Leadership and Decision-Making Course Descriptions

LEAD 7000 - Learning and Leadership: Induction and Integration 
(1) Credit Hour
The purpose of this course is to provide participants with an overview of the theoretical foundations for the LEAD Doctoral Programs, including expectations for competency. Additionally, participants will explore program core competencies and application of program theoretical constructs to participants’ professional practice.
 

LEAD 7010 - Leadership and Learning: Theory to Practice
(4) Credit Hours
Provides an overview of basic concepts and theories of leadership and learning. The primary focus of the course is for participants to use theory to analyze various situations and create and apply solutions grounded in leadership and learning theory. In addition, participants will engage in several self-assessments of their own leadership and learning styles/preferences and will evaluate their potential effectiveness based on identified strengths and weaknesses. After examining origins, definitions, and features of major theoretical models, participants will demonstrate advanced knowledge and application for professional practice.
 

LEAD 7020 - Research and Inquiry
(2) Credit Hours
Provides an overview into methodologies and practices both quantitative and qualitative in nature. Applies techniques and processes used in addressing a significant issue for a group with which the participant is affiliated. Emphasis is on self-understanding in the context of research and the appropriate use of various research methodologies. Participants conceptualize their own research design as well as become more knowledgeable consumers of extant literature.
 

LEAD 7150 - Diffusion of Innovation and Technology
(3) Credit Hours
This course explores technology and the relationship of innovation and technology as innovation diffusion in a variety of organizational settings. It examines application of technology today and recognition of emerging trends including the roles of learning and leadership in selecting, developing, deploying, and assessing technology that fulfills the needs and mission of the organization. Participants will address past, current, and proposed research on the role of technology applications.
 

LEAD 7250 - Organizational Theory, Development, and Transformation
(3) Credit Hours
Presents a perspective of theories of organizations through a historical and developmental context as well as through their application to organizational reform in one or more current setting(s). The future of organizational development will be considered with respect to trends and possibilities for the 21st century. Understanding of these contexts is accomplished through the reading of primary texts, independent study of particular aspects of this history, and class discussion.
 

LEAD 7340 - Statistics for Research Design and Analysis
(3) Credit Hours
This course will focus on the use of statistics (descriptive and inferential), data analysis, and an introduction to the statistical software package (SPSS). 
 

LEAD 7360 - Research Design and Analysis
(3) Credit Hours
This course provides a comprehensive perspective on research design, including both quantitative and qualitative methods, and provides opportunities to design, analyze, interpret, and report research. 
 

LEAD 7370 – Qualitative Research Design 
(3) Credit Hours
The purpose of this course is to develop broader skills of scientific inquiry through qualitative research methods. In this course, students shape research questions by contextualizing theoretical insights through qualitative assessment in real-life settings and enhance the ability to conduct mixed-methods research. 
 

LEAD 7500 - Learning Models, Design, and Communication
(3) Credit Hours
This course focuses on the interrelationship among learning theories, learning models, and learning design. Course activities require participants to compare, contrast, and apply learning design and delivery process models that have emerged from recent major theoretical paradigms. Participants review origins and features of design procedures and demonstrate knowledge of the models by creating and presenting design products including planning, implementation, assessment and evaluation models that reflect theory-based concepts.
 

LEAD 7700R - Pre-Dissertation Seminar
(3) Credit Hours
This seminar prepares participants for identification of a research problem appropriate for the doctoral dissertation through the development of a draft proposal. Prerequisites: Completion of all core and elective coursework and successful Comprehensive Assessment defense.
 

LEAD 7810 - Cognitive Aspects of Decision-Making
(3) Credit Hours
This course will introduce the cognitive aspects of human decision-making, judgment and strategies. Participants will read and discuss original literature. Areas of study will include the evolutionary aspects of decision-making, factors that impact decision-making, probability and decision-making and the cognitive processes used for individual and group decision-making and judgment. Participants will compare, contrast and relate decision-making strategies to conceptual models of learning and leadership. Primary activities during this course will include detailed and specific analysis of decisions made in both leadership and learning design processes from the participant’s professional practice/experience.
 

LEAD 7815 - Ethical Aspects of Decision-Making
(3) Credit Hours
This course will introduce the ethical aspects of human decision-making, judgment and strategies. Participants will read and discuss original literature. Areas of study will include the theoretical aspects of ethics and decision-making, factors that impact ethical decision-making, and the organizational processes used for individual and group decision-making from an ethical perspective. Participants will compare, contrast and relate decision-making strategies to personal, professional, leadership, learning, and organizational ethical constructs. Primary activities during this course will include detailed and specific analysis of decisions made in both leadership and learning processes from the participant’s professional practice/experience.
 

LEAD 7820 - Data-Informed Aspects of Decision-Making
(3) Credit Hours
This course will provide participants with a sound understanding of the conceptual framework of the importance of data in the decision-making process. Areas of study will include different types of data assessment and application to the decision-making process, factors that impact decision-making, and the role of quantitative and qualitative analysis for individual and group decision-making. Participants will compare, contrast, and relate data-informed decision-making strategies to conceptual models of learning and leadership. Primary activities during this course will include planning for the use of data in detailed and specific analysis of decisions made in both leadership and learning processes from the participant’s professional practice/experience.
 

LEAD 7999R - Dissertation
(2-6) Credit Hours
Doctoral research. Preparation and defense of a doctoral dissertation. Continuous enrollment required. Prerequisites: Admission to candidacy or department head approval. Department may have additional prerequisite requirements.