Courses for Organizational Leadership (B.S.)

Student working on laptop drinking a cup of coffee.

 

The University of South Alabama’s online bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership offers 24/7 online accessibility - attend class whenever and wherever it's convenient. 

Upcoming Start Dates

  • Summer 2023 (Classes begin May 31)
  • Fall 2023 (Classes begin August 22)
  • Spring 2024 (Classes begin January 8)
  • Summer 2024 (Classes begin May 29)

 

 

What is Organizational Leadership?

Learn to be a better communicator with a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership. Use forward-thinking and critical-thinking skills to become an even better leader. The fully online bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership provides students with preparation for entry-level leadership roles in a variety of organizations, including government, nonprofit and for-profit settings. The program is delivered in an asynchronous online delivery modality. 

Total Credit Hours - 120

Some classes you may take in the organizational leadership program include:

  • Introduction to Organizational Leadership
  • Community Development and Leadership
  • Management Theory and Practice
  • Human Resource Management
  • Organizational Financial Management
  • Legal and Ethical Issues in Organizational Leadership
  • Analytical and Information Literacy
  • Analysis, Assessment and Evaluation
  • Organizational Behavior
  • Cultural Competency
  • Professional Leadership and Teamwork
  • Advanced Verbal and Written Communication
  • Human Performance Technology
  • Training Interventions
  • Conflict Resolution and Negotiation in Organizations
  • Internship in Organizational Leadership

Take the Lead

Organizational leadership majors take classes focused on management and leadership skills, which prepare graduates for commonly encountered issues in organizational leadership such as leadership styles, developing an organizational mission and objectives, fostering productive, equitable and inclusive organizational culture and climate, and tapping the strengths of diverse employees.

▼   Global Leadership

Students learn to assume global leadership roles in their careers and the community at large. Students explore leadership theories and principles as well as investigate leadership qualities among historical and contemporary individuals. In addition, students confront present-day global issues and debate viewpoints, as well as through persuasive and technical papers. (IST 310)

▼   Community Development and Leadership
Explore the conceptual foundations of community development and leadership, including basic concepts, methods and literature. Students will study theories of leadership, community development and human capital, investigate public relationships, examine community decision-making and responsible civic action. The course lays foundations for further study and practice in the field. Students will experience the interdisciplinary approaches to community development, leadership, politics, civic responsibility, and teamwork. (IST 420)
▼   Professional Leadership and Teamwork
This course includes a review of traditional as well as current thinking in leadership theory. Students will complete several self-assessment exercises designed to assess one's leadership style and ability as a leader. A series of successful leaders will be studied in-depth. (MGT 357) Students will examine their skills, abilities, personality, attitudes, values, interests, and behaviors within the context of current scholarship on leadership to increase awareness of their leadership competencies. (IST 495)
▼   Management Consulting
Taking courses on organizational structures, practices, and behavior, and the effective management of organizations helps you develop patterns and strategies of organizational management in a dynamic environment as affected by the interaction of material and human resources using the techniques of applied social and management sciences. (MGT 300)
▼   Human Resources Management
Students learn principles, policies, and practices used to develop a sound human resource management program in the business organization, including: job analysis, employment, organization development, employee development and evaluation, wage and salary administration and labor relations. (MGT 351)
▼   Organizational Finance and Fundraising
This course provides an overview of financial management principles for for-profit and non-profit/public organizations. This includes the use of financial analysis and forecasting to create a budget, as well as management of assets, liability, and cash flow. Finally, the course covers typical sources of financial risk and fraud and methods to mitigate those risks. (OL 350)
▼   International Business
Through classes on diversity and cross-cultural relations, you learn to work in foreign environments or with teams that span the globe, and you may also choose to study a foreign language. An interdisciplinary exploration of issues related to interactions between diverse groups in teams, communities, and organizations. You will review research from a variety of disciplines, explore the history and law of equal opportunity in the U.S., and examine the costs and benefits of diversity. Topics include prejudice, stereotyping, affirmative action, barriers to mobility, discrimination, marginalization, mentoring, cooperative teamwork, and international issues. (IST 320)
▼   Labor Relations - Conflict Resolution and Negotiation
You may serve as the go-between for a union and an employer, and need the knowledge and skill of contract negotiations and conflict resolution. Various theories and models of conflict resolution and negotiation including specific conflict resolution and negotiation tactics and how these apply to specific organizational situations. Additionally, an overview of how personal factors such as emotional intelligence and cultural intelligence impact a leader's ability to resolve conflict and successfully negotiate on behalf of the organization. Special attention is also paid to how successful conflict resolution and negotiation practice promotes an inclusive and equitable organizational climate. (OL 410)
▼   Government
To help you prepare to provide leadership in a government agency or the court system, courses include
▼   Marketing and Advertising
You can study consumer behavior, product management and social media advertising campaigns to increase your organization’s customer base and improve attitudes toward your services.
▼   Operations Management and Supervision
You’ll learn about information technology, project management, and supply chain logistics and practice using data in decision-making.
▼   Organizational Management and Development
You will be prepared for leadership positions through studies in change management, human resources, and strategic planning.
▼   Public Relations
Leaders often serve as the public face of their organizations, so courses about communications and consumer research are valuable preparation for that role.