Master of Leadership

Credit hours: 3
This course examines the foundation of leadership based on three guiding principles: Character, Culture and Christ.  Using these principles, learners are challenged to continually refine personal character, charged with creating inclusive and engaging cultures, all while modeling Christian principles of servant leadership. Learners will begin to develop a personal philosophy of leadership and understand how personal preferences influence leadership skills.  Additionally, the course explores fundamental leadership theory helping to frame a personal philosophy of leadership..

Credit hours: 3
It is critical that emerging leaders continually develop leadership skills with   global and cross cultural perspectives. This course continues to challenge learners to engage with the Taxonomy of Cultural Responsiveness, which is a perspective woven throughout the Masters program helping leaders engage intercultural learning. Using the Christian principle of Imago Dei, learners will synthesize how the notion that all people are made in the image of the Divine Creator impacts leadership perspectives and philosophy.  All people matter in the Kingdom, and it is imperative that culturally competent leaders integrate these principles into personal leadership ideology and decision making practices.

Credit hours: 3
This course examines the intersection of leadership and servanthood as it relates to changing circumstances, motivating individuals, and actualizing a vision within an organization.  Theoretical and experiential aspects of servant leadership are presented so that learners can understand how to apply these principles in everyday life, the work environment, and the community.

Credit hours: 3
This course examines leadership and culture and how they influence the functioning of groups within institutions.  Continuing to build with the Taxonomy of Cultural Responsiveness, the goal is to cultivate insight and respect for diversity and inclusion through the exploration of various cultures quite different from the learner’s own experience as well as develop frameworks for leading across those cultural dimensions.  Strategies for effective leadership that include diversity and cultural sensitivity are emphasized. 

Credit hours: 3
Strategic and focused planning efforts are a critical skill for leaders.  Learners are guided through the development of a strategic plan, which is necessary for effective organizations.  Learners will explore the processes needed for strategic planning, which include evaluation of previous planning models, organizational structure, needs assessment, SWOT analysis, development of objectives, allocation of resources, and an approach for administering the plan. 

Credit hours: 3
This course analyzes a variety of practices essential to group dynamics in order to understand the principles, structures, and values of building and leading effective teams, involving managing different personalities, cultures, conflicting political agendas, and varying skill levels of members. Additionally, learners will explore the importance of securing resources and managing the expectations of senior executives or other stakeholders internal or external to the organization seeking collaborative relationships throughout organizations.

Credit hours: 3
Learners are presented the relationship between leadership and ethics and challenged to evaluate a leader’s role in fostering ethical behavior within the organization.  Beyond examination of ethical systems and ethical issues, this course attempts to understand the ways in which ethics is central to the very act and process of leadership through an exploration of current case studies and relevant world events.

Credit hours: 3
This course examines the elements of leadership incorporating caring for others throughout the conflict resolution process.  Foundational theories on conflict resolution as well as basic counseling and listening skills will be explored. Examination of how the application of these theories and skills can be utilized to resolve disputes both interpersonally and organizationally are a focus within the course. Case studies, reading materials, and simulations are utilized to create dynamic learner focused experiences. 

Credit hours: 3
This course focuses on planning and implementing change within organizations and provides frameworks and tools necessary to implement that change.  Examination of both personal and organizational approaches to change are utilized to analyze case studies, complete exercises, and engage in dynamic group discussions. Learners are encouraged to recognize opportunities for change in organizations and understand how to manage change when it is presented. 

Credit hours: 3
People within an organization are arguably the most valuable resource, therefore, knowing how to find, lead, and motivate people is critical to the success of the leader and ultimately the organization.  This course introduces techniques and skills helping leaders train, support, evaluate, and properly resource divisions or areas within organizations.  Case studies are used to help the learner identify issues and opportunities for leadership to impact members of organizations.  Learners will encounter challenges with budgets, personalities, and political environments within organizations and apply leadership theory and practice with the intention to improve the quality of the employees experience within the system. 

Credit hours: 3
The capstone course is designed to generate and promote reflection, critical thought, intercultural responsiveness, and application of leadership knowledge and skills.  Learners will develop an initiative for a real-life project related to personal, work, or community leadership that will provide the opportunity for application of effective leadership practices that balances theoretical and practical awareness of leadership principles.  Discussions are utilized to engage learners and promote a more comprehensive understanding and connection of leadership skills, theories and practice to learner’s leadership settings.