RES 7000 Research Foundations (3 credits)

This initial research course is designed to acclimate students to the key components of the applied doctoral project and the Project Justification Template (e.g., problem, purpose, question), information literacy, and the literature review process. Students will begin the topic selection process at a general level for their applied research project.

RES 7480 Evidence-based Practice (3 credits)

This course demonstrates the value of evidence-based practice as an integral part of formulating research and policy across multiple disciplines, including human services, education, and organizational leadership. Coursework examines the current definition of evidence- based policy and change approaches informed by research. The course also examines actions to further evidence-based policy, including preparing and communicating data more effectively, using existing analytic tools, conducting policy surveillance, and tracking outcomes with different types of evidence. This course emphasizes evidence-based practice within the context of action research, quality improvement, program evaluation, and other real-world research methodologies.

RES 7105 Scholarly Argument I (3 credits)

In this course students will learn foundation skills for searching the academic literature and constructing a sound argument. Students will develop a detailed topic outline and an annotated bibliography of resources in an area of interest. This course will give students the opportunity to develop the research skills to succeed in their coursework and complete either an Applied Doctoral Project or Dissertation.

RES 7302 Applied Research I (3 credits)

As the first part of a two-course sequence for students who will do an Applied Doctoral Project (ADP), this course involves the advanced study of research design, and the quantitative and qualitative methods that can be used in addressing research questions. The course covers social scientific inquiry and research design, quantitative methodologies, and qualitative methodologies. Students will apply these approaches to a topic of their choice as a possible direction for developing their own ADP. [Effective 03/09/2021 the course title & description have updated, previously titled, Advanced Research Methods] .

ORG 8510 Advanced Seminar: Leading Organizational Change (3 credits)

This seminar examines cutting edge trends in organizational change, the current global business climate, forces driving change, and issues related to positioning organizations for the future. The topics selected will connect change with culture, existing organizational strategies, and the process of change in future directions. Major case study examples of organizational change are included in the learning process.

RES 7430 Applied Research II (3 credits)

As the second part of a two-course sequence for students who will do an Applied Doctoral Project (ADP), this course involves exploring project approaches specific to ADP development. Approaches include: Systematic Literature Review; Program Evaluation; Action Research; Program development; and Handbooks. Students will apply at least two of those approaches to their possible ADP topic and be equipped to explore a chosen approach deeper as part of future completion of their ADP. [Effective 2/16/2021 the course title and description have updated, previously titled, Action Research]

ORG 8511 Advanced Topics in Performance Management (3 credits)

This course takes a broad perspective on the theory and strategic application of performance management systems design and implementation, with an emphasis on the more complex issues and questions associated with these advanced systems. This advanced course explores strategic issues and best practices in employee engagement, leadership development, succession planning, evaluative performance feedback, and compensation models. The ways that the changing nature of work and changing demographics in the business world are influencing performance management systems are examined, including globalization, generational differences, multinational operations and cross-cultural issues. Based on current theories and applications for performance management systems, students explore current literature and case examples to implement and support organizational development and increased organizational effectiveness.

ORG 7101 Assessment Tools for Organizational Leadership (3 credits)

This course involves the study of the theory and practice of objective personality assessment and its application to executive coaching and organizational leadership. The course focuses on how objective personality assessment is used to provide insights into readiness for leadership and management roles. Primary emphasis is on those published instruments and inventories commonly used in executive coaching, organizational leadership assessment and organizational development, including instruments such as: FIRO-B, Social Style Profile, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, CPI 260, Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode, Campbell Leadership Index, Workplace Big Five, Change Style Indicator, Campbell Organizational Survey, and Conflicts Dynamics Profile. (All of the above will not necessarily be included in each session of the course; instructors will select representative examples from classes of instruments.)

RES 7110 Scholarly Argument II (3 credits)

This course will build on the work students began in Scholarly Argument I and the research skills honed throughout the curriculum. Organization of content and formulating a well-researched scholarly argument are key learning outcomes. Students will produce a first draft of a literature review in their content areas and review potential research methodologies for completing either an Applied Doctoral Project or Dissertation. Prerequisites: Scholarly Argument I and 6 credits of research (RES) courses.

ORG 8522 Transformational Leadership: Coaching Top Executives (3 credits)

Many major companies have made coaching and leadership development a core part of executive development. This course takes the next step in examining the theories of leadership with emphasis on linking theory and practice to create effective organizational leaders.

ORG 8534 Advanced Seminar: Human Resources Business Strategy (3 credits)

This advanced graduate seminar explores issues and models for leveraging human resources to execute business strategy. Topics include succession planning, leadership development models, workforce staffing models, compensation models, and training and development strategies. Equivalent to ORG 8182.

FIN 7000 Behavioral Finance (3 credits)

This course is about behavioral finance theory. Traditional finance focuses on the classic asset pricing model. They assume that investors’ behavior is rational and that the stock and bond markets are fully effective. But psychological research has found that people are not completely rational and the market is not completely effective. Therefore, behavioral finance is a research method and theoretical system combining behavior theory and financial analysis. In the course, students will learn a variety of theories such as arbitrage, investor expectations, and investor risk tolerance. And they will be able to make financial decisions by analyzing people’s psychology, behavior, and emotions.

FIN 8000 Corporate Finance (3 credits)

This course examines the most important components of corporate finance. The course starts with an examination of the financial statements and the related financial ratios. The financial statements include the balance sheet and the income statement while the financial ratios make use of financial statement metrics to assess such issues as profitability, short term solvency, management of current accounts and debt structure choices. The course then studies some fundamental concepts on using present value and future value to solve business and personal financial problems. The differences between debt and equity securities are examined including the important role of interest rates in valuing debt securities ( i.e., government and corporate bond values). This course will examine the benefits and costs of employing debt verse equity with the objective to maximize the value of the firm.

FIN 7010 Family Wealth Management (3 credits)

In this course, students will focus on key concepts of wealth management including the preparation of family financial statements and financial diagnosis, asset allocation principles, regulations and supervision of wealth management, and the professional ethics and conduct of wealth management. Students examine the optimal allocation investment principles of family wealth and develop a reasonable family financial plan. Moreover, students will investigate wealth management tools and investment strategies. This includes insurance planning, risk management, and asset securitization. Students will assess financial management strategies to preserve and extend family wealth as well as gain an understanding of characteristics, benefits and risks of each wealth management tool.

FIN 8010 Venture Capital (3 credits)

Students will develop a plan to research, identify, and acquire the financial resources required for successful funding of the new venture. Funding the new venture will require students to examine business valuation, deal development, debt planning and structure, and the acquisition of venture capital from government agencies (Small Business Administration for example) or interested investors. A clear and succinct plan for funding the new business venture will be paramount to the successful acceptance of the new venture business plan by interested parties such as investors, stakeholders, bankers, or angel funds. Upon completion of the course, students will have a detailed financial plan that can be presented to investors and other interested parties.

ORG 7102 Advanced Seminar: Leading and Management (3 credits)

This course develops students’ knowledge and understanding of contemporary leadership and management theory and practice. Students gain an understanding of the differences between leadership and management as well as implications of and reasons for these differences. Students analyze core leadership and management practices and evaluate and communicate their relevance to effective organizational performance in a complex, diverse and rapidly changing globalized business environment. This class will encourage students to develop and reflect on their own leadership and management competencies and experiences.

ORG 7272 Group Process and Group Leadership in Organizations (3 credits)

This course provides an overview of group theory, processes and dynamics in organizations. It will also examine effective behaviors and characteristics of facilitating/leading groups in an organizational setting. Students will be afforded the opportunity to participate in group simulations both as participant and facilitator. Students will receive evaluation and feedback on their group facilitation skills. A strong emphasis is placed on ethical standards and behavior in groups along with legal issues. The impact on groups of factors such as diversity, culture, distance, and others are explored.

ORG 8518 Professional and Business Ethics in Organizational Leadership (3 credits)

This advanced seminar examines enduring issues in business and professional ethics and applying proven approaches to ethical professional practice and organizational operations to contemporary organizational environments and issues.

ORG 8550 Organizational Systems Theory (3 credits)

Based on current thinking in systems theory and its application, this course applies systems thinking to organizational development. Topics include system dynamics, system archetypes, dynamic links, loops, and the application of chaos theory to improving organizational performance.

ORG 8770 Doctoral Capstone Seminar (4 credits)

This seminar will engage students in thoughtful discussion and application of knowledge gained throughout their course of study. Students will demonstrate mastery and reflection of program learning outcomes through the compilation of a professional and summative portfolio. In addition, students will explore contemporary problems in their field of interest utilizing research skills, analytic writing skills, and application of knowledge. Prerequisites: completion (including approved credit transferred) of all coursework required in the student’s doctoral curriculum.

RES 8981 - 8985 Applied Doctoral Project (5 credits)

Students completing the Applied Doctoral Project must complete a minimum of 5 credits by registering for five terms of Applied Doctoral Project credit, one credit per term. Applied Doctoral Projects are written per the policies, practices, and procedures in the Applied Doctoral Project Handbook. *Students satisfactorily progressing through the ADP experience, but not meeting the required milestones in the designated timeframe, will be required to reenroll in the corresponding ADP experience, Students needing more than two reenrollments in any of the ADP courses will need to appeal to enroll in the Applied Doctoral Project Extension, RES 8986/8987 to remain in the program and complete the designated milestone(s). Prerequisites: completion of all required coursework and Applied Doctoral Project Planning II.