Interdisciplinary Leadership Studies Degree Completion Program
The Leadership Studies Program at Howard University is a fully online, interdisciplinary degree completion program designed for adult learners who have been out of school for five or more years and have previously earned at least 60 college credits. Housed within the College of Arts and Sciences, the program prepares students to complete their undergraduate degree with a specialized focus on ethical, transformative leadership.
Rooted in Howard’s legacy of social justice and academic excellence, the curriculum emphasizes leadership theory, critical thinking, community development, and public service. Courses draw from diverse disciplines—including Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Economics, and African American Studies—allowing students to explore leadership through historical, cultural, and policy-based lenses.
The program is structured around flexible, online delivery, making it accessible for working adults and non-traditional students. Graduates will be well-equipped to lead in public, private, nonprofit, and community-based organizations with a strong foundation in ethics, civic engagement, and strategic decision-making.
The following are our admission requirements for the Leadership Studies DCP:
- Minimum 60 credit hours completed
- Five or more years since last enrollment at Howard University (or other institution)
- Substantial completion of general education requirements:
- English Composition (2 courses) - Third Writing Course (1 course) - Mathematics (1 course) - Natural Sciences (2 courses) - Humanities (2 courses) - Social Sciences (2 courses) - Foreign Language (as required by College of Arts and Sciences)
PROGRAM SCHEME
Semester | Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | ACAD DCP 006 | Mecca Made: Student Success at Howard University | 3 |
| Fall | AFRO DCP 005 | Afro American Studies | 3 |
| Fall | LEAD 1XX | Intro to Leadership Studies | 3 |
| Fall | PHIL 147 | Ethics in Public Policy | 3 |
| Fall | PSYC 050 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Subtotal | 15 |
Semester | Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | LEAD 2XX | Transformational Leadership | 3 |
| Spring | LEAD 2XX | Military Leadership | 3 |
| Spring | POLS 007 | Introduction to Black Politics | 3 |
| Spring | SCOM DCP 120 | Digital Media Literacy | 3 |
| Spring | SOCI DCP 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| Subtotal | 15 |
Semester | Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | POLS 149 | Introduction to Public Policy Analysis | 3 |
| Fall | PHIL 158 | Business and Professional Ethics | 3 |
| Fall | ECON 138 | Seminar in Community Development | 3 |
| Fall | SOCI 164 | Sociology of Leadership | 3 |
| Fall | LEAD XXX | Fulfill COAS Innovative -- Special Topics Course | 3 |
| Subtotal | 15 |
Semester | Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | POLS 147 | Seminar in Public Administration | 3 |
| Spring | ECON 193 | The Economics of Decision Making | 3 |
| Spring | PHIL 149 | Philosophy of Martin Luther King, Jr | 3 |
| Spring | POLS DCP 183 | Race and Public Policy | 3 |
| Spring | LEAD XXX | Internship (fulfill COAS Experiential Learning Elec) | 3 |
| Subtotal | 15 |
- Select Transfer Student Application as the application type.
- Choose Undecided as the intended major.
- In the required essay, clearly state that you are interested in the Leadership Studies Program and describe your goals and reasons for pursuing leadership studies.