Service Leadership, Minor
The Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business at Saint Louis University is where mission meets the market; a place where leaders grow and develop, demonstrating competence, conscience, compassion and commitment to the community by integrating the strong traditions of Jesuit education with the fundamentals of leadership.
This unique and highly-recognized academic minor in service leadership is available exclusively to business majors.
The Service Leadership Program at SLU has been vital in shaping my understanding of leadership through the lens of service and social responsibility. It has provided me with opportunities to develop my leadership skills while making a meaningful impact on the community. I encourage students to apply, as it fosters personal growth and equips you with the tools to create positive change in the world." — Caitlin Conrad, Class of 2026
The program allows students in the Chaifetz School of Business to develop and hone their leadership skills while serving the St. Louis community. By volunteering at organizations such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital, Campus Kitchen or one of the many other available service sites, you will practice critical thinking, decision-making, effective communication and team building. These skills are essential to your success as a more effective future business leader.
Overview
The minor in service leadership requires 200 hours of community service, with at least 100 of them at the same site, 12 leadership workshops and 15 hours of coursework, including a capstone experience where you'll consult alongside Habitat for Neighborhood Business in supporting small businesses in economically disadvantaged areas in St. Louis. Through their academic coursework, students pursuing a service leadership minor learn the theory behind leadership and integrate their service experiences into their lives and professional careers
There are numerous exciting opportunities for service leaders to complete their 200 hours of community service. Serving at least 100 of those hours at the same nonprofit allows the service leader's growth in their knowledge of the operations and needs of the organization to advance concurrently with their progress in the business curriculum. Service leaders can apply the business theory they are learning in the classroom for the benefit of their service organization, thereby furthering the mission of the nonprofit in real time. The available service sites are diverse, and each one provides opportunities to gain meaningful leadership experience and make personal connections while serving the economically poor and marginalized of society.
Each year, several leadership workshops are offered through the service leadership program with topics ranging from humor to ethical decision-making and from personal reflection to professionalism. While service leaders are not expected to attend all of these workshops, they are expected to complete a total of 12 by the time they finish the program. Students are encouraged to select workshops that will be most helpful in promoting their individual growth as a leader.
A minor in service leadership is earned upon completion of the requirements of the Chaifetz School's service leadership program.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 200 hours of community service (with at least 100 hours at the same site) 1 | ||
| 12 leadership workshops 2 | ||
| Required Coursework 3 | ||
| BIZ 2300 | Social Change Leadership | 3 |
| BIZ 4300 | Service Leadership Capstone | 3 |
| PHIL 2050 | Ethics | 3 |
| Service Leadership Minor Social Justice Elective Course | 3 | |
Select 3 credits from of the following or with the "Service Leadership Minor Social Justice Electives" attribute: | ||
| American Identities | ||
| Gender, Race, and Social Justice | ||
| Race and Citizenship in St. Louis History and Culture | ||
| Advocacy | ||
| Intergroup Dialogue | ||
| Political Communication | ||
| Health Communication | ||
| Social Justice Communication | ||
| Dialogue Facilitation: Communication Strategies to Support Social Justice | ||
| Community-based Inquiry | ||
| Conflict, Social Justice and Literature | ||
| Conflict Writing | ||
| Theory and Practice of Human Rights | ||
| Theories of Justice | ||
| Civil Liberties and Civil Rights | ||
| Communism, Capitalism and Social Justice | ||
| Feminist Theory: Gender Justice | ||
| The Urban Community: Race, Class, and Spatial Justice | ||
| The Ignatian City: Social Suffering, Urban Marginality, and Social Justice | ||
| Urban Poverty: A Global Perspective | ||
| Immigration | ||
| Urban Sociology | ||
| Violence in America | ||
| Sociology of Mental Health | ||
| Introduction to Social Work | ||
| Social Policy for Social Justice | ||
| Dismantling Oppression: Exploring Equity & Inclusion | ||
| Social Justice | ||
| Social Injustice/Social Gospel | ||
| The Structure of Poverty, Globally and Locally | ||
| Service Leadership Minor Business Electives | 3 | |
Select 3 credits from of the following or with the "Service Leadership Minor Business Electives" attribute: | ||
| Labor Economics | ||
| Economics of Int'l Migration | ||
| Economic Development | ||
| Public Choice and Political Economy | ||
| Health Economics | ||
| Cultural Differences in International Business | ||
| Social Entrepreneurship | ||
| Negotiations and Conflict Resolution | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
- 1
Service leaders will apply the business theory they are learning in the classroom for the benefit of their service organization, thereby furthering the mission of the non-profit. The available service sites are diverse, and each one provides opportunities to gain meaningful leadership experience and make personal connections while serving the economically poor and marginalized of society.
- 2
Each year, several leadership workshops are offered through the service leadership program with topics ranging from humor to ethical decision making and from personal reflection to professionalism. While service leaders are not expected to attend all of these workshops, they are expected to complete a total of 12 by the time they finish the program. Students are encouraged to select workshops that will be most helpful in promoting their individual growth as a leader.
- 3
The required 15 credits of coursework may be fulfilled through normal business degree requirements.
Continuation Standards
Students must have a 2.00 grade point average (GPA) in all courses used to fulfill minor requirements. If students' minor GPA falls below a 2.00, students will go on program probation and have one semester to increase their minor GPA to a 2.00. If students' minor GPA is below 2.00 after one semester they will be dismissed from the minor.