Course Descriptions

PHD 701: Research Colloquium (6 credits)

This six-credit course provides a systematic approach to the scientific method as it is used in research in organizations with human participants, including critical reviews of literature, ethics, hypothesis testing, reliability and validity, sampling, research design, observational and self-report methods, and selected issues in data analysis. Extensive use of Blackboard is required and integrated into the course requirements.

 

PHD 704: Quantitative Research - Design and Analysis (3 credits)

A companion to Qualitative Research Methodologies, this course is designed to help students develop proficiency in quantitative analysis for interpreting social and organizational data. The topics in this course include categorical data analyses, and various ANOVA and ANCOVA experimental design. A critical analysis of quantitative studies and an examination of the ethics involved in research are required. Appropriate statistical techniques are discussed, critiqued, and applied. Extensive use of Blackboard is required and integrated into the course requirements.

 

PHD 706: Leadership - Advanced Systems Theory and Research (3 credits)

The course content includes a critical analysis of the theoretical constructs in contemporary leadership. Attention is devoted to the study of organizational improvement, with an emphasis on the theories regarding how individuals and group skills interact to implement and manage dynamic systemic change. Structural, human resources, political and symbolic perspectives on leadership are examined. Theoretical perspectives of leadership are studied in the context of the research from which it emerged. Extensive use of Blackboard is required and integrated into the course requirements.

 

PHD 709: Organizational Analysis - Culture, Theory and Change Strategies (3 credits) 

This course examines the theories and research regarding organizational cultures and change processes. Students examine organizations using organizational diagnosis and development tools in an effort to support leaders as they transform their organizations into high performing entities. Students study organizational culture and leader-follower interaction as they develop a change model using constructs from existing as well as emerging research to explain the behaviors and events in an organizational setting. Case studies and simulations are included to enhance the analysis of emerging forms of educational, corporate and community development and improvement. Extensive use of Blackboard is required and integrated into the course requirements.

 

PHD 710: Qualitative Research - Design and Analysis (3 credits)

A companion to Quantitative Research Methodologies, this course is designed to develop proficiency in collecting, analyzing and reporting qualitative data, using a variety of qualitative tools. Included are ethnography, research interviews, content analysis, and other qualitative research designs. Attention will be given to their history, traditions, conceptual bases and justifications. In addition, the course includes the critical analysis of qualitative studies with an emphasis on ethical considerations and social justice and the political issues that impact research in organizations. Case studies, phenomenological studies, participant observation, unstructured life histories and emerging theories are explored and analyzed. Extensive use of Blackboard is required and integrated into the course requirements.

 

PHD 711: Moral and Ethical Foundations of Decision Making (3 credits)

A study of the theories of ethical decision making is combined with the critical analysis of case studies that focus on the role that leaders play in shaping the vision, mission, and activities of organizations. Special emphasis is placed on the tactics, techniques, and skills needed to solve problems as well as to address external threats. Students gain insights about their values and refine their concepts about leadership. The course is also designed to help students study the importance of systematic reform of political, economic, social services, and society in general. Extensive use of Blackboard is required and integrated into the course requirements.

 

PHD 724: Theories in Organizational Structure and Strategic Leadership (3 credits)                 

The course content focuses on economic, political and legislative issues impacting contemporary organizations and their structure. Emphasis is on the organizational level of analysis on topics including job design, organization structure and design, and inter- and intra-organizational processes and influences, as well as the role of the leader as a strategic manager. Extensive use of Blackboard is required and integrated into the course requirements.

 

PHD 725: Leadership - Diversity and Social Justice in Complex and Global Organizations (3 credits)

This course investigates the increasingly prominent issues surrounding diversity and the cultural, social, economic, and political forces that underlie conflicts in our communities. The course examines the historical experience of women and marginalized groups and the special circumstances they face in modern society, and the impact of government policies on their position. Special emphasis is placed on the role of the leader in organizations that are addressing the needs of a diverse workforce and facing the challenges of a global economy. Strategies for improving interpersonal relationships and developing communities are to be explored.

 Extensive use of Blackboard is required and integrated into the course requirements.

 

PHD 727: Developing Human Resources in Organizations (3 credits)

Course content focuses on contemporary research on employment issues as they relate to theories in organizational studies, culture and labor economics. This course analyzes these issues from both the individual and organizational level of analysis. Included is the role of the leader as leaders influence others—subordinates, peers, superiors, clients, boards, owners, regulators, pressure groups, media and others within an ever-increasing global environment. Emphasis is placed on addressing the diversity among individuals as well as the legal requirements for promoting equity and building capacity. Extensive use of Blackboard is required and integrated into the course requirements.

 

PHD 731: Advanced Supervision and Leadership Theory (3 credits)

This course is an investigation of the research in the theories, purposes and effects of supervision and evaluation in educational settings. Supervisory models are explored, with a focus on approaches that involve teachers as members of collegial units. Embedded in the course content is analysis of leadership styles as related to supervisory practices. Extensive use of Blackboard is required and integrated into the course requirements.

 

PHD 801: Negotiations and Conflict Resolution for Contemporary Leaders (3 credits)

This course explores the theories, policies and approaches required for conducting successful negotiations and resolving conflicts for education, community and corporate leaders. The content includes legislation, legal issues, and alternatives to litigation. It enhances leaders’ involvement in the dispute resolution process, and facilitates access to justice as central to the role of a contemporary leader. The impact of collective bargaining on negotiations in the public sector is discussed. Current research findings are integrated as support for various approaches in conflict resolution. Students participate in a series of increasingly complex cases in which they assume the roles of arbitrators and key stakeholders. Extensive use of Blackboard is required and integrated into the course requirements.

 

PHD 803: Leadership and Spirituality (3 credits)

This course is based on the foundation that spiritual development is essential to human development. This course emphasizes the importance of leaders awakening their own spirit in management and leadership. Students analyze theoretical and philosophical perspectives on spirituality and how those perspectives apply to the workplace. Extensive use of Blackboard is required and integrated into the course requirements.

 

PHD 805: Development and Evaluation of Organizational Policies and Programs (3 credits)

This course addresses development, evaluation design, execution, and assessment of policies and programs at federal, state, local and organizational levels. The course focuses on various theories of policy analysis including formative to summative approaches. Policymaking structures are identified and the underlying influences of socioeconomic and political context of policy evaluated. Extensive use of Blackboard is required and integrated into the course requirements.

 

PHD 807: Curriculum, Culture and Instructional Leadership (3 credits)

The course content explores the major curriculum theories and their relationship to planning, improvement and evaluation of school programs. The current literature and research on strategies for affecting curriculum innovation and change are examined and analyzed. An examination of the impact of current cultural influences both internal and external to the educational organization will be included. Extensive use of Blackboard is required and integrated into the course requirements.

 

PHD 812: Leadership and Communication Theories (3 credits)

This course focuses on communication style of leaders. Students examine various theories of effective internal and external organizational communication. Exploration of the various organizational structures that impact communication will be reviewed. Extensive use of Blackboard is required and integrated into the course requirements.

 

PHD 815: Economic Development of Organizations (3 credits)

This course explores the application of economic principles to the study of policy and to the solution of economic problems in complex organizations. Included are discussions of the major economic theories and their relationship to leadership decision-making in the corporate, not-for-profit, and public policy arenas. This course is designed to identify and analyze factors that contribute to the successful economic development of organizations. Major topics include risk assessment and management, leadership skills, sources of funding, and the economic policies that enhance the development of organizations. Case studies of successful and unsuccessful economic development of organizations will be analyzed. Extensive use of Blackboard is required and integrated into the course requirements.

 

PHD 818: Federal, State and Local Government Relations (3 credits)

Federal, State and Local Relations is designed to help aspiring leaders understand and appreciate the governmental, regulatory and political processes involved in achieving positive relationships and outcomes with federal, state and local agencies and personnel. Extensive use of Blackboard is required and integrated into the course requirements.

 

PHD 821: Organizational Policy and Finance (3 credits)

This course examines the role of leadership through fiscal policy development. Emphasis is focused on the analysis and development of effective fiscal leadership approaches. Included is an examination of the role of the financial manager in a modern corporate organization. Topics include: time, value of money, financial analysis, risk analysis, financial forecasting, cost of capital, stock and bond valuation modes, capital budgeting, and investment decisions under conditions of uncertainty. Extensive use of Blackboard is required and integrated into the course requirements.

 

PHD 825: Educational Policy and Leadership (3 credits)

This course is a critical examination of the current issues in educational policy making. Students explore the role of participants and the procedures used in the development of public policies that affect educational organizations. The course addresses issues such as the rights and responsibilities of teachers, limits of democratic authority, and equality of educational opportunity. Empirical data will be used to review and evaluate the impact of external policies on the educational organization and the role of the leader. Extensive use of Blackboard is required and integrated into the course requirements.

 

PHD 828: US Presidents as Leaders (3 credits)

In this course, the biographies of four presidents are critiqued with four primary objectives: To appreciate the qualities of observation, reflection, and verbal expression that distinguish a biographical account of a leader; to appreciate the elements of bias, myth making and unconscious selection that frame our understandings of leaders; to practice the solid empirical research necessary to approach objectivity in analyzing leaders; and to discuss the importance of context in making a leader. Extensive use of Blackboard is required and integrated into the course requirements.

 

PHD 830: Current Issues in Education (3 credits)

The content of this course focuses on the complex political, societal, economic, and global issues that impact schools and districts. Students explore issues such as diversity, federal accountability legislation, inclusion, unions, gender equity, comparative education and social justice. The role and responsibility of the educational institution in promoting equal opportunity will be examined. Extensive use of Blackboard is required and integrated into the course requirements.

 

PHD 850: Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research (3 credits)

This course provides an overview of the philosophical and theoretical foundations for conducting mixed methods research. It examines the different procedures available for analyzing, mixing and validating quantitative and qualitative data within mixed methods designs. Additionally, students will examine advanced concepts in design and evaluation, specifically incorporating mixed methodologies and action research. Extensive use of Blackboard is required and integrated into the course requirements.

 

PHD 851: Instrument Design and Analysis (3 credits)

The course presents the major concepts in evaluating and designing a variety of instruments, including reliability and validity, writing and editing of items, scoring and weighing procedures, and item selection methods. The use of ANOVA, multiple regression, and factor analysis will be included. Extensive use of Blackboard is required and integrated into the course requirements.

 

PHD 853: Advanced Quantitative Research - Design and Analysis (3 credits)

This course will concentrate on multivariate analyses including multiple regression, Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA), factor analysis and Model fitting. Comparisons will be made between univariate general linear model (UGLM) and multivariate general linear model (MGLM) analyses. Focus will be placed on understanding these approaches and how to implement them for individual research questions and problems. Extensive use of Blackboard is required and integrated into the course requirements.

 

PHD 855: Advanced Qualitative Research - Design and Analysis (3 credits)

Building upon the knowledge and experience acquired in Qualitative Research: Design and Analysis, this course will prepare students to conduct more advanced qualitative research, including structural analysis, ethnographic interviews, focus groups, participant observation, and the repertory grid. Extensive use of Blackboard is required and integrated into the course requirements.

 

PHD 860:  Dissertation Proposal Seminar (3 credits)

This course serves as a seminar for Ph.D. students to develop their dissertation research proposals. Students review the literature pertaining to their dissertation topic, expand their research skills, define researchable questions, prepare Institutional Review Board (IRB) applications, and implement their work through scholarly writing. In addition, this course provides the key stages of an effective dissertation proposal writing process in a seminar format. Extensive use of Blackboard is required and integrated into the course requirements.

 

PHD 870:  Leadership for Sustainability (3 credits)

This course examines the environmental, cultural, and socioeconomic aspects of sustainability. Emphasis on the connection between theory and practice as it relates to leadership for sustainable communities. This course is designed to engage students in the analysis of readily available public data to inform leadership decisions. Extensive use of Blackboard is required and integrated into the course requirements.

 

PHD 885:  Internship (3 credits)

A one-semester internship will be required of all candidates seeking the Letter of Eligibility certification. The internship will allow the University Supervisor and a Site Supervisor the opportunity to assess the candidate's demonstration and practice of knowledge and skills acquired during the program. It will allow the candidate the chance to integrate theory and practice in the real world of district leadership, applying fundamental concepts of district administration to a variety of educational projects and problems. Each internship will be customized to fit the identified needs of the candidate while at the same time allowing the candidate the opportunity to demonstrate identified role expectations and core/corollary competencies. Using current research and best practice, internships will provide "hands-on" capstone activities, completed while school is in session. During their course work and internship, interns must log a minimum of 360 clock hours of district-level project work; 180 hours are logged during course work (45 hours per course) and 180 hours are logged during the formal internship.

 

PHD 910, 912, 916:  Dissertation (12 credits)

The dissertation is the culmination of the doctoral program and as such must reflect a high degree of scholarly competence for students. Students advance after a dissertation topic is approved and comprehensive examinations successfully completed. The dissertation must report, in an accepted scholarly style, an original investigation of a research problem or theory of significance in the student’s area of concentration. The final product must demonstrate the candidate’s ability to conduct original qualitative, quantitative or mixed research design in an area related to leadership in an educational, public, or private organization. This course includes a seminar to facilitate the development of the dissertation research proposal.