Fall 2024 Electives

All our major required courses will be offered in fall, as well as the below CLD electives. Visit here for a comprehensive list of CLD credit-eligible courses being offered in summer and fall.

CLD 330 Philanthropy Capstone
Analyze the effectiveness of nonprofit organizations and how to think about and apply the ethics, strategy, and practice of philanthropic giving. Examine fundraising as a specialization of public relations and an important management function of charitable organizations; Chart the historical development and contemporary status of fundraising practice, with emphasis on law and ethics; Lay out the sociological and historical roots of philanthropy in the US; examine the ties between civic engagement, philanthropy, and fundraising. No previous courses in development, philanthropy, or leadership required. (Instructor: Dr. Natalie Tindall)

CLD 332 Facilitative/Collaborative Leadership
Learn how to incorporate facilitation and consensus-building into your work as a leader in the private, nonprofit, or public sectors; how to engage stakeholders (i.e. employees, financial supporters, customers, and voters) in powerful, productive, and prudent ways; and how to collaborate with team members to advance a leader’s vision. This course will include opportunities to apply your knowledge to real-life scenarios and design and help implement a collaborative process for a local company, organization, or public agency. No previous courses in leadership or communication required.(Instructor: Dr. Larry Schooler)

CLD 360 Communication for Executive Leadership
In the complex landscape of global business, it's crucial for executives to enhance their multifaceted skills, including leadership, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity. This comprehensive course is tailored to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of these pivotal competencies, with a particular emphasis on their role in effectively guiding an organization towards its goals. Exploration of these topics will be approached primarily from the viewpoint of strategic leaders and their top management teams. No previous courses in leadership or communication required. (Instructor: Dr. Denise Patrick)

The Communication and Leadership degree combines four fundamental courses on leadership that incorporate both academic and experiential learning with courses engaging communication skills and exploring interdisciplinary approaches to social issues.

Our educational program emphasizes core educational approaches and experiences that situate leadership practices in organizational and social contexts. Students can use their required courses in communication fundamentals/skills and social issues along with their free electives to gain knowledge regarding one or more of three contexts: 1) nonprofits and philanthropy, 2) public service, or 3) business.

Leadership is a core value of the University of Texas at Austin, and developing leaders for Texas and beyond is central to accomplishing the University’s mission. To be a leader requires the ability to bridge narrow academic disciplines with a capacity to envision strategies that are informed through interdisciplinary approaches, communication skills, and ethical practices.

Our educational program emphasizes core educational approaches and experiences that situate leadership practices in organizational and social contexts. Students have the option to use their required courses in communication fundamentals/skills and social issues along with their free electives to gain knowledge regarding one or more of three contexts: 1) nonprofits and philanthropy, 2) public service, or 3) business.

For example, students interested in business could earn the Business Foundations Minor, the Global Management Certificate, or the Bridging Disciplines Certificate in Ethics and Leadership in Business.

Students interested in nonprofits and philanthropy could earn the Bridging Disciplines Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship and Nonprofit Studies, Museum Studies, Environment and Sustainability, or Children and Society.

Students interested in public service could earn the Bridging Disciplines Certificate in Public Policy, Human Rights and Social Justice, or Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies.

See your academic advisor to discuss these and other options.

In addition to courses required for the core curriculum and by Moody College, the degree offers students a major with three parts. Download the degree checklists and find courses eligible for CLD degree credit here, and read below for descriptions of the three parts of the major.