Course Descriptions: Master's in Strategic Leadership

The following course are offered in the Master's in Strategic Leadership program:

   

Orientation
This course takes the place of a physical orientation. It is an overview of services at St. Bonaventure University and how to navigate the online courseware, while providing students the opportunity to have any questions answered as they begin to take online classes.

 

MSL 605. Leadership and Values (Cornerstone Course)
Students begin the program with a cornerstone course that introduces them to contemporary leadership principles and practices. Franciscan values related to effective leadership such as servant leadership, respecting each person's dignity, and humility as leaders are explored and self-assessments are used to help students gain insight into their own leadership strengths and areas for improvement. Students will complete a 360 degree evaluation and receive individual coaching on their leadership abilities. (Credits: 3)

 

MSL 610. Leadership and Diversity
People have intrinsic value beyond their tangible contributions in the workplace and the community. Understanding the unique contributions of diverse individuals makes an organization effective by capitalizing on all of the strengths of each employee. This course investigates the increasingly prominent issues surrounding diversity. Theories on gender and minorities in the workforce are reviewed so that students gain an understanding and appreciation of the special circumstances they face in modern society. Special emphasis will be placed on the role of the leader in organizations that are addressing the needs of a diverse workforce. (Credits: 3)

 

MSL 615. Developing Human Resources 

Effective leaders promote the transformation of self, organizations, and systems to create a culture of service and to build community. In this way, leaders must be effective in working in multiple contexts to effectively empower and motivate others. This course builds on theories in managing human resources that help leaders effectively select, train, develop, and build shared vision among employees. Students will evaluate team leadership strategies for empowering and involving others, as well as examine a leader's coaching and mentoring roles as performance enhancement strategies. (Credits: 3)

MSL 620. Global Leadership
This course focuses on issues that drive global policies, economics and behavior. As we live in an increasingly global world, this knowledge can help leaders to make far more informed decisions in their own work environments and understand more clearly the impacts of those decisions on people, nations, and global systems. The latest leadership theories, models, concepts, principles and practices regarding leadership issues, within the context of global, international and multicultural organizations are explored. (Credits: 3)

MSL 630. Leading the Digital World
This course provides an in-depth look at how technology and the Internet are impacting the way organizations and individuals lead, communicate, collaborate, share knowledge, and build ever-expanding communities of learning. Course activities focus on the social and ethical questions posed by today's e-world, as well as management best practices that foster effective use of technology. The course also addresses the issues of leading organizations through the process of change as new technologies are implemented and people strive to adapt. (Credits: 3)

MSL 635. Conflict Resolution
This course will look at a history of conflict from organized labor to regional and world conflicts with a focus on peaceful resolution and planning with compassionate and respectful leadership. This class will also emphasize diversity in culture and other factors as an antecedent to conflict. New technologies, globalization, and current event crises will be discussed. Students will be asked to share issues of conflict in the workplace that have had an impact for class discussion and participation. (Credits: 3)

MSL 640. Leading Change
This course introduces students to change management in organizations mindful of individual self worth. Using theories, the course will put them into the context of organizational change. Textbook, case study, and student discussion will facilitate learning how to manage organizational change and crises efficiently and effectively in an ever-evolving global environment. (Credits: 3)

MSL 645. Organizational Performance
Understanding, accessing and sharing data for information and decision-making purposes is critical in a dynamic and rapidly changing business environment. In this class students will develop a basic understanding of statistical representations of data as well as techniques for gathering, organizing and communicating data. Additionally students will develop key performance measures using a case or project of their own choice. (Credits: 3)

MSL 650. Legal and Political Environments
Effective leaders adopt an attitude of serving others first to meet their needs along with those of the organization and the greater society. This course examines the application of law and political environments to managerial decisions and the impact these decisions have on society. The relationships between legal and business strategy are examined as practical areas that a leader must assess. This course also looks at how political and social roles impact organizations, social responsibility in business, and international business transactions. (Credits: 3)


MSL/IMC 820. Organizational Structure and Behavior
This course explores ways to change organizations, ranging from start-up companies to established institutions, to meet the demands of ever-changing environments. Areas of in-depth discussion include the theoretical framework of organizational development and change, models of planned organizational change, barriers to implementing change and ways to overcome them, and the roles of the change agent and/or consultant. Students will gain skills in organizational entry and contracting, and will gain a better understanding of the challenge of change through analysis of the theory, research, and practice of IMC development. (Credits: 3)

MSL 655. Project in Strategic Leadership 

The capstone course provides students with an opportunity to synthesize what they have learned about leadership during their graduate degree program and to demonstrate mastery of primary leadership competencies, concepts, principles and practices. Students will complete an in-depth case analysis to demonstrate their competence in identification, analysis and solution of leadership problems in organizations and society today. (Credits: 2)

 

MSL 660. Leadership Portfolio
Students will be expected to prepare a Leadership Portfolio of projects and activities that best demonstrates their professional development throughout the program. Students will be individually advised and coached on the quality and content of their portfolio and the goals achieved in the program. (Credits: 1)

MSL 698. Independent Study in Strategic Leadership
Limited opportunities may be available for special study and research projects under the direct supervision of a faculty member.

MSL 699. Special Topics in Strategic Leadership
This course will focus on special topics in strategic leadership of interest to faculty and students. (Credits: 3)