COURSEWORK OVERVIEW
This 36 credit program includes a core curriculum, and area of concentration electives among the following courses:
Core Requirements for all Concentrations - (18 credit hours):
| COM 602 | Organizational Communication | |
| COM 604 | Persuasion and Social Influence | |
| COM 610 | Leadership and Motivation | |
| MBA 502 | Leadership in Organizational Behavior (prerequisite for all other MBA courses) | |
| MBA 650 | Personal Leadership | |
| COM 605 | Research Methods: Measurement and Analysis | |
| COM 699 | Capstone |
Concentration #1: Organizational Leadership - (12 credit hours):
| COM 620 | Conflict, Facilitation and Communication | |
| COM 630 | Interpersonal Communication in Organizations | |
| MBA 641 | Human Resource Management | |
| MBA 647 | Organizational Change and Leadership |
Concentration #2: Managing Not for Profit Organizations - (12 credit hours):
| COM 615 | Partnership and the Non-Profit | |
| COM 616 | Fundraising and Development for Not for Profits | |
| COM 618 | Special Topics Seminar | |
| MBA 506 | Marketing OR COM 621 Integrated Marketing Communication |
Concentration #3: Integrated Marketing Communication - (12 credit hours):
| COM 621 | Integrated Marketing Communication | |
| COM 622 | Case Studies in IMC (prerequisite - COM 621) | |
| MBA 506 | Foundations of Marketing | |
| MBA 634 | Consumer Behavior |
Electives/Suggested Non-required Courses: (6 credit hours)*:
*Students must complete either (2) COM courses or (1) COM & (1) MBA course
| COM 599 | Independent Study | |
| COM 603 | Communication Technology | |
| MBA 509 | Legal Environment and Ethics (fall) | |
| MBA 510 | Managerial Environment and Ethics | |
| MBA 631 | Marketing Research (survey course) | |
| MBA 638 | Internet Marketing (prerequisite - MBA 506) | |
| MBA 649 | Labor Relations (prerequisite - MBA 641) |
*Students can also choose courses listed in the areas of concentrations*
NOTE: Students must maintain a 3.00 grade point average (a B average) to remain in good standing. Any exceptions to this requirement are made by the Program Director. To receive the degree, students must complete the 36-credit program with at least a 3.0 Q.P.A See graduate catalog for complete listing of program requirements.
COURSES
COM 599 - Independent Study (3 cr. hrs.)
Student conducts original research or self-designed course of study within an organizational context under the tutelage of a graduate communication faculty member. Students must submit a proposal and application to the instructor and program director. Must have consent of faculty member and program director.
COM 602 - Organizational Communication (3 cr. hrs.)
The challenges of communication within organizational settings. Emphasis on elements that help or delay the adoption of change, conflict management, and practical knowledge and skills for communicating effectively within organizations.
COM 603 - Communication Technology (3 cr. hrs.)
Implementation and utilization of new technologies in organizations. Diffusion of technological innovations within organizations as well as the impact of technologies on organizations.
COM 604 - Persuasion and Social Influence (3 cr. hrs.)
The nature of social influence in organizations, and methods for influencing others. Methods for seeking and acquiring compliance, e.g., in superior-subordinate interaction.
COM 605 - Research Methods: Measurement and Analysis (3 cr. hrs.)Examination of the approaches to qualitative and quantitative inquiry that are identified, compared and contrasted, and discussed. Provides the foundation for the Capstone Project. COM 605 should be taken during the fall semester of student's final academic year.
COM 610 - Leadership and Motivation (3 cr. hrs.)
Understanding leadership processes and motivation of people in groups. Strong emphasis on experiential learning with interactive activities. Exercises, questionnaires, demonstrations, and experiments foster self-disclosure and provide feedback.
COM 615 - Partnerships and the Not for Profit Organization (3 cr. hrs.)
Growing and strengthening our non-profit organization through partnerships is one of the most important strategies available to organizational leaders today. Say the word "Collaboration" - and everyone knows it is code for innovation, inspiration, new funding sources and a great deal of hard work. In this course, we will blend practice and theory to gain a deeper understanding and mastery of the process of collaboration. During our time together, we will use the power of our own partnership "success stories" and "lessons learned" in order to weave together key content areas of communication, collaboration and leadership in the non-profit.
COM 616 - Fund Raising and Development & Not for Profit Organizations (3 cr. hrs.)
This course will introduce students to the principles and practices of fundraising and long-term development planning in the not for profit organization. Blended into each topic area is the Professional Code of Ethics, advocacy and role responsibilities. The course combines theory and practice by using case studies, in-class small group exercises, case writing, role plays and experience sharing.
COM 618 - Seminar: Special Topics and Not for Profit Organizations (3 cr. hrs.)
The seminar experience concentrates on current issues and trend in not for profit organizations. Topics will vary to meet the changing challenges and opportunities not for profit organizations face in light of political climate changes and the evolution of public policy. Topics may include community building, the role of a board of directors, women's issues, aging, public policy, and globalization. The seminar will incorporate discussion of relevant theory and topical issues leading to independent research related to the selected topic(s).
COM 620 - Conflict, Facilitation and Communication (3 cr. hrs.)
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the process of conflict, communication and facilitation within organizational settings. You will be introduced to several theoretical frames for studying and explaining the conflict process and will apply these ideas to experiences in organizations. The course content weaves the role of a leader in facilitating conflict throughout the semester.
COM 621 Integrated Marketing Communication (3 cr. hrs.)
The purpose of this course is to examine the processes, theories and praxis of integrated marketing communication.
COM 622 - Case Studies in Integrated Marketing (3 cr. hrs.)
The purpose of this course is to explore exact case studies in integrated marketing communication. The course covers major theoretical approaches to integrated marketing and organizational communication which affect the dynamic or corporate communication and marketing. Research tools will be introduced to help with analyzing and developing IMC plans and processes. Students will research and present their own case studies and recommendations for an IMC plan for a local or regional company or organization.
COM 630 - Interpersonal Communication in Organizations (3 cr. hrs.)
Study and practice of communication in one-on-one settings which occur in business. Focus on ways content and relationship influence verbal and non-verbal messages and business interaction and productivity.
COM 699 - Capstone (3 cr. hrs.)
Academic inquiry, case study, field project, or directed study, under supervision of faculty advisor in the program. Prerequisite: COM 605. COM 699 should be taken during the spring semester of student's finl academic year.
MBA 502 - Organizational Behavior (3 cr. hrs.)
Individual, group, and organizational principles within a framework of high functioning and high quality performance. Critical organizational issues and strategies to effectively manage them.
MBA 506 - Marketing (3 cr. hrs.)
This course provides a survey of the various environmental factors that affect marketing strategy decisions as well as the variety of strategic marketing decisions themselves. It also examines the research and other information gathering techniques available to managers and the psychological and economic foundations for consumer and buyer behavior. An understanding of buyer behavior is applied to the preliminary steps of segmentation of markets, targeting of segments and positioning of market offerings. The breadth of the material covered in this course prohibits an in-depth treatment in any area, yet cases and other forms of application to real world problems are used throughout the course to develop a richer understanding of the material covered.
MBA 509 - Legal Environment and Ethics(3 cr. hrs.)
Threshold knowledge for managers of the law in areas of contract, product liability, corporations, partnerships, employment, and environment.
MBA 510 - Managerial Environment and Ethics (3 cr. hrs.)
Relationships of business and society; emphasis on management and the integration of ethics and social issues in daily business practices.
MBA 631 - Marketing Research(3 cr. hrs.)
This marketing research course takes a "learn-by-doing" approach to developing a mastery of some of the marketing research and information gathering techniques available, particularly survey research techniques. The course will begin with researching managerial decision issues and searching secondary data sources so as to define the research problems and develop testable hypotheses. Students will then implement marketing research tools and techniques including specifying a research design, developing a survey instrument, employing a data collection technique, performing data analysis and writing and presenting a report on this process that includes recommendations for managerial decision making.
MBA 634 - Consumer Behavior (3 cr. hrs.)
Application of concepts drawn from the behavioral sciences (economics, psychology, and anthropology) to provide insight into consumer decision-making and buyer behavior.
MBA 638 - Internet Marketing(3 cr. hrs.)
The Internet is the first exciting, significant marketing tool to emerge in many years. Learn how companies are building relationships, promoting and selling products, gathering valuable market information, providing customer service and establishing competitive advantages online. This primer course on Internet will lay the groundwork for your professional online experiences.
MBA 640 - Human Resource Management Skills Development (3 cr. hrs.)
Seminar intended to provide students with opportunity to better understand and internalize concepts and theories of organizational behavior through application of behavioral science concepts and tools. Prerequisite: MBA 502.
MBA 641 - Human Resource Management (3 cr. hrs)
This course examines the critical functions and roles of human resource management (HRM) in complex organizations. Topics include the legal implications of HRM, job analysis and design, HR planning, recruitment and selection, training and development, performance management, compensation and benefits, and employee and labor relations. Most significantly, the course looks at managing people and the employment relationship from a strategic perspective. Prerequisite: MBA 502.
MBA 647 - Organizational Change and Leadership (3 cr. hrs.)
Contemporary approaches through application of behavioral science concepts and tools. Systems concepts and operational components; need for change and development; action research and intervention strategies; overcoming resistance to change; managing paradigm shifts in organization culture. Prerequisite: MBA 502.
MBA 649 - Labor Relations (3 cr. hrs.)
This course introduces to the student the development, structure, and process of labor relations in the United States. While the main focus will be on the private sector, some attention will be paid to the public sector, especially in the area of dispute settlement. Among the main topics covered are: the evolution of unions and the management of labor, labor law and federal agencies, the structure and government of unions, why workers join unions and the process of organizing, the state of organized labor and who belongs to unions, the structure, process and outcomes of collective bargaining, contract administration: grievances and arbitration, dispute settlement techniques, labor-management cooperation, the future of labor in America, and contemporary issues.
MBA 650 - Personal Leadership (3 cr. hrs.)
Personal Leadership is a course about self discovery. Students will be developing a leadership approach which fits them as potential leaders in organizations. They will take several assessments which measure personal style and behaviors. Students will also reflect about past experiences in leadership situations, and read books which focus on self discovery and change. Once the optimal leadership approach is developed, students will identify ways of leveraging their leadership to improve their effectiveness. Lab fees for licensed assessment inventories and feedback reports will cost $100.00. Students will be evaluated by papers and class participation. Enrollment is limited to 20 students.
MBA 651 - Executive Coaching (3 cr. hrs.)
How do executives improve their skills in managing within complex organizational systems? What methods are used to help executives manage more effectively? In recent years the field of executive coaching has emerged to address these challenges. What is good executive coaching? What methods do executive coaches use? How effective is executive coaching in creating change? These are the questions which will be addressed in this newly created seminar on Executive Coaching. Students will learn about coaching and how to coach from professional coaches. Hands on mentoring and skill development in coaching will take place throughout the course. Students should have taken either Personal Leadership or Organizational Change prior to signing up for this course.