The Applied Leadership and Management Applied Baccalaureate degree (Applied Leadership AB) is designed to be offered as a cohort program, with students progressing through the coursework in two years of continuous attendance. Admitted students will have completed an AAS degree. The course schedule meets the needs of working adults through alternative scheduling, hybrid learning, and accelerated courses. The first year of the program focuses on introducing students to key concepts and skills that can be applied across public and private leadership roles, including understanding leadership concepts and how to effectively apply these in the workplace, budget and finance, and entrepreneurial thinking and management. Because students will be entering the cohort from a variety of technical fields, the second year of the program provides the opportunity to work in sector-specific groups with faculty who have experience in that sector, to engage in work-based projects, and to apply for credit for prior learning. In both years, students will complete general education coursework that connects these general fields of study to key practices in the workplace.

Program Outcomes

Students completing this program should be able to satisfy the following outcomes:

1. Think as a leader:

1.1 Develop Self-Awareness and Emotional Intelligence in Leadership
Students will identify their strengths, vulnerabilities, and emotional triggers, using self-reflection to build emotional intelligence and leadership resilience. They will learn to manage uncertainty, conflict, and personal reactions in dynamic, high-pressure environments.

1.2 Navigate Complex Leadership Challenges through Strategic Decision-Making
Students will develop the ability to distinguish between technical and adaptive challenges, recognizing when to apply specific solutions and when to shift perspectives. They will learn to choose among competing values and manage the tensions inherent in decision-making.

1.3 Enhance Leadership Flexibility by Shifting Focus and Perspective
Students will practice shifting outward, focusing on the needs of the organization and its stakeholders, while balancing personal interests. They will become comfortable navigating the challenges that arise from competing priorities and conflicting goals, demonstrating adaptability in leadership.

1.4 Understand and Manage the Process of Leadership Challenges
Students will gain insight into the process challenges of leadership, from initiating change to managing transitions, and learn how to address both individual and collective obstacles. They will build strategies for leading through ambiguity, conflict, and resistance to foster organizational growth and transformation.
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2. Act as a leader: 

2.1 Navigate Complexity with Confidence - Develop the ability to explore tough interpretations of challenges, recognizing multiple perspectives and uncovering deeper insights in complex situations.

2.2 Assess and Adapt to Team Dynamics - Learn to take the temperature of your team and organization, identifying tensions, emotions, and readiness for change to respond with empathy and strategic action.

2.3 Lead with Purpose and Experimentation - Strengthen your ability to hold to purpose while acting experimentally, balancing long-term vision with a willingness to test new approaches and adapt to evolving circumstances.

2.4 Foster Trust and Well-being - Build a trustworthy decision-making process and cultivate a culture of self-care, ensuring that both you and your team maintain resilience, well-being, and sustainable leadership practices.

 

3. Create opportunities for leadership:

3.1 Develop a Leadership Mindset - Recognize and create opportunities for leadership in yourself and others by proactively identifying challenges and stepping into leadership roles.

3.2 Sustain Long-Term Leadership Growth - Manage yourself effectively to stay engaged in leadership over time, balancing resilience, energy, and well-being to navigate the demands of leadership as a marathon, not a sprint.

3.3 Empower and Mobilize Others - Identify who needs to do the work and create opportunities for others to lead by distributing responsibility, fostering collaboration, and working across factions to drive collective progress.

3.4 Communicate Change and Challenge Effectively - Speak to loss with clarity and empathy, helping teams navigate the discomfort of change while maintaining focus on shared goals and long-term impact.

 

Getting Started

Applicants for this limited enrollment program should show significant progress towards an Associate of Applied Science or other comparable degree from a regionally accredited institution. Completion of the program requires 180 credits total (including an associates degree or its equivalent plus completion of required program courses).

You may earn the Applied Leadership and Management baccalaureate degree by successfully completing the required 90 credit hours.

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