Master of Science in Leadership - Course Descriptions

MSL - 702 Organizational Behavior (3 SH)
Organizational structure and theory, work redesign, perception and attribution, learning, motiva
tion, groups, conflict, power, influence, leadership, and decision-making. Organizational behavior
within complex work organizations.

MSL - 710 Effective Leadership (3 SH)
This course will examine current and significant issues in organizational leadership.
Instruction focuses on existing theories and practical applications with emphasis given to
new and emerging topics in the field. Prerequisite: MBA 701 and MSL 702.

MSL - 712 Ethical Behavior and Employment Law (3 SH)
The study of employment law is important because of the impact it has on businesses,
management, and employees. This course, Ethical Behavior and Employment Law will
focus on: (1) the parameters of the relationship between employer and employee and
independent contractor, (2) the procedures for selecting and testing employees, (3) the Civil
Rights Act, affirmative action and the various forms of discrimination found in employment,
(4) the government regulation of the workplace with regard to unions, collective bargaining,
minimum and maximum hours, safety, health, compensation, for injuries and pension/
benefits. Prerequisites: MBA 701 and MSL 702.

MSL - 715 Critical Thinking for Continuous Improvement (3 SH)
Organizational management decision making theories and techniques. Topics presented
include factors and conditions that influence decision making in the workplace, the process
of rationale decision making, stimulating creativity, and total quality management approaches.
Emphasis is given to employee empowerment in the problem solving process and the
development of critical thinking skills. Prerequisite: MBA 701 and MSL 702.

MSL - 720 Managing a Diverse Workforce (3 SH)
This course focuses on one of the most controversial issues facing the workplace today:
building a diverse workplace. It explores diversity, race and gender as well as other areas.
Topics include: ageism, religious diversity, EEOC laws, family tracks vs. corporate ladder
climbing, and other issues that will draw from current events in the workplace. Focus will
be not only on the topic but also on possible solutions and tips for corporations to develop
diversity in the workplace. Prerequisite: MSL 710.

MSL - 725 Ethical Issues in Organizations (3 SH)
The study of ethical behavior is important because of the impact it has on businesses,
management, and employees. This course focuses on (1) the reintroduction of the impact
of ethics on business operations, (2) the development of an ethical model appropriate for
all organizations, (3) how ethical behavior impacts the interactions of organizations as they
produce products or services, (4) an understanding of how international cultural-ethical
perceptions differ and the impact of those differences on successful management of
international operations. Prerequisite: MSL 710.

MSL- 730 Human Resource Management (3 SH)
This course provides students with an overview of current knowledge and techniques used
in managing human resources in organizations. Topics covered include: Employment Law,
role of HR manager in developing job analysis, job description, job design, HR planning,
recruiting, selecting, training, developing, performance appraisal, compensation, benefits,
and international HR mangement. Prerequisite: MBA 701 and MSL 702.

MSL - 735 International Human Resource Management (3 SH)
This course will focus on the theories and practices necessary to gain the knowledge and
skill to effectively manage an organization’s human resources in the global economy of the
21st century. It will focus on human behavior across cultures, international human resource
management and building high performance organizations/teams. Prerequisite: MSL 685
or permission of the program director.

MSL - 752 Global Management (3 SH)
Globalization is clearly here to stay and is having a profound effect on the survival and
profitability of organizations. The focus of this course will be to provide managers/
leaders operating in an international setting with an enhanced understanding and
appreciation for the cultural differences and challenges facing managers in a global
organizational environment. It will also provide the knowledge and skill for managers/
leaders to increase their effectiveness in carrying out their managerial responsibilities.
Prerequisite: MSL 710.

MSL - 712 Ethical Behavior and Employment Law (3 SH)
The study of employment law is important because of the impact it has on businesses,
management, and employees. This course, Ethical Behavior and Employment Law will
focus on: (1) the parameters of the relationship between employer and employee and
independent contractor, (2) the procedures for selecting and testing employees, (3) the Civil
Rights Act, affirmative action and the various forms of discrimination found in employment,
(4) the government regulation of the workplace with regard to unions, collective bargaining,
minimum and maximum wage hours, safety, health, compensation, for injuries and pension/
benefits.

MSL - 710 Organizational Leadership (3 SH)
This course will examine current and significant issues in organizational leadership.
Instruction focuses on existing theories and practical applications with emphasis given to
new and emerging topics in the field. Prerequisite: MBA 701 and MSL 702.

MSL - 715 Critical Thinking for Continuous Improvement (3 SH)
Organizational management decision making theories and techniques. Topics presented
include factors and conditions that influence decision making in the workplace, the process
of rationale decision making, stimulating creativity, and total quality managment approaches.
Emphasis is given to employee empowerment in the problem solving process and the
development of critical thinking skills. Prerequisite: MBA 701 and MSL 702.

MSL - 720 Managing a Diverse Workforce (3 SH)
This course focuses on one of the most controversial issues facing the workplace today:
building a diverse workplace. It explores diversity, race and gender as well as other areas.
Topics include: ageism, religious diversity, EEOC laws, family tracks vs. corporate ladder
climbing, and other issues that will draw from current events in the workplace. Focus will
be not only on the topic but also on possible solutions and tips for corporations to develop
diversity in the workplace.

MSL - 725 Ethical Issues in Organizations (3 SH)
The study of ethical behavior is important because of the impact it has on businesses,
management, and employees. This course focuses on (1) the reintroduction of the impact
of ethics on business operations, (2) the development of an ethical model appropriate for
all organizations, (3) how ethical behavior impacts the interactions of organizations as they
produce products or services, (4) an understanding of how international cultural-ethical
perceptions differ and the impact of those differences on successful management of
international operations. Prerequisite: MBA 701.

MSL - 730 Human Resource Management (3 SH)
This course provides students with an overview of current knowledge and techniques used
in managing human resources in organizations. Topics covered include: Employment Law,
role of HR manager in developing job analysis, job description, job design, HR planning,
recruiting, selecting, training, developing, performance appraisal, compensation, benefits,
and international HR mangement. Prerequisite: MBA 701 and MSL 702.

MSL - 731 Human Resource Development (3 SH)
Techniques and practical application of training processes within the organizational
context with a focus on building a learning organization. Topics may include planning,
development, curriculum design, and evaluation techniques. Prerequisite: MSL 702.

MSL - 735 International Human Resource Management (3 SH)
This course will focus on the theories and practices necessary to gain the knowledge and
skill to effectively manage an organization’s human resources in the global economy of the
21st century. It will focus on human behavior across cultures, international human resource
management and building high performance organizations/teams. Prerequisite: MSL 730
or permission of the program director. Prerequisite: MSL 710.

MSL - 740 Negotiations and Conflict Resolution (3 SH)
Exploring the process, tactics and techniques of bargaining and negotiation. The course
concentrates on interpersonal dynamics and the process of interpersonal and inter-group
conflict resolution. Prerequisite: MBA 701 and MSL 702.

MSL - 750 Organizational Change Management (3 SH)
This course provides students with theoretical and conceptual foundations to effectively and
efficiently direct change in an organization. Topics include change strategies for transfor
mational change in the workplace, dealing with resistance to change, developing management
buy-in for change projects, and how to ensure change projects are maintained.
Emphasis is given on providing the student with the tools and skills needed to become an
effective change agent. Students will be able to diagnose problems in organizations requiring
change, as well as develop the ability to design, implement, and monitor a change strategy
within an organization. Prerequisites: MSL 701, MSL 710.

MSL - 751 Strategies for Building High Performance Teams and Organizations (3 SH)
Building knowledge and skill to manage change strategies within organizations with a focus
on: resolving interpersonal issues, assessing organizations, with an emphasis on building
high performance organizations and teams. Prerequisite: MSL 750.

MSL - 752 Global Management (3 SH)
Globalization is clearly here to stay and is having a profound effect on the survival and
profitability of organizations. The focus of this course will be to provide managers/
leaders operating in an international setting with an enhanced understanding and
appreciation for the cultural differences and challenges facing managers in a global
organizational environment. It will also provide the knowledge and skill for managers/
leaders to increase their effectiveness in carrying out their managerial responsibilities.
Prerequisite: MSL 710.

MSL - 790 Applied Field Practicum in Leadership and Organizational Change (3 SH)
A faculty-supervised independent study offered in cooperation with the student's employer
or another organization. The student or student team will be required to demonstrate
knowledge and skills and to apply them to the resolution of an organizational problem or to
the design, implementation, and measurement of a performance enhancing project.
Students have three (3) semesters to complete this course. Prerequisites: MSL 750 and
Permission of the Program Director.

MSL - 799 Strategic Leadership (3 SH)
This course will explore the key concepts involved in strategic leadership/management as
well as the underlying theories in marketing and finance needed to master strategy. In
addition to covering strategic theory, students will practice strategic thinking using case
studies and/or a course project. Prerequisites: MBA 602 and MSL 681.