Online B.S. in Leadership and Organizational Studies
Lewiston-Auburn College

General Overview:
Combine a liberal arts program with the study of how organizations operate and how leadership functions. You will focus on understanding and working with people, the dynamics of change, the interdisciplinary nature of organizational operations, and the practical application of theories and leadership concepts. The program also offers two undergraduate certificate programs: Leadership Studies, and Creative Leadership and Global Studies.
Admission & Transfer Information:
If you are interested in completing your bachelor’s degree through one of our online programs, simply complete the Pre-Admission Form or call us at 780-5900, and we will assist you through the application process.
A transfer student is an applicant who has attempted twelve semester hours of credit or more since graduating form high school or earning a GED. Students should have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 unless otherwise indicated by the desired program. For more information about how your courses might transfer to USM, contact Enrollment Advisor, Ashley Collins for an unofficial transfer credit evaluation.
Degree Requirements:
Students must have a minimum of 120 credits to earn a bachelor’s degree.
USM Core Curriculum Requirements
- Entry Year Experience ( students with 24 or fewer transfer credits take LCC 123; students with 24 or more transfer credits take LCC 345 )
- College Writing (LCC 110 or LCC 111)
- Quantitative Reasoning (LCC 150)
- Creative Expression (LCC 250)
- Socio-Cultural Analysis (LCC 220 or LCC 320)
- Science Exploration - with Lab (LCC 130 or LCC 230)
- Cultural Interpretation (LCC 200)
- Ethical Inquiry, Social Responsibility, and Citizenship (LCC 370)
- Diversity
- International
- Cluster course 1 (See Note)
- Cluster course 2 (See Note)
- Cluster course 3 (See Note)
- Capstone (taken as part of the major – LCC 480)
Note:
USM students must complete either a Thematic Cluster OR a minor OR a double major. Students may overlap one cluster course with their major.
LOS Major requirements (57 credits)
Prerequisite Courses (4 credits)
- LAC 112 Microsoft Excel (prerequisite for LOS 304)
- LOS 250 Organizational Accounting or its equivalent (prerequisite for LOS 304)
Requirements for the major (35 credits)
- LCC 150 Statistics for Informed Decision Making
- LCC 370 Toward a Global Ethics
- LOS 447 Internship
- LCC 480 Senior Seminar
- LOS 300* Organizational Theory
- LOS 301 Group Dynamics
- LOS 304 Organizational Budgeting
- LOS 329 Research Methods
- LOS 369 Exploring Careers, Exploring Life Roles
- LOS 350* Leadership
- LOS 413 Job Search Skills for the 21st Century
- LOS 440 Organizational Change and Development
*All LOS majors must earn a grade of B- or better in both LOS 300 and LOS 350.
Required electives for the major (18 credits)
LOS majors must take any 6 LOS electives (LOS courses that are 300-level or higher). LOS Electives are listed below. They can be selected based on student interest or as concentrations, certificates, etc. Please note that not all LOS electives are available online.
Human Resources Concentration
This concentration requires completion of the following courses:
- LOS 302 Organizational Behavior
- LOS 312 Human Resource Management
- LOS 314 Employee Relations
- LOS 315 Training and Development
- LOS 316 Diversity in the Workplace
- LOS 327 Leading through Conflict
Human Services Concentration
This concentration requires completion of 6 of the following courses:
- LOS/SBS 302 Organizational Behavior
- LOS 322 Leadership in the Public/Nonprofit Sectors
- LOS 325 State and Local Government
- SBS 335 Legal Issues in Health and Human Services
- SBS 338 Health Care Policies
- LOS 373 Managing Nonprofits
- SBS 430 Applied Social Policy
Certificate in Lean Leadership
- LOS 302* Organizational Behavior (offered face-to-face, or online)
- LOS 308 Lean Systems and Methods
- LOS 309 Lean Systems/Methods Practicum
- LOS 440* Organizational Change (offered face-to-face, or online)
- (*LOS 302, or LOS 440 must be taken before LOS 308)
Other LOS Electives include:
- LCC 310 Science, Technology, and Society
- LOS 323 The Media and Politics
- LOS 330 Leadership in Different Cultures
- LOS 360 Deliberate Creativity and Innovation
- LOS 361 Entrepreneurship
- LOS 381 Introduction to Globalization
- LOS 412 Topics in Human Resource Management
- LOS 436 Risk, Public Policy, and Society
- LOS 470 Leadership Study Abroad
- LOS 487 Consulting in Organizations
To learn more about the degree requirements, please view the official 2012-2013 catalog. You can also view the degree check sheet to track your progress.
Scheduled Courses
- Summer 2013
- 7-Week Online, Session 1 (May 13-June 28)
- LCC 370 Toward a Global Ethics
- LOS 317 New Media and Social Networking: Identity and Expression Online
- 7-Week Online, Session 2 (July 1-August 16)
- ACC 110 Financial Accounting Information for Decision Making
- LOS 330 Leadership in Different Cultures
- 14-Week Online (May 13- August 16)
- Spring 2013
- 15-Week Online (January 14- May 10)
- LAC 112 Microsoft Excel
- LCC 150 Statistics for Informed Decision Making
- LCC 370 Toward a Global Ethics
- LCC 480 Senior Seminar
- LOS 300 Organizational Theory
- LOS 301 Group Dynamics
- LOS 310 Science, Technology and Society
- LOS 312 Human Resource Management
- LOS 325 State and Local Government
- LOS 329 Research Methods
- LOS 350 Leadership
- LOS 361 Entrepreneurship
- LOS 369 Explore Careers, Choosing Life Role
- LOS 398 Independent Study
- LOS 413 Job Search Skills 21st Century
- LOS 447 Internship
- Winter 2012- 2013
- 4-Week Online (December 17- January 11)
- Fall 2012
- 15-Week Online (September 4- December 21)
- LCC 150 Statistics for Informed Decision Making
- LCC 370 Toward a Global Ethics
- LOS 300 Organizational Theory
- LOS 301 Group Dynamics
- LOS 304 Organizational Budgeting
- LOS 312 Human Resource Management
- LOS 316 Diversity in the Workplace
- LOS 327 Leading Through Conflict
- LOS 329 Research Methods
- LOS 334 Integrated Software Packages
- LOS 350 Leadership (2 sections)
- LOS 440 Organizational Change and Development
Need to take a Core requirement Online? View our online course PDF's by term for Core requirement offerings. For course descriptions and up-to date details, please visit the USM MaineStreet Class Search.
PCE Student Services:
Need help? Have Questions? We understand the challenges of finishing your degree and we’re here to help you every step of the way.
Contact PCE (Professional and Continuing Education) Student Services at 207-780-5900, or email us at pce@usm.maine.edu, or visit us in person.
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