Community Leadership
Degree: BS
Campus: Columbus
College: Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
The community leadership program at Ohio State equips students with knowledge and skills needed to exert a positive influence in a future leadership role.
The community and extension education specialization provides students with the knowledge and skills to promote positive change through learning partnerships that strengthen individuals, families and communities.
The leadership specialization prepares students with the capacity to embrace change and lead others in adapting, managing and directing change in an individual, organization or community context.
Upon admission to the university, students directly enroll in the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and can declare a major in community leadership.
Students majoring in community leadership complete courses in leadership theory, organizational leadership, communication, community development, campaign design, ethics, innovation diffusion, interpersonal skills, and program development and evaluation.
Community and extension education
In this specialization, students will gain skills through practical, hands-on experiences in Ohio communities. This specialization also provides a strong foundation for future educators in the Cooperative Extension System through courses in teaching and learning, program development, volunteer management, and leadership.
Leadership
Students in this specialization gain knowledge of leadership theory and team processes and then build upon that foundation to enhance their own leadership skills. Students are provided opportunities to practice leadership development throughout the program. A leadership capstone project serves as the culminating learning activity in which students plan, conduct and reflect on a career-related leadership project of their own choice.
Students majoring in community leadership have many career options. A few of the possibilities include the following:
- 4-H youth development specialist
- Civic engagement
- Community development specialist
- Extension professional
- Human resources
- Leadership development specialist
- Non-profit organization administrator
- Member relations specialist
- Professional development specialist
- Public relations specialist
- Training and development officer
- Youth leader
- Youth program manager
- Volunteer management