The Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Organizational Leadership at Fort Hays State University is a 30-credit-hour program that leads students to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to foster effective leadership in modern, diverse organizations.
The program curriculum is comprised of three sections, core curriculum, organizational leadership concentration, and electives and a culminating experience.
Core Curriculum
LDRS 801: Theoretical Foundations of Leadership
This course exposes students to the large body of organizational leadership theory and research. Both historical and contemporary approaches will be examined in detail. Students must analyze the research critically from both theoretical and empirical perspectives. Finally, course material will focus on organizational leadership in multiple contexts and levels of analysis (individual, team, organization, and community).
LDRS 660G: Global Leadership
This course aims to introduce students to the emerging field of global leadership. Students will gain an understanding of the history and origins of global leadership and the theoretical approaches to global leadership in complex, mondern contexts. Students will be challenged to access primary sources of international leadership and think deeply and critically about academic development in global leadership. Students will also explore various global leadership competencies and learn how to apply these competecies in multiple regions and cultures worldwide.
SOC 621: Advanced Sociological Research
An applied and technique-oriented course in which students learn to perform basic and advanced statistical analysis of quantitative data using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and complete a research project involving the development of a theory-driven hypothesis(es), as well as testing of the hypothesis(es) through data collection or acquisition, analysis of the data and the reporting of conclusions. Graduate students will be required to collect data and learn additional statistical techniques.
Leadership Concentration
LDRS 802: Organizational Systems, Change, and Leadership
This class will challenge students to embrace a systems view of leadership and organizational change at the corporate level. Students will compare, contrast and critique seminal and modern theories and models of organizational learning, knowledge creation, and organizational capacity building and apply them to their corporate settings. The course will enhance student ability to think systematically and develop a comprehensive understanding of the core competencies required to initiate and sustain organizational change.
LDRS 807: Leadership in Teams and Collaborative Environments
This course examines the leadership process in the context of team and group dynamics. It investigates process and content issues of team building, interpersonal and group relations, and practical problem-solving and decision-making skills in collaborative environments. The course places particular emphasis on the relationship between teams within organizations.
LDRS 810: Qualitative Research Methods
This course will give students an understanding of the scientific method and its application to qualitative research. Students will develop a research question, collect and analyze data and develop conclusions for qualitative methods. Students will explore appropriate means to present and disseminate the research to help organizations and communities to make accurate and informed decisions.
LDRS 811: Organizational Intervention Strategies
Students will apply leadership concepts and assessment techniques to design, deliver and analyze leadership development interventions. Students will develop practical applications to leadership development programs on the individual, unit, and organizational levels.
Electives
MGT 611G: Human Resource Management
Management theory and practice as applied to the personnel field including an understanding of the recruitment, selection, testing, and development functions; an examination of current laws, learning, and training devices; and a preview of organization and government constraints relative to personnel problems and methods of problem resolution. Graduate students will complete all the course requirements and, in addition, are required to prepare additional materials throughout the course to integrate information.
MGT 614G: Training and Development
This course examines the functions of training and development as applied in both large and small business environments. The role of training and development in the current business environment is considered with regard to learning theory, learning objectives, instructional methods, and needs assessment. Focus will be placed on evaluation of training effectiveness and emerging concepts in workplace education. Graduate students will complete all the course requirements and, in addition, complete an argument paper in support or against a timely training and development topic.
Culminating Experience
LDRS 890 Internship in Organizational Leadership
This course is designed for students in the final stages of the Master of Professional Studies program. Activities include practical experience in an organization allowing the student to participate in a meaningful leadership experience.