The LCP provides McCombs students with unique programs and activities to complement your academic requirements while enhancing your leadership development, awareness and actions on an individual, local and global level.

The LCP is a 4-year experience for first year students at McCombs, and a 3-year experience for sophomore admits and internal and external transfer students admitted to McCombs in their second year. The LCP requires attendance at special programs coordinated by the Undergraduate Programs Office (UPO) and completion of Leadership Development Activities each year.

Who can apply?

1. Students entering their first or second year at McCombs School of Business.

2. Students who are able to commit to a 3 or 4 year growing and learning process.

3. Student who are not enrolled in the Business Honors Program.

What are the requirements to complete the LCP?

1. A. First-Year admits must attend 6 of 8 programs coordinated by the Undergraduate Programs Office, Student Life department throughout their 4 years. One program must be a self-assessment seminar taken in the Fall semester of their first year of LCP participation.

B. Second-Year admits and transfer students admitted to LCP in their third semester at McCombs School of Business must attend 5 of 6 programs coordinated by the Undergraduate Programs Office, Student Life department. This schedule of programs is based on a 3-year timeline. One program must be a self-assessment seminar taken in the Fall semester of their first year of LCP participation.

2. All LCP students must complete 4 of the 6 following Leadership Development Activities (LDA) each year. Only one unique LDA per category will count towards completion of the LCP per year:

o Classes

o Organizations

o Conferences / Retreats

o Book reviews

o Community Service

o Other (additional activities must be approved for inclusion)

3. Admitted students may be required to enroll in a Senior Capstone, a proposed course, first offered in Fall 2009 or Spring 2010, for which students would receive academic credit. The course would include guest speakers, major paper or project, and interaction with business and community leaders.

When can students apply?

Students may apply on our website starting June 1, 2008 and will be due by 5 p.m. on Monday, September 8, 2008.

What is the application process?

You will respond to 2 essay questions and submit your responses through the on-line application.
You will also need to complete a creative project and submit it through email at lcp@mccombs.utexas.edu, hand deliver it to our office at CBA 2.400, or mail it to the address below: Projects must be received (not postmarked) by 5 PM on Monday, September 8, 2008.

Leadership Certificate Program

1 University Station B6100

Austin, TX 78712

We advise that you save your work frequently (every 20-30 minutes) or write your essay in Microsoft Word, Notepad or a similar program and then copy and paste your work into the on-line application.
You have the option to save and return to your work prior to finally submitting your application.
You may submit your essay questions prior to or after you send your creative project. However, everything must be received in the office by 5 p.m. on Monday, September 8, 2008.
You may return to the application page to view what you submitted and to check for status updates on your application. We will also indicate when we have received your creative project.
Selected students will receive an invitation to join the LCP prior to the first event in the Fall semester. For Fall 2008 admitted students, you will be required to attend the October 3 - 4, 2008 overnight retreat. This retreat fulfills the required self-assessment in the First Year program.
As expected of McCombs School of Business students, please utilize the highest standards of ethics and integrity in submitting your application.

What are you looking for in an applicant?

Commitment to a 3 or 4 year personal growth and learning process.
Creativity in applications essays and project.
Willingness to grow and be challenged.
Commitment to achieving the outcomes of the LCP, which are based on the 7 C's of the social change model: consciousness of self, congruence, commitment, collaboration, common purpose, controversy, and citizenship.

What if I plan to graduate in 2 years?

Unfortunately, you are not eligible to apply, since you would not get the full benefit of the program.

What if I don't have any leadership experience?

That is OK. Please see above, What are you looking for in an applicant?

What does the LCP cost?

The LCP is free for all students who are admitted to it.

What are the advantages of the LCP?

The LCP is an excellent opportunity to gain and validate your leadership skills by linking your classroom learning to your interests and activities. Through unique programs, speakers and activities, the LCP facilitates your leadership development, awareness and action on the individual, local and global level. The LCP helps you capitalize on your existing leadership opportunities, transforming you from a student leader to an emerging business and community leader. Employers desire ethical leaders, and the LCP is a sign of a student's commitment to ethical leadership development.

How many students will be in the LCP?

The LCP is competitive, with only 200 students accepted each year. There is a projected population of 800 students by 2011.

How will my activities be tracked?

Each year, you will build your Student Leadership Portfolio in the LCP Tracker. The tracker is used to submit and reflect on the Leadership Development Activities (LDAs) you have completed as well as LCP special programs you have attended each year. There will be an approval process for LDAs, and attendance will be taken at the LCP's special programs.

What is the foundation of the LCP?

The foundation of the LCP is the Social Change Model of Leadership Development. The social change model is designed to enhance the development of leadership qualities in all participants. It promotes an inclusive process that actively engages all who wish to contribute -- those who hold formal leadership positions as well as those who do not. The social change model examines leadership development from 3 different perspectives: the individual, the group and the community or society. The LCP directed programs and activities focus on the 7 C's of the social change model: consciousness of self, congruence, commitment, collaboration, common purpose, controversy, and citizenship.

The primary goals of the LCP are to:

Facilitate positive social change at an institution or in the community by undertaking actions that help the institution or community function more effectively and humanely.

Enhance student learning and development as it relates to self-knowledge and leadership competence:

Self-knowledge is the understanding of one’s talents, values and interests, especially as they pertain to one’s capacity to provide effective leadership.
Leadership competence is the capacity to mobilize oneself and others to serve and work collaboratively.

What would cause a student to be removed from the program?

A student may be removed from the LCP for the following reasons:

No longer a student in the McCombs business school.
Becomes a part of the Business Honors Program (BHP).
Is academically dishonest and going through the University judicial process.
Does not complete the required 4 Leadership Development Activities each year.
Does not adhere to the LCP attendance policy.
Falls behind the acceptable schedule for completion of the activities each year.
Falsifies program requirements on the LCP Tracker.

Can a student be in both the Business Honors Program (BHP) and the Leadership Certificate Program?

A student who is enrolled in the Business Honors Program cannot apply for the Leadership Certificate Program. A student who starts the LCP as a freshman may apply for admission in BHP as a sophomore admit. However, the student will have to choose between Business Honors and LCP if he/she is accepted to BHP.

What will I receive when I complete the LCP?

Students who complete the requirements of the LCP will receive an official certificate and their Leadership Portfolio after graduation.

How much time will the program take?

The LCP is designed to be flexible and allow you to shape it to your own needs over the the 3 to 4 year time frame. Most of the Leadership Development Activities (i.e. organizations, classes, community service) are activities that students already participate in at the same level we are requiring you to participate. The only parts of the program we consider to be "extra" are the once a semester special programs that the Undergraduate Programs Office, Student Life department will coordinate each year. In addition, students will dedicate some time to reflect and track your leadership development activities in the LCP tracker. You can expect to spend an average of 1 to 4 hours per week on the LCP.

What is the LCP Attendance Policy?

Required Program Participation: First-year admits must attend 6 of 8 special programs coordinated by the Undergraduate Programs Office within a 4-year timeframe. Sophomore and transfer admits must attend 5 of 6 special programs within 3 years. ALL newly admitted students are required to attend the Fall semester self-assessment program their first year of LCP participation.
Excused Absences: In the event you cannot attend a required program or have a last minute cancellation to an already registered event, only the following excused absences will be accepted: religious observances, sudden illness, death in the family or another situation determined on a case by case basis. Special Note: Due to the time and cost in planning programs, registration for an event implies attendance. Event cancellations will not be accepted unless they reflect an excused absence. Repetitive unexcused cancellations or No-Shows may affect a student's continued participation in the program.
In the Event of Absence for a Required Event: Provide a written notification at least 2 weeks prior to the event stating the reason for being unable to attend. Notifications can be emailed to lcp@mccombs.utexas.edu.
Last Minute Cancellations: In the event of a last minute cancellation for an already registered event, students must contact the Undergraduate Programs Office (512-471-0690) at least 24 hours in advance and send an email to lcp@mccombs.utexas.edu stating the reason for being unable to attend.

What is the criteria for a Leadership Development Activity (LDA)?

Classes - Courses related to leadership, ethics, personal development, conflict negotiation, social change and communication. Students may email lcp@mccombs.utexas.edu to verify if a course can count toward this requirement. Students can also view a list of Suggested courses.
Organizations - Active membership for at least one semester in a registered UT organization
Conferences/Retreats - Attendance to a full-day conference with at least 6 hours of participation. Annual LCP special programs coordinated by the Undergraduate Programs Office do not count toward the Conference/Retreat LDA credit.
Book Reviews - Approved books may be checked out from the Undergraduate Programs Office, Leadership Library (CBA 2.400). Additional books related to leadership, ethics, social change and other relevant topics may be used. Email lcp@mccombs.utexas.edu for questions.
Community Service - Volunteer shift must be at least 4 consecutive hours or be 4 hours over a period of time doing the same volunteer activity (e.g. tutoring at the library). Focus on meaningful service projects which avoid administrative dues, such as assisting with registration or mail-outs.
Other Activity - We recommend seeking pre-approval prior to submitting an 'Other' activity for LDA credit. Example of 'Other' activities can include participation in a study abroad program, an internship or work-study, or a full-time job.

Am I limited to submitting only 4 LDAs per year, or can I submit more in my LCP tracker?

No. Students must submit at least 4 unique LDAs per year in the LCP tracker, but they may enter up to 10 LDAs. These activities will be reflected on their LCP tracker, as well as displayed on their Student Leadership Portfolio.

Parts adapted from A Social Change Model of Leadership (Guidebook Version III). Los Angeles, CA: Higher Education Research Institute, University of California.

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