M.S. in Organizational Leadership

Students will investigate the financial management practices essential for socially responsible organizations, focusing on problem-solving and strategic decision-making. Students will address key issues such as forecasting, profit maximization, navigating international financial markets, and assessing financial risks. The course emphasizes evaluating social impact initiatives through financial statements, integrating sustainability and technology into budget processes. Students will analyze cash flow shifts using theoretical approaches and apply budgetary principles to impact funding, investing, and valuations. By the end of the course, students will be able to prepare comprehensive financial statements to effectively manage revenue, expenditures, and budgets in alignment with socially responsible goals.

Students will have an in-depth exploration of leadership theories, frameworks, and philosophies that can be applied to professional organizations. As growing leaders, students will analyze various leadership models, evaluating their effectiveness in fostering thriving and dynamic organizations. Emphasis will be placed on synthesizing these frameworks to implement meaningful organizational change, with a focus on promoting teamwork and collaboration. Through case studies, real-world applications, and personal reflection, students will develop the skills to apply leadership concepts in professional practices. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to critically assess their own leadership experiences and integrate relevant theories to drive organizational success and innovation.

This course offers a comprehensive exploration of ethical principles and practices that are essential for responsible and impactful leadership in today's business environment. Students will cultivate their own ethical perspectives through an in-depth examination of various professional codes of ethics, learning to recognize the critical role ethics play in fostering trust and integrity within organizations. The course emphasizes the importance of ethical behaviors in building public trust and highlights strategies for incorporating social justice into ethical decision-making. Through case studies and analysis of best practices, students will also gain insights into ethical leadership and its role in guiding organizations toward sustainable and socially responsible success.

Leaders drive innovation and strategy. In this course, students design and implement innovative strategic plans that align with an organization’s mission, vision, goals, and values. Students will explore models and frameworks for strategic planning, with a focus on aligning leadership behaviors to organizational objectives. The course emphasizes the development of measurable key performance indicators (KPIs) to track organizational performance and synthesizes the needs of both internal and external stakeholders. Through collaborative exercises, students will create customized strategic plans that sustain organizational values and strengthen stakeholder engagement, fostering a culture of innovation and long-term success. Skills: Key Performance Indicators, Strategic Planning and Implementation, Stakeholder Engagement and Management

In today's digital-first world, effective virtual leadership is essential for maximizing team performance and engagement. This course explores strategies and tools for leading virtual teams with confidence and clarity. Students will analyze a variety of technology tools aimed at enhancing productivity and employee engagement, while developing skills to evaluate and embody the traits of successful virtual leaders. Emphasis will be placed on best practices for overcoming challenges unique to multicultural and geographically dispersed teams, with an in-depth look at strategies for building relationships and fostering a sense of community in virtual workplaces. Additionally, the course will cover techniques for leading teams through periods of change and crisis, equipping students with the communication and leadership strategies needed to maintain cohesion, trust, and high performance in a remote setting.

This course is a culmination of concepts and techniques gained in previous courses while developing problem-solving and decision-making skills as a business leader. Students will demonstrate their expertise by building a final culminating project. The Capstone Experience is designed for students to demonstrate and document the impact of their knowledge of organizational leadership and competencies gained throughout.

This course emphasizes the evolving role of Human Resource Management (HRM) and its impact on organizational performance. Students analyze HRM’s responsibilities in ensuring ethical and legal compliance, as well as the laws governing employer-employee relationships and the role of government agencies in monitoring compliance. HRM’s influence on employee engagement and job satisfaction through compensation, development, communication, and conflict resolution will be examined. Students will design compensation plans aligned with organizational strategy and practice decision-making in areas such as workforce planning, recruitment, selection, and compliance. The course also evaluates HRM's role in labor relations and emphasizes effective communication strategies for conveying critical HR information, such as job enrichment, developing human potential, and resolving conflicts along with other workplace issues.

Organizational dynamics and change can improve organizations. Various organizational culture, toxic leadership, and organizational psychology will be reviewed to develop potential solutions or frameworks. This course focuses on decision-making processes and perspectives of various stakeholders to promote organizational behavior change. The relationship between leadership behaviors and company culture, providing strategies for gaining stakeholder support during organizational change, will be examined. Students will develop clear and concise communication strategies tailored to various audiences. Through case studies and problem-solving exercises, students will apply leadership concepts to identify and develop solutions for complex organizational challenges.

This course is designed to promote a broad range of perspectives and highlight the value of different experiences and viewpoints. Students will identify how to harness a sense of belonging in the workplace, as well as how it can drive innovation and support organizational success. Topics include fostering collaboration, navigating challenges, and effective communication strategies.

People-Centered Leadership emphasizes the importance of leading with a focus on individuals and their unique strengths. In this course, students will explore how to manage, empower, and guide teams by prioritizing respect, collaboration, and support. The course highlights creating a culture that values authenticity and psychological safety while leveraging team contributions for organizational success.

In any workplace, personal experiences and preferences can subtly influence decisions and interactions. This course helps students develop awareness of how these patterns, such as unintentional favoritism, can emerge and affect outcomes. Students will identify practical strategies to recognize these tendencies and foster more thoughtful, balanced decision-making.

In a world where information is readily available at anyone's fingertips, students will be equipped with the foundational tools and frameworks of data analytics to support informed and effective decision-making. Students will identify the primary types of data and key components of analytical systems, from problem identification to data collection and sampling methods. Emphasis is placed on applying statistical procedures, identifying meaningful patterns, and interpreting correlations to uncover insights. Through the use of analytical tools and real-world data, students will evaluate variables and outcomes, connect discoveries to strategic goals, and formulate data-informed recommendations to meet organizational needs.

This course provides an in-depth exploration of the market research management process and its role in strategic decision-making. Students will evaluate how research problems and designs shape effective marketing insights and create, as well as implement a range of research procedures, including surveys, questionnaires, and focus groups. Emphasis is placed on coding and analyzing both qualitative and quantitative data, identifying ethical considerations, and integrating emerging trends such as digital intelligence. Through evidence-based analysis, students will formulate and justify actionable recommendations that align with organizational goals and evolving market needs.

Critical components of evidence-based strategic planning and organizational alignment will be explored. Students will analyze how an organization's mission, vision, and values inform its strategic direction, while evaluating internal and external environments through tools such as SWOT and PESTLE. Emphasis is placed on using data across functional areas-accounting, economics, marketing, and management-to assess alignment with strategic goals. Students will develop skills to appraise organizational resources and capabilities, interpret market conditions, and apply cause-and-effect analyses to enhance competitive positioning and long-term success.

Employee relations can foster job satisfaction, engagement, and a positive organizational culture. Students will design performance management plans that include effective evaluation methods and feedback mechanisms, while also constructing fair and legally sound disciplinary processes. The course emphasizes the integration of communication, conflict resolution, and disciplinary systems to support professional development and organizational success. Through real-world case studies and strategic planning exercises, students will develop policies and action plans that address interpersonal conflict, deliver difficult messages with care, and support continuous organizational improvement.

Through an in-depth look at employment law and managing risk, this course will give students the tools needed to navigate a collective bargaining contract, along with required contractual policies and procedures. Students will gain a deeper understanding of workplace compliance laws, while exploring the differences between employees and independent contractors. Key topics include unfair labor practices, collective bargaining, contract negotiation, grievance procedures, and the administration of labor agreements. Special attention is given to the unique influence of organized labor within the education sector, highlighting its impact on performance management and conflict resolution.

This course examines the strategic role of the human resources (HR) function in shaping organizational success through effective planning, compliance, and alignment with long-term goals. Students will explore tools and processes for assessing the current state of HR operations, including legal compliance and organizational fit. Emphasis is placed on analyzing internal and external trends to determine optimal HR structure, developing competency-based workforce strategies, and creating future-focused staffing plans. Students will also design communication strategies to ensure compliance and transparency, understand payroll administration within legal frameworks, and establish performance metrics to evaluate HR effectiveness. Through real-world applications, students will gain the skills to position HR as a strategic partner in driving organizational performance.

This course explores the dynamic role of social entrepreneurs in launching and leading mission-driven ventures that prioritize social good alongside sustainable business practices. Students will examine strategic thinking, innovation, and leadership theories within the context of social change, assessing how entrepreneurs apply a systems perspective to drive meaningful impact. Benefit Corporations are a major emphasis in the course, as students examine the major tenets of certifying as a B-Corporation. Through comparative analysis of business models, including benefit corporations and traditional companies, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how social entrepreneurship fosters innovation and long-term organizational transformation.

This course explores how benefit corporations create social value through ethical leadership, stakeholder engagement, and community-centered practices. Students will analyze the roles of employees, communities, suppliers, and customers in benefit corporations, and evaluate strategies for fair and equitable treatment across stakeholder groups. Emphasis is placed on building transparent communication, ethical decision-making, and accountability for social impact. Students will examine sourcing and vendor selection practices, assess the social outcomes of organizational policies, and develop recommendations to enhance positive impacts on people and communities. Through real-world applications, students will gain the tools to align stakeholder strategy with the mission of socially responsible business.

The tenant of environment and governance are other areas of focus for qualifying as a Benefit Corporation covered in this course. Students will explore communication strategies for embedding sustainability into business strategy and assess how both traditional and benefit corporations integrate sustainable practices while navigating legal and regulatory constraints. Through analysis of supply chain decisions, governance policies, and sustainability standards, such as green purchasing, students will evaluate how companies create value and competitive advantage through environmental and social initiatives. The course emphasizes best practices in corporate governance, ethical leadership, and strategic innovation to drive long-term impact.