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Master's in Leadership

"The program material itself and the way it was put together was outstanding and I would say somewhat life-changing."

— Tom Finley

Leadership Course Descriptions

36 semester credits are required to complete the Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership.

ORGL 500- Organizational Leadership 3 Credits

Drawing on material from various social science disciplines, this integrated course focuses on research and models of leadership relevant to defining and achieving collective goals in a variety of organizational settings.

ORGL 501- Methods of Organizational Research 3 Credits

Study of the inquiry process, emphasizing research design and methodologies appropriate to investigation of organizational dynamics and human behavior; both qualitative and quantitative methods are explored.

ORGL 502- Leadership and Imagination 3 Credits

An examination of creativity through analysis of leadership themes in literature, drama, biography, and the arts; emphasizes the role of imagination in forming cultural images and perceptions of leaders and their functions.

ORGL 503- Organizational Ethics 3 Credits

Inquiry into the philosophic foundations of interpersonal relations and values in organizational contexts with emphasis on applications of ethical systems to the responsibilities of people in organizations towards society and individuals.

ORGL 504- Organizational Communication 3 Credits

Study of research finds, theories, and models of communication in organizations and examination of the impact of organizational culture and structure on the communication process, including factors maximizing effective communication and overcoming communication barriers.

ORGL 505- Organizational Theory 3 Credits

This course will serve as an introduction to the study of organizations. Students will be exposed to a synthesis and integration of major traditions in organizational theory. Emphasis will be placed on a grounding in theoretical concepts and their practical applications so students can learn to understand the chaotic and constantly changing world of organizations.

ORGL 506- Leadership and Diversity 3 Credits

Course provides students with an opportunity for reflection on experience, examination of theory and practical application of organizational leadership in the context of diversity. Diversity will be studied within the framework of race, culture, gender, orientation, and disability awareness. The goal of the class is to assist students in developing their own understanding and skills in becoming more effective leaders in organizations that acknowledge, value, and incorporate differences.

ORGL 509- Social Dynamics of Communication Technology 3 Credits

Does communication technology cause social change or do social factors cause change in communication technologies? Examination of relationships between mass media and community and computers and the self.

ORGL 510- Renaissance Leadership for 21st Century 3 Credits

This course provides an examination of Renaissance leadership as it applies to contemporary organizations. Course study is designed for an interdisciplinary group of students to explore the power of Renaissance thinking as it applies to renewal, rediscovery, invention and creativity. This course will help emerging leaders develop new perspectives and strategies to bring health, creativity and energy to their organizations. Learners will draw upon the creative process of artists, painters, architects, musicians, and writers and apply the same dynamics of creative thinking to the practical work of leaders in today's organizations. Special emphasis will be given to the artists of the Italian Renaissance, especially as developed in the city of Florence.

ORGL 513- Advanced Topics in Communication 3 Credits

The specific theme of this course varies each time it is offered because communication is constantly evolving. Some would say we are in the fourth communication revolution in the history of human experience. This seminar will explore cutting edge new technologies, theory and issues.

ORGL 516- Organizational Development 4 Credits

This course serves as in introduction to the study of organizational development. The focus of the course is to provide students with a basic understanding of the field, history, approaches, and techniques involved in utilizing this approach to system-wide organizational change and improvement. Issues related to ethics, diagnosis, change and uses of training will be explored.

ORGL 517- Organizational Change and Transformation 3 Credits

Students will be exposed to the concepts of organizational change, health, and transformation. After developing a profile of a healthy organization, students will use this as a guide, practicing methods of organizational diagnosis and intervention.

ORGL 518- Transforming Leadership 3 Credits

A comparison of transactional and transforming leadership by examining past leaders and events. Emphasis is given to determine how contemporary leaders can go beyond the social exchange theory to convert followers into leaders and leaders in moral agents.

ORGL 519- Leadership in Non-Profit Organization 3 Credits

Designed for students preparing to assume the role and duties of a leader, supervisor, or governing board member of a non-profit organization. This course will review theory and investigate specific methods of behaviors of non-profit organization leaders.

ORGL 520- Negotiation and Conflict Resolution 3 Credits

Theory, structure, and practice of collaborative negotiation and mediated negotiations. Application of the skills used to prevents and resolve conflict is emphasized. This approach to conflict resolution is generic and therefore appropriate for all professions whether formally or informally involved in resolving conflict.

ORGL 521- Technology and Communication in Organizations 3 Credits

The goal of this course is to learn how to use information technology to improve organizations. The course will provide background knowledge in philosophy of communication, organization theory and philosophy of information. Students will be offered opportunities to improve their organization's health by utilizing information technologies appropriate and available in their settings.

ORGL 522- Leadership and Community: Empowerment Collaboration and Dialogue

An appreciation for and an understanding of the leadership processes of empowerment, collaboration, and dialogue in the context of creating and transforming community. Emphasis is given to understanding individual and group development, structures of collaboration and dialogue, and leadership, which is oriented toward process rather than product.

ORGL 523- Psychology of Leadership 3 Credits

Review of psychological theories and how they influence the leader-follower relationship. Emphasis will be placed on the psychological/emotional capacities inherent in each individual, how each capacity appears developed and impaired, and the importance of the development of those capacities for effective leadership.

ORGL 524- Leadership and Human Resources 3 Credits

In this survey course students will explore the changing role of the human resource leaders in organizations. The growing emergence of the human resource leader as an organizational change agent will be examined as well as the skills necessary for success. A unique aspect of the course will involve a visiting panel format in which students will focus on and discuss current special topics in human resource leadership with practitioners.

ORGL 525- Legal and Ethical Issues in Human Resource Management 3 Credits

This course provides students the opportunity to explore and analyze the many complex legal issues involved in the employer-employee relationship, and how an organization's unique cultural and ethical framework affects that relationship.

ORGL 526- Employer Development 3 Credits

This course focuses on employees as an organization's most valuable resource. Through such issues and tasks as evaluation, job design, organizational development, team building, training, supervision and feedback systems, students will explore current trends and then develop their own approach to creating and empowering and motivating work environment.

ORGL- 530- Servant Leadership 3 Credits

An examination of the foundation, principles, and practice of servant leadership.

ORGL 532 Leadership, Justice and Forgiveness 3 Credits

In this course students will begin the process of understanding leadership, justice and forgiveness in the context of purposeful systems change. Servant-leadership and restorative vs. retributive justice are important aspects of the learning community. The course engages students toward self-responsibility in the context of reconciliation, and the depth of heart, mind and spirit that leads to healing and growth in community with others. Students will work to apply the interior leadership necessary for discernment and action within oppressive systems.

ORGL 545- Violence in the Workplace 3 Credits

Explores the issue of violence from theoretical and historical perspectives. Examines factors that contribute to interpersonal violence and indemnifies populations and settings of potentials high risk. Emphasized recognition of the violence continuum, prevention, intervention and resolution.

ORGL 550- Political Action

Examines need and strategies for influencing systems and policies, both formally and informally. Emphasizes forums for involvement, lobbying and testifying, using the media, building and orchestrating coalitions, monitoring and influencing legislation and handling opposition.

ORGL 550C Team Building and Leadership III 3 Credits

This three-day intensive program is designed to increase student's knowledge and understanding of leadership and team development through a combination of information sessions and team development through a combination of information sessions and active participation in cooperative, challenging activities.

ORGL 552- Civic Leadership 3 Credits

This three-day intensive program is designed to increase participants' knowledge about facilitation team building and leadership development activities. Learning will take place through sessions, involvement in cooperative, challenging activities as both a participant and facilitator, with opportunities for feedback and group discussion. Prerequisites: ORGL 551 or (ORGL 550A and ORGL 550B and ORGL 550C)

ORGL 571- Leadership and Fiscal Responsibility 2-3 Credits

This course utilizes theories of leadership as a foundation for decisions requiring fiscal resources. Emphasis is on the leader's responsibility to incorporate fiscal strategies in strategic planning and to incorporate budget as a decision making tool within the organization.

ORGL 573- Legal Tort and Malpractice 2-3 Credits

This course provides an introduction to tort law, negligence law, and civil procedures. Concepts covered include vicarious liability, strict liability, premises liability, and both professional and contributory negligence. Insurance law is reviewed and guidelines for serving as an expert witness and legal consultant are provided.

ORGL 582- Grant Writing-Project Mgmt 3 Credits

Examines beneficial strategies for focusing proposal efforts including organizing time invested in grant seeking. Stresses developing proposal ideas, determining priorities, documenting needs, organizing materials into a proposal, identifying potential funding sources, and managing a funded project.

ORGL 623- Qualitative Research Theory and Design 3 Credits

The assumptions, theories, and practice of qualitative research are introduced. Students design, conduct and report a pilot study that demonstrates basic research skills.

ORGL 650- Internship in Organizational Leadership 3 Credits

On-site leadership experience for students under supervision of a site supervisor and professor.

ORGL 659- Leadership and Economics 3 Credits

The application of economic principles to the solution of currents problems with emphasis on capitalism and North American economies are the foci of the course.

ORGL 660- Readings in Social Systems 1-3 Credits

Individualized study based on readings in a specific topic designed in consultation with the instructor; student discusses the selected readings on a tutorial basis with the instructor and prepares an annotated bibliography or bibliographic essay.

ORGL 661- Readings in Human Behavior 1-3 Credits

Individualized study investigating scholarly research findings in an aspect of the behavioral sciences defined by the student and instructor; student prepares a written report of findings on the research problem selected.

ORGL 670- Projects in Organizational Leadership 1-3 Credits

A formal research project investigating a problem in applied organizational or social research conducted under the tutelage of the instructor

ORGL 671- Projects in Group Behavior 1-3 Credits

A formal project of original research in a topic of group behavior that proceeds from a research design approved and monitored by the instructor

ORGL 680- Leadership Seminar 3 Credits

There are two basic components of this capstone experience: first, peer evaluation and discussion of readings, research projects, and internships under the direction of the seminar leader; second, a class community service project which requires application of organizational leadership skills.

To learn more about our leadership degree, request more information or call us today at (866) 295-3105.