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Organizational Management and Leadership (ORG)

The major in organizational management and leadership builds on the principle that leadership is a process and not a position. Therefore, students, wherever they are located in the organization, are able to exercise leadership. Students are introduced to a theoretical framework that includes leaders, followers and the context. Majors will 1) recognize the similarities and differences between leadership and management; 2) cultivate a repertoire of leadership skills for individual and organizational development; and 3) demonstrate competence in those practices that contribute to the effective handling of critical issues like conflict and change.

The organizational management and leadership major will also advance the skills of inquiry, critical thinking, ethical reasoning and communication that are central to a liberal arts education. The major is scheduled in seven-week courses totaling 36 semester hours. The curriculum will be distributed in a series of Learner Guides, with detailed assignments for each week. Students are expected to spend 10-20 hours per week in preparation.

Student Leaning Outcomes

  1. Communication: Communicate clearly and effectively in both written and oral forms to an intended audience using strategies and methods appropriate to college-level expectations. Students will demonstrate effective communication characterized by written work that is clear, organized, succinct yet exhibits depth of analysis and synthesis, and accurate in mechanics and documentation.
  2. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Students will demonstrate critical thinking characterized by the ability to define organizational problems with the evidence available, discern fact from opinion, determine underlying causes, and formulate and evaluate potential solutions. Students will identify and implement best practices in organizations for planning, decision-making, problem-solving, and conflict management within an ethical framework.
  3. Leadership and Team Collaboration: Student’s leadership skills will be evidenced in taking initiative, communicating objectives, building agreement, ability to change and motivating team members to perform. A key ingredient in the student’s development of leadership and teamwork skills is self-assessment; therefore, students will assess their own leadership style, strengths, and areas for improvement. Students will show effective group collaboration by making material contributions to group projects, demonstrating responsiveness and availability as a team member, communicating clearly and effectively, exercising leadership where appropriate, and demonstrating collegial behavior appropriate in professional relationships.
  4. Synthesis and the Foundational Knowledge of Business Disciplines: Students will demonstrate a solid understanding of core business principles in the primary areas of leadership and management, organizational behavior, conflict management, as well as the interconnectedness of these disciplines in the running of an organization. Students will be assessed in the form of strategic plans and tests that employ strategic thinking, visioning and the development of strategies intended for organizational improvement and growth within a global environment.
  5. Ethics: Students will recognize ethical and moral issues, identify needed actions, and demonstrate the moral courage to implement them. They will embody integrity in their work and actions, honor confidentiality, articulate the integration of their faith and understand and follow generally accepted codes of conduct in the field of business.