Graduate Course Descriptions

The importance of leaders recognizing the responsibility of the individual as a citizen in a digitally driven culture is the primary focus of this course. Students will develop an understanding of their own competency and proficiency in the areas of Information and Data Literacy, Communication and Collaboration, Digital Content Creation, Safety and Security, and Problem Solving. This understanding and the implications of a digital citizenship perspective will be applied to the broader practice of leading others within organizations.

This course explores strategy development and adopts an interdisciplinary approach to this process by drawing on the disciplines of history, sociology, literature, and game theory. A historical overview of the field of strategy will be analyzed, along with contemporary approaches which will introduce and demonstrate real-world application. A combination of theory and practice in all relevant aspects of strategic and critical thinking will be emphasized.

This seminar style course will address a revolving set of timely and relevant topics in regard to leadership. Topics and/or lecturers will change to explore current events and topics that impact and inform leadership, organizational culture, and society.

The culminating experience is a research thesis which requires students to build upon their research of the leadership topic of choice established in LDR 600 and pursued throughout the program. Students will define how their research topic of choice has shaped them as both a scholar and a practitioner of strategic leadership.

This course explores power through the field of Socio-Narratology. Students will learn to recognize how power is manifest through everyday narrative and the role stories play in leader-follower communications. Students will acquire the tools needed to study the cultural influence of history, folklore, mythology, literature, and media.

This course examines the relationship between statistics, microeconomic trends, and effective decision making. It emphasizes the importance of using data and metrics to guide decision making and stresses the importance of data-driven outcomes.

This course builds foundational knowledge and practical approaches in balancing stakeholder interests, ensuring financial transparency, and addressing economic, social, and environmental sustainability. The tension between law and ethics is examined and critical thinking skills are further developed.

This course expands upon existing knowledge of finances and accounting and relates that information to leading a team or organization. Topics include financial statement literacy for decision-making purposes, budgeting and accounting at the enterprise level, and decision making based on financial information.

Emphasizes the role of human capital in the workplace. This course explores motivating and developing a competent and engaged workforce, and creating a thriving organizational structure and culture. This course covers both leadership and management concepts and explores topics such as performance management and motivating a diverse team.

This course explores current events that impact the way organizations conduct business. Through examination of emerging and new concepts, students will be better equipped to contribute to and lead the workplaces of tomorrow.