Leadership Studies

The new interdisciplinary minor in Leadership Studies is open to undergraduate students in every major in every school or college at Hofstra University. All the undergraduate schools and colleges – Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Frank G. Zarb School of Business, Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, Fred DeMatteis School of Engineering and Applied Science, and School of Health Sciences – provide elective classes as part of the menu of options for students pursuing this minor.

Our Leadership Studies minor prepares graduates to assume positions of leadership in fields as diverse as their own majors, backgrounds, and ambitions, by providing an integrated educational foundation, both theoretical and practical, for future leaders.

The minor in Leadership Studies is unique in its approach to leadership by combining the theory of leadership (in the courses you take) with the actual practice of leadership experiences on campus in student teams, clubs, and organizations and/or off campus in community programs, private sector jobs and internships, government agencies, and more. The program includes elective courses across all the schools and colleges at the University, and students can count up to 6 credits in the program toward their major or another minor.

The Leadership Studies minor requires students to engage in a leadership experience through Hofstra student clubs and organizations, athletic teams, and the ROTC, just to name a few examples. The Leadership Studies program director, Dr. Terri Shapiro, coordinates with partners in Student Leadership and Engagement (clubs and organizations), Athletics, and Military Science, among others, to ensure that each student has opportunities in an area of interest for these leadership experiences.

The capstone course is the culminating experience of the minor in which students reflect on the theory and experience of leadership. This course also provides students with the skills they need to articulate their leadership skills to enhance their job search and improve their “launch” into a career trajectory after graduation.

You can start taking courses toward the Leadership Studies minor this fall even if you are an incoming first-year or transfer student by signing up for PSY 003 (a course with no prerequisites) with Dr. Shapiro. This is the required introductory course. and you can decide if you want to continue with the minor after taking this first step.