Specialization Course Descriptions
Organizational Theory
The focus of this course is creating and maintaining sustainable, high-performance organizations. Using a systems approach to understanding organizations, students examine the interdependent components of organizations and study the relationship of the organization to its environment. Other key topics include strategy, structure, culture, human systems, leadership, change and methods of measurement and feedback.
Human Behavior in the Workplace
This course provides a comprehensive study of organizations as systems. Students gain appreciation for the significance of this perspective compared to traditional perspectives of organizations. They learn to identify interdependent components in organizations and to describe the relationships of these components to one another and to the whole. They learn to analyze and assess organizational effectiveness from a systems perspective and to apply organizational behavior concepts and theories to business issues. Students deepen awareness of self as a major sub-system in organizational behavior and explore their own leadership competencies. They build competence in team participation.
Overview of Organizational Development
This introduction to the discipline of organizational development (OD) gives students a simple yet effective lens to view organizational change, diagnose issues and build momentum for improving organizations. In addition, students learn the theoretical bases, operating principles, terminology and concepts used in creating an OD perspective within various organizational contexts as well as practical applications and implementation tools.
Group Dynamics and Facilitation
The purpose of this course is to increase students’ theoretical and practical understanding of the role of the facilitator. Course content includes the role of facilitator, diagnostic and intervention models, and styles of facilitation and leadership. Students have regular opportunities to observe and practice facilitation/leadership skills.
Sample Capstone Change Projects
Seattle Goodwill
Students addressed the challenge of creating ownership and building an awareness of mission, vision, values and goals to engage employees to become Ambassadors of Goodwill.
Health Care Agency
Students developed and implemented interventions with hospital clinic managers to raise engagement and participation in department teams for improved organizational effectiveness during a cultural and structural transition.
Air Force Reserves
Participants created, implemented and facilitated a management team to develop effective communication strategies, resulting in a more cohesive and efficient work unit.
Fortune 500 Company
This project used findings from Corporate` Leadership Council's "Hallmarks of Leadership Success" study to evaluate succession management best practices for a talent management planning process in a Fortune 500 company.
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