This course provides an orientation to the Ed.D. program and the expectations and requirements for doctoral study. Learners will focus on and enhance their library research and academic writing skills. Emphasis will be given to organizational behavior and development issues that lead to problem formation and solution development by synthesizing theory-based, practical research. Important and current leadership issues and management dilemmas will be emphasized so that learners can connect academic writing and research to problem-solving within organizations. Special emphasis will be given to finding potential issues within a student's vocational context that will lead to the doctoral program's culminating capstone project. The first residency requirement will occur and be met upon successful completion of this course.

This course presents an overview of seminal leadership concepts and theories with an emphasis on their applications within 21st century organizations. Special emphasis will be given to individual differences at work, motivation, and the role of personality in leadership style, as well as the influence of work environment, teamwork, and social behavior on decision - making, communication and leadership effectiveness within organizations.

This course will highlight the role of specific ethical theories for organizational decision making in legal and financial matters. Course content will also focus on legal issues such as constitutional, statutory, and case law concerning public and private organizations, as well as finance competencies such analyzing financial issues and developing financial strategies. Special attention will be given to developing organizational policies, financial planning, budgeting, and resource development.

This course will emphasize relevant employment law issues for leaders and organizations within the context of human resources leadership. Central to this focus, learners will understand the legal foundation for diversity but also understand how cognitive diversity within organizations improves decision-making and organizational performance. This course examines the legal and regulatory aspects of HR and diversity, but will also highlight theoretical, research-based, and practical information related to employee and organizational development, staffing, recruitment, selection, training, and other key features of human resources administration, management, and leadership. A major emphasis in the course will be structuring the HR function as a strategic component of organizational leadership and development.

This course examines strategic thinking and planning to maximize organizational value, improve decision-making, and enhance leadership. Learners will comprehend and be able to apply concepts and information related to program quality and assessment. The course will emphasize specific planning models and actionable decisions made by leadership to set and implement an intentional direction for organizations in a way that also recognizes the need for reactive, emergent planning strategies. The course will include current systems for ensuring quality and establishing accountability.

This course examines the basic structural forms and functions of organizational governance with an emphasis on the external and internal stakeholder constituent forces which shape organizational life. Systems thinking is used in conceptualizing all relationships including the tensions inherent between the external stakeholders, the Board of Directors, senior leadership, structures of governance, standards of monitoring system performance and organizational culture. Multiple models of behavioral understanding are offered, providing the student with a framework to observe, analyze, synthesize and have the capacity to take appropriate action regarding the functioning of an organization in multiple forms. Particular focus is given to strategic governance systems including governing and advisory board development and communication, along with issues in recruiting, selecting and evaluating boards.

This course will highlight the role of specific ethical theories for organizational decision making in legal and financial matters. Course content will also focus on legal issues such as constitutional, statutory, and case law concerning public and private organizations, as well as finance competencies such analyzing financial issues and developing financial strategies. Special attention will be given to developing organizational policies, financial planning, budgeting, and resource development.

This course explores marketing and public relations as activities that create value for clients, customers and stakeholders. This course will examine competitive advantage, branding, and market orientation in traditional marketing structures in addition to the opportunities and issues associated with social media. The course will also emphasize role judgment, emotions, and choice play in consumer behavior with an emphasis on theory-informed research from behavioral economics that apply to individual and group decision-making along with practical marketing and communication strategies to increase an organization's viability in the marketplace.

This course includes an overview of change theories, concepts and models with a focus on understanding organizational and international culture and how proactive, deliberate strategies along with reactive, emergent strategies shape organizational functions and behavior. Learners in this course will comprehend how climate and culture influence structure, organization and behavior and how change can be understood and managed to produce sustainable competitive advantages for companies and organizations. The course will emphasize practical tools and strategies that can be implemented across organizations.

This class introduces students to theories of adult learning and development relevant to organizational contexts. Students will analyze formal, informal, and nonformal modes of learning and consider best practices for training, teaching, and developing adults in a variety of organizational contexts.

This course will highlight the role of specific ethical theories for organizational decision making in legal and financial matters. Course content will also focus on legal issues such as constitutional, statutory, and case law concerning public and private organizations, as well as finance competencies such as analyzing financial issues and developing financial strategies. Special attention will be given to developing organizational policies, financial planning, budgeting, and resource development.

This course will explore the relevant legal and ethical issues in business leadership as well as the relevant theories and models that inform how they are addressed. Examining these issues using relevant court cases and other pertinent examples provides students with the ability to apply legal, ethical and theological principles in firms that operate in for profit, non-profit, public and private as well as local and international contexts.