Online Master's in Leadership

Emphasizes management decision making utilizing accounting and finance concepts. The following subjects are addressed in the course: financial reports and metrics, financial analysis and planning, financial forecasting, financial markets, financial leverage, working capital management, capital budgeting processes, cost of capital and long term financing. The student will apply the knowledge learned by completing a financial strategy report and accomplishing a research report summarizing an application of financial analysis from either the academic or professional literature.

Information Technology Management explores the use of information technology to achieve competitive advantage, efficient operations and effective decision-making. This course also analyzes the functions of information technology and its impact on competitive strategy and organizational operations.

After this course the student will be able to help potential managers deal effectively with the human element in organizations. It examines causes of human behavior and how it affects management challenges such as communication, decision-making, leadership and motivation. The course is oriented toward team and project-based organizations and builds knowledge and skills to successfully operate in contemporary organizations. As a class, students will reflect on both our experience in organizations (companies) and as an organization (class).

Students will master analytical and integrative tools to perform in-depth analyses of industries, firms, and competitors. Course material includes methods to predict competitive behavior and develop and implement strategic plans to achieve and sustain a competitive profile in the emerging global marketplace.

This course emphasizes the application of marketing concepts, tools and decision-making processes middle managers use in developing marketing plans, programs and strategies. Within the marketing strategy framework, it also examines market analysis and measurement, profitability and productivity analysis, product development, promotion and pricing strategies, the logistics systems approach and the marketing plan. The student will apply the knowledge learned by structuring and presenting to the class a practical strategic marketing plan.

This course emphasizes the development and integration of project management in organizations. It provides an overview and introduction to the discipline of project management, coupled with an examination of the techniques that project managers use to complete their projects on schedule, within budgeted cost, and according to specified scope and quality. With materials presented by the Project Management Institute (PMI®) in its Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide), students explore the theoretical and operational framework of project management relating to the project life-cycle of project initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing.

In this course, students will become acquainted with the history, major theories, research, and major figures in the field of Organizational Leadership (OL). This introduction will be followed by an exploration of the different stages involved in OL (pre-launch, entry and start-up; diagnosis, assessment, and feedback; and action planning). This course is specifically designed to provide students with the basic theoretical and competency base needed to assist with and facilitate positive, planned change efforts within organizations. Students will complete this course prepared to delve further into specific topics in organizational leadership principles and change.

In this course, students will examine the methods, models, and processes specifically related to diagnosing and planning for organizational change. This course aims to help students become successful strategists as well as effective managers and leaders of change. This course is intended to help students develop an appreciation of the impact of internal and external factors that impact change to an organization. The course will cover techniques for developing and improving an organization through strategic change management initiatives.

In this course, students study the differing variations of organizational design and when each type might be a useful and appropriate design that can lead the organization and its leaders to their desired goals. Other concepts/models that the student will be engaged in: integration, environmental complexity and dynamism, decision-making rights, employee commitment, job design as well as different styles of management. Practical action plans will be prepared and obstacles to success will be discussed. At the end of the course, the student will have worked through the important aspects of organizational design and redesign and be able to share work with others in an articulate manner. The outcome of this work could be applied to an organizational situation.

In this course, students study many aspects of leadership and organizational power. The student will gain the ability to identify differing styles of leadership and determine when a certain style or combination of styles might be preferred in a certain situation. The student will delve into the world of organizational power and politics and discover how those concepts can be used to keep production and morale at peak levels. Action plans will be prepared and discussed. The student will have worked through the facets of leadership and organizational power and should be able to share their work with others in an articulate manner.