Rutgers - SBC Business Leader Development Program BLDP

Overview of the Business Leader Development Program (BLDP):

Completion of the BLDP will consist of coursework and non-coursework opportunities for active development of leadership skills and habits. Opportunities carry point or credit value in “leadership units.” Completion of the program is accomplished by achieving a total of 14 leadership units during the junior & senior years’ study at Rutgers, School of Business – Camden.

Units must include both coursework-based opportunities and non-coursework opportunities, with non-coursework comprising at least 4 units of the 14
Students must declare program completion intent before the beginning of the final semester (i.e. one semester before graduation) along with specified verification for activity completion. Verification form is available at the Director’s office or by e-mail (ldrshp@camden.rutgers.edu).
The total units must include participation in at least one BLDP seminar which earns 3 units. (Note: Any qualified SBC student or CAS student may apply for, and if approved, take the BLDP seminar. This student need not complete the BLDP. Any student who wishes to complete the BLDP and receive the appropriate designation on his/her transcript, however, will be required to take at least one BLDP seminar.)

	The seminar application process is our gateway for entry into the program. However, students may count activities toward “leadership units” that were initiated prior to taking a seminar, as long as those activities occur primarily during their enrollment in the School of Business.
		Seminar applications are solicited each semester and require (1) completed application form (submitted online and found elsewhere on this website), (2) a personal essay, and (3) two letters of recommendation (one academic; one other). Students in both the School of Business (SBC) and College of Arts and Science (CAS) are invited to apply to apply for enrollment in the BLDP seminar. All applicants are expected to meet both of the following selection criteria: Have sophomore standing or above and have an overall GPA of 3.0 or above. Students who fail to meet these admission criteria may still be allowed to apply for (and possibly enroll in) the BLDP seminar, but they will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Applications for the seminar are reviewed by 4 to 6 evaluators, including Rutgers faculty/staff plus outside evaluators (executives and alumni) The Director balances evaluations to make final decisions on people accepted for the seminar (up to a maximum of 15 each semester).

Coursework-based Opportunities:

A. BLDP Seminars available by application only (3 units)

Every seminar includes special access to business executives (the target is at least 50% of the course be comprised of executive involvement)
Every seminar includes emphasis on communication and interpersonal skills.
Each fall semester the “Business Success” seminar is offered, which consists of career planning and career management training, as well as emphasis on networking, and other career survival skills.
Each spring semester a different seminar is offered utilizing faculty from each discipline (informal rotation as interested).
Students may apply for a second seminar that differs substantially from the first they took. However, equally qualified applicants who have not yet had a seminar opportunity are given preference.
FUTURE CONSIDERATION: more than one seminar per semester based on demand and faculty availability

B. Honors Thesis – research experience under the coaching of a faculty member; by application only (6 units for completion of 2 semester involvement – no lesser unit potential).

C. Leadership course that is part of regular curriculum and is open enrollment (2 units with final grade of A or B, lesser units for a lower grade requires review by Director)

General Guideline – classes that qualify for leadership units are those for which enrollment is by special selection only. The one exception is the “Leadership” course, because the entire semester is devoted to the theme of this program

Non-coursework Opportunities* within the School:

A. Holding office for a recognized student organization (marketing, management, finance, accounting associations; campus student government board; honors societies; NABA; SIFE) (possible 2.5 units per semester for top office; up to 2 units per semester for all others)

B. Major coordinating/leadership role for large campus/school event or activity (e.g., multi-school accounting tournament; planning leadership program outings/events; etc.) (up to 3 units available based on outline of responsibilities and time involved, using comparison to item A as guide and approved by Director in advance.)

General Guideline – activities must be verifiable both in terms of the level of responsibility held (leadership, not just participation), estimated time involved and specific outcomes if possible.

Non-coursework Opportunities* outside or peripheral to the School:

A. Holding office in a recognized professional organization related to planned career field (up to 4 units for the year)

B. Verifiable leadership position in other recognized organizations (e.g., sororities/fraternities, sports, church or other non-profit organizations (up to 3 units)

C. Major coordinating/leadership role for an event or process OUTSIDE standard job activities (e.g., role in professional organization that is appointed rather than elected office; organizing a fund-raising event or complete project for a non-profit that is not your employer). (up to 3 units)

General Guideline (same as above)

*Additional notes/reminders:

We expect that, as student demand increases, faculty will more readily design and implement special classroom-based activities, and these will be added to the description as they become available.
All leadership units are subject to verification (e.g., student society faculty advisors will be asked to verify that individuals were active officers; outside activities must be similarly verifiable).
Units are shown by the maximum available but lower units are available, e.g., a prorated award based on holding office in a professional organization for a partial year rather than a full year; relative recognition of different project involvement based on time involved and leadership demands.
Students may not be hold two offices simultaneously in SBC organizations for which there is substantial overlap of duties and receive full leadership BLDP units for both offices, e.g., holding an office in both The Accounting Society and Beta Alpha Psi concurrently where there may be frequent joint activities and events for the two organizations. In such situations, there will be an appropriate reduction in the number of BLDP units that the student can earn in one of the organizations. Holding offices simultaneously in an SBC student organization and a non-SBC student organization would be allowable, however, in that there will not be overlapping duties.
Generally, activities for which a student receives compensation would not be eligible to earn BLDP units.
Students are responsible to verify in advance with the Director that offices, all projects, and any courses not specifically named here whether it will be accepted for Leadership units.

Examples of how a student might complete the required 14 Leadership Units:

Activity	Units
Take one BLDP seminar course	3
Hold office (other than President) in a student organization for academic year	4
Complete an Honors Thesis	6
Coordinate special event for professional organization	1
Total units	14

Activity	Units
Take one BLDP seminar course	3
Hold office of President in a Student Organization for academic year	5
Coordinate a special event for professional organization	2
Coordinate special event within SBC	2
Take open enrollment Leadership course	2
Total units	14

Activity	Units
Take one BLDP seminar course	3
Hold office (other than President) with a professional organization for one year	4
Hold office (other than President) in a student organization for academic year	4
Organized/chaired a major charity event at one’s church or temple	2
Coordinate a special event with School of Business	1
Total units	14

Activity	Units
Take two BLDP seminar courses	6
Hold office of President in a student organization for one semester	2.5
Hold office (other than President) in a student organization for academic year	4
Coordinate special event(s) for SBC	2
Total units	14.5

Note: These are just samples to demonstrate the variety that is possible and your individual program is likely to be different from any shown here