Organizational Leadership, M.S.

Rebekah L. Hanousek-Monge, Ed.D, Program Director
hanousekmonge@mercy.edu

Courses also offered online

Purpose

The purpose of this program is to enable students to acquire knowledge and develop competencies that will make them effective leaders at any level of an organization. This program can be completed in one year and can also be applied as a concentration in the MBA Program.

Objective

The major objectives of the program are for students to:

Gain clarity of their purpose, values and commitment.
Develop the capacity to achieve goals through collaborative relationships.
Develop the capacity to initiate sustainable change in organizations.

Graduates will be expected to demonstrate knowledge of the following:

Theories and styles of leadership, with emphasis on understanding the role of leaders in achieving organizational effectiveness.
The processes through which ethical conflicts are resolved by organizations, with emphasis on understanding the role of leaders in setting and maintaining ethical standards.
Motivational theory and practices, with emphasis on understanding the role of leaders in motivating individuals as members of organizations.
Individual and group behavior in organizations, with emphasis on understanding the role of leaders in coordinating the efforts of people.
Cultural differences and their influence on organizational behavior, with emphasis on understanding the role of leaders in adapting to such differences.
Communication strategies in organizations, with emphasis on understanding the role of leaders in team-building through communications.
The market environment, with emphasis on understanding the role of leaders in adapting to economic change.
Technological change, with emphasis on understanding the role of leaders in adapting to such change.
Strategic management, with emphasis on the role of leaders in establishing direction for organizations.

Admission Requirements

Please refer to the general requirements for admission and matriculation in the Admissions section.

Program Requirements

Submit a baccalaureate transcript.
Submit a work statement or résumé that summarizes all work and supervisory experience.

Curriculum

The required courses for the program are listed below.

ORGL 510 - Becoming a Transformational Leader Credit(s): 3
ORGL 515 - Practicing Ethical Leadership Credit(s): 3
ORGL 520 - Aligning Meaning and Purpose Credit(s): 3
ORGL 540 - Collaborative Communication Credit(s): 3
ORGL 545 - Leading Diverse Teams Credit(s): 3
ORGL 550 - Leading Team Projects Credit(s): 3
ORGL 570 - Building Sustainable Organizations Credit(s): 3
ORGL 575 - Developing Learning Systems Credit(s): 3
ORGL 580 - Implementing Change Initiatives Credit(s): 3
ORGL 589 - Capstone Preparation Seminar Credit(s): 3 (HRMG 785 or MBAA 810 may substitute)
ORGL 590 - Professional Development Plan/Research Project (cc) Credit(s): 3

Total Credits: 33

Additional Program Requirements

Maintenance of Matriculation

Registration is accomplished by either enrolling in classes or maintaining matriculation. The Maintaining Matriculation fee is $100 per term and is processed as a registration. Students who have not maintained matriculation and wish to return to their program within one year after their last course will be charged the Maintaining Matriculation fee of $100 for each missed term. Maintenance of matriculation without attending classes is limited to one year. Activated U.S. Military Reservists are not required to pay the Maintenance of Matriculation fee.

Capstone Advisement

It is expected that Capstone students shall make satisfactory progress with their program’s culminating activity. After the student registers for all of their Capstone requirements, they will be given one subsequent term to complete their work. The Maintaining Matriculation registration must be completed for this subsequent term if no other courses are taken. After this period, a Capstone Continuation fee (equal to the cost of one graduate credit) will be charged for each additional term required to complete the project. Students can only register for Capstone Continuation for two terms. A student’s degree will not be released until all Maintaining Matriculation and Capstone Continuation registration and fees are recorded appropriately on a student’s record.

Maintenance of Good Academic Standing

The cumulative GPA for both academic standing and degree conferral is a 3.0. Grades are subject to review by the program director at the midpoint and end of each term (i.e., at two-course intervals). At any review, any student whose GPA falls below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation.

Academic Probation

All students who have a cumulative GPA of below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. If a student will not be able to achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0 within a reasonable time, the student will be dismissed from the program. If a student receives a grade of F or FW in any course the student may be subject to dismissal from the college. For all students on probation, future registrations must be reviewed and approved by the director of the student’s program as well as the school dean.

In all subsequent terms in which the student is on probation the student is required to achieve a term GPA of 3.0 or better. If the 3.0 or higher is not achieved the student will be dismissed. Students who receive a grade of less than B may be required to repeat the course. Students will be allowed to repeat a course only once.

Incomplete Grades

The grade of I may be granted for a course in which the student has not completed all course requirements due to extenuating and unforeseeable circumstances. The student must request an incomplete grade directly from the instructor; it should not be considered automatic. All grades of Incomplete must be completed within one year. If not completed in a year, the course must be retaken.

Degree Requirements

To be eligible for graduation, students must complete all 33 credits of the program with a GPA of 3.0 or better. The words “With Distinction” will appear on the diploma of a student whose GPA, upon meeting all requirements for graduation, is at least 3.75.

Time Limit

Requirements for the degree must be completed within five years from the candidate’s date of matriculation (exclusive of time spent in the Armed Forces). Exception may be made by the director of the program if the student’s request demonstrates circumstances beyond his or her control that temporarily interfere with the ability to complete the program on time.

Attendance

The instructor will specify the attendance requirements, along with other requirements, at the beginning of each course. Since one goal of this program is to enhance interpersonal skills, class participation will be an important element in the evaluation of student performance in all courses.