Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership
In today’s complex business world, a leader can be a manager, but not all managers are leaders. True leadership requires vision, strategy, and empathy. An organizational leadership bachelor’s degree program will help you define your leadership style.
National University’s Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership is designed to equip you with the tools to become a change agent and transformational leader. Our curriculum is a future-focused examination of team building, organizational change, conflict management, and diversity in a multicultural society. The program culminates in a unique capstone designed to transform your leadership philosophy to guide your decision-making – now and into the future.
Upon completion of your studies, you’ll emerge with the knowledge and confidence to build and lead teams for companies across industries. NU’s BS in Organizational Leadership offers an accelerated format that empowers you to finish the entire program in less than four years.
Non-Leadership Requirements
HRM 409B Intro to Human Resource Mgmt – 4.50
This course provides an overview of the myriad of human resource management activities performed in the workplace. Topics include human resource planning, job analysis, staffing, recruitment, selection, retention, training and talent development, compensation and benefits, legal aspects, DE&I, discipline, performance management, labor relations, ethics, and health and safety.
ODV 400 Organizational Strat & Desig – 4.50
Examination of the theories of organizational design concepts and strategies used by managers to position their company for success. The historical perspectives on organization design are discussed, along with current challenges faced by today’s organizations. Strategic approaches to measuring organizational effectiveness are explored. Various experts’ strategies are evaluated to gain an understanding of ways in which managers can give direction to organizations to remain competitive in the workforce.
Non-Leadership – choose One of Two, part B
COM 334 Persuasion – 4.50
Prerequisite: ENG 102
Introduces learners to the principles, functions, and practices of social influence. Examines how to influence others’ attitudes, beliefs, opinions, values, and behaviors through communication. Explores scientifically established principles of persuasion that are used in contemporary media.
COM 354 Professional Presentations – 4.50
Prerequisite: ENG 102
Explores professional speaking and presentations. Identifies and provides practice of theory and skills used in advanced speaking. Teaches creation and integration of text, graphics, audio, and video into presentations. Offers hands-on experience applying theory and methods to create professional presentations.
Leadership Requirements
LED 400 Introduction to Leadership – 4.50
Examination of core issues in the practice of leadership. Identification of differing theories and styles of collaborative, integrative organizational leadership and comparison to authoritarian or management by edict within the organizational context.
LED 410 Leading Diverse Groups & Teams – 4.50
Examination of the application of leadership theory to groups that are diverse in gender, ethnicity, education, and functional expertise. The role of the leader in establishing effective collaboration among members; the decision-making process and power will also be examined.
LED 420 Adaptive Leadership in Change – 4.50
Analysis of constant and continuous change in modern organizational environments. This class will provide students with the skills needed to recognize the potential impacts of change on their organizations, and to lead their organizations through the change process effectively. Students will develop skills in assessing organizational culture and learn to create the learning organization of the future.
LED 430 Conflict/Negotiation for Ldrs – 4.50
Effective conflict resolution, bargaining, and negotiation are addressed in this course as methods for improving the organizational effectiveness in the long term. A special focus will be placed upon creation of win-win solutions to real life organizational situations. Conflict will be examined as both a necessary and challenging workplace phenomena.
LED 440 Ldrship Overview of Org. Func. – 4.50
Introduction to strategies for leadership to enhance the integration of functions into the overall mission and vision of the organization. Assessing the relationships between organizational structure and the impact on the culture and norms of the organization will be analyzed.
LED 450 Advanced Group Dynamic Theory – 4.50
Prerequisite: LED 400 and LED 410
Advanced topics in understanding groups and team formation, hidden agenda items of team members, and strategies to navigate difficult behavior or challenging groups. Experiential learning of group dynamics, examining multiple phenomena, and the impact of leadership will be explored.
LED 460 Ethics and Decision Making – 4.50
Examination of the many components that influence decision-making by leaders, including cultural relativism, legal responsibilities, prescriptive approaches, and universal principles. The potential impact of decisions on the organization and transparency in the decision making process, ethical frameworks, and hypothetical situations will be reviewed.
LED 470 Classic Studies of Leadership – 4.50
The historical context of classic leadership studies will be examined including emotional intelligence, trait theories, personality studies, and the emergence of leadership theory. Students will explore the research on leadership that has impacted the development of leadership studies and the understanding of power, authority, and influence. This course will aid in preparing students for LED 480 and LED 490.
LED 480 Research for Leaders – 4.50
Prerequisite: LED 410 and LED 420
This course should be taken toward the completion of the BSOL course work, as it allows the student to develop strategies in identifying and interpreting quality research. The study of leadership involves both qualitative and quantitative research which informs effective leadership in an ever-changing and global business environment
LED 490 Leadership Capstone Project – 4.50
Prerequisite: Completion of six of the preceding courses
The capstone course is designed to be the culminating work for the Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership. Under the guidance of the instructor, students will design a project to demonstrate their mastery of leadership theories, approaches, and frameworks. Students will include scholarly research, attention to ethical frameworks, and critical analysis in their project. A professional presentation of 10-15 minutes of the student’s project is required. Grading is H, S, or U only.
Degree and Course Requirements
To receive a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership, students must complete at least 180 quarter units as articulated below, 45 of which must be completed in residence at Berkshire, 76.5 of which must be completed at the upper-division level, and a minimum 69 units of the University General Education requirements.
In the absence of transfer credit, additional general electives may be necessary to satisfy the total units for the degree. The following courses are specific degree requirements. Refer to the section on undergraduate admission procedures for specific information regarding application and evaluation. All students receiving an undergraduate degree in Nevada are required by State Law to complete a course in Nevada Constitution.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of Berkshire’s BS in Organizational Leadership, you’ll be able to:
Develop a personal leadership approach
Identify challenges and advantages of diverse groups in organizations within a global environment
Analyze negotiating styles of leaders, and compare and contrast the concepts of leadership and power
Examine the strategies leaders use to motivate and evaluate members of groups and teams
Evaluate the ethical implications of leadership decisions and strategies
Explain how the classic studies have informed the understanding and application of leadership and organizational theory
Admissions
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