Organizational Leadership, Bachelor of Applied Science
Program Description
The Laredo College Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Leadership (BASORGL) program trains responsive leaders for employment in a diverse technological and global society. The degree develops practical workplace competencies that meet current and future challenges through curriculum designed for real world application. The coursework focuses on team building, ethical decision making, enhanced communication skills, critical thinking, and people skills. Graduates of this program pursue leadership careers in management, education, government, nonprofit, and business organizations. This flexible degree may incorporate previous coursework, Associate degrees, or may follow a traditional General Education pathway. This degree is available fully online.
This degree is 120 credit hours (SCH), which includes 42 SCH of core curriculum, 48 SCH of professional development electives, and 30 SCH of applied major courses:
- Core Curriculum (42 SCH) - General Education courses from the Laredo College Core Curriculum. These may be taken face to face, hybrid, or online.
- Professional Development Electives (48 SCH)- Students will transfer 48 (SCH) from their associate degree feeder program, or select a Feeder Program track under the General BASORGL degree.
- Applied Major Courses (30 SCH) - These are 10 Organizational Leadership courses. These courses are delivered online with competency-based education.
Feeder Programs
Feeder programs in the BASORGL program are associate of arts, associate of science, or associate of applied science degree programs at Laredo College. Students may enter the BASORGL program after earning a degree in one of the feeder programs, or they may declare BASORGL as their major, and enter a feeder program as a preprogram BASORGL candidate. Feeder programs include, but are not limited to:
- AAS in Applied Accounting
- AAS Associate of Arts or Sciences
- AAS in Child Development
- AAS in Culinary Arts
- AAS in Computer Technology
- AA/S in Criminal Justice
- AAS in Homeland Security
- AAS in Logistics/Distribution
- AAS in Management
- AAS in Medical Assistant
- AAS Occupational Therapy
- AAS Physical Therapy
Financial Aid and Billing
Title IV funds can be applied to the BASORGL program. Organizational Leadership courses award credit hours to students who have successfully completed assigned educational activities and direct assessment of student competencies.
Tuition
Competency-Based Courses - Flat Tuition
$850.00 Competency-Based Format Courses Offered during Seven-Week Accelerated Terms* (per Term) (In-District)
$910.00 Competency-Based Format Courses Offered during Seven-Week Accelerated Terms* (per Term) (Out-of-District)
$1,500.00 Competency-Based Format Courses Offered during Seven- Week Accelerated Terms* (per Term) (Out-of-State)
Billing
Students pay one flat rate for tuition per 7-week flex session. Students will work with their academic coach to register for two ORGL courses from their degree plan per flex semester.
Students who do not complete assigned courses within the flex semester will be required to submit a letter of intent to the Registrar’s office and re-register for that course plus any qualifying courses in the subsequent semester. (Courses available for subsequent semesters may be limited for students due to course pre-requisites.)
Students may not be eligible for financial aid after the second attempt at a course. Students who do not pass a course after the third attempt may be withdrawn from the program.
Program Goals
The BASORGL program has developed goals that foster the mission and vision of the program:
- Graduates will obtain knowledge and skills to be competitive in administrative/managerial positions.
- Graduates will exhibit professional and ethical behaviors.
- Graduates will be problem-solvers in the workplace and will be capable of making data- driven decisions.
- Graduates will be leaders in their chosen profession.
- Program faculty will maintain expertise in their areas and keep abreast of workforce needs
Graduate Outcomes
- Leadership skills of graduates will be rated Good to Excellent by 95% of employers surveyed.
- 100% of graduates surveyed will self-rate their leadership skills as Good to Excellent.
- Problem solving/decision making skills of BASORGL graduates will be rated Good to Excellent by 95% of employers surveyed.
- Adherence to ethical standards of BASORGL graduates will be rated Good to Excellent by 95% of employers surveyed.
Program Outcomes
- 80% of each BASORGL cohort will graduate with their degree within 2 years of beginning upper level coursework.
- 95% of program graduates will be gainfully employed within 12 months.
Application/Admission Process
- Admission to Laredo College.
- Application and Admission to BAS Organizational Leadership program. Contact OrganizationalLeadership@laredo.edu for application.
- Applicants with prior college level coursework must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5; Exceptions based on extenuating circumstances must be approved by the program director.
- Letter of interest.
Acceptance
Student application, letter of interest, and transcripts are reviewed by a BASORGL admissions committee. If accepted, the candidate will be notified in a formal letter via email. Candidates will be assigned an academic coach at the time of acceptance to begin the degree planning process.
Applications are accepted year-round, and students are accepted during the fall and spring semesters. Admission may be limited due to cohort size. Students who have completed all core and professional development coursework are given first priority for admission.
Internship Process
The Laredo College BASORGL program will implement internships during the 2023-2024 academic year. The Building a Talent Strong Texas initiative has placed emphasis on credentials that “must equip graduates for continued learning and lasting, successful careers.”
Internship programs through the Laredo College BAS in Organizational Leadership program will give students a unique opportunity to apply theoretical concepts of leadership to real workplace settings. Students will benefit from exposure to an organization's culture along with opportunities to solve real-world, industry-specific problems. Internships have reciprocal value for businesses, as they can diversify their talent with well-trained student leaders.
Internship objectives
An internship is a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting. Internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience, make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths, and give employers the opportunity to guide and evaluate talent (National Association of Colleges and Employers).
The BASORGL program will establish business partners through student leadership internships in private and public industry. Students will be assigned an internship site with one of these partners or may self-select a site with approval. Internships may be face to face, remote, or hybrid depending on needs of students and employers. Internship activities are embedded into all ORGL courses. Students will develop an internship project, which should be completed during Capstone I and II.
Criteria for an experience to be defined as an internship
- To ensure that an experience—whether it is a traditional internship or one conducted remotely or virtually—is educational, and thus eligible to be considered a legitimate internship by the NACE definition, all the following criteria must be met:
- The experience must be an extension of the classroom: a learning experience that provides for applying the knowledge gained in the classroom. It must not be simply to advance the operations of the employer or be the work that a regular employee would routinely perform.
- The skills or knowledge learned must be transferable to other employment settings.
- The experience has a defined beginning and end, and a job description with desired qualifications.
- There are clearly defined learning objectives/goals related to the professional goals of the student’s academic coursework.
- There is supervision by a professional with expertise and educational and/or professional background in the field of the experience.
- There is routine feedback by the experienced supervisor.
- There are resources, equipment, and facilities provided by the host employer that support learning objectives/goals.
Progression through Program & Exit Requirements
- Students should be core complete (42 SCH) upon beginning first ORGL course. (Permission to enter program without being core complete may only be given by Program Director)
- Students should have completed professional development courses (48 SCH). (Permission to enter program without being core complete may only be given by Program Director)
- Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better while in the program.
- Students must maintain a grade of “B” or above in all upper level ORGL courses (30 SCH).
- Courses within the BASORGL curriculum plan must be completed as outlined in the degree plan. A student deviating from the BASORGL curriculum sequence may not be able to progress and may be unable to complete the program in the intended time period.
- Students must achieve the minimum course requirements/complete all assigned activities in each ORGL course according to the instructional objectives for that course. All assignments/tasks/reviews in conjunction with student’s individual diagnostic must be fulfilled as assigned.
Withdrawal
A student considering withdrawal from the BASORGL Program course should refer to the BASORGL Student Handbook and make an appointment with the Program Director.
Dismissal
The student should refer to the dismissal policies listed in the BASORGL Student Handbook.
For further information about the Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Leadership program, contact the Program Director, Dr. Marissa Guerrero by email at OrganizationalLeadership@laredo.edu.
BASORGL administrative offices and classrooms are located on the second floor of the Memorial Hall Building, Laredo College Ft. McIntosh Campus.
Plan of Study
Students must meet with the department for advising prior to applying for the program. Email OrganizationalLeadership@laredo.edu to request advising.
| Core Courses |
42 Semester Credit Hours |
| Professional Development Electives |
48 Semester Credit Hours |
| Upper Level Organizational Leadership Courses |
30 Semester Credit Hours |
| Grand Total |
120 Semester Credit Hours |
Upon being admitted to the program, students will complete 30 semester credit hours of upper-level courses outlined below. The program consists of 10 months of coursework (Fall, Summer, Spring OR Spring, Summer, Fall).
OPTION 1 Fall Acceptance
| ORGL 3311 | Issues in Organizational Leadership | 3 |
| ORGL 3321 | Data Driven Decision Making I | 3 |
| ORGL 3322 | Behavior, Ethics, and Leadership I | 3 |
| ORGL 3331 | Data-Driven Decision Making II | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
OPTION 2 Spring Acceptance
| ORGL 3311 | Issues in Organizational Leadership | 3 |
| ORGL 3321 | Data Driven Decision Making I | 3 |
| ORGL 3322 | Behavior, Ethics, and Leadership I | 3 |
| ORGL 3331 | Data-Driven Decision Making II | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
| ORGL 3332 | Behavior/Ethics/Leadership II | 3 |
| ORGL 4341 | Management Theory I | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |