4D Character and Leadership Micro-credential

In today’s complex organizations and societies, character in leadership is needed more than ever. By earning the 4D Character and Leadership Micro-credential, you’ll develop essential character dispositions, mindsets, and skills related to compassion, resilience, and integrity that 1) employers identify as critical to workplace engagement and success and 2) support life flourishing.

The micro-credential is made possible by a collaboration between the 4D team, Leadership Studies, and academic departments including Communication Studies, Counseling Psychology, Entrepreneurship, and Philosophy.

Questions about the micro-credential? Please contact audrey.townsend@du.edu.

How You Will Grow

Through this micro-credential, you will be able to:

  • lightbulb icon

    Formulate and articulate your personal definition of character-driven leadership

  • chat icon

    Develop and apply skills that strengthen your ability to practice character-driven leadership

  • handshake icon

    Communicate and demonstrate how these mindsets and skills impact your life, both in and out of the classroom

Earning Criteria

  • checklist icon

    Take the two required micro-credential “bookend” courses “Exploring Lives of Leadership and Character” and “Reflecting on Lives of Leadership and Character”

  • checklist icon

    Take an elective course in each of the three virtues (see courses which count towards the micro-credential below)

  • checklist icon

    Complete an ePortfolio consisting of all assignments during their on- and off-ramp courses as well as qualifying electives

Elective Courses

In addition to the required on-ramp course LDRS 2140 and off-ramp course LDRS 2150, you will select an elective course in each of the three virtue areas: compassion, resilience, and integrity.

  • Compassion

    Developing skills in compassion, empathy, and teamwork
    • COMN 1111 The Art and Science of Communication in Relationships
    • Fundamentals of Intercultural Communication
    • Inclusive Community: Cross-Cultural Collaboration in Action
    • Advanced Intercultural Communication
    • Principles of Leadership
    • Family Communication
    • Emotionally Effective Leader
    • High Performing Teams
    • Listening and Discernment
    • Peer Counseling
    • Introduction to 4D Peer Mentorship 

  • Resilience

    Developing skills in adaptability, perseverance, and growth mindset
    • Health and Positive Psychology
    • Writing for Wellness
    • Design Thinking
    • Rapid Prototyping
    • From Idea to First Dollar Sale (for this specific course, there is a prerequisite of Intro to Entrepreneurship)
    • Emotion Regulation (for this specific course, there are prerequisites of PSYC 2031 and PSYC 3050; must be major or minor in psychology and have junior standing)
    • Anxiety and Stress (for this specific course, there are prerequisites of PSYC 2500 and PSYC 3050; must be major or minor in psychology and have junior standing) 

  • Integrity

    Developing skills in ethical reasoning, self-awareness, and personal and social responsibility
    • Discovering Philosophy
    • Practical Logic
    • Ethics
    • Biomedical Ethics
    • Inclusive Leadership (this specific course requires approval by PLP faculty)
    • Practicing Communication
    • Speaking on Ideas that Matter
    • Unlearning to Learn
    • Ethics and Your World
    • Ethics and Entrepreneurship