The Department of Leadership and Professional Studies

The Department of Leadership and Professional Studies

Phone: (409) 880-7571
Email: leadershipstudies@lamar.edu
Location: TAGS 118

Mailing Address:
PO Box 10883
Beaumont Tx, 77710

Department Chair: Dr. Brad Mayer

Faculty:
Dr. Brent Dyson
Dr. Jeff Dyson
Dr. Mel Ervin
Dr. Paul Howell
Dr. Theresa Mayper
Dr. Toni Mulvaney
Dr. David Rose
Dr. Ryan Underdown

  • Department Senior Advisor: Tina Rich
  • Department Advisor: TBD
  • Department Administrative Assistant II: Crystal Reed
  • Freshman/Sophomore Advising: The Undergraduate Advising Center

Overview and History

The Leadership Studies program was developed in partnership with FranklinCovey, the world’s most trusted leadership development company, which works with Fortune 500 companies and global clients. The program was implemented for Fall 2025 semester during the 2025-2026 catalog year. The Department of Leadership Studies houses the Bachelor of Science in Leadership Studies and Bachelor of Science in University Studies. The Leadership Studies degree is offered on-campus as a hybrid program. The University Studies degree is only offered online.

Department Mission

The Department of Leadership and Professional Studies provides students with the necessary leadership and professional skills to help them succeed in their chosen career. The curriculum will help students build on their academic success and life skills and then transfer these skills into their chosen career. In addition, students will build their brand and productivity skills by learning time management, task prioritization, organization and energy and technology management. Students are encouraged to participate in community service, be a positive role model, network, and manage their reputation.

Departmental Academic Policies

Graduation Requirements

In addition to the degree requirements stated in the Lamar University catalog, Leadership Studies students must satisfy the following for graduation:

  1. Earn a C or better in any course applied to the advanced electives block
  2. Earn at least 12 hours of senior level credit within the advanced electives block.

Business Coursework Credit Limit

The Department of Leadership and Professional Studies will honor the following College of Business policy regarding excessive Business hours:

“In keeping with the spirit of a Minor, you must have less than 25 percent of their total curriculum in Business subjects. This 25 percent restriction also applies to all students who are not registered for a major in the College of Business but wish to have any business emphasis or concentration.”

Business courses that are not subject to this limitation are those Business courses applied to the student’s general core curriculum:

FINC 3306 Personal Finance
BCOM 3350 Business Communications

Physical Activity Credit Limit

At most, 6 hours of physical activity credits can be applied to degree plans in the Department of Leadership and Professional Studies. A physical activity course is one in which a student engages in kinetic exercise only and no theory, history, or other academic knowledge is presented. Military basic training is not considered a physical activity course.

Technical Credit

The Leadership Studies and University Studies bachelor’s degree programs can accept technical credit provided the credit satisfies the University’s technical credit policy. No more than 42 hours of technical credit may be applied to the degree.

Leadership Studies Majors (only)

Leadership Studies as a Second Degree/Major

A student may want to earn a Leadership Studies degree (1) as a second baccalaureate degree or (2) simultaneously with another major. A student who has previously earned any degree in University Studies may declare Leadership Studies as a secondary degree. A student currently pursuing a University Studies degree may declare a Leadership Studies degree as a second major. At least 30 hours applied to the second degree must be exclusive to the degree.

Leadership Studies Hybrid Courses

Six of the ten courses for the Bachelor of Leadership Studies (LEAD and MGMT Prefix) are offered in 8 weeks (evening or lunch hour). With the hybrid delivery, students will be in class for 3 hours per week and will work in the FranklinCovey leadership platform LeaderU for an additional 3 hours per week. The two AASC courses will be offered online and the remaining two COMM courses are either online or in a traditional face-to-face model.

Acceptance into Leadership Studies program

After completing MGMT 3311 Leadership Essentials, the student will formally be accepted into the Leadership Studies program. If the GPA is 2.5 or higher, the student will be invited to participate in the early start five-year BS Leadership Studies/MBA program. The student with a GPA of 3.25 or higher and who elects the on-campus MBA program may be eligible to receive scholarship funds.

Programs