LEAD 601: Leading & Managing People
Credits: 3
An introduction to organizational leadership from theoretical and applied perspectives. This course will help students to understand the importance of effectively communicating mission and shared vision in an organizational setting. Topics explored are the importance of innovation, integrity, creativity, collaboration and the critical role of leading a motivated and engaged employee in an inclusive workforce.
LEAD 602: Leading Strategic Change
Credits: 3
An organization’s effectiveness depends on its ability to respond to changing business conditions. In this course students identity the financial, political, social, and cultural environment for change and its impact on the organizational environment. This course will address why organizations fail at implementing change. Through case samples and projects, students will identify organizations that succeeded and failed in managing change.
LEAD 603: Managing a Diverse & Global Workforce
Credits: 3
Cross-cultural competence is a critical skill for those wanting to lead and manage effectively in successful organizations. Students will learn how to work more effectively in organizational cultures that embrace the opportunities and benefits of diversity. Concepts include global workforce issues, recruitment, and employee retention practices.
LEAD 604: Ethics & the Corporate Environment
Credits: 3
This course applies ethical theory and practice to the corporate environment. This course reviews different ethical systems, cultural differences, and ways organizations develop an effective ethics programs. Topics include conflicts of interest, employee rights, privacy, ethical decision-making, and emerging issues in business ethics.
LEAD 605: Innovation & Technology
Credits: 3
Introduces key change management strategies necessary to drive innovation in a rapid and changing global environment. Includes theory and practice in relation to technology and innovation. Student projects will focus on strategies to design, implement, communicate and embrace innovation as well as techniques for mapping and assessing how to best leverage technology within an organization. The course will also address patterns and emerging issues of technological and market innovation.
LEAD 606: Budget & Resource Management
Credits: 3
Managing critical organizational resources is essential for effective leadership. Leaders are required to assess organizational needs and develop a financial plan to achieve desired goals. The objectives of this course are to understand key financial terms and concepts, analyze financial statements, prepare and manage budgets, and understand the legal and regulatory aspects of financial reporting. This course is designed to include students without a background in finance.
LEAD 607: Negotiation and Conflict Resolution*
Credits: 3
Conflict is a natural part of organizational life. Effective negotiation and conflict resolution skills are necessary to foster productive organizational environments and success in leadership positions. Students will learn how to analyze conflicting interests and resolve them through negotiation and mediation processes. Students will practice negotiation and conflict resolution skills in exercises and role-plays.
*100% online with one synchronous meeting hour on Wednesday or Thursday from 7-8pm weekly.
LEAD 608: Data Management
Credits: 3
This course prepares students to collect and analyze data to support effective decisions. Data analysis can provide a competitive analysis in making critical decisions regarding the direction of an organization. High performance organizations rely on data to help drive strategy and respond to changing business conditions. Topics include descriptive and predictive analytics, and provide students with project-based opportunities to apply their analytical thinking.
LEAD 609: Managing Risk in the Global Environment
Credits: 3
The goal of this course is to provide students an overview of the risks that organizations face in the global environment. Students will identify strategies for assessing and mitigating potential risks that include health and safety, reputational risks, financial risk management and embracing issues of compliance. Students will be prepared to function in a business environment with the knowledge and tools to design and implement an effective risk management program.
LEAD 692: Masters Capstone Project
Credits: 3
Students are required to complete a pre-approved original project that focuses on a specific problem within an organizational leadership setting. The capstone project involves identifying and investigating a problem or innovation, researching and identifying “best practices” and other strategies and innovations, preferably in their current or intended area of practice. The capstone is an integrative project that draws on core learning outcomes of the program.
Previous capstone projects include:
- Beni Brokers: The Right Choice for your Employee’s Care (business plan project that serves as the liaison between your employees and the insurance companies)
- Are First Born Children More Likely to Become a World Leader? (a study based on birth order theory and leadership)
- Ethical Leadership Perspective in Sports (a qualitative study on the overview of decision-makers in sports)
- Eurofins Abraxis Mentoring Program (a study creating a mentoring program at a small company)
- Buzy Babies Child Care (business plan project creating affordable day care)
- Culture Change and the Retention and Recruitment of Staff in Early Childcare Centers and Education (a qualitative study of changing culture from top management to increase retention and recruitment)
- The Challenges and Best Practices of Student Leadership in Higher Education (a qualitative study for improvement and growth in Higher Education)
- Embracing Negative Feedback to Improve Your Organization (a qualitative study to embrace negative feedback and improve organizations and customer loyalty)
- 3 Pillars Performance (business plan project focused on financial literacy; health and wellness; mindfulness and mental health)
- Smoov Solutions, LLC (business plan project focused on improving work atmosphere and employee engagement)
- Leadership Development in Family Court through Emotional Intelligence Training (a review-based approach to incorporating EI training for family court employees)
