Elective Courses

Individually Directed Study
Students/candidates may take up to 12 credits of individually directed study. These topics will be developed with a pre-candidacy or dissertation advisor. The first 1-3 credits taken under this category begin with the 760 designation. Each ensuing set of credits will be numbered consecutively from that (e.g., DPLS 761, 762, etc.) It is recommended that students/candidates confer with their advisor and consider how these credits and the course names fit with the student/candidates ‘cognate' emphasis. These credits will be reflected on the student/candidates transcripts under the name selected for the individually directed coursework (e.g., Indigenous Leadership Practices). Grades will not be posted until the end of the semester in which the student is engaged in the individually directed study. To initiate this process, students/candidates must acquire and fill out the Application for Individually Directed Study form found here or in the DPLS office. This form requires signatures from the advisor, instructor, chair of the department, and the Dean. Grading for DPLS 760 credits is Satisfactory/Not Satisfactory.

Online Courses & Mentorship or Internship
Students enrolled in the doctoral program may complete an internship/field experience or mentorship as an elective by registering for one to three hours of DPLS 766. Students must discuss this with their advisor/chair and get approval before taking part in a mentorship or an internship. For internship or mentorship credit, students must submit a proposal at the beginning of the course and attach it to the application for Individually Directed Study form marked for DPLS 766. A report or project must be submitted at the end of the internship/mentorship to complete the course. For internship credit, the proposal may be to gain experience in another work setting or to complete a work project that will require the application of DPLS coursework. For mentorship credit, the proposal should describe the purpose of the mentorship, identify the mentor, and explain how the mentorship will enhance leadership abilities in the personal, organizational, or global dimensions. In both cases, the proposal should show that the student will be challenged in some way and explain how it will be related to their DPLS coursework. Proposals must be submitted to the instructor who will be the “professor of record.” At the end of the internship/mentorship, the student will submit a report and/or products developed as a result of the experience to the “professor of record.” The grading mode for this course is Satisfactory/Non-satisfactory. A maximum of three credits of internship/mentorship is permitted.

In addition, no more than three credits can be taken in an online course or through an internship or mentorship.

Elective Courses
The total number of required credits equals 31, leaving 29 credits as electives. Students satisfy the liberal arts component of the degree through electives. Courses that have a title of “Leadership and…” have an especially strong emphasis in the humanities and enhance interdisciplinary thinking about leadership.

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