The Leadership Experience Certificate

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

The Leadership Experience Certificate provides students with a comprehensive, hands-on learning experience that focuses on leadership theory, practice, and development. Participants will have opportunities to learn about leadership foundational theories and their day-to-day application, explore social responsibility and citizenship, and develop a personal leadership philosophy and vision for continued development as a leader. The Leadership Experience is a great opportunity for you to enhance your existing leadership skills. You will gain critical leadership and personal development skills that will help you excel personally and professionally, both inside and outside of the classroom. At the end of the program, you’ll have a professional portfolio documenting your experiences that you can share with potential employers or graduate schools as well as an official notation on your Southern Miss transcript and the receipt of a certificate signed by the University president and provost. The Leadership Experience is open to all USM students with a desire to further develop and hone their leadership skills. Special scholarships or memberships are not required.

Academic Policies and Requirements for Minors:

See University Academic Policies for Minors

Hours to Certificate: 15 hours

Certificate Curriculum

Required Courses (6 hours)

Select one course:

Required Course:

IDS 450 - Practicum in Leadership Development 3 hrs.

Electives (9 hours)

Select 3 courses (limit to 8 hours per prefix):

DPH 101 - Personal Wellness 3 hrs.
CMS 305 - Interpersonal Communication 3 hrs.
CMS 320 - Professional Communication 3 hrs.
CMS 340 - Intercultural Communication 3 hrs.
PHI 171 - Ethics and Good Living 3 hrs.
PHI 351 - Critical Thinking 3 hrs.
PS 201 - Great Issues of Politics 3 hrs.
SOC 101 - Understanding Society: Principles of Sociology 3 hrs.
SOC 405 - Nonprofits and Social Change 3 hrs.
ANT 101 - The Human Experience: A Global Perspective on Human Diversity 3 hrs.
ECO 101 - Basic Economics 3 hrs.
PS 101 - American Government 3 hrs.
UNV 110 - University Studies 3 hrs.
AOS 101 - Foundation of the United States Air Force I 1 hr.
MSL 101 - Introduction to the Army 3 hrs.
MGT 480 - Leadership 3 hrs.
BA 310 - Professional Ethics 3 hrs.
HPR 323 - Recreation Leadership 3 hrs.
MSL 102 - Foundation of Agile and Adaptive Leadership 3 hrs.
MSL 201 - Leadership and Decision Making 4 hrs.
MSL 202 - Army Doctrine and Team Development 4 hrs.
UNV 301 - Transfer Student Success at Southern Miss 3 hrs.

Co-Curricular Requirements

Complete Two Independent Leadership Reflections: The certificate also requires two independent leadership reflections. The first is a written book analysis on a leadership topic and the second is a written reflection of a significant leadership experience.

Independent Leadership Reflection - Book Analysis
Independent Leadership Reflection - Leadership Experience