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Leadership (Minor)

Develops leadership skills through military and organizational studies. Designed for students with or without prior military experience, it combines theory, management, history and physical training to prepare students for leadership roles in diverse settings.
Type: Minor
Format: In-Person
Credit Hours: 20-23

The minor offers two tracks: one for students with no prior military experience and one for those with military training or service. Courses cover leadership theory, team dynamics, military history, mission command and physical fitness. Students gain practical and strategic skills applicable to careers in military, public service, business and community leadership, completing 20–23 credit hours depending on their track.

This program was approved for students entering the university in the Summer 2025-Spring 2026 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

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

MILS 101Leadership and Adventure I1
MILS 102Leadership and Adventure II1
MILS 201Intermediate Leadership Skill Development I2
MILS 202Intermediate Leadership Skill Development II2
MILS 301Leadership and Management3
MILS 302Theory and Dynamics of the Military Team3
MILS 401Mission Command and the Army Profession3
MILS 402Mission Command and the Company Grade Officer3
Select one of the following:3
HIST 327
American and U.S. Military History to 1877
HIST 328
American and U.S. Military History Since 1877
MILS 308
Survey of American Military History
Physical Training
Select two of the following: 2
MILS 311
Army Physical Fitness I
MILS 312
Army Physical Fitness II
MILS 411
Army Physical Fitness III
MILS 412
Army Physical Fitness IV
Minimum Total Hours23

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.

MILS 301Leadership and Management3
MILS 302Theory and Dynamics of the Military Team3
MILS 401Mission Command and the Army Profession3
MILS 402Mission Command and the Company Grade Officer3
Select one of the following:3
HIST 327
American and U.S. Military History to 1877
HIST 328
American and U.S. Military History Since 1877
MILS 308
Survey of American Military History
Physical Training
Select two of the following: 2
MILS 311
Army Physical Fitness I
MILS 312
Army Physical Fitness II
MILS 411
Army Physical Fitness III
MILS 412
Army Physical Fitness IV
Select three hours from the following: 3
HIST 314
History of US Foreign Relations II
HIST 362
The United States and the Middle East
HIST 376
War in the Modern Middle East - WR
HIST 386
Modern Germany, 1848-1945: The Struggle for Unity
HIST 522
The American Revolution and the Confederation - CUE, WR
POLS 204
Introduction to International Relations -
POLS 333
American Foreign Policy
POLS 338
National and International Security: Issues and Policies
Minimum Total Hours20