Doctoral Seminars
The program includes a minimum of 14 core interdisciplinary doctoral courses and 12 hours of dissertation research plus EDLS 690-Principles of Leadership.
LS 800 Human Resource Management (3)
This seminar is designed to introduce doctoral students to the basic functions and issues related to human resource management (HRM). The emphasis is mastering core concepts that drive research and practice, developing an understanding of the research foundations that underpin the field, and building an appreciation for the intellectual history and evolution of HRM from the perspective of organizational leaders. Topics include strategic human resource management, recruitment, selection, performance evaluation, training and development, compensation, and labor relations. While the primary goal of the course is to enhance students’ scholarly insight and understanding of the development and knowledge in the field, the course will also emphasize the practical application of the research knowledge to organizations.
LS 801 Epidemiology of Community Public Health Issues (3)
This examination of community health issues from an epidemiological perspective provides the principles for future leaders to assess and analyze health needs in an organization. Major areas addressed by leaders are concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention; ability to access accurate health information; ability to practice health-enhancing behaviors and reduce health risks; understanding the influence of culture, media, technology, and other factors on health; demonstrating the ability to use interpersonal skills to enhance health; and, demonstrating the ability to advocate for personal, family, and community health.
LS 802 Quantitative Research (3)
Preparation for students to inquire, explore, and engage in quantitative research design, implementation, and reporting. It further addresses generating cooperative approaches with stakeholders to solve identified problems in organizations using quantitative strategies and collecting data, analyzing data, and drawing reasonable conclusions from those data.
LS 804 Qualitative and Action Research (3)
Integration of major concepts and practices of qualitative and action research methodology. A critical overview of theory and practice is delivered as it considers mainstream qualitative research traditions, including case study, phenomenology, ethnography, grounded theory, and participatory/action research to prepare students for conducting qualitative and action research in the course and for the dissertation. This course addresses the role of action research in studying the underlying problems that occur in educational and community organizations.
LS 805 Community Dynamics (3)
Students explore areas related to community dynamics and interrelationships and importance of community agencies and nonprofit organizations. Students examine the leadership and vision of communities and ways to improve communities through cooperative and joint efforts.
LS 806 Public Policy (3)
Exploration of policy-making as a problem-solving process and a political process. It provides students with a set of conceptual frameworks for analyzing the political environment of public policy and policy research and analyzing public policy problems. Students learn how to formulate effective strategies to address public policy challenges.
LS 807 Government, Politics, and Leadership (3)
Consideration of the problem of political leadership, commonly assumed to be necessary, but often also feared as dangerous. Beginning with Machiavelli’s classic study, The Prince, students consider a variety of approaches to the problem, with special attention to the U.S.’s constitutional democratic order. Having established that context, the course explores the implications of various models of political representation and leadership as applied to the conduct of local government institutions and non-profit organizations. Course materials are drawn from readings in political philosophy, constitutional history, biography, and contemporary social science.
LS 808 Dissertation Seminar: Research and Readings in Leadership Studies (3)
Students are exposed to a variety of leadership literature to prepare them for dissertation completion. Students are expected to come to the course with an understanding of their potential dissertation topic and leave the course with a dissertation proposal including review of the literature, statement of the problem, and a researchable question.
LS 809 Organizational Leadership and Change (3)
Principles for future leaders to assess and initiate appropriate and effective organizational change. Strategies are presented, examined, and discussed about ways to lead an organization forward in a collaborative manner for the betterment of colleagues and the mission of the community agencies, non-profits, schools, colleges, or businesses.
LS 811 Organizational Communication (3)
Focus on a variety of issues associated with professionals working in management or supervisory positions in organizations. Students engage in practice and application of organizational communication theory in areas such as internal communication strategies, public presentations to groups, communicating with the media, and crisis communication.
LS 812 Planning for the Future: Economic Trends in the 21st Century (3)
This course provides leaders with the economic tools and concepts needed to make sense of changes taking place within the regional economy. Special emphasis is placed on acquiring skills and competencies needed to identify emerging economic, demographic, technological, and cultural trends, and to analyze the implications of these trends for organizational operations
LS 813 System Design and Tools for Sustainability (3)
An overview of the importance of design systems that can help establish sustainable practices in homes, workplaces, and communities. Ethical and sustainable designs, infrastructures, and energy systems are reviewed along with examples and cases studies. Tools for understanding, measuring, and reducing the environmental impact of organizations on the environment are demonstrated, with an emphasis on how best to implement strategies that promote sustainability and are economically viable.
LS 814 Research Design and Literature Review (3)
The purpose is to enable students to understand and apply key principles concerning appropriate research practice as related to design and methodology and to demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in written form using appropriate professional writing style. The course will also focus research and written communication skills within the context of a study of leadership considerations in a particular domain (e.g., as related to diversity and disability within educational, governmental, nonprofit, or business settings).
LS 815 Leadership Models and Practice (3)
This seminar expands leadership capacity and is designed to engage candidates in the exploration of various leadership models and frameworks that energize organizations and expand the leadership capacity of others.
LS 890 Dissertation Research (6)
This course gives students the opportunity to apply what they have learned in the program by identifying a problem in their organization, developing research initiatives, and implementing the research to improve the organization. Students will be expected to defend their dissertation proposal successfully.
LS 891 Dissertation Capstone (6)
Application of what students have learned in the program by identifying a problem in their organization, developing research initiatives, and implementing the research to improve the organization.
Additional Requirement
Each student must have already completed, or must complete, the EDLS 690 Principles of Leadership course, as part of the program requirements.