​Minor in Professional Teamwork and Leadership

Unique Minor—Available Only at IUP

We're the first in the country to offer a professional teamwork and leadership minor, but we didn't create it so we would stand out. We created it so you would.

Other job candidates might claim they have teamwork and leadership skills.

You can prove it.

Start Early and Take Only a Few Extra Classes

Many classes you already need to take for your degree also count toward the minor. If you start the minor your freshman year and choose the right liberal studies (general education) classes, you might only need 2-4 additional classes.

Three Pathways—Designed to Increase Your Career Opportunities

We’ve designed our program with three professional pathways to make the material apply to your career.

Choose the path that’s right for you:

1. Applications of Teamwork and Leadership

• For most students—such as aspiring scientists, teachers, heath and human services professionals, and more
  
• Apply what you learn about teams and leadership to your field and solve real-world problems in this hands-on, applied pathway of the minor. Of the three options, this applied format offers the most opportunities to practice skills.
  

2. Business Leadership Theory

• For all business majors
• In this case-study-based pathway, you'll explore theories, motivation of teams, corporate social responsibility, commercial sustainability, regional and global marketplaces, and corporate ethics—all from a team and leadership perspective.
  

3. Community and Civic Leadership Theory

• For students interested in careers in civic and community settings
  
• Learn team and leadership strategies in this case-study-based pathway, which covers motivating volunteers, building relationships with government agencies and community groups, planning and delivering services, and collaborating.

Skillful Team Players Create Positive Outcomes

Do you like group projects? Until now, you may never have experienced a project that required true teamwork. You don't know how great it can be. Real-world projects require different disciplines to communicate shared ideas, but that's just the beginning. There are many factors that lead to successful team projects.

Our professors help you navigate the difference between group work and teamwork. They'll teach you the underlying skills you'll need for successful communication. More importantly, they'll give you opportunities to learn when and how to apply them.

Courses Needed for the Minor

All three pathways require the following core courses. See the Undergraduate Catalog for course descriptions (PDF).

• LDSP 361: Introduction to Leadership (3 credits)
  
• SOC 161: Foundations of Sociology: Social Relations in Groups and Organizations (3 credits)
  
• THTR 161: Introduction to Theater: Interpersonal Practices (3 credits)
  
•   LDSP 461: Leadership Capstone (1 credit) 

You'll cover the remaining 8-10 credits of the minor with requirements outlined by the pathway you choose.

1. Applications of Teamwork and Leadership

• COMM 261: Teamwork and Communication Skills for College and Career or JRNL 361 Presentation Making (3 credits)
  
• A teamwork intensive course: BCOM 321, CHEM 326, CHEM 481, FDNT 355, FDNT 415, GEOG 440, GEOS 356, PSYC 350, THTR 281 — At least one course from the pathway is required to be a 300-level or 400-level class. If possible, take an in-major, teamwork-intensive course or elective. Be sure the section chosen has the teamwork-intensive designation. (3-4 credits)
  
• 1-3 credits from the following: LDSP 482, PHIL 122, independent study, honors thesis, or undergraduate research

2. Business Leadership Theory

• BCOM 321: Business and Interpersonal Communications (3 credits)
• MGMT 461: Business Leadership Theory (3 credits)
• 3 credits from the following: MGMT 311, 432, or 462

3. Community and Civic Leadership Theory

• COMM 261: Teamwork and Communication Skills for College and Career or JRNL 361 Presentation Making (3 credits)
• PLSC370: The Practice of Public Administration or PSYC 390 Industrial-Organization Psychology (3 credits)
• 2-3 credits from the following: LDSP 482, PHIL 122, or SOC 345 (3 credits)
  

How Honors College Core Classes Fit the Minor

Courses in the Minor that Also Count as Other Degree Requirements

Choose your classes carefully, and many classes required for the minor can also fill requirements for your degree—plan ahead and you can count classes twice! The chart below outlines how it works. If you’re not sure how your schedule fits the minor, contact the co-director of Team and Leadership Studies, Professor Justin Fair, who can advise you.