This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2024-2025 VCU Bulletin. We may add courses that expose our students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning. We may also add content to the general education program that focuses on racial literacy and a racial literacy graduation requirement, and may receive notification of additional program approvals after the launch. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.

LDRS 200. Profiles in Leadership. 1 Hour.

Semester course; 1 lecture hour. 1 credit. Restricted to students in the Emerging Leaders Program or an approved program-in-residence. This seminar will introduce students to leadership by exploring a variety of historical and contemporary leaders and discussing the impact of their leadership on the world. Students will also discuss the ways in which their own leadership development can contribute to their success both in the classroom and in their communities.

LDRS 201. Leadership Identity. 1 Hour.

Semester course; 1 lecture hour. 1 credit. Course restricted to students enrolled in VCU LEAD. This seminar will expose students to foundational principles of the leadership phenomenon, explore the role of the leader in the leadership process and promote self-understanding and leadership efficacy. Students will learn the ways in which leadership identity is developed and will discover and reflect upon their own leadership identity.

LDRS 202. Leadership Context. 1 Hour.

Semester course; 1 lecture hour. 1 credit. Prerequisite: LDRS 201. This seminar will provide an overview of the different contexts in which leadership occurs. Students will examine leadership pathways that are available through the VCU LEAD program and choose a pathway for in-depth exploration.

LDRS 301. Leadership Engagement. 1 Hour.

Semester course; 1 lecture hour. 1 credit. Prerequisites: LDRS 202 and UNIV 270. This seminar will focus intensely on the student’s experience in the leadership practicum as both a leader and a follower. Students will analyze the ways in which leadership theory and principles learned in the classroom applied to their experience and how their preparation and self-efficacy as a leader contributed to their success.

LDRS 302. Culminating Leadership Seminar. 1 Hour.

Semester course; 1 lecture hour. 1 credit. Prerequisite: LDRS 301. This culminating seminar integrates all aspects of the VCU LEAD program. Students will examine the different contexts in which they experienced leadership from the perspective of both leader and follower. The student will clearly illustrate their expertise, capability and self-efficacy as a leader through a folio of their experience.

LDRS 491. Special Topics in Leadership. 1-3 Hours.

Semester course; 1-3 variable hours. 1-3 credits. Enrollment requires admission to VCU LEAD and permission of instructor. An in-depth study of a selected topic related to leadership. See the Schedule of Classes for specific topics to be offered each semester. If several topics of different content are offered, students may elect to take more than one.

LDRS 492. Independent Study in Leadership. 1-3 Hours.

Semester course; 1-3 variable hours. 1-3 credits. Enrollment requires admission to VCU LEAD and permission of instructor. Intensive study supervision of a faculty member in an area not covered in-depth or contained in other VCU LEAD (LDRS) courses and/or independent investigation and research of leadership problems through readings, data collection and analysis. Written interim and final reports required.