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: June 23, 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 (2025). Our programs have also ranked as the #1 Best Online Bachelor's Programs in Virginia 13 years in a row (2013-2025).

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

Table listing featured courses with course code, name, and credit hours.
Code	Name	Credits
LDST 201	Survey of Leadership	3	Exploration of expectancy, leader-member exchange (LMX), transactional, transformational, servant leadership and other theories, including foundational leadership principles and concepts.
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 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.

Students should refer to their catalog or audited degree plan (ADP) for required courses to complete their degree.

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

2025-26 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)	$10,470	12 - 18	$20,940

Degree	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Average Credit Hours Per Semester	Average Tuition Per Semester
Students taking on-campus classes (fall & spring semesters)	$698	Under 12	$8,376
Students taking on-campus classes (fall & spring semesters)	$698	Over 18	$12,564
Students taking on-campus classes (summer semester)	$698	N/A	$2,094+

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)	$900 (Fall & Spring) $750 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)	$750

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 (On-Campus Students)	$900 (Fall & Spring) $750 (Summer)
University Services Fee (Online Students)	$750

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

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 »

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“My internship at Regent enabled me to put my book knowledge into a real-world experience that helped me grow professionally. Now, I am more confident that I bring a unique set of skills employers seek.”

Jessica Stachurski, B.A. in Communication Studies - Strategic Communication, 2020 Marketing Manager, Orphan Network

“During a campus visit, I discovered the next path the Lord had for me.”

Drew Aiken, College of Arts & Sciences, 2022 Regent Royals men’s basketball captain

“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

“I'm grateful to Regent for developing my leadership skills, which are an essential component to the technical knowledge needed for a career in my field.”

Maximiliano Gigli, B.S. in Cybersecurity, 2020 Administrative Business Partner, Google

“Proverbs 27:17 states, 'Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.' That's been my Regent experience academically and relationally. I am grateful to have grown together with such amazing people.”

Christian Ellis, B.S. in Business, 2018; M.A. in Organizational Leadership, 2020 Executive Assistant to the Executive Vice President, Regent University