Leadership (Minor)
This program was approved for students entering the university in the Summer 2026-Spring 2027 catalog year. For more information about catalog year, go to Catalog Year Information.
Minor in Leadership
Unit: College of Arts and Sciences (AS)
Department: Military Science
Academic Plan Code(s): MILSMINOR, MIL2MINOR
Offered through the University’s College of Arts and Sciences, the Leadership Minor reinforces and broadens students’ understanding of leadership principles, team dynamics, and organizational behavior. The minor is available in two tracks, one for students without prior military experience and one for those with previous service, allowing flexibility based on background and goals. Curriculum components include foundational leadership courses (e.g., Leadership and Adventure I/II), intermediate and advanced leadership development, military team dynamics, mission command theory, and elective history or physical training courses. Students complete a minimum of 20–23 semester hours depending on their track, and coursework is designed to foster critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and strategic leadership competencies.
The Leadership Minor aligns with and strengthens the ROTC mission, providing cadets and other students with structured academic grounding in leadership theory that complements their practical training and prepares them for leadership roles in military and civilian settings alike.
Program Requirements
The Leadership minor is offered with two different tracks—for students with or without prior military service. For either track, at least three (3) semester hours of the requirements for a minor must be successfully completed while enrolled in the University of Louisville.
Track I (MILSMINOR)
For students with no prior military service
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MILS 101 | Leadership and Adventure I | 1 |
| MILS 102 | Leadership and Adventure II | 1 |
| MILS 201 | Intermediate Leadership Skill Development I | 2 |
| MILS 202 | Intermediate Leadership Skill Development II | 2 |
| MILS 301 | Leadership and Management | 3 |
| MILS 302 | Theory and Dynamics of the Military Team | 3 |
| MILS 401 | Mission Command and the Army Profession | 3 |
| MILS 402 | Mission Command and the Company Grade Officer | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| American and U.S. Military History to 1877 | ||
| American and U.S. Military History Since 1877 | ||
| Survey of American Military History | ||
| Physical Training | ||
| Select two of the following: | 2 | |
| Army Physical Fitness I | ||
| Army Physical Fitness II | ||
| Army Physical Fitness III | ||
| Army Physical Fitness IV | ||
| Minimum Total Hours | 23 | |
Track II (MIL2MINOR)
For students with two or more years prior military service or completion of basic training.
Students in this track are exempt from MILS 101, MILS 102, MILS 201, and MILS 202.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MILS 301 | Leadership and Management | 3 |
| MILS 302 | Theory and Dynamics of the Military Team | 3 |
| MILS 401 | Mission Command and the Army Profession | 3 |
| MILS 402 | Mission Command and the Company Grade Officer | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| American and U.S. Military History to 1877 | ||
| American and U.S. Military History Since 1877 | ||
| Survey of American Military History | ||
| Physical Training | ||
| Select two of the following: | 2 | |
| Army Physical Fitness I | ||
| Army Physical Fitness II | ||
| Army Physical Fitness III | ||
| Army Physical Fitness IV | ||
| Select three hours from the following: | 3 | |
| History of US Foreign Relations II | ||
| The United States and the Middle East | ||
| War in the Modern Middle East - WR | ||
| Modern Germany, 1848-1945: The Struggle for Unity | ||
| The American Revolution and the Confederation - CUE, WR | ||
| Introduction to International Relations - SB | ||
| American Foreign Policy | ||
| National and International Security: Issues and Policies | ||
| Minimum Total Hours | 20 | |
