2020-2021 Brenau University Catalog 
    
    Nov 27, 2024  
2020-2021 Brenau University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Organizational Leadership (M.S.)


The M.S. degree in Organizational Leadership is designed for individuals from a variety of academic and work backgrounds who desire to positively influence the human dynamics within organizations. Coursework provides students with the opportunities to learn about and apply contemporary theory in organization change and development, critical and creative thinking, organizational learning, leadership, conflict resolution and strategic planning.

Foundation Course (6 hours)


To enhance their success in the program, students are required to take the following foundation courses. Students must pass the foundation courses prior to beginning their major coursework.

Organizational Leadership Major Core (24 hours)


Concentrations


Students will choose one of the following concentrations. Note: if a student completed a certificate at Brenau University in any of these concentrations, those courses can be applied toward a concentration in the same field for this degree.

Accounting, Public


This program is designed to graduate professionals to work in various public accounting and related fields and also provides students the opportunity to take additional coursework required for certification exams. Graduate level accounting courses may require undergraduate accounting prerequisites to have been completed; the specific prerequisites required will depend on the graduate accounting courses selected.

Accounting, Managerial


This program is designed to graduate professionals to work in various managerial accounting and related fields and also provides students the opportunity to take additional coursework required for certification exams. Graduate level accounting courses may require undergraduate accounting prerequisites to have been completed; the specific prerequisites required will depend on the graduate accounting courses selected.

Business Analytics


This program is designed to graduate professionals who can manage data driven decision making, problem-solving and performance improvement. The data savvy manager can perform intermediate analytics as well as act as the bridge between deep analytic talent (data scientists) and the rest of the organization. Business Analytics consists of asking the right business questions, collecting the right data, deriving insights from the data, and taking action; action that is data driven and effective.

The graduate will be able to

  1. assess strategic and tactical performance so as to identify the right questions to be asked and the right data to be collected,
  2. analyze and interpret the data (with the support of the deep analytic talent, as needed), leading to actionable insights, and
  3. prescribe and manage the actions to completion.

Choose four of the following courses:

Communication Management


This program is designed to graduate professionals in creating, managing and communicating about the corporate reputation. Coursework focuses on theory, research, and practical application of principles related to corporate communication.

The graduate will be able to

  1. differentiate between various approaches to the study of communication
  2. critically analyze messages to identify embedded meanings
  3. frame local, national, or global issues from a communication perspective, and
  4. create meaningful communication strategies to accomplish personal and organizational goals.

Choose four of the following courses:

Cybersecurity Management (closed as of 8/24/20 with approval from SACSCOC)


This program is designed to graduate professionals to be knowledgeable about cyber security threats and safeguards. With the rapid growth of the Internet and, in turn, the creation of numerous new information channels, the task of securing these channels and their underlying systems has become an industry-wide top priority. This program is not intended to train computer scientists but rather to prepare managers to talk intelligently about information assurance within the context of their companies.

Choose four of the following courses:

Entrepreneurship


This program is designed to graduate professionals who want to start their own business or who are interested in corporate entrepreneurship. The coursework provides the opportunity to combine personal fulfillment at creating a business with the professional fulfillment of growing it successfully.

Choose four of the following courses:

Finance


This program is designed to graduate professionals with the skills they need to progress into upper management or into the field of finance. Students will explore the major areas of the field including investments, valuation, corporate financial policy, risk management and international finance.

Choose four of the following courses:

Healthcare Management


This program is designed to graduate professionals with comprehensive knowledge of leadership and management principles in an increasingly competitive healthcare environment. The healthcare Management MBA is will-suited for clinical professionals, such as RNs, Medical Technologists, and other medical specialists, to expand their potential for promotion and leadership responsibility.

Choose four of the following courses:

Human Resource Management


This program is designed to graduate professionals with specialized training, real-world experience, and personal attention, while developing solid business fundamentals that will put them out in front as a Human Resource Professional. Typical HR managers come from both human resource and business backgrounds and will be able to integrate HR strategies into their companies’ overall plans.

Choose four of the following courses:

Management


This program is designed to graduate professionals with critical thinking and decision-making skills, as well as comprehensive knowledge necessary to progress to a higher level in their organization or take the next step in their career.

Choose four of the following courses:

Marketing


This program is designed to graduate professionals for advancement in their careers to positions in corporate marketing management. The program provides the strategic thinking, analytical tools and tactical skills required by marketers to build strong brands, implement growth strategies and direct the marketing planning efforts of an organization.

Choose four of the following courses:

Note: All courses require the prerequisite: MK 715 - Marketing Strategy .

Mediation and Conflict Resolution


This program is designed to graduate professionals  that can be arbitrators, negotiators, mediators, and other neutrals, including fact-finders, facilitators, and ombudsmen to resolve such conflicts. The expansion of the field has resulted in the need for managers, union representatives, attorneys, advocates, administrators, teachers, government officials and consultants to acquire the skills and expertise necessary to handle disputes effectively.

Nonprofit Leadership


This program is designed to graduate professionals to inspire and prepare leaders in a wide variety of nonprofit settings. It teaches leaders how to effectively work with volunteers and board members, manage fund development and nonprofit budgets, and give leaders the necessary skills to brand and market their organization.

Project Management


This program is designed to graduate professionals to assume project management responsibilities in a wide range of industries and organizations. The course sequence helps establish best practices in project management, and helps prepare students for professional certifications, such as those offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI)®.

Choose four of the following courses:

Strategic Thinking and Innovation


This program is designed to graduate professionals to embrace critical thinking, creativity, and change in organizational settings. It is a program designed to help leaders understand how to solve complex problems and the organizational dynamics and culture that prevent good ideas from taking place. It also helps participants to be proactive in their own critical and creative thinking and not fear change, innovation, and new ideas.

Total


Total Semester Hours Required for Degree:  36-39 semester hours. This does not include foundation courses or required prerequisites.