Program Overview

Leadership & Civic Studies I (Wilson College)

Educating the Next Generation of Civic Leaders

Wilson College of Leadership & Civic Engagement is McMaster University’s newest addition; and it’s designed for changemakers like you! Our Leadership & Civic Studies I program is where big ideas meet real world impact. You will tackle pressing societal challenges, sharpen your critical and creative thinking, and develop the skills to drive meaningful change in your community.

With a small, supportive cohort, your learning will extend far beyond the classroom. You’ll graduate with a Combined Honours BA in Leadership & Civic Studies plus a second subject from Humanities or Social Sciences. Along the way, you’ll gain hands-on leadership experience through community projects, research, and civic engagement. By graduation, you’ll be ready to lead with integrity, collaborate across disciplines, and help shape a more inclusive, ethical, and sustainable future.

Why Leadership & Civic Studies I (Wilson College) at McMaster University?

Double your Degree. Amplify your Impact.

Why settle for one major when you can graduate with two? You’ll earn a Combined Honours BA in Leadership & Civic Studies and another subject of your choice from the Faculty of Humanities or Social Sciences. This unique program blends your passions with real-world skills to help you stand out to employers and graduate schools.

Your Home on Campus – Guaranteed!

Transitioning to university is a big step, and we want you to feel supported from day one. All Wilson College students are guaranteed residence in one of McMaster’s many vibrant student communities – Peter George Centre for Living and Learning. You’ll live with likeminded peers while enjoying campus events and opportunities designed for growth.

$1500 to Kickstart Your Journey

We believe in recognizing your potential from the very beginning. That’s why every Wilson College student automatically receives a $1,500 entrance scholarship upon admission. Consider it both a celebration of your achievements and an investment in your future.

Program Options

You’ll pair Leadership & Civic Studies with another subject from the Faculty of Humanities or Social Sciences, creating a unique degree that matches your interests and career goals.

• Combined Honours BA in Leadership & Civic Studies and …
  • Faculty of Humanities:
    • Cognitive Science of Language
    • Communication Studies
    • English and Cultural Studies
    • French
    • History
    • Linguistics
    • Media Arts
    • Music
    • Global Peace and Social Justice
    • Greek and Roman Studies
    • Philosophy
    • iArts (Integrated Arts)
  • Faculty of Social Sciences:
    • Anthropology
    • Economics
    • Environment and Society
    • Health, Aging and Society
    • Indigenous Studies
    • Political Science
    • Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour
    • Society, Culture and Religion
    • Sociology
    • Work and Labour Studies

Experiential Learning

Capstone & Placement: Your Final-Year Advantage

In your final year, you’ll bring everything together through a professional placement and a capstone project. The placement puts you inside an organization where you can apply your skills, gain hands-on experience, and start building your network. Capstone challenges you to tackle a real-world problem by integrating leadership theories, civic engagement strategies, and research skills into a project with meaningful impact. Together, these experiences ensure you leave Wilson College not just with a degree, but with the confidence and connections to launch your career or pursue further studies.

Information Box Group

Target Enrolment: 50

Admission Requirements:

• Grade 12 English
• Five additional Grade 12 U/M courses
• Mid-80's average
• Supplementary Application

Expandable List

First Year Courses

• WILSON 1A03 – Introduction to Leadership and Civic Studies: Discover how leadership and civic engagement take shape across cultures, histories, and perspectives from Indigeneity to the Global South.
• WILSON 1B03 – Inquiry & Contemporary Issues: Learn how to ask powerful questions, build strong research skills, and table real-world issues in leadership and civic engagement
• 24 units (8 classes) from Humanities and Social Sciences level one & electives

Beyond First Year

After completing the first-year program, you’ll select a second major from the Faculty of Humanities or Social Sciences to create your Combined Honours degree. From there, your studies will blend courses from Leadership & Civic Studies and your second subject while incorporating three themes:

• Leadership & Civic Engagement
• Ethics, Governance, and Democracy
• Justice, Human Rights, and Communication

Upper Year Wilson Courses

• WILSON 2D03 – Deconstructing Leadership: Leadership and Diversity: Examines theories and practices of leadership from diverse, critical perspectives including Indigeneity, class, gender, race, age, and ability.
• WILSON 3E03 – Future of Canada Challenges: This topics-based course will be structured around a series of guest speakers who will talk to students about pressing issues of contemporary concern to Canadian societies and the world.
• WILSON 3F03 – Leadership and Civic Engagement Skills and Methods: This experiential, project-based course will provide students with training in ethical quantitative and qualitative methods to develop solutions to a specific societal challenge, need, or concern.
• WILSON 4A06 – Civic Leadership Placement & Project: This course provides supports, resources, and mentorship to complete a major independent or group project related to civic engagement and leadership. The project will combine research and community-informed work and will include volunteer placements in community-based organizations. Final projects will be presented at a year-end symposium where key stakeholders, including the larger public, will be invited to share in students’ findings and accomplishments.