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Credits and costs
Enhance Your Penn State Degree
Add a minor to get even more value out of your education.
Gain Specialized Organizational Leadership Knowledge
Gain Specialized Organizational Leadership Knowledge
Effective managers and supervisors must have an understanding of the role of leadership as a means of influence and motivation in the modern organization.
Penn State's organizational leadership minor provides you with the opportunity to study a wide range of topics to complement your interests, background, and career aspirations. In learning about key leadership concepts and practices, you will be able to select from courses relating to business administration, communication arts and sciences, criminal justice, economics, history, labor studies and employment relations, philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology, and women's studies.
In this program, you will have the opportunity to study with highly regarded faculty from Penn State's College of the Liberal Arts, one of the premier institutions in the world to study and work in the liberal arts disciplines.
A minor in organizational leadership can benefit you if you envision being — or are currently — in a position of authority in an organization.
The minor is open to all interested undergraduate World Campus students who meet the prerequisites.
Online Organizational Leadership Courses
Online Organizational Leadership Courses
The 18-credit organizational leadership minor consists of 12 credits of prescribed organizational leadership (OLEAD) courses and 6 credits of supporting and related topic areas, including business administration, communication arts and sciences, criminal justice, economics, history, labor studies and employment relations, philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology, and women's studies.
Prescribed Courses (12 credits)
- 3credits
This course introduces key leadership concepts and practices based on current theory and research. It is designed to help students to discover the knowledge and skills that are characteristic of effective leaders.
- 3credits
Examines the nature of organizations along with its various interconnected functions such as leadership, financial, communications, technology, production, sales, etc.
- 3credits
Starts by examining different kinds of evidence and analyzing their quality and usefulness; students can then learn how to use that evidence to improve their leadership.
- 3credits
Theory- and research-based communication skills for leaders dealing with work-related problems in contemporary groups and organizations.
- or:3credits
Surveys the theory, research, and practice related to the communication processes by which individuals in groups and organizations exercise influence, whether or not they occupy positions of acknowledged leadership.
Supporting Courses and Related Areas (select 6 credits)
- 3credits
A comprehensive view of the contemporary environment of business. This course provides a broad overview of the study of business and its environment, organization, operation, and interrelationships with government and society.
- 3credits
This course examines human resource management (HRM) and employment relations (ER) from a strategic perspective embedded in a complex and evolving organizational system.
- 3credits
This course focuses on emotional intelligence, social, cultural intelligence competencies used to develop the leadership capacity to be self-aware, understand oneself and others, and to work across cultural differences to effectively meet the demands of work.
- 3credits
Compares and contrasts leadership in different types of industries. In this course students will learn about the various types of organizations and examine why leadership in those organizations have some leadership characteristics that are similar and others that are different.
- 3credits
The course examines the continuing influence of social and environmental factors in shaping leadership and leadership development.
- or:3credits
The course examines the continuing influence of social and environmental factors in shaping leadership and leadership development.
- 3credits
This course explores the science and practice of leadership around the globe through pertinent scholarly literature and related instructional resources.
- 3credits
Overviews scholarship relating to women in positions of leadership in groups and organizations, as well as obstacles to their success.
- 3credits
Application of theories of decision-making to work-related issues in groups and organizations requiring collective resolution and action.
- or:3credits
Application of theories of decision making to work-related issues in groups and organizations requiring collective resolution and action.
- 1–12credits
Supervised practicum in organizational leadership.
- 1–18credits
Creative projects, including research and design, which are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.
Course Availability
If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.
Costs and Financial Aid
Costs and Financial Aid
Learn about this program's tuition, fees, scholarship opportunities, grants, payment options, and military benefits.
Costs and Financial Aid
Undergraduate Tuition
Undergraduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register and the number of total credits you have accrued at or transferred to Penn State.
Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.
2024–25 Academic Year Rates
| How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | If you have 59 or fewer credits | If you have 60 or more credits |
|---|---|---|
| 11 or fewer | $632 per credit | $678 per credit |
| 12–19 | $7,678 per semester | $8,288 per semester |
2025–26 Academic Year Rates
| How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | If you have 59 or fewer credits | If you have 60 or more credits |
|---|---|---|
| 11 or fewer | $638 per credit | $685 per credit |
| 12–19 | $7,755 per semester | $8,371 per semester |
Undergraduate students taking more than 19 credits will be charged the flat tuition rate plus the regular per credit hour rate for each credit above 19.
Financial Aid and Military Benefits
Some students may qualify for financial aid. Take the time to research financial aid, scholarships, and payment options as you prepare to apply. Federal financial aid may only be used to pay for credits used to satisfy program requirements.
Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.
Additional Cost of Attendance Details
To view the detailed list of cost of attendance elements:
- visit the Tuition Information site
- click the plus sign to expand the table
- select a semester from the World Campus row
Upcoming Events
Convenient Online Format
This program's convenient online format gives you the flexibility you need to study around your busy schedule. You can skip the lengthy commute without sacrificing the quality of your education and prepare yourself for more rewarding career opportunities without leaving your home.
A Trusted Leader in Online Education
Penn State has a history of more than 100 years of distance education, and World Campus has been a leader in online learning for more than two decades. Our online learning environment offers the same quality education that our students experience on campus.
How to Add a Minor to Your Degree
How to Add a Minor to Your Degree
You must be a current student and meet specific requirements to apply for a minor.
Application Instructions
Steps to Apply
To be eligible for admittance into the organizational leadership minor, you must:
- be a current Penn State undergraduate student in your fifth semester and be in a bachelor's degree major
- maintain a grade of C or better in all courses for the minor
- be majoring in a subject other than organizational leadership
Talk with your academic adviser about incorporating the minor into your major and to develop a semester-by-semester plan for meeting requirements. You should add the minor as early as possible, but you can apply up to the late drop deadline of your graduating semester.
You will receive a confirmation email once you declare the minor in LionPATH.
Admissions Help
Please work with your adviser if you have questions about adding a minor. You can find your adviser's contact information in your student portal or by calling advising at 814-863-3283.
Contact Us
Contact Us
Have questions or want more information? We're happy to talk.
To learn more about the Undergraduate Minor in Organizational Leadership, offered in partnership with the Penn State College of the Liberal Arts, please contact:
World Campus Advising
Phone: 814-863-3283
[email protected]