SMU : M.A. in Organizational Leadership

Areas of Study

M.A. in Organizational Leadership

Program Overview | Admission Requirements

The M.A. in Organizational Leadership stresses innovative and humane approaches to management with attention to the needs and performance of people. The purpose of the program is to help professionals develop the knowledge, perspectives, and skills necessary to lead people and organizations for effective performance in a changing global environment. The program provides broad, managerial preparation for leadership positions in private, nonprofit and public organizations and places equal emphasis on analytical and interpersonal skills.

Program Structure

A cohort of 15-20 students moves through the program together. A team of 2-3 instructors who facilitate the online learning and the monthly weekend community sessions leads each semester cluster of seven credits. Although each semester’s cluster of activities includes three course titles, the actual delivery integrates the content to resemble the actual interconnectedness and complexity of the work encountered by managerial leaders.

Program Delivery

The program delivery combines monthly weekend class meetings on Friday evenings and Saturdays with online sessions and individual study. Over five semesters of intense study, five clusters of skills and knowledge are examined, creating a contemporary organizational leader.

Mindsets- An introductory 1-credit course provides students with technology proficiency and an understanding of the program design.
Semester I: The Learning Manager reflects on individual experience, preferences, and attitudes to build a growing awareness of how a manager influences outcomes with personal style and skills.
Semester II: The Connected Manager builds the relationships and connections essential for successful organizations.
Semester III: The Global Manager understands and maneuvers among the cultural economic, political legal, ethical and social spheres that influence work.
Semester IV: The Strategic Manager considers both the art and science of analysis, and the holistic and technical skills and thinking needed for day-to-day operations and setting direction.
Semester V: The Adaptive Leader creatively synthesizes and applies leadership principles to promote positive change.

Location

Twin Cities

Admissions Contact

Anna Shields
(612) 728-5198

Admissions
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs
2500 Park Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55404

tc-admission@smumn.edu (Letters for Reference, Resume and Personal statement can be sent via email to this address.)
Phone: Toll Free at (866) 437-2788 or (612) 728-5100

Course Information

Each cluster of classes is taken in sequence and is a prerequisite set for the following cluster.

OL601 Management Mindsets

1 cr.

The Learning Manager	7 cr.
OL611 Leadership Theories & Styles	3 cr.
OL612 Critical Thinking & Research	2 cr.
OL613 Personal & Professional Ethics	2 cr.

The Connected Manager	7 cr.
OL621 Collaboration & Conflict	2 cr.
OL622 CommunicationStrategies	3 cr.
OL623 Team Building	2 cr.

The Global Manager	7 cr.
OL631 Cultural Perspectives	2 cr.
OL632 Social & Legal Responsibility	2 cr.
OL633 Economic & Political Contexts	3 cr.

The Strategic Manager	7 cr.
OL641 Decision making	2 cr.
OL642 Strategic Thinking	2 cr.
OL643 Knowledge & Information Mgmt	3 cr.

The Adaptive Leader	7 cr.
OL651 Creativity & Innovation	2 cr.
OL652 Change Management	2 cr.
OL653 Capstone Symposium	3 cr.

Total

36 cr.

OL601 Management Mindsets (1)
This course outlines the approach and thematic elements of management on which the program is based and begins to build the learning community. Self-directed learning strategies to integrate the management of the learning contexts and processes for program success are emphasized. Technology and communication tools are introduced.
OL611 Leadership Theories and Styles (3)
This module focuses on theories and styles of leadership and the ways in which outcomes are influenced through increased awareness of personal style and skills.
OL612 Critical Thinking and Research (2)
This module focuses on exploring, analyzing and evaluating information in order to think critically when creating management strategy.
OL613 Personal & Professional Ethics (2)
This module focuses on personal and professional ethics and their foundations as well as potential managerial issues and dilemmas.
OL621 Collaboration and Conflict (2)
This module focuses on influence and personal power and their application to building collaboration and managing conflict.
OL622 Communication Strategies (3)
This module focuses on communication tools, techniques, and strategies for effective negotiation, advocacy, and collaboration.
OL623 Team Building (2)
This module focuses on team building through techniques and practices in coaching, mentoring, and creating motivation.
OL631 Cultural Perspectives (2)
This module focuses on cultural and spiritual influences that impact organizations and effective decision-making through increased awareness of cultural and contextual communication.
OL632 Social and Legal Responsibility (2)
This module focuses on legal and ethical stewardship of an organization within a contextual environment and on increased awareness of social responsibility and global citizenship.
OL633 Economic and Political Contexts (3)
This module focuses on domestic and global factors and trends influencing organizations as well as managerial operations around the world.
OL641 Decision-making (2)
This module focuses on analysis of organizational issues and the impact of ethics on decision making through the use of statistical data, financial data and problem- solving models.
OL642 Strategic Thinking (2)
This module focuses the creation of socially responsible organizational missions and goals and on strategic thinking through the application of strategic management principles.
OL643 Knowledge & Information Management (3)
This module focuses on the use and management of knowledge and information to support strategic organizational planning.
OL651 Creativity and Innovation (2)
This module focuses on creativity and innovation and on the trends in technology and science that influence creative and innovative leadership.
OL652 Change Management (2)
This module focuses on change and on the skills and strategies to address its impact on organizations and their missions.
OL653 Capstone Symposium (3)
This module focuses on integrating the knowledge, skill and experience from all management and leadership coursework through research, writing and presentation of a capstone project.

Program Staff

Velma (Viki) Kimsal, J.D.

TC - MA in Organizational Leadership - Adjunct Program Assistant Professor, TC - Organizational Leadership and Information Technology Management - Program Director

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