Leadership and Professional Development (BS)

The University's online bachelor of science in leadership and professional development is designed for individuals who have earned 75 or more undergraduate credits and now wish to complete a bachelor's degree. This program is ideal for working adults who need a flexible, fast-paced, online degree program that recognizes their prior education and work experience.

Coursework includes a required Leadership and Professional Development Core that emphasizes transferable leadership skills such as communication, problem-solving, and motivating others. The Core courses are combined with an Advisor-Approved Track and a limited number of ISU signature courses in our Foundational Studies (General Studies) Program.

The Advisor-Approved Track enables student to tailor the program to meet their particular career goals—and engage in individualized professional development while enhancing teamwork, collaboration, and community-building skills.  We are continuing to develop tracks to serve student needs. Current tracks include the following.

• The Open Track offers students the flexibility to build an individualized plan by combining a minor, a certificate, and/or electives. Students work with an advisor to tailor their coursework based on their prior educational background, work experience, and career goals. For details, see Leadership and Professional Development: Open Track.
• The Caregiving Track includes completion of the gerontology certificate plus directed electives chosen in conjunction with an advisor.
• The Educational Entrepreneurship Track includes completion of the early childhood minor and either the entrepreneurship minor or the business administration minor.

The University aims to offer this online program with the greatest consideration for flexibility and cost. The Core is offered in fast-paced, 8-week semesters, while most other courses are offered in a blend of both 8-week and 16-week semesters. The Core will use open education resources where possible to minimize the costs of textbooks.

Important: The Leadership and Professional Development BS is an online program designed for individuals who have completed 75 or more undergraduate credits and meet other eligibility requirements. For important information, including admission requirements, visit Leadership and Professional Development on the Indiana State Online website.