Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership

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)

Conflict Resolution and Negotiations

Emphasizes a pragmatic approach to resolving conflicts that arise in both non-profit and for-profit enterprises by applying conflict analysis models, tools and processes. Focuses on constructive communication, cultural awareness and sensitivity to diverse populations in a variety of settings, and reaching outcomes through the use of collaborative processes. (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)

Leading Organizational Change

Investigates concepts and practical techniques of organizational design and change. Emphasizes change management includes factors in transitioning individuals, teams, and organizations to a desired future state. Explores the leader's role in creating and preventing change, and strategies for coping with resistance will also be studied. (3 units)

Practical Financial Management

Develops a practical understanding of how to use financial data to inform leaders in making effective decisions to carry out the mission and goals of an organization. Emphasizes understanding the role of balance sheets, cash flow, and income statements to identify drivers of financial performance and resource allocation. Case studies are utilized to provide real-world application to concepts learned. (3 units)

Managing Human Capital

Emphasizes the strategic role of human resources in performing functions of recruitment, hiring, training, career development and other contemporary processes within the organizational setting. Serves as an introduction to the areas of compensation, collective bargaining, affirmative action and other regulatory procedures and requirements as they relate to applications within organizations. (3 units)

Legal, Ethical, and Public Policy Issues

Explores the philosophical concepts behind the construct of worldview, and its control over value formation, moral, and ethical decision-making. Reviews court cases and data surrounding the intersection of legal and ethical choices made by leaders will be studied. Examines the issues that shape public policy at the local, state and federal level and the ethical dilemmas policy makers face. (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)

Organizational Leadership Capstone Innovation Project

Provides an opportunity to synthesize the knowledge and skills learned throughout the program, and to develop an innovative, comprehensive project. May include, but is not limited to, a guided project, designing a new organization, analyzing an existing major organizational problem and recommending solutions, etc. (3 units)