Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies

This course is designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to interdisciplinary concepts and skills at the graduate level. Emphasis will be placed on cross-disciplinary analysis and the application of hybrid skills in future professions. In addition, the course will prepare students to effectively apply critical reading, writing and thinking skills in analyzing interdisciplinary topics. (3 units)

Integrative Capstone

The Interdisciplinary Studies capstone course allows the student to blend the skills and knowledge acquired from two areas of emphasis in earlier course work into one comprehensive research paper. The course is designed to assess student mastery of skills through the synthesis of interdisciplinary relationships from concepts and techniques learned from multiple disciplines; while reflecting on the purpose of these specialized relationships in their personal and professional goals. Prerequisites: IDS500 and Permission of Department Chair. (3 units)

Foundations of Management

A foundational course for all MBA students. It is designed to ensure all MBA students have the knowledge and skills required to be successful in the MBA program. Students will be required to demonstrate competency in finance, global business, economics, organizational behavior, operations management, human resources, ethics, and law. This course will also help students bridge the scholar-practitioner divide through teaching research and critical thinking skills needed to be successful in the program. (3 units)

Marketing Management

This course investigates the strategic implications and considerations of marketing management decisions. The course covers the formulation and implementation of effective planning for market development. Substantive and procedural aspects of marketing will also be addressed. Pre- or Co- Requisite: BUS 503. (3 units)

Global Business Management

This course focuses on management perspectives, economics, finance, culture, politics, legal, and organizational issues associated with international business operations. Course materials address business strategies, enterprise management alternatives, political and economics relations, comparative national systems, and the global economy. Pre- or Co-requisites: BUS 503 or IDS 500. (3 units)

Strategic Management

Using the case analysis method, a course in which students learn the tasks of strategic management in the business firm: establishing an effective vision; setting strategic and financial objectives that are grounded in solid market data; forming and implementing an appropriate strategy; and evaluating organizational performance. With written, verbal, and presentation assignments, students develop the ability to identify, analyze, and make recommendations regarding strategic organizational problems in order to learn a variety of conceptual approaches to strategic thinking. Pre- or Co-requisites: BUS 503 or IDS 500. (3 units)

Human Growth and Development

A study of the developmental cycle of the human organism from a cognitive, psychological, sociological, and moral perspective. Emphasis is placed on theories and research related to child development. (3 units)

Human Sexuality

Human sexuality focuses on the etiology, diagnosis and treatment of sexual dysfunction with an overview of physiology. It further examines the clinical, social and ethical issues in counseling persons with AIDS-related problems. (3 units)

Advanced Research Methodology

Theoretical and practical applications of research methods of psychotherapy. Prerequisite: BEH 383 Statistical Techniques in Behavioral Science or equivalent. (3 units)

Professional Ethics and Law

An examination and explanation of current laws and ethical issues affecting psychotherapists. (3 units)

Introduction to Educational Leadership

This course equips students to lead from multiple theories and establish best practices in educational leadership and introduces students to the ethical, legal, fiscal and administrative knowledge and skills required for effective school leadership. (3 units)

Theories of Learning and Teaching

Examination of principles of teaching that can be derived from psychological theories and research, including behavioral, cognitive, and social theories. (3 units)

Curriculum Theory and Development

This course is an overview of curriculum from the societal level to the classroom level and the experiences of the learner. Provides opportunity to explore development of the school curricula, K-12; to examine philosophical bases for curriculum development; and to investigate procedures for organizing the curriculum for effective learning. (3 units)

Applied Educational Research

This course introduces the variety of the most common research design methods that are effective and appropriate for use in the educational setting to assess program effectiveness, student learning, intervention efficacy and the analysis of data. Candidates will develop skill in interpreting research literature; becoming acquainted with sources of research literature; developing an understanding of the methodology of educational research; becoming a critical reader of research reports; and gaining a basic knowledge of statistics. An emphasis on the teacher as a researcher will provide a basis for assignments. Prerequisite: Declared Educational Leadership for Public Institutions Specialization or Teaching and Learning Specialization. (3 units)

School, Family, and Community Partnerships

This course will examine family, community, societal, and cultural influences on children's schooling and learning and explore ways to create partnerships to support families and children. Emphasis is on the development of strategies for integrating family members and community resources into the learning process and addressing and overcoming barriers to partnerships. (3 units)

Early Childhood Literacy and Language Development

This course will review significant research and theory regarding language acquisition and literacy skills in the early childhood period. Current instructional and assessment strategies for early literacy and language development in young children, including the bilingual child, will be explored. Techniques for involving and educating families will be investigated. (3 units)

Early Childhood Program Development and Evaluation

The course will examine the process of program development, evaluation, and improvement in the early childhood setting with a focus on industry standards and best practice. Students will be introduced to measurement tools such as the Environment Rating Scales (ECERS), NAEYC Accreditation criteria, and the Program Administrators Scale (PAS). Students will utilize common assessments to develop action plans, and integrate their knowledge and understanding of program development and evaluation by creating a proposal for an early childhood program. (3 units)

Critical Issues in Special Education

This course engages education leaders in an in-depth analysis of controversial issues in special and general education. It encourages active debate in three broad areas: 1) special education and society, social policy, and practice; 2) inclusion, philosophies, and epistemologies; and 3) issues about exceptionality and critical considerations about specific issues in the field. (3 units)

Introduction to Educational Leadership

This course equips students to lead from multiple theories and establish best practices in educational leadership and introduces students to the ethical, legal, fiscal and administrative knowledge and skills required for effective school leadership. (3 units)

Program Evaluation and Development

This course equips students with the knowledge and skills to lead comprehensive curricular program improvement. Students will develop strategies and techniques that use data to identify and assess areas for instructional improvement, design and implement plans to improve instruction for all students and develop systems for ongoing program improvement. Prerequisite: Declared Educational Leadership for Public Institutions Specialization or Educational Leadership Specialization. (3 units)

Governance, Policy, and Community Relations

This course equips candidates with the knowledge and skills that build productive relationships with various school constituents and mobilize necessary resources for all students to achieve. Candidates examine the relationships between national, state, and local political systems and the governance of public school systems and learn strategies for developing a school-community relations program. Prerequisite: Declared Educational Leadership for Public Institutions Specialization or Educational Leadership Specialization. (3 units)

Leadership, Worldviews and Contemporary Issues

Students will evaluate a range of contemporary issues related to education from different leadership and worldview perspectives and develop a worldview and leadership philosophy. Students are equipped with a foundational understanding of worldviews and leadership so as to be informed catalysts for change in education environments. (3 units)

Information Systems Design

Emphasizes the design of information systems with the intent to complement and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the organization in regards to organizational strategy, control, and on-going activities. Topics covered include systems architecture and components, web-enabled commerce, decision support systems, business intelligence, planning, and acquisition. Course highlights the need to link technology policy with corporate strategy with the overall goal to support and enhance competitive advantage. (3 units).

Project Management

Emphasizes the application of project management skills, tools, and techniques to information systems related project activities in order to determine project scope, charter, resources, scheduling, and cost requirements. Topics include project management, process groups and integration, scope, time management, costs, quality management, human resources, communications management, risk, procurement management, and stockholder management. (3 units).

Systems Security

Emphasizes the need, importance, and application of information security with a focus on protecting the informational assets of the organization. Topics include security frameworks, risk assessment, threat management, security plan development, security technologies, cryptography, physical security, implementation, and personnel. An importance is placed on the need to balance risk with organizational goals and the significance of applying a top-down management approach for driving security strategy and policy. (3 units).

Disaster Recovery Planning

Emphasizes the evaluation and assessment of an organization's information assurance needs and the necessary tools required for planning, risk assessment, backup, recovery, and detection with an importance on implementing a comprehensive Information Assurance Management program for the organization. Topics include information assurance basics, planning, risk mitigation, detection and recovery, and the application of information assurance to selected industries. (3 units).

Ethics and Leadership in Kinesiology

This course will focus on value systems and their role in ethical leadership. Ethical issues in kinesiology, sport, exercise, and physical education are examined, with the application of leadership theory and fundamental principles in guiding ethical discussion, assessment and evaluation. This course will include an examination of biblical principles of leadership, relevant laws and theories pertaining to leadership, ethical theories, and the development of leadership in the domains of kinesiology, exercise and sport. (3 units)

Sports Nutrition

This course provides a foundation in the science of exercise nutrition and bioenergetics. These foundational principles will be used in constructing sound nutritional recommendations as they apply to human physical activity and sports medicine. Current research concerning pharmacologic and nutritional ergogenic aids, disordered eating, fluid balance and thermoregulation, and body composition will be discussed. (3 units)

Legal Aspects of Kinesiology

This course provides an understanding of the American legal system and its response to sport related disputes. Material includes legal terminology, liability, risk management, personnel issues, Title IX, and various issues facing today's teachers, coaches and athletic administrators. (3 units)

Exercise and Fitness Education

This course will focus on the pedagogical principles of fitness and applied psychomotor skills that fitness professionals must possess in order to successfully work with adults and special populations. Instructional methods will be studied in relation to cardio-respiratory endurance, strength, flexibility exercises, skill related components of fitness, body composition, and wellness. Special emphasis will be place on health risk factors, fitness assessment, movement technique, and exercise programming. (3 units)

History and Theory of Public Administration

This course traces the historical development of the intellectual and theoretical foundations of modern public administration beginning with Woodrow Wilson's essay concerning the politics administration dichotomy through the multitude of more modern theories. It includes an overview of the responsibilities of public administration professionals within a democratic society, a description of the history and development of the field of public administration, and an introduction to ethical issues faced by public administrators. (3 units)

Conflict Resolution and Labor Negotiations

This course provides a comprehensive approach to conflict resolution with an emphasis on public sector labor negotiations. Students will evaluate and will critically analyze theoretical, collaborative and practical approaches associated with conflict resolution, negotiation and consensus building in the workplace. Case study examinations will include root causes and dynamics of conflict, various methods of conflict analysis and resolution techniques, reflective practice, third party roles, and ethics as it applies to the position of the legitimate and accountable administrator. (3 units)

Legal and Ethical Issues

This course examines the basic legal and ethical concepts and challenges facing public administrators. The lectures, readings, and class discussions will be used to identify principles that might guide legal and ethical choices, and to show the practical impacts of these principles. (3 units)

Political Economy

This course examines the interrelationship of political and economic factors that influence both public political and economic outcomes. Key means of analysis will include application of micro- and macro-economic theories to obtain better understandings of political and administrative decision-making processes. (3 units)

Foundations of Management

A foundational course for all MBA students. It is designed to ensure all MBA students have the knowledge and skills required to be successful in the MBA program. Students will be required to demonstrate competency in finance, global business, economics, organizational behavior, operations management, human resources, ethics, and law. This course will also help students bridge the scholar-practitioner divide through teaching research and critical thinking skills needed to be successful in the program. (3 units)

Entrepreneurship

This course introduces new enterprise formation and management from the perspective of the entrepreneur or advanced-level manager. Some practical issues that are covered in detail include: market planning, business plan preparation, the opportunity recognition process, effective team building, and startup capital acquisition. The course will cover social entrepreneurship as well as corporate entrepreneurship. The course also surveys the concept of intrapreneurship of an ongoing and larger business, and offers an examination of the factors that enable an entire unit of a large organization to become more creative and dynamic. Pre- or Co-requisites: BUS 503 or IDS 500. (3 units)

Organizational Behavior

This course focuses on the relationships of individuals and groups within the organizational framework as it involves the nature, performance, and structure of organizational life. The course examines theories of organizational behavior and leadership methods with emphasis on integrating biblical principles. Pre- or Co- Requisite: BUS 503. (3 units)

The Ethical and Legal Environment of Business

This course covers ethical reasoning based on biblical principles as it applies to business situations and identifies the major areas of past and present government regulations impacting business. The emphasis is on the relevant ethical and legal mandates and restrictions affecting managers in all business sectors. Prerequisite: BUS 358 or equivalent. Pre- or Co-requisites: BUS 503 or IDS 500. (3 units)

Foundations of Organizational Leadership

Reviews contemporary issues and perspectives on organizational leadership, multi-disciplinary perspectives, and leadership models. The distinction between leadership and management, vision, collaboration and strategies to manage organizational behavior will be explored. Emphasizes the application of concepts to actual organizational situations culminating in the articulation of a personal philosophy of leadership. (3 units)

Organizational Communication

Explores the breadth of communication tools available to organizational leaders for instituting change, perception, and organizational growth. Examines and evaluates communication in a variety of formats, including dyadic, small group, formal and informal communication. Collaboration strategies and their results are examined as an influence on group dynamics. (3 units)

Leadership Across Cultures

Examines the social, cultural, and historical influences on leadership in a global society. Aspects of social forces, dynamics, and historical contexts that influence human experience will be explored. National, corporate, community, and group organizations are examined for evidence of culturally influenced worldviews and values and how they impact the workplace. (3 units)

Strategic Management

Examines the strategic planning process including formulation, implementation, and control. Provides a framework for identifying vision, core values, goals, and competitive advantage for the organization. Explores various organizational strategies from for-profit and non-profit enterprises. Develops an understanding of how to create strategic options by synthesizing various strategies. (3 units)

Social and Behavioral Sciences Applied to Health

The overall framework for the course is based on the bio-psychosocial or ecologic perspective on health. In these models, health is seen as being determined by biologic, behavioral, social, and environmental factors that interact with each other and, to a greater or lesser extent, can be influenced by individuals and groups. (3 units)

Strategic Management for Public Health Services

This course is designed to provide knowledge and skills pertaining to the functions of strategic planning and marketing in the health care setting. Areas to be covered include an analysis of strategic planning and marketing theory, emphasizing strategic planning concepts in an era of regulation and competition, and a marketing orientation to designing the services offered by the health care organization. Students will examine contemporary health service issues through multi-disciplinary perspectives within organizational leadership, analyzing how leaders account for internal and external factors to improve organizational and system performance, thereby meeting individual and community health. (3 units)

Health Law and Ethics

Students explore and analyze current ethical issues such as biomedical research, insurance statutes, and demand management. Students survey the extensive legal foundations of health care, and apply current case law to contemporary situations. Topics include legal aspects of legislation, patient rights, data security, professional liability, and labor relations. (3 units)

Global Health

Introduces issues in international health, emphasizing core disease conditions, leading causes of death and disability within an international context, as well as programmatic and policy responses to improve international health. Topics may include environmental/natural disaster preparedness, food security, infectious/communicable disease management, essential drugs and immunizations, population/family planning and maternal-child health, traditional practices and cross-cultural communications, literacy, and international public health policy/advocacy. (3 units)

Advanced Communication Theory

This course provides a survey of theoretical perspectives on communication including a broad history of milestones and current theoretical models. This course is designed to expose students to communication theory through readings, discussion, research, and writing. Students will learn how communication theories are developed, analyzed, evaluated and applied. (3 units)

Communication Management, Leadership, and Decision-Making

Explores the communication management process for the private, public and non-profit sectors to develop and analyze messages used in the processes of leadership, including motivation, inspiration, and decision-making. Students will engage in the study of human communication practices and theories along with their relations to effective leadership and decision-making to produce change. (3 units)

Media Effects on Communication Behavior

This course will explore media?s social, political and cultural effects. Media including those who produce it have the power to influence society. Students will be able to critically approach media effects theory and understand how media influences people. This course will focus on the complex interrelationships between consumption of media content and the motives beliefs, feelings, and behaviors of people. Students will also critically analyze theories and apply them to current media coverage and think about the future of media effects. (3 units)

Digital Trends in Strategic Communication

This course will examine the shift from print to digital media as an ever-evolving phenomenon. The impact of new communication technologies, changed political mobilization, and social networks. Students will gain an understanding of analyses applied to digital communication and apply methodologies to contemporary questions about media, technology, sociality, and society in a variety of settings. Students will establish both theoretical and experiential foundations for making personal decisions and judgments regarding the relationship between mediated communication and community including the Christian community. (3 units)