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FAQ

What is the Leadership Minor?

It’s an energizing 17-credit program that introduces students to leadership theories while also giving them hands-on community leadership experience. It consists of four core courses: Personal Leadership in the University, Leadership and your Community, the Field Experience, and Leadership in the World. You also get the chance to choose your own 5 credits of elective classes!

Do I have to be a leader to take the classes?

No. But, you are probably a leader in your own way and you don’t even know it yet! These classes will help you realize your own personal style of interacting with people as well as introduce to you new ways of thinking about social situations and leadership.

What major do I need to have to declare the Leadership Minor?

Any student in any school can take the Leadership Minor. It’s a perfect complement to a Computer Science degree, an Engineering degree, a Health Science degree or whatever else you’re interested in! Everybody has the potential to be a great leader and you will learn things in the Minor that will benefit you no matter what you do in life.

Is the workload difficult?

Two of the core minor classes meet the University’s writing intensive requirement, so a fair amount of writing is necessary. However, you will be writing about your own thoughts concerning discussion topics, so the content of your writing will be personalized and interesting. Like any other class, it’s what you make of it.

Are these classes different than other Undergraduate classes at the U? How?

Yes, especially with the cohort feeling and intimate nature of the courses. Instead of reading a book and taking a multiple choice test, you will learn through hands-on, in-class workshops and prove your knowledge through small group discussions and informal writings. Most classes are between 20 and 25 students, which means the professors actually know your name! These classes will change the way you think about the University of Minnesota, yourself, and leadership.

Why take the Leadership Minor when I can minor in Business Management?

Other minors may teach some of the same things as the Leadership Minor, but the lessons from the Leadership Minor will extend far beyond the scope of the working world and reach into every aspect of your life. It will change the way you think about multiculturalism, time management, public speaking, social change, ethics, and most of all – yourself and how you interact with others. The lessons you will learn from the Minor are irreplaceable and indispensable. Ultimately, you will learn how to be an engaged citizen in your multiple communities.

What if a course that I need is closed or won’t let me register for some reason?

If you would like to get into a course that is closed (during normal registration periods), you should contact the professor of the course directly and ask for a permission number or to be placed on the waiting list. If you are trying to register for a course that is open, but you are told you need a permission number, contact the professor of the course directly and ask for a permission number.

How long does it take to finish the Minor?

It takes four semesters to complete the minor -- one semester for each of the four core classes. The electives fit in at any point. (Note: You may only take one core Leadership Minor course per semester.)

Which electives are approved?

There is an extensive list of approved electives available to you by clicking on this link. Elective List - A hardcopy of this list is also available for your examination at the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership in 209 Appleby Hall.

If you have taken a course that is NOT on the approved list, but believe that it should count toward your electives, please send the following information to our office:

• A written justification for why you believe this should be approved as an elective (include the title of the course, the course number, a brief description of how it relates to the Leadership Minor topics, the course work it requires, and how many credits it is)
• A copy of the course syllabus

You may send hard copies to Leadership Minor Coordinator, 209 Appleby Hall

Or you may e-mail the materials to lead@umn.edu

How do I declare the Minor?

Getting started in the Minor is easy – just sign up for the 1000-level class either through EdPA or PA. When you are finished, sign up for the 3000-level class. Once you sign up for the Field Experience, your instructor will give you the necessary form to complete in order to declare the Leadership Minor on your record.

What is the Field Experience? What if it doesn’t fit into my schedule?

The field experience is a structured community immersion project that meets on Thursday mornings from 9:45 am to 12:00 pm at a community site in St. Paul. Students carpool together from the U to accommodate those students who don’t have a car. Within this experience, you take all of the theory and the skills you learned in the first two core classes and apply it to a real life setting by serving as a Public Achievement Coach for middle school and high school students. If you absolutely cannot make this class fit into your schedule, you may contact the Leadership Minor office to schedule an advising appointment (lead@umn.edu).

When are courses typically offered?

 

Class	Fall	Spring	Summer	Notes
EdPA 1301W/ PA 1961W	YES	YES	YES (on-line section only)	More sections offered in fall
EdPA 3302W/ PA 3961W	YES	YES	NO	More sections Offered in fall
Field Exp. EdPA 3402/ EdPA 3971/ POL 3210*	YES*	YES*	NO	Meets Thursdays 9:45-12:00 at St.Bernard’s in St. Paul in fall/sp
EdPA 4303W/ PA 4961W	YES	YES	NO	More sections Offered in fall