The National Society of Leadership and Success
Overview
The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS), founded in 2001, is one of the nation’s largest accredited leadership honor societies. Established to provide students with structured leadership development beyond traditional classroom learning, the NSLS has grown to serve more than 1.5 million members across 800+ colleges and universities. Its diverse community of undergraduate, graduate and post graduate learners spans academic disciplines, cultures, and career aspirations, united by a shared commitment to personal growth, academic success, and leadership excellence.
The NSLS educational philosophy integrates both traditional and contemporary models. Grounded in experiential learning, the curriculum emphasizes a “learn by doing” approach in which students reflect, apply knowledge, and solve problems in real-world contexts. Core areas of study include leadership theory, emotional intelligence, communication, ethical decision-making, and goal-setting. These are reinforced through project-based learning, peer collaboration, and community engagement. The NSLS offers instruction in asynchronous, face-to-face, and hybrid formats to support flexible and accessible learning for all learners.
The NSLS offers a progression of learning opportunities ranging from certificate programs to credit-recommended courses recognized by the National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS) and the American Council on Education (ACE). These courses, which may be applied toward undergraduate and graduate degree pathways, focus on essential leadership competencies such as self-awareness, interpersonal communication, emotional intelligence, professional development, and ethical leadership.
Students and admissions representatives please note: NCCRS does not provide transcripts. Transcript requests and inquiries should be directed to the organization offering the courses, examinations or apprenticeship. See the Source of Official Student Records in the sidebar near the top right side of this page.
Titles of all evaluated learning experiences
Course Categories
Descriptions and credit recommendations for all evaluated learning experiences
Active Courses - NSLS
Version 1 and 2: Varies, approximately 30 hours.
Version 1: August 2019 - September 2025. Version 2: October 2025 - Present.
Version 1: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: identify specific listening trouble areas; describe 4 areas of emotional intelligence; create clear decision statements to direct a team towards action; explain the difference between inclusion and diversity; assess current leadership experiences and identify areas of further development; apply DISC styles within communication and interactions with others; evaluate nuances of emotional intelligence in action to gain buy-in, respect, and overall cooperation; evaluate and leverage personal strengths and the strengths of others; explain benefits of mentorship; perform community service; analyze and evaluate organizational cases; apply aspects of leadership processes to understanding character development, and trait identification in others; and identify areas of focus for personal and professional growth and develop a leadership plan. Version 2: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: define key terms and principles of leadership; apply principles and strategies for building teams; practice applying course concepts to real-world scenarios; and demonstrate the stages of design thinking.
Version 1: Major topics include: effective communication in interpersonal relationships; personal strengths as a leader; DISC styles; emotional intelligence; Andrew Hewitt’s "Six Steps for Finding a Mentor"; and leadership facilitation. The capstone project of this course includes two final projects: 1) a Leadership research paper; and 2) a Leadership Interview Analysis. Prerequisite: ADV 201 – Advanced Leadership. Version 2: Major topics include exploring advanced leadership principles through team-based simulations; practicing strategic planning and design thinking to solve community and organizational challenges; integrating emotional intelligence, collaboration, and diversity strategies into team leadership; applying decision-making frameworks and feedback processes to enhance group performance; and examining civic engagement and community development as integral components of effective leadership. The course is delivered in a self-paced, fully online asynchronous format with access to instructional videos, reading materials, interactive activities, and team simulation experiences designed to replicate real-world leadership scenarios. The capstone project of this course includes the development of a comprehensive team project proposal and the completion of a final research and reflection paper on team dynamics and leadership processes. Additional assessment tools include Digital Leaderbook reflections, team-based assignments, and ongoing participation in simulation exercises. Prerequisite: ADV 201 – Advanced Leadership.
Version 1: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 1 semester hour in Management, Leadership, Strategic Management, or Strategic Leadership (6/20). NOTE: Students must successfully complete ADV 202 - Advanced Leadership and EXEC 302 - Executive Leadership to gain access to credit recommendations. Version 2: In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 3 semester hours in Management, Leadership, Strategic Management, or Strategic Leadership (10/25 revalidation). NOTE: Students must successfully complete ADV 202 Advanced Leadership and EXEC 302 Executive Leadership to gain access to credit recommendations.
Version 1 and 2: Varies, approximately 30 hours.
Version 1: August 2019 - September 2025. Version 2: October 2025 - Present.
Version 1: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: apply leadership theory to practice and experience; evaluate the role of leadership in organizational culture, change, and conflict resolution; analyze leadership situations from varying points of view in order to systematically evaluate ideas and arguments; develop the seven qualities of effective mentors; explore how to leverage passion into a career; describe how be an inclusive leader; explore ways to focus on performance for success; understand the dynamics of organizational life; identify areas of focus for personal and professional growth; and outline plans for development. Version 2: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: review key components of a Better Community: Better World Project; Apply program concepts to their community leadership project; Communicate the results of their Better Community: Better World Project including critical reflection on their personal leadership growth.
Version 1: Major topics include integrating leadership development into a personal and professional lifestyle; reviewing 8 leadership styles and understanding the differences between transformational and transactional leadership; describing the characteristics of a leader who adapts to various situations and understanding the team benefits the team when one adapts one’s leadership style; explain what flexible leaders consider when making decisions, and understanding the impact flexibility has on teams; describing the connection between effective emotional challenge and leading through change and assessing and describing areas of strength and weaknesses related to leading through emotional intelligence. The capstone project of this course is to create two final projects: 1) a Leadership Research paper; and 2) a Better World Project. Each course additionally requires a comprehensive case study analysis. Prerequisite: EXEC 301 – Executive Leadership. Version 2: Major topics include applying leadership and project management principles to design and implement a community-based initiative; utilizing design thinking processes and strategic planning to address organizational and societal challenges; integrating mentorship and networking as key components of project execution; employing structured reflection and analysis techniques to assess outcomes; and developing effective communication strategies to present and disseminate project results. The course is delivered in a self-paced, fully online asynchronous format with access to instructional videos, reading materials, interactive activities, and virtual office hours. The capstone project of this course is the completion of the Better World Project, which includes a comprehensive project proposal, implementation evidence, a reflection paper, an impact report, a multimedia project demonstration, and a storytelling submission. Additionally, each course requires participation in discussion activities and submission of project-based assignments throughout the course. Prerequisite: EXEC 301 – Executive Leadership.
Version 1: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 1 semester hour in Management, Leadership, Strategic Management, or Strategic Leadership (6/20). NOTE: Students must successfully complete ADV 202 - Advanced Leadership and EXEC 302 - Executive Leadership to gain access to credit recommendations. Version 2: In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 3 semester hours in Management, Leadership, Strategic Management, or Strategic Leadership (10/25 revalidation). NOTE: Students must successfully complete ADV 202 - Advanced Leadership and EXEC 302 - Executive Leadership to gain access to credit recommendations.
- Formerly Foundations of Leadership (FOL 102)
Version 1 and 2: Varies, approximately 30 hours.
Version 1: August 2019 - September 2025. Version 2: October 2025 - Present.
Version 1: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: participate in a success network team and engage in accountability groups to define a leadership goal and create the action steps towards completion; develop and communicate a personal elevator pitch with others to create new opportunities; evaluate traits of socially responsible behavior and act accordingly; describe tenets of social justice and empathy; develop positive interpersonal relationships through a focus on diversity; describe and explain a personal philosophy of leadership while drawing on leadership theories and methodologies; identify areas of focus for personal and professional growth and describe plans for development; analyze and evaluate leadership skills based on organizational cases; distinguish among four different communication styles; and identify personal communication style (DiSC); list goals and potential obstacles to completing goals; perform public speaking; and reflection activities. Version 2: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: define key terms and principles of leadership; describe leadership theories; identify personal leadership style; demonstrate strategies for leading others; and practice applying course concepts to real-world scenarios.
Version 1: Major topics include self-reflection, practical skill development, and building personal knowledge about leadership theory and application, goal setting and leading others; understand and engage with contemporary issues of leadership: collaboration, creative problem-solving, communication, and personal and social action. The capstone of this course creates two final projects including a Leadership research paper and a Leadership Roadmap or portfolio that includes a comprehensive picture of a personalized leadership development plan and a comprehensive case study analysis. Version 2: Major topics include exploring foundational leadership principles and theories; examining leadership styles across contexts; identifying and articulating personal leadership strengths, mission, and vision; applying leadership strategies to team dynamics, collaboration, and motivation; and evaluating the role of social responsibility, diversity, and inclusion in effective leadership practice. The course is delivered in a self-paced, fully online asynchronous format with access to instructional videos, reading materials, interactive activities, scenario-based role-playing, and case study analyses. The capstone project of this course is a final research and reflection paper on leadership theories and practices. Additional assessment tools include the Digital Leaderbook with reflective assignments, Leader Action Roundtable activities, case study analyses, and participation in interactive exercises throughout the course. Prerequisite: FOL 101 – Foundations of Leadership.
Version 1: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 2 semester hours in Management, Leadership, Strategic Management, or Strategic Leadership (6/20). Version 2: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 3 semester hours in Management, Leadership, Strategic Management, Organizational Leadership, or Strategic Leadership (10/25 revalidation).