B.A. in Leadership Studies – Self-Designed

Choose Your Path. Lead the Way.

You want a degree that gives you options and the flexibility to pursue your unique path. Regent’s Bachelor of Arts in Leadership Studies – Self-Designed can equip you with a solid foundation in innovative leadership, ethics, strategic planning, and decision making—preparing you to lead with excellence in a variety of roles. Customize your courses to fit your area of interest, and be challenged in problem-solving, creative thinking, and principled leadership—all from a Christian perspective.

Location: Online

Total Credit Hours: 120+

Next Session Start: January 13, 2025

Approved Degree Plan: Download PDF

TAILOR YOUR DEGREE

Choose up to 15 credit hours within the same discipline that best fit your career path.

BUILD ON A STRONG FOUNDATION

Anchor your knowledge and skill on Christian principles and values.

LEARN FROM THE BEST

Be mentored by faculty in Virginia Beach who hold the highest degrees in their field. Regent has been ranked among the Top National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report (2024). Our programs have also ranked as the #1 Best Online Bachelor's Programs in Virginia 12 years in a row (2013-2024).

Career Opportunities

On completing the B.A. in Leadership Studies – Self-Designed program, you can:

Communicate effectively in your chosen area.
Lead with excellence and make strategic decisions.
Pursue a career in business, ministry, IT, and more.

Career Opportunities

Business Administration
Computer Programming or Web Development
Mentorship & Coaching
Network or Systems Administration
Nonprofits or Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
Police or Probation Officer

$57Thousand

Average Business Administrator Salary, 2022 Salary.com

Featured Courses

Featured Courses
Code	Name	Credits
LDST 305	Innovation Leadership	3	The nature, requirements, and beneficial role of entrepreneurial thinking for the leader as innovator in the organization and in society. Prerequisite: LDST 201.
LDST 310	Systems Thinking	3	Introduction to the vocabulary and methodologies associated with the discipline of systems thinking; relationship between the parts of any system, particularly human systems, explores organizational operations and the interaction of various leadership styles and decisions on those operations. Prerequisite: LDST 201.
LDST 330	Ethics	3	Study of the nature of ethical leadership through a consideration of the ethical foundations of leadership principles evident in the lives of great leaders. Attention to how the leader’s values and beliefs affect decision-making along with key factors involved in ethical decision-making. Students assess and apply the concepts of organizational and social responsibility by looking at real world problems. Cross-listed with ACCT 320 and MGMT 330.
LDST 350	Communication & Influence	3	Leader’s behaviors and decisions in sending messages to people throughout the organization. Analysis of the concept of organizational culture, its development, and the effect it has on the leader and people in the organization; focus on a leader’s ability to positively influence followers. Prerequisite: LDST 201.
LDST 370	Managerial Decision-Making	3	Investigate analytical and process skills for effective decision-making and change management. Assess key factors in the change process, effective planning and problem-solving. Cross-listed with MGMT 370.
LDST 390	Independent Study	3	An approved independent study option, supervised by faculty in a directed area of scholarship. Study is conducted according to a learning contract between a chosen faculty member and the student. Prerequisite: LDST 201.
LDST 425	Leading Teams	3	The influence of virtual teams on leadership effectiveness; the development of interactive and dynamic groups in virtual and face-to-face environments. Prerequisite: LDST 201.
LDST 435	Strategic Planning	3	The process and nature of strategic planning, including the constraints and opportunities leaders face in strategic planning, the leader’s task in accommodating and minimizing these limitations, and the impact of these constraints on strategic choices. Prerequisite: LDST 201.
LDST 440	Organizational Dynamics	3	The concepts, theories, and current practice regarding organizational structures and their development, the dynamics of individual and collective behavior within organizations; human interaction within organizations to foster and manage change. Emphasis on the role of leadership and cultural values. Prerequisite: Junior standing and prior management or leadership coursework.
LDST 485	Special Topics in Leadership	1-3	Intensive examination of a selected area of study in the field of leadership studies. Topics vary and are announced in advance. This course may be repeated for credit. Lecture, seminar, and/or team study. Prerequisite: LDST 201.
LDST 490	Advanced Independent Study	3	An approved advanced independent study option, supervised by faculty, in a directed area of scholarship. Study is conducted according to a learning contract between the student and a chosen faculty member. Prerequisite: LDST 390.
LDST 498	Senior Leadership Project	3	Capstone project to integrate leadership and the student’s concentration area. Prerequisite: Senior standing.

Other Concentrations

Admissions Requirements

Step 1: Apply to Regent University

Submit your application using the Regent University Online Application.

Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.

Step 2: Submit Your Unofficial Transcripts

Submit your unofficial high school or college transcripts to regent.edu/items.

Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting authorization for Regent University to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution. International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES, AACRAO or NAFSA approved agency.

Step 3: Submit Your Government-Issued ID

To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.

Step 4: Submit Your FAFSA

Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov Regent's school code is 030913.

Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu should you have any further questions about the application process.

Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.

Tuition & Fees

2024-25 Tuition Rates

On Campus

Degree	Tuition Block Rate Per Semester	Credit Hours Per Semester	Tuition Rate Per Year
Students taking on-campus classes (fall & spring semesters)	$9,975	12 - 18	$19,950

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Students taking on-campus classes (fall & spring semesters)	$665	Under 12	$7,980
Students taking on-campus classes (fall & spring semesters)	$665	Over 18	$11,970
Students taking on-campus classes (summer semester)	$665	N/A	$1,995+

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)

$850 (Fall & Spring)
$700 (Summer)

Housing Fees » | Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

Online

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Part-Time Students (3-11 Credit Hours Per Semester)	$450	6	$2,700
Full-Time Students (12+ Credit Hours Per Semester)	$395	12	$4,740

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (Online Students)

$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

2023-24 Tuition Rates

On Campus

Degree	Tuition Block Rate Per Semester	Credit Hours Per Semester	Tuition Rate Per Year
Students taking on-campus classes (fall & spring semesters)	$9,493	12 - 18	$18,986

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Students taking on-campus classes (fall & spring semesters)	$630	Under 12	$7,560
Students taking on-campus classes (fall & spring semesters)	$630	Over 18	$11,340
Students taking on-campus classes (summer semester)	$630	N/A	$1,890+

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)

$850 (Fall & Spring)
$700 (Summer)

Housing Fees » | Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

Online

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Part-Time Students (3-11 Credit Hours Per Semester)	$450	6	$2,700
Full-Time Students (12+ Credit Hours Per Semester)	$395	12	$4,740

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (Online Students)

$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

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“It is neat to see people who care about excellence but aren’t haughty about it. They approach it with humility in their academics, their spiritual lives, and each other.”

Hannah Lillemo, B.A., 2020 Honors Program Graduate

“Regent prepared me for steps I needed to take to start a business, as well as to lead one.”

Hunter Davis, MBA - International Business, 2019; J.D., 2013; B.A. in Government - American Government & Politics, 2010 Director, The American Environment Foundation; Co-Owner, Duck Donuts

“At Regent, mentors are readily available if students seek them out. They're just waiting for you to take the initiative and ask for support. The blessings are beyond anything you could imagine.”

Ben Kay, B.A., 2013 Biblical & Theological Studies

“For anyone interested in developing the analytical skills required to make sense of complicated ideas, I encourage you to give Regent's Honors College a look. The relationships, skills and knowledge you'll gain through the discussion-based classes, and engaging assignments will benefit you in the years to come.”

Abigail Lindner, College of Arts & Sciences, 2022