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Core Coursework
Organizational Studies
A course in this area provides a general orientation to or overview of theories of organizational behavior, the evolution of organizational/ management theories over the 20th century, contemporary understandings of organizational functioning and operation, and the psychology of organizations. Sample classes that meet this core requirement:
- Organizational Psychology
- Organizational Theory/Behavior
- Introduction to Management
Systems Change
Two courses are required that develop students’ understanding of organizations as complex adaptive living systems, emphasizing the dynamics of change and the role of leaders as prompters and guides of organizational learning and change. Sample classes that would meet this core requirement:
- Turning the Ship: Organizational Change
- Far-From-Equilibrium: Systems Perspectives on Change
- Strategic Planning & Change
- Narrating Change: Stories for Collective Action
Multicultural Competence
A course meeting this core requirement equips students with the sensitivities, skill and insight to provide leadership in developing organizations that proactively embrace diversity and address issues of power, privilege and difference. Sample classes include:
- Diversity in the Workplace
- Creating Culturally Competent Organizations
Leadership
One course in this area of concentration should directly address the leadership role, taking up issues in contemporary leadership theory and practice, with a particular emphasis on case examples of effective leaders. Sample classes:
- Leadership Seminar
- Leadership Autobiographies
- Transformative Leadership
Facilitation
A final required course provides the opportunity to develop skill in facilitative leadership. Students are supported to learn specific strategies to facilitate a wide variety of groups in ways that promote collaborative exploration, decision-making, learning, change and action. Possible classes include:
- Group Facilitation
- Facilitating Democratic Participation
- Design & Facilitation of Adult Learning
- Practicum in Training & Consultation Methodologies
- Community Organizing in Action
Sample Electives
- Introduction to Management
- Nonprofit Management
- Theory & Practice of Coaching
- Adult Development
- Global Economics
- Small Business Entrepreneurship
- Working in the U.S.A.
- Public Speaking
- Grant Writing
- Spirit in the Workplace
- The Reflective Practitioner
- Introduction to Human Resources
Sample Community/Field-based Learning Experiences
- Doing market research for a women’s café and bookstore
- Raising awareness about multicultural issues at one’s division at Boeing
- Apprenticing with an interpersonal communications skills trainer
- Attending a speaking circle to develop public speaking skills and then presenting one’s adoption agency’s new model at a national conference
Sample Synthesis Projects
- Interviewing five leaders of nonprofits and comparing their leadership styles and management approaches
- Writing a case study analysis applying three theories of change to a current situation in one’s workplace
- Thesis exploring patterns of change in Seattle Neighborhood Schools between 1970 & 2000
- Developing and implementing a volunteer training workshop
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