The concentration in Organisational Leadership builds upon principles of human behaviour having near-universal application.  The phenomena examined are found in organisations large and small, public and private, regimented and volunteer, profit-making and social service; they have been observed and investigated across time and cultures.  The curriculum examines organisational systems and structures with emphasis upon interpersonal dynamics, ethics, and social costs and benefits.  Traditional Judeo-Christian perspectives are compared and contrasted with other pre-suppositional platforms. 

The purpose is to equip graduates to understand and implement qualities of effective leadership to the benefit of a particular organisation in such ways that its policies and practices enhance social good concurrently with achieving organisational objectives.  The programme is designed to improve the work of persons at every level of participation: employees from entry-level to CEO, board members, consultants and educators.  Because the curriculum deals with generic phenomena and principles, it is applicable to leadership within a parish, mission or parachurch agency, as it is to corporate life, governmental bureaucracy, or the military.  The principles of group and interpersonal dynamics that are true in one arena are true in all others.

Admission Criteria

1.    Bachelor’s Degree.
2.    A grade average of B in undergraduate studies and/or satisfactory evidence of ability to produce at the graduate level.
3.    A minimum of 3 years of acceptable professional experience.  
4.    Validation of the applicant's professional experience, certification, and/or credentials.
5.    Minimum age of 25.

Course Outline

PHI 700 Philosophy of Adult Education - A colloquium that introduces a student to the O.A.S.I.S. Institute of Higher Learning philosophy of education and identifies the philosophical framework supporting the programme. The course is considered part of the Programme Orientation Workshop. The course explores the importance of self-direction among adult learners, differentiates andragogy from pedagogy, and considers the role of adult development in learning.
 

SR 651 Research and Information Technology - seminar seeks to develop competency in the utilization of information technology for research including computer applications, Internet use, electronic libraries, e-mail, citation, DIAL, file management, Chat Room technology, and writing of dissertation planning and preparation.
 

OL 711 Theories of Organizational Behaviour- An examination of leadership, power, authority, problem resolution, and the impact of organizational structure in relation to management style in educational, religious, business, and governmental institutions.
 

OL 610 Human Resource Development – An overview of the human resource profession, including emerging trends, professional roles and professional competencies. Study of current trends in training and human resource development applied to various types of organizational environments. Study of research and application of personnel planning, recruiting and selection practices within organizations.
 

COM 600 Advanced Communication – This seminar presents the advanced communication techniques and theory from a wide range of disciplines involving media, computer technology, regulatory systems and information science.
 

OL 609 Foundations of Human Behaviour - A survey of major theories of human behavior; concepts and definitions held by several philosophical and psychological schools; history, research evidence, and implications for contemporary organizational life and issues within contemporary global society.
 

OL 607 Principles of Leadership - This colloquium considers the formal and informal aspects of administration and organization with emphasis on servant leadership and application to the structure, processes, and behavior of organized groups.
 

PHI 600 Self-Concept  A colloquium establishing the parameters and components of self-concept and its relevance for understanding individuals in a social group.  Specific case studies are analyzed to illustrate different aspects of self-concept and its relation to self-esteem.
 

COM 700 Communications Skills and Assertiveness – This course examines theories and skills, psycholinguistic principles, and theory and strategies of active in-depth dialogue and assertiveness training.  Attention is given to goal setting, role playing, alternative behaviour, evaluating consequences, and implementation of assertive behaviour.  Course time includes both attention to theory and interactive skills assessment and development.
 

OL 606 Management Accounting - Study of the basic accounting principles as they pertain to management of standard accounting reports within an enterprise or institution.  No previous training in accounting is required.  Students interested in the for-profit sector of business may elect specified alternate activities during one class session in this course.
 

COM 701 Hermeneutics and Communication - This colloquium approaches hermeneutics as it relates to Developmental Readings, the use of study methodology and the art of interpretation of formal writing.
 

OL 608Mentoring and Coaching in Leadership & Supervision – A review of theory-based methodology of employee guidance and facilitation.  Advantages and hazards of mentoring/coaching compared with other leadership styles, with emphasis on the corporate culture prevalent among organizations.  Opportunity to apply skills consistent with the theory to a student-selected relationship within the professional context.
 

OL 712 Strategic Planning – Is a course on strategic planning, which includes developing a consistent vision for guiding an organization’s actions, decision making, and resource allocation.  Incorporates creation of a Business Strategy Model (identifying the desired future state of the organization) and formulating a Strategic Transformation Plan (prioritizing and planning the activities needed to reach that state). Provides a framework for focusing on truly strategic decisions - those that will impact the organization's direction, priorities, culture, and ultimately, its success or failure. Study of techniques for transforming a strategic vision into actionable projects, with the tools to prioritize and focus resources on the activities most needed to reach the desired future state.
 

SR 610 Principles of Sociological Research - An introduction to research methodology used in sociological research. Content emphasizes significant concepts, terms, and procedures widely used and applicable to management of organizations. The course covers use of basic statistics and research design, sufficient to enable students to complete a short research project yielding rigorous data to answer a relevant question within their professional or personal context.
 

OL 612 Conflict, Cooperation, and Problem Solving - This course compares and contrasts the origins and development of conflict and cooperation.   Mechanisms for managing and resolving conflict, making decisions that elicit support, and creating unity and long-term affiliation among members of organizations of all types are examined.   Skills for in-depth listening and for effective dialogue are presented and practiced.
 

OL 611 Business Law - Study of case problems relating to the application of the laws concerning contract, agency, property and business and institutional organizations.
 

PHI 609 Professional Ethics and Society – This course presents theories of the development of social attitudes and values in their diversity, and their influence upon ethical personal decision-making, the formation of legal and regulatory acts, and upon social structures and inter-personal functioning.  Ethical issues in the structures, leadership, and management of organizations are examined.  The relationships among ethics, religious principles and behaviour (particularly historical Christianity), and contemporary issues (such as the uses of new technologies) are studied.
 

OL 613 Organizational Leadership Research Paper -under the supervision of a faculty advisor the student prepares a research proposal for approval and completes a research paper for evaluation by an employer and the faculty advisor.