulting in very little additional investment.
Check out course descriptions below. Download, save and print a .JPG of our handout: Front | Back
LEAD 212: Introduction to Leadership Concepts (or LEAD 251 for Honors) | 3 credit hours
Work to understand leadership competences, theories and frameworks to further your self-awareness, values and purpose. We will engage in a collaborative learning community to exercise socially-responsible leadership. This course fulfills 3 credit hours of the K-State Core requirement: Social and Behavioral Sciences. Learn more about K-State core here.
LEAD 350: Culture and Context in Leadership | 3 credit hours
This course helps you explore how social change happens in complex systems (or organizations), and how culture, power, and social norms shape that change. You'll take time to reflect on your own personal values, and think about how your experiences have shaped how you see the world. You will also learn about the value of bringing together people from many different perspectives and backgrounds to make progress on leadership challenges. By understanding the influence of culture and context on leadership, you will be better prepared to lead in ways that are informed, ethical, and oriented to the common good.
LEAD 350 also offers a study abroad option in Orvieto, Italy. Learn more.
LEAD 405: Leadership in Practice | 3 credit hours
Through practice, we will work to understand the process of facilitating change in self, others and systems. You will develop the capacity to exercise leadership to make progress on personal and community issues.
LEAD 450: Capstone in Leadership Studies | 3 credit hours
In this capstone course, you will integrate and apply learning from the minor within your major area of study; how will you make ethical decisions every day in your personal and professional life? We will focus on personal values and current events, analyzing them through the lens of ethical dimensions of leadership.
Elective courses | 3 credit hours
In addition to the four courses above, select a minimum of three credit hours from a list of elective courses that complement your academic major.
Visit our frequently asked questions page to learn more about the requirements and declaring the certificate.
Current students
If you have questions about the certificate or coursework, visit our advising help page for more information. You can also set up an appointment with a Staley School advisor by calling our main office at 785-532-6085 or emailing leadership@k-state.edu.
Prospective students
If you're interested in visiting with the Staley School of Leadership, check out our Leadership Experience Days at this link. To schedule a campus visit, learn more on the Office of Recruitment and Admissions website at this link.
K-State accepts leadership coursework as equivalent credit for leadership classes.
- Most introduction to leadership (200, 212, 213) courses are accepted for Transfer Equivalency.
- Other leadership courses can be evaluated and applied as credit toward a leadership credential (the leadership studies certificate, the nonprofit leadership certificate, etc.).
Visit the K-State Transfer Equivalency website for details, or email leadership@ksu.edu for questions.
Work With Others
Learn how to work with groups of people to make progress on issues you care about most.
Staley School of Leadership
252 Leadership Studies Building
1300 Mid-Campus Dr. N.
Manhattan, KS 66506
785-532-6085
leadership@ksu.edu