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Bachelor of Science-Leadership
Lead Self. Lead Others. Inspire Change.
Studying leadership isn't just about gaining knowledge, it's about embarking on a transformative journey that's crucial for your personal and professional development. A degree in leadership from A&M-Texarkana will help you dive deep into the nuances of leadership, develop your ability to influence others and build a robust set of skills that will serve you well in any organizational setting.
In today's competitive job market, employers place a premium on leadership skills. Equipping yourself with a Bachelor of Science with a major in Leadership from A&M-Texarkana will provide you with expertise that is highly sought after across various industries. Whether your ambition is to lead teams, launch your own startup, or drive change within established organizations, a leadership degree will prepare you to tackle the challenges of our ever-evolving world head-on. Position yourself as a competent and adaptable leader, ready to make a positive impact wherever you go.
Formerly the Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS), the leadership program is nationally recognized as one of the most innovative programs for adult learners and is designed for highly skilled adults seeking a bachelor's degree who also want to learn to lead themselves and others. The 120-hour degree provides an expedited path to degree completion by recognizing and credentialing personal learning acquired outside the classroom. The process through which personal learning articulates to college credit is called Prior Learning Assessment (PLA), and the learning assessed is the type people acquire in their work, military service, technical degree programs, and/or other professional development programs and opportunities. By accepting the following forms of nontraditional/occupational education, the leadership program supports and facilitates educational access for post-traditional students:
- Applied Associate Degrees: Transferred in total as a block of lower division elective credit.
- Credit for vocational courses, only if it has been converted to academic credit by the regionally accredited community college awarding the credit.
- Prior Experiential Learning from Work/Life (also known as Prior Learning Assessment PLA); Three to 24 semester credit hours may be awarded for demonstrating collegiate-level learning acquired through occupations or community involvement. A portfolio is used as the primary method to document this type of learning; the portfolio is leveled in conjunction with LEAD 395 Inductive Learning: Prior Learning Assessment Theory and Practice. To qualify for this feature of the program, a student must have five years of post-secondary work experience and at least one year in a particular job or career in which collegiate-level skills and knowledge were obtained. Credit for this category of learning is awarded as a “block” of semester credit hours, with the level of credit determined by the number of experiential learning cycles demonstrated per domain of knowledge represented in the portfolio of learning. No tuition fees are charged for experiential learning credit; however, regular tuition and fees are charged for LEAD 395, and students pay a fee for the evaluation of the portfolio. Portfolios are evaluated by external assessors who have attained the following:
- Master’s degree in one of the following areas:
- Adult Education
- Adult and Higher Education
- Closely related graduate-level degree
- with an earned BAAS or other degree including PLA development
- and/or be a practitioner in workforce development
- Not be affiliated with the instruction or direction of portfolio development at Texas A&M University-Texarkana
- Portfolio assessment training
- Master’s degree in one of the following areas:
Students may also attain credit through the following prior learning options:
- Military Credit (DANTES) – formal training and coursework completed during service in the armed forces. To determine eligibility for this credit, students must provide a DD214, disability-discharge documentation, and a high-school transcript to the Registrar’s Office. To receive credit, students who served in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard (Active Duty, Reserve or National Guard) should submit a Joint Service Transcript (JST). Students who served in the Air Force (Active Duty, Reserve or National Guard) should submit a Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcript.
- Non-Collegiate Sponsored Instruction – Students may apply for up to 30 SCH of credit for formal training sponsored by an employer or other organization if the training was at least 40 clock hours in length, documentation is presented, and the student can demonstrate an appropriate level of understanding and application of the knowledge by writing about the course/training; this type of knowledge is included as part of a PLA portfolio. The portfolio process is explained in LEAD 395 Inductive Learning: Prior Learning Assessment Theory and Practice.
- Credit by Exam and Correspondence: Students may earn a maximum of 18SCH through examination or correspondence courses taken at accredited institutions. Lower and upper division credit can be obtained through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or Advanced Placement (AP) exams. All alternative coursework must be approved by the director of the leadership program prior to registering for exams or correspondence courses.
In addition to using the above forms of nontraditional/occupational learning to facilitate an expedited path to degree completion, the degree in leadership offers an opportunity to strengthen professional knowledge and skills within a chosen field of practice. Areas of study include:
- Behavioral Sciences
- Computer Technology
- Criminal Justice
- English
- History
- Instructional Technology (online program)
- Liberal Arts
- Mass Communications
- Organizational Leadership (online program)
- Political Science
- Sociology
PREREQUISITES FOR PROGRAM ADMISSION
- A minimum of 5 years post-secondary work experience that can be documented
- and/or an earned AAS/AAA/AAT from a regionally accredited institution.
For more information:
Program Advisor: Daisy Bates (dbates@tamut.edu)
Faculty, Program Director: Rachael Cherry (rcherry@tamut.edu)
Bachelor of Science in Leadership
Degree Requirements
Students should refer to their DegreeWorks degree audit in their Web for Students account for more information regarding their degree requirements.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| General Education Requirements | 42 | |
| BAAS Core Courses | ||
| All courses in Major must be completed with a grade of "C" or better unless otherwise noted | ||
| LEAD 301 | The Adult Learner and Self-Development | 3 |
| LEAD 395 | Inductive Learning: Prior Learning Assessment Theory and Practice | 3 |
| ENG 340 | Advanced Expository Writing (EL) 1 | 3 |
| or ENG 345 | Advanced Composition for Educators | |
| or ENG 350 | Advanced Technical Writing | |
| ITED 350 | Technology and Digital Literacy | 3 |
| LEAD 415 | Organization Development and Change | 3 |
| LEAD 495 | Deductive Learning: Self-development in Professional Contexts | 3 |
| Upper Division Prior Learning Assessment Credit and/or Program approved Electives | 6 | |
| 3sch Upper Division Electives | 3 | |
| Professional Development Complement | 18 | |
| All courses in Complement must be completed with a grade of "C" or better | ||
| Electives: including transfer credit, Prior Learning Assessment Credit and/or electives (As needed to meet minimum degree requirements including 45 SCH of upper division coursework) | 33 | |
| Minimum Hours for Degree | 120 | |
- 1
- 2
Prerequisite: LEAD 301 and ENG 340 or ENG 350 with a 'C' or higher
- 3
Final semester/prerequisites: Final semester and LEAD 395 with a 'C' or higher
NOTE: A minimum of 45 upper division hours are required for this degree. Resident credit totaling 25% of the hours is required for the degree.
BS in Leadership Complements
Complements contain a minimum of 18 semester credit hours
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All courses in Complements must be completed with a grade of 'C' or better | ||
| Behavioral Sciences Complement | ||
| A minimum of 18 upper-division (300-400 level) semester credit hours from Criminal Justice, Psychology, and/or Sociology | ||
| Computer Technology Complement | ||
| A minimum of 18 upper-division semester credit hours approved by the BAAS Coordinator from the following courses: | ||
| Analysis of Algorithms | ||
| Systems Design & Software Engineering | ||
| Operating Systems | ||
| Computer Networks | ||
| Project Management | ||
| Essentials of Management Information Systems | ||
| Introduction to Instructional Technology | ||
| Technology and Digital Literacy | ||
| Instructional Video Development | ||
| Digital Citizenship, Ethics and Critical Media Evaluation | ||
| Website Design and ePortfolio Development | ||
| Management and Development of Instructional Technology Projects | ||
| Other courses at 300/400 level may be substituted with advisor approval, with a limitation of 9 semester credit hours in Management Information Systems (MIS). | ||
| Criminal Justice Complement | ||
| A minimum of 18 upper-division (300-400 level) semester credit hours from Criminal Justice | ||
| English Complement | ||
| A minimum of 18 upper-division (300-400 level) semester credit hours from English | ||
| History Complement | ||
| A minimum of 18 upper-division (300-400 level) semester credit hours from History | ||
| Instructional Technology Complement | ||
| A minimum of 18 upper-division (300-400 level)semester credit hours from Instructional Technology | ||
| Liberal Arts Complement | ||
| A minimum of 18 upper-division (300-400 level)semseter credit hours from the following: | ||
Criminal Justice | ||
Education (up to 12sch) 9 | ||
English | ||
Fine Arts (Art, Drama, Music) | ||
Geography | ||
History | ||
Instructional Technology | ||
Interdisciplinary Studies | ||
Journalism | ||
Kinesiology | ||
Leadership | ||
Mass Communications | ||
Math | ||
Political Science | ||
Psychology | ||
Science 10 | ||
Sociology | ||
Social Work | ||
Spanish | ||
| Mass Communications Complement | ||
| A minimum of 18 upper-division (300-400 level) semester credit hours as listed: | ||
| Select 2 courses from the following (6sch): | ||
| Mass Communication Theory | ||
| Media Law and Ethics | ||
| Mass Communication Research Methods | ||
| Select 4 upper division Mass-Communication courses (12sch) MCOM 300-400 level | ||
| Organizational Leadership Complement | ||
| A minimum of 18 upper-division (300-400 level) semester credit hours as listed: | ||
| Introduction to Leadership: Concepts and Practices | ||
| Leadership Theory and Practice | ||
| Community Leadership | ||
or LEAD 450 | Team Leadership (EL) | |
| Additional 9 hours from the following: | ||
Up to 9 upper-division semester credit hours in LEAD electives | ||
Up to 9 upper-division semester credit hours from College of Business, Engineering & Technology | ||
Upper-division PSCI elective | ||
| Political Science Complement | ||
| A minimum of 18 upper-division (300-400 level) semester credit hours from Political Science | ||
| Sociology Complement | ||
| A minimum of 18 Upper-division (300-400 level) semester credit hours from Sociology and/or Social Work | ||
- 9
Up to 12 semester credit hours as approved by BAAS Coordinator. Includes: Reading, Early Childhood Education, Special Education, and Bilingual Education.
- 10
Includes Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
NOTE: Bachelor's degree graduation requirements include these minimums: 45 upper-division hours and resident credit totaling 25% of the hours required for the degree, a minimum GPA of 2.0 in 3 areas: Overall GPA, Major GPA & TAMUT (Institutional) GPA
Bachelor of Science in Leadership
4 Year Plan
Students should refer to their DegreeWorks degree audit in their Web for Students account for more information regarding their degree requirements.
First Year
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Semester Credit Hours | |
| ENGL 1301 | Composition I requires minimum grade of 'C', Satisfies Core Curriculum | 3 |
| HIST 1301 | United States History I Satisfies Core Curriculum | 3 |
| Life and Physical Sciences Core Curriculum Requirement | 3-4 | |
| Mathematics Core Curriculum Requirement | 3 | |
| Elective - Upper or Lower Division as needed to meet upper division and overall requirement | 3 | |
| IS 1100 | University Foundations mandatory for FTIC students only | 1 |
| Fall Total Semester Credit Hours | 15-16 | |
| Spring | Semester Credit Hours | |
| ENGL 1302 | Composition II Satisfies Core Curriculum | 3 |
| or ENGL 2311 | Technical Writing & Communication | |
| HIST 1302 | United States History II Satisfies Core Curriculum | 3 |
| Life and Physical Sciences Core Curriculum Requirement | 3-4 | |
| Creative Arts Core Curriculum Requirement | 3 | |
| Elective - Upper or Lower Division as needed to meet upper division and overall requirement | ||
| Spring Total Semester Credit Hours | 15-16 | |
| Total First Year Semester Credit Hours | 30-32 | |
Second Year
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Semester Credit Hours | |
| SPCH 1315 | Public Speaking Satisfies Core Curriculum | 3 |
| or COMM 1307 | Introduction to Mass Communication | |
| PSCI 2305 | U.S. Government and Politics | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Science Core Curriculum Requirement | 3 | |
| Elective - Upper or Lower Division as needed to meet upper division and overall requirement | 3 | |
| Elective - Upper or Lower Division as needed to meet upper division and overall requirement | 3 | |
| Fall Total Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | Semester Credit Hours | |
| PSCI 2306 | State and Local Government | 3 |
| Language, Philosophy and Culture Core Curriculum Requirement | 3 | |
| Component Area Option B of the Core Curriculum | 3 | |
| Elective - Upper or Lower Division as needed to meet upper division and overall requirement | 3 | |
| Elective - Upper or Lower Division as needed to meet upper division and overall requirement | 3 | |
| Spring Total Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Second Year Semester Credit Hours | 30 | |
Third Year
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Semester Credit Hours | |
| LEAD 301 | The Adult Learner and Self-Development | 3 |
| ITED 350 | Technology and Digital Literacy requires minimum grade of 'C' | 3 |
| LEAD 395 | Inductive Learning: Prior Learning Assessment Theory and Practice | 3 |
| Professional Development Complement Upper Division Course requires minimum grade of 'C' | 3 | |
| Elective or Prior Learning Assessment- Upper or Lower Division as needed to meet upper division and overall requirement | 3 | |
| Fall Total Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | Semester Credit Hours | |
| Select one of the following courses: requires minimum grade of 'C' | 3 | |
| Advanced Expository Writing (EL) | ||
| Advanced Composition for Educators (for ACP students only) | ||
| Advanced Technical Writing | ||
| Professional Development Complement Upper Division Course requires minimum grade of 'C' | 3 | |
| Elective or Prior Learning Assessment- Upper or Lower Division as needed to meet upper division and overall requirement | 3 | |
| Prior Learning Assessment - Upper Division Portfolio Credit | 6 | |
| Spring Total Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Third Year Semester Credit Hours | 30 | |
Fourth Year
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Semester Credit Hours | |
| LEAD 415 | Organization Development and Change requires minimum grade of 'C' | 3 |
| Professional Development Complement Upper Division Course requires minimum grade of 'C' | 3 | |
| Professional Development Complement Upper Division Course requires minimum grade of 'C' | 3 | |
| Upper Division Elective or Prior Learning Assessment | 3 | |
| Elective or Prior Learning Assessment- Upper or Lower Division as needed to meet upper division and overall requirement | 3 | |
| Fall Total Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | Semester Credit Hours | |
| LEAD 495 | Deductive Learning: Self-development in Professional Contexts | 3 |
| Professional Development Complement Upper Division Course requires minimum grade of 'C' | 3 | |
| Professional Development Complement Upper Division Course requires minimum grade of 'C' | 3 | |
| Elective or Prior Learning Assessment - Upper or Lower Division as needed to meet upper division and overall requirement | 3 | |
| Elective or Prior Learning Assessment - Upper or Lower Division as needed to meet upper division and overall requirement | 3 | |
| Spring Total Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Fourth Year Semester Credit Hours | 30 | |
| Total Minimum Semester Credit Hours Required for Degree | 120 | |
NOTE: All courses in Major and Complement must be completed with a grade of 'C' or better unless otherwise noted.
NOTE: Bachelor's degree graduation requirements include these minimums: 45 upper-division hours and resident credit totaling 25% of the hours required for the degree.
