The Leadership Degree
The Leadership degree at TWU-Bellingham will help you develop the leadership abilities that are coveted in today's increasingly complex marketplace. The program enables you to earn your degree within two years using an accelerated format without disrupting your ongoing employment. Using a convenient blend of on-campus experiences and online learning, the program enables you to immediately apply the principles you learn to your work setting.
Students with backgrounds in Leadership do well in organizations, regardless of their position, where the ability to effectively lead people, processes and projects is important. You will learn how to produce a vision and strategic goals, manage change for results, apply methods of organizational system analysis, lead from different organizational positions, advance organizational performance, and develop a healthy organization culture.
Graduates in Leadership can have an impact on their world by enabling people to understand their roles in organizational life and through helping them experience the transforming love and power of God. The program provides a good foundation for those who have recently been promoted into leadership positions, established leaders who are experiencing new challenges in their organization, and those seeking preparation for future leadership opportunities.
Careers
The training and education received opens doors to work with individuals and communities experiencing emotional, cognitive or social problems. Examples of careers in this field are as follows*:
- Business: project manager, human resources, strategist
- Government: agency leader, planner, policy maker
- Non-profit: organizational builder, community relations
- Education: director of programs, instructor
- Consulting: motivational speaking, organizational improvement
- Ministry: church administration, lay leadership
*some organizations may require an advanced degree
THE TWU-BELLINGHAM PROGRAM IN LEADERSHIP OFFERS MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY FOR STUDENTS TO JOIN A SINGLE STREAM OF COURSES AFTER COMPLETING ONE INTRODUCTORY LEADING COURSE.
THERE ARE FIVE PARTS TO THE PROGRAM:
- A leading course, which not only prepares a student for the methods associated with the Bellingham study programs but also introduces the Leadership curriculum and concepts of lifelong learning
- Ten core theory courses, drawn from a variety of liberal arts disciplines including sociology, psychology, communications, political science, religion and management. These classes are typically hybrid classes involving 3/4 face-to-face instruction and 1/4 online
- Four credits of practical field experience where the student applies classroom concepts to the work place. The practicum begins any time after the student has completed initial classes and can be taken in a 14 week module. The field experience may be voluntary or part of the student's work.
- The project, which allows the student to synthesize his/her learning and field work in a written report and presentation to peers. The project reflects the philosophy of leadership developed by the student as part of the Personhood course.
- Elective courses (20 credits), selected to complement the Leadership core curriculum, these can include a number of classes in Psychology and Sociology taught at the Bellingham campus or on-line courses offered by TWU. Students are allowed to transfer fifteen (15) of these credits from other institutions but must make sure that at least 3 of these credits are at upper division level.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:
LDRS 301 LIFELONG LEARNING STRATEGIES IN LEADERSHIP
Students are introduced to learning methods that will ensure academic and personal learning success for a lifetime of leadership development and application. Topics include building a personal knowledge profile, application of personal assessment tools, concepts of personal mastery, learning styles and competencies. Topics in leadership include the definition of good leadership, the difference between leadership and management, why leadership is necessary in organizations, and the importance of learning in organizations.
LDRS 302 HISTORICAL CONCEPTS & THEORIES IN LEADERSHIP
An introduction to historical concepts and theories that have influenced current leadership and management trends. Highlighted are early societal and philosophical influences that have led to the development of classical management theories and subsequent emerging theories through the 1980's. Students learn current marketplace applications that will assist them in interpreting the actions and perspectives of individuals in organizations.
LDRS 303 CONTEMPORARY & POPULAR APPROACHES IN LEADERSHIP
An overview of contemporary, popular approaches that have influenced current trends in leadership. It concentrates on influences from the 1990s to the present. Topics include psychodynamic theories, individual and organizational values, ethical and relational orientations, emotional intelligence.
LDRS 310 THE LEARNING ORGANIZATION
The course introduces the systematic development of learning organizations. Strategic information management focuses on identifying, defining, and operationalizing data to maximize preselected output criteria. Using systems theory, the role of fast feedback loops is explored. The alignment of organizational values, vision, mission, information and technology are discussed.
LDRS 320 ETHICAL DECISION MAKING
An exploration of ethical decision-making in a business environment. This study includes examination of individual, organizational, and macro-level issues in ethics. Students build understanding of the role of values and ethics in strategies for motivating, communicating, utilizing power, and developing followers. Cases for resolving ethical issues are used.
LDRS 330 Leadership in Organizations and Small Groups
Students will have a comprehensive understanding of leadership theories, models, and facets of leadership and characteristics of effective leaders; including leadership development and current issues. Review the major theories of leadership, past and present; examine leadership in specific situations, from small groups to large organizations and political entities; consider a Christian perspective on leadership; provide opportunities for students to gain self-understanding in the development of their own leadership experiences.
LDRS 400 INTERPERSONAL LEADERSHIP: NEGOTIATION AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Students learn sources of conflict within and outside organizations related to personal differences, real and imagined levels of power, and stakeholder interests. Through simulation and role-playing, students develop skills in conflict resolution: transforming horizontal and vertical relationships, turning teams around and keeping disputes out of court. Forms of dispute resolution are discussed including professional arbitration and alternative methods of mediation.
LDRS 410 COMMUNICATION: METHODS AND MEDIUMS OF PERSUASION AND POSITIVE INFLUENCE
Communication not only informs and entertains, but perhaps most important, it persuades in written, oral, and body language forms. Listening is also significant but often overlooked aspect of communication. Communication affects colleagues, subordinates, superiors, and current and potential customers. This course provides a broad overview of these communications skills.
LDRS 240/250 BOOK STUDY
An exegetical study of a selected Old Testament or New Testament book demonstrating leadership principle.
LDRS 420 LEADING CHANGE
In this course students learn about change and transition, how change affects teams and how to lead complex change. Other topics include engagement principles to gain commitment, and how to coach in the midst of change. Students apply learning to their own change project.
LDRS 431 BUILDING LEADERS I: DEVELOPING INTER-GENERATIONAL LEARNING SKILLS
An examining the universal process of human development from a psychosocial perspective in order to understand personal responses to leadership and the perspective - taking requirements of the leader in leading others. This course will also provide an overview of different generations (Boomers, GenXers, Millennials) and bother their approach to and responses to leadership challenges with a view to increasing the emotional intelligence of emerging leaders.
LDRS 432 BUILDING LEADERS II: VOCATION AND CAREER PLANNING
An examination of leaders' vocation discernment and career planning in the context of both modeling and mentoring. Emphasis is given to the leaders' identification of personal calling and the creation of their career development plans and how they use their self-development knowledge as life mentors to those they lead, bringing others toward similar personal and professional clarity and growth.
LDRS 433 BUILDING LEADERS III: RESILIENCE IN LEADERSHIP
An examination of everyday challenges and weaknesses leaders face and how to cope effectively. This course will focus on approaches and attitudes related to leadership aspects such ass criticism, failures, successes, personal attacks, weaknesses and persistence.
LDRS 440 DEVELOPING ADMINISTRATIVE COMPETENCE
Students learn key principles and methods to successful administration of private and public organizations. The course enables the student to develop skills in organizational effectiveness. Topics include: preparing strategic plans, modifying strategies, designing the organization to fit objectives, organizational governance, staffing the organization, budget building and defending, risk management and due diligence, effective implementation of plans.
LDRS 475 CHRISTIANITY & CULTURE
This course examines the important aspects of Christianity's involvement in western culture. Alternative models and historical examples of this involvement are considered as well as leadership related to Christian cultural activity.
LDRS 491/492 LEADERSHIP PRACTICUM (TOTAL OF 4 SEMESTER CREDITS)
The practicum will provide students a setting in which to test and apply their skills as well as to reflect on their own personal development as professionals. Students must be accepted for their practicum in a supervised business, non-profit agency, social service agency, or institution related to their personal interests and future plans.
Capstone Courses:
LDRS 499 APPLIED LEADERSHIP PROJECT REPORTING
The project provides students with an opportunity to test and apply the skills learned in their practicum placement as well as to reflect on their own personal development as professionals. Students conduct their applied leadership project in a supervised business, non-profit agency, social service agency, or institution related to their personal interests and future plans
LDRS 490 PERSONHOOD
Students develop a personal philosophy of leadership weaving together key concepts from previous courses and relating these concepts to their particular world view. This capstone study may include small group discussions and the preparation of a monograph. (May be offered in a partial on-line format)