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Required Courses

Course Descriptions (each course carries three graduate credits)
OLM 501- Foundations of Contemporary Leadership Theory & Practice
(Required first course; a grade of B or above is required for this course.)
This course provides the foundational learning of the core concepts and theories in the field of organizational leadership. Students will explore the meta-view of organizations and the structures, human resources, political and cultural dynamics common to all types of organizations. This meta-view will also include sub concepts of multigenerational workgroups, power and authority, the dynamics of teams, and change. The course will also provide a foundation for understanding leadership, using the theories of Kouzes and Posner as well as Daniel Goleman. Leadership styles, changing notions of leadership, followership, and emotional intelligence will be explored through both theory and case studies.

OLM 503 - Applied Research Methods (Required second course; a grade of B or above is required for this course.)
This course is an introduction to applied research as it relates to organizational leadership. Emphasis will be placed on the analytical problem solving needed to measure and evaluate organizational improvement efforts. Students will learn how to use research as a tool for problem solving and intervention. Included are theories and types of research, analyzing the reliability and validity of published research, and applying research findings to professional practice. Students are encouraged to use a work-based project concept as the basis for their research skill development. This research proposal will serve as the foundation for the applied capstone project.

OLM 511: Systems Dynamics and Change
This course is grounded in understanding that change is constant in the 21st century, especially in organizations. Willingness to change is intricately linked to motivation. As such, leaders need to have a solid understanding of the dynamics of the change process and individual motivation in order to create effective strategies for the ongoing management of the enterprise. A critical component of managing change is the competency needed to assess large and small system effectiveness. Equally important is the impact of changing systems on the functioning of teams and the roles within teams. This course explores the theory and practice of change, organizational assessment and diagnosis, and managing effective teams through case studies and applied projects.

OLM 521: Ethical Decision Making
This course will compare and contrast various ethical decision making theories and constructs as applied to leadership and organizational decision making. Students will use emerging research and publications to explore how one can be effective and ethical while operating in an organization. Included will be the inter-relationship between personal values, organizational systems, and culture, and how issues of control, power, rank, and privilege impact ethical decision making. Case studies and personal experience will be used to deepen learning and understanding of the challenges in ethical decision making in the 21st century.

OLM 523: Transcendent Leadership
Current research demonstrates that a combination of emotional, social, and systems intelligence drives performance; in particular it travels from the leader through the organization to bottom-line results. In order to be effective, a leader needs to develop their leader awareness from the inside out. The most effective leaders have evolved from a focus on self (ego) to the ability to not only be transformative, but transcendent, in their view of the greater purpose to their work. This course builds on material covered in OLM 501 and relates to the leader's self-awareness, self-management, and understanding of their impact on the organization through empathy and ability to effectively manage the relationship system in which they function. Students will develop their own conscious awareness of their leadership and an understanding of managing their deliberate impact on the organization. The course will be grounded in research with practical implication for the ongoing development of the leader within.

OLM 531: Leading Culturally & Generationally Diverse Populations
In an increasingly complex and fast-changing world, we cannot just rely on charismatic leaders to solve our problems. We need to cultivate leadership at all levels of any organization that can create positive relationships with the multiple generations that currently exist in the workplace and with people representing all cultures, genders, beliefs, races, ages, differently-abled, and sexual orientations. The dynamics of social factors and cultural diversity in organizations will be examined both through theory and case studies, giving students tools to be successful in a global economy. Included will be different leadership styles in different cultures and the implications of working in multinational organizations.

OLM 540: Business and Professional Communication
This course addresses the new principles of leadership communication in the Information Age. Emphasis is placed on developing competence in verbal and nonverbal communication as well as effective writing principles. Students will explore how to effectively integrate email, text messages, social media, and virtual forms of communication and emerging technologies in the professional world. Communications management including techniques for motivation, conflict resolution, mediation, and negotiation will be explored.

OLM 550: Strategic Human Resource Management
Leaders are called upon to strategically consider the level and appropriate deployment of human resource capital needed to fulfill the mission of the organization. This course reviews the latest research in the field that demonstrate how human resource management impacts organizational strategy. Students will explore concepts in human resource development, human performance systems, organizational planning, and team development. Emphasis will be placed on the emerging importance of coaching for both talent and leadership development in today's organizations.

OLM 560: Developing Systems Literacy
This course provides an overview of the information needs of 21st century organizations, the role information systems play in meeting those needs and potential for information systems to be a source of competitive advantage and a driver of organizational change. Topics covered include the types of information systems and the component parts, the strategic and operational uses of information systems, the changing role of information systems in organizations, and issues in the planning, design, implementation, and management of information systems.

OLM 570: Strategic Management and Finance
In a rapidly changing world, leaders are challenged to become more strategic in both their individual leadership and in service of the enterprise. This course focuses on the strategic planning and decision making processes of organizations, including determining vision, core mission, goal development, implementation, and evaluation. Included in strategy are the financial viability, planning, and monitoring needed to ensure long term sustainability and success. Students will apply current theory, practice, and research to real world examples of organizations for which they will develop a comprehensive strategic and financial plan that addresses the needs of all stakeholders.

OLM 580: Leading Project Management Strategy
This course provides the fundamental concepts, processes, and techniques necessary to successfully manage projects in organizations. Students will combine theory and personal experience to explore the fundamental nature of projects and the techniques involved in project management. Concepts such as the definition of a project, the nature of the project team, and the role and function of the project manager are presented. Discussion incorporates the language of projects, the context in which projects are conducted, and the key players in the project management process. Students investigate practical application of project management principles as applied to practice settings. The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) is introduced as the basis to further explore practices, tools, and techniques for successful project management. Project integration, a coordination function of the project manager requiring effective human resource and communications management, is explored.

OLM 590: Capstone Project
(Prerequisites: Completion of all required course work; a grade of B or above is required for this course.) Students will be required to submit a master's project that is a comprehensive document that provides concrete evidence of the integration and practice of organizational leadership, knowledge, and skills learned as a result of taking the courses in the program. Students will build on the topic identified early in the program, and, in conjunction with an advisor/mentor, will prepare a draft proposal and final project for approval. The final product will subsequently be submitted to the College for final approval.

If you want the skills to pursue a leadership role in your field, and you need the flexibility to work while you study, Peirce College has the Master’s Degree program to fit your needs.

Call us to learn more about the Master of Science in Organizational Leadership & Management at 215.670.9325