The baccalaureate degree in leadership and organizational studies (LOS) is for students interested in learning about how organizations operate and the dynamics of leadership. The program emphasizes the importance of working with people, the dynamics of change, the interdisciplinary nature of organizational operations, and the management and leadership of organizations.
Students in the program gain a well-rounded liberal arts background by taking Core curriculum courses through the University of Southern Maine, while degree-specific courses in the major introduce students to the theory and practice of organizational behavior and leadership, with emphasis on writing, creative problem solving, critical thinking, quantitative analysis skills, service learning, and team learning.
The LOS program allows students to select one of several concentrations which reflect the range of career or graduate education possibilities for LOS graduates. The concentration in information systems, available as a minor, is offered in collaboration with Central Maine Community College in Auburn. This minor enables students to combine their studies in leadership with computer technology and networking skills. The minor in Human Resources allows students to develop an appreciation for the major issues facing those in human resource administration as well as develop a greater understanding for the major issues in the field. The minor in Global studies investigates the rich varieties of trans-border development and migration, nation states, and world cultural communities. The dynamic between local and global issues is a central issue of modern society, crucial to our region and important to us in developing a personal rapport with our evolving heritages and economies.
A critical component of the LOS degree program is the internship, selected with the assistance of the internship coordinator. Students identify an organization that will enable them to evaluate potential career opportunities and develop workplace skills. To prepare them for the internship, students also participate in an intensive career development seminar where they learn aspects of how to launch a successful career.
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