Course Descriptions

MSL 680- Leadership Theory and Practice (Core Course)

The 21 st century brings more change, disruption, discontinuity, and chaos than organizations have ever known. To compete successfully in this environment, leaders need to adopt behaviors and develop knowledge and skills that move their organizations toward excellence. This course explores the diverse leadership styles, skills and strategies required of such a leader.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: upon successful completion of the course, students will

• Examine and describe personal philosophy of leadership
• Identify importance of effective leadership in workplace
• Understand research and theory of leadership and leadership development
• Analyze leader effectiveness and organizational excellence

MSL 681- Leading Change (Core Course)

Leaders in organizations are continuously required to lead their organizations through the Change process. Participants will explore various organizational systems such as organizational culture, diversity, effective work relationships and steps necessary in the change process. Armed with this knowledge, the effective leader will succeed in moving their organization through change.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: upon successful completion of the course, students will

• Analyze the extent to which an organization is change ready
• Knowing yourself and other people at work
• Identify effective work relationships
• Discuss how to create a vision with all stakeholders involved
• Examine skill to manage effective organizations
• Knowing about Diversity and culture of an organization
• Demonstration of motivation techniques to move people to change

MSL 682- Ethical Leadership

This course examines the ethical dimensions of leadership behavior and practice and the ramifications of organizational decision-making. Students identify ethical issues that impact organizational behavior, productivity and longevity. Proactive ethical strategies for organizational effectiveness are presented. Of particular focus are ethical behaviors and decision making within faith based organizations, human service organization, and educational frameworks.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: upon successful completion of the course, students will

• Identify ethical concepts and frameworks
• Examine ethical leadership in action
• Learn ethical decision-making processes
• Understand the role of ethics and organizational integrity
• Identify effective integrity strategies

MSL 683-Research for Leaders in Education and Human Services

This course emphasizes theoretical and practical research skills utilized by individuals leadership positions. Electric databases, research principles, collection and analysis of data and development of a research project are among the major topics included. Statistics are introduced as a tool to interpret research. This course is designed to make students savvier consumers of research.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: upon successful completion of the course, students will

• Understand basic models and principles of educational research
• Discern validity of research studies
• Locate and utilize electronic research searches
• Design a research project and capstone experience

MSL 684-Organizational Systems

This course examines the leadership role in diverse educational and human service organizations. Special emphasis is placed on the private for profit and non-profit (third sector) systems. Faith-based and religious organizations are reviewed to understand their role in developing leadership conscience.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: upon successful completion of the course, students will

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of organizational models
• Understand the nature of metaphor and its role in organizations
• Demonstrate skill at reading organizations from diverse perspectives
• Explain action strategies for systemic learning

MSL 685-Leading Learning Communities

This course examines the concept of learning communities from organizational and individual leadership perspectives. Emphasis in placed on developing leadership skills and strategies needed to create and sustain learning communities. Models from educational and human service organizations are examined. Creating, leading and sustaining learning communities along with visionary leadership are needed to promote organizational effectiveness and move organizations forward.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: upon successful completion of the course, students will

• Define the basic stages of the organizational learning process
• Demonstrate skills to foster learning and knowledge sharing
• Understand how leaders become learners and promote authentic learning in the organization
• Identify leadership challenges and impediments to organizational learning

MSL 686-Strategic Leadership in Education and Human Services

This course focuses on the critical analysis of strategic leadership. Students identify organizational strengths and needs in order to develop a strategic plan to achieve organizational mission, vision, and objectives. No where is this so important than for individuals leading within non-profit organizations. The essential elements of strategic leadership are highlighted in this developmental process.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: upon successful completion of the course, students will

• Identify organizational operating strengths and needs
• Develop a strategic organizational plan
• Learn scenario planning skills and strategies
• Demonstrate understanding of leadership initiatives and strategies essential for organizational growth and productivity

MSL 687-Current Organizational Issues and Trends in Educational and Human Services Organizations

This course is designed to offer students the opportunity to become acquainted with the important issues, professional trends, and innovations that are shaping professional training in the workplace. Students will examine their work environments to determine operational trends and strategic projections.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: upon successful completion of the course, students will

• Demonstrate knowledge of importance issues shaping education and human service organizations
• Prepare for organizational change and transitions
• Learn skill set for generational leadership development
• Identify leadership strategies for responding to shifting trends
• Know how to scan landscape to determine effective course of action

MSL 688-Leadership in the Information Age

This course provides students the tools to create a model of integrated leadership through the alignment, development, and improvement of current data systems within the organization. Students will develop an understanding of the needs of the organization's constituency of the organization and how to develop continuous improvement processes through the use of technology.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: upon successful completion of the course, students will

• Utilize basic technology skills to access systemic information
• Employ appropriate search engines to identify organizational needs
• Identify techno-info organizational needs
• Conduct an organizational technology assessment
• Create a technology plan in response to assessment

MSL 689-The Business of Leadership: Special Topics (4 credits)

This course offers students opportunity to apply the concepts of leadership and problem solving to real life experiences as they explore an area of individual interest. Readings from the "masters" in the field provide a framework for case studies, web seminars and projects.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: upon successful completion of the course, students will

• Use critical thinking skills for real life problem solving,
• Explore the nature of leading organizations from multiple perspectives,
• Develop online learning opportunities through participation in a web seminar,
• Work independently to identify, research, analyze, and recommend solutions to address a critical workplace issue.

MSL 690-International Leadership Perspectives

This course focuses on the key leadership behaviors and practices involved in leading education and human service organizations internationally. It provides insights on current international affairs, cultural diversity issues, and the ramifications for leading an organization in an international environment.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: upon successful completion of the course, students will

• Understand International perspectives and implications for leaders
• Identify critical components of effective international leadership
• Learn to analyze international scenarios
• Assess and determine effective strategies for international engagement
• Create professional international leadership platform

MSL 9100 Leadership Seminar (3 Cr)

This course focuses on strategic leadership and its influence for organizational effectiveness which occurs in the context of modern society by initiating change and reacting to change. Participants will pursue theory and research focusing on the foundations for decision making and analysis of complex historical, cultural, sociological, philosophical, and theoretical perspectives in the leadership process. This results in the creation of action plans for restructuring organizations.

MSL 9100S Leadership Simulation (3 Cr)

Reinforcing MSL 9100, this co-requisite course applies problem based learning methodologies to allow students to practice the leadership skills being acquired in MSL 9100. Students will learn to apply problem solving and critical thinking skills in a real world-like, risk-free, and immersive environment. Through rich dialog and collegial collaboration, students will serve in a variety of key leadership roles within a city administration using a cutting-edge interactive simulation of a virtual city. Over a period of 12 weeks, you will be engaged in making vital decisions relating to the quality of life of Centerville.