Organizational Leadership

GEN 501L

Designed to give students the skills they need to complete successful written projects and research in graduate-level courses within the context of a biblical worldview. Students who pass this course will demonstrate proficiency in critical thinking, expressed through solid research and clear writing, which serves as the foundation for further studies in the University’s graduate programs. Includes research tools and methods for scholarly research. The successful completion of GEN 501 is considered a prerequisite for all other graduate courses. Students who are unable to earn a minimum grade of B- in GEN 501L after three attempts will be administratively dropped from their next session and must appeal to be allowed to re-enter the Graduate program.

3

Credit Hours

LEA 530

An examination of leadership theories in order to develop an effective foundation for leading self, and organizations. Theories to be studied include: Trait Approach, Skills Approach, Behavioral Approach, Situational Approach, and Leader-Member Exchange Theory. Other theories such as, Transformational Leadership, Authentic Leadership, Servant Leadership, Adaptive Leadership, and Followership, will be included. Organizational learning concepts and case studies will be analyzed; And lastly, students will have the opportunity to participate in leadership questionnaires, to explore their personal leadership style, and to develop a personal, and organizational, leadership philosophy.

3

Credit Hours

LEA 540

Organizational Behavior is the study of the behavior of individuals, teams, and organizations, within for profit and nonprofit arenas, which is based on current management and leadership theory. Emphasis is given to understanding, predicting, motivating, and changing work-related behaviors in organizations, as well as encouraging effective behaviors that help the individual, team, and the organization to flourish. Key topics include: managerial and leadership careers related to students’ work and calling, decision making, organizational change, leading and mentoring teams, conflict and negotiation, and cultural intelligence. 

3

Credit Hours

LEA 505

Examines ethical perspectives, elements of the leader’s character, systematic ethical decision making, and the impact of logic, emotions, biases and cultural influences on individual and organizational ethics. Methods will include research, case studies, self-assessment, and application of a biblical worldview.

3

Credit Hours

LEA 560

The study of teams within for-profit and nonprofit organizations based on current management theory. The emphasis in this study will be on horizontal structures and creating, managing, and leading agile teams. Key topics include Complicated and Complex Theory, leadership and delegation, relationships, organizational silos, Gardening Theory, Natural Church Development Theory, and shared consciousness.

3

Credit Hours

LEA 545

Cultural Intelligence (CQ) is the capability to function effectively in a variety of cultural contexts. Students will examine literature and perspectives from the fields of anthropology, sociology, and organizational leadership as well as study cultural engagement in light of the biblical narrative.

3

Credit Hours

BUS 515

Introduces the principles of financial management. Students will review basic concepts of financial management, financial analysis and control, capital investment decisions, cost of capital, sources of long-term funds and cash management principles, accounting, review of basic organizational financial statements, ratio analysis, debt and equity securities, security valuation, and Time Value of Money. It is a study of the fundamentals of corporate finance as they relate to non- financial managers.

3

Credit Hours

LEA 510

Teaches practical skills of personal and professional coaching necessary for moving organizations forward to achieve strategic goals and objectives. Students will practice fundamental coaching skills in the context of direct coaching relationships, with applications to team leadership, conflict management, and strategic planning.

3

Credit Hours

LEA 550

Introduces students to the topic of Innovation and Innovation Management. Innovation, by its very nature, requires an acceptance and regard for the new, the different, and the creative. Without an innovative mindset in an organization (which includes its levels of leadership, teams, and individuals), the organization can become stagnant, settle for the status quo, and not flourish as it once did. In this course, students will study strategies related to innovation, and consider concepts, models, or tools applicable to managing or leading innovation, which may positively impact the organization’s future and growth.

3

Credit Hours

CAP 595

The Graduate Capstone is a six-week course with assignments that include discussions and reflections on the scope of the student’s discipline, reviews of recent literature on leadership, and the creation of a final essay of 10 pages in which students write about guiding principles such as life purpose, core values, goals, and vision, as well as identifying key principles of leadership gleaned throughout their courses of study they plan to apply in the future. Prerequisite: Completion of all degree requirements with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00.

3

Credit Hours

CAP 596

The Graduate Capstone Experience is a six-week course that is built on the foundation of a hands- on experience in the student’s chosen discipline. The experience will reflect the scope of the degree studies, reviews of recent literature on the topic, and will demonstrate an area of the student’s specific passion in the discipline. The experience will be described in a final essay of 20 pages in which the student describes the experience in detail and how the understanding gained through the experience will be applied in future work and ministry. Prerequisite: Completion of all degree requirements with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 and approval of the Provost or designee.

3

Credit Hours

CAP 597

The Capstone Thesis is a 12-week course that highlights the student’s independent scholarship in investigating and developing a chosen topic, integrating a biblical worldview and theoretical base with a comprehensive literature review. Students will work directly with a faculty thesis advisor to produce a 40 – 80 page scholarly work. Prerequisite: Completion of all degree requirements with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 and approval of the Provost or designee.

3

Credit Hours