Innovation and Leadership BS
An interdisciplinary degree designed to engage working professionals in the questions of leadership, organizational change, communication skills, and industry trends.
Bachelor of Science in Innovation and Leadership
Innovation and Leadership, BS
Offered as a Bachelor of Science Major
This degree program offers a 100% online option.
An Innovation and Leadership degree enables students to demonstrate an operating understanding of organizational leadership and culture including theories about individual and group behaviors. From this experience, they can apply innovative solutions to organizational systems using modern data analysis techniques, emerging media tools, creativity, and critical thinking skills. This allows students to excel in local and regional organizations in the community, analyze the legal, ethical, financial, and physical environment in which an organization operates. There is a success in a student’s ability to demonstrate increased skill in effective communication using a wide range of technological tools, interpersonal skills, and writing techniques which is a requirement of the curriculum.
The Division of Business, Communication & Environmental Studies offers a multidisciplinary bachelor’s degree program for working professionals who are emerging and developing leaders within their organizations. The degree can be completed either through classes that are accelerated, scheduled in 5-week modules with class in person or in 10-week classes that are fully online. This program supports the use of credit for prior learning (CPL) as part of meeting general education, program pre-requisites, and elective requirements.
Degree Fit
Program Preparation
Innovation and Leadership is for people who have: One to two years of previous college experience, at least five years of work experience beyond the entry level; and a desire to lead, innovate, collaborate, and think creatively. The Innovation and Leadership BS Program supports flexible entry points.
Degree Roadmap
The sixteen courses of the major are offered over a 21 month period and include courses from Business, Communications, Emerging Media and Psychology. The degree reflects the realities of leadership in today’s workplace by offering courses such as: Digital Portfolios, Negotiation, Conflict Management, Group Dynamics, Creative Thinking, Applied Business Research, IT Ethical and Legal Issues and Entrepreneurship’s in Organizations. This program supports use of credit for prior learning (CPL) as part of meeting general education, program pre-requisites, and elective requirements.
Capstone
The Capstone offers students the opportunity to apply their innovative leadership skills by exploring a proposed organizational change. Students may propose a change connected to their current workplace or branch out into a new arena. Students lean on the courses they have completed to generate the key question they want to explore, gather the necessary data, analyze the data, and present the findings such that leadership will embrace their ideas.
Career Path
Become a Professional
Career opportunities for an INL degree:
- National Accounts Manager (job coaching and reemployment service)
- Administrative Assistant/Media Buyer
- Administrative Assistant for Power Management Systems
- Vice President, Customer Relationship Management
- IT Systems support for County
- Global Strategic Program Managers
- Crisis Intervention education program coordinator
- Clinic Supervisor
- Assistant Program Manager at Department of Human Services
- Project Manager at Health Information Exchange
Salary Range
$35,000 – $98,500*
*Median Salary of $64,000
*Based on National Average
Future Success
SOU INL Alumni
Kathleen Holtschneider
BS in Innovation and Leadership - 2018
Local Marketing and Brand Activation Manager for US Cellular
John Patterson
BS in Innovation and Leadership - 2017
Deputy Fire Chief for Jackson County Fire District 3
Allen Whitt
BS in Innovation and Leadership - 2017
Director of Customer Happiness at NextJob, Inc.
Benefits of the INL Program
Learn about the value one student found in completing his degree in INL and then going on to complete his MBA. The 4+1 Pathway to Evening MBA program is a seamless pathway toward the Evening MBA program for undergraduate students who are completing their remaining credits in the INL Bachelor’s degree. Watch this video for more information about the 4+1 INL to MBA pathway or contact the INL Program Coordinator.
Achieve Your Degree in Innovation and Leadership
How to Apply
Apply to SOU: Contact the Office of Admissions to pursue steps to gain admission to the University. In your admission application indicate that you want to be in the Innovation & Leadership (INL) program.
Determine whether you want to apply for the online or classroom-based degree.
Online: Fill out the INL Online Application Form.
Classroom: Fill out the INL In-Person Accelerated Application Form, write a short (max 500 words) statement addressing how this program relates to your career goals, and how your prior work and educational experience will contribute to a rich learning environment in the classroom, submit the application, essay, and your resume.
Nationally Accredited Business Program
by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
Contact Innovation and Leadership
SOU Innovation and Leadership Program
Higher Education Center, Room 102
101 South Bartlett Street
Medford OR 97501
541.552.8103
– Questions about INL? –