Strategic Management
One of the biggest challenges facing human resources managers or anyone with a leadership role in business management is developing organizational structures in which people can function effectively and comfortably. The Strategic Management post-baccalaureate certificate program teaches students about the changing state of organizations, how management and leadership function in an evolving business world, and how communication and other critical elements of business can be achieved most effectively within organizational structures. The program is designed for human resources professionals, as well as individuals in management and leadership positions or who aspire to those roles.
This program was formerly titled Strategic Organizational Management.
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Post-baccalaureate students at Northwestern's School of Professional Studies pay per course. For more information about financial obligations and tuition, please visit the Tuition page.
In addition to completing an online application, you'll also need to submit a few supplemental materials. A list of requirements for admission including application deadlines and tips on how to apply can be found on the Admission page.
Whether you're a first-time registrant or current and returning student, all students register using our online student registration and records systems. Important information about registering for courses at SPS, including registration timelines and adding or dropping courses in which you are already enrolled, can be found on the Registration Information page.
| Program Courses: | Course Detail |
|---|---|
| Team Leadership and Decision Making <> COMM_ST 250-DL | This course is organized to expose students to foundational
perspectives and concepts of effective, ethical leadership and
collaboration. Our work together will focus upon communication
principles and practices that support evaluation of others’
leadership and your own practices as part of a team. We will
explore models and theories that describe these topics and gain
practice thinking and writing critically. The goal of this course
is for students to leave with applicable knowledge and tactics that
will help them to engage with others--as a leader and a team
member-- to achieve good results in good conscience. View COMM_ST 250-DL Sections |
| Theories of Organizational Communication <> COMM_ST 360-CN | This course examines theories and research dealing with communication in formal organizations and institutions. Various models of organizational communication are introduced, as well as historical and current research in the field. Students learn to analyze and integrate theory and research and apply what they learn to current organizations. View COMM_ST 360-CN Sections |
| Theories of Organizational Communication <> COMM_ST 360-CN | This course examines theories and research dealing with communication in formal organizations and institutions. Various models of organizational communication are introduced, as well as historical and current research in the field. Students learn to analyze and integrate theory and research and apply what they learn to current organizations. This course combines classroom lecture and discussion with an online component. For the lecture and discussion components, this course is paired with a morning session of BLP/STAT 202-CN taught by Jerry Lassa, and the class meets on alternate Saturdays: 4/2, 4/15, 4/30, 5/14 and 5/28. This course is part of the Business Leadership year one curriculum. First class attendance is mandatory. View COMM_ST 360-CN Sections |
| Theories of Organizational Communication <> COMM_ST 360-DL | This course examines theories and research dealing with communication in formal organizations and institutions. Various models of organizational communication are introduced, as well as historical and current research in the field. Students learn to analyze and integrate theory and research and apply what they learn to current organizations. The course is conducted completely online. A technology fee will be added to tuition. View COMM_ST 360-DL Sections |
| Bargaining & Negotiation <> COMM_ST 363-CN | This course is designed to explore the processes of bargaining and negotiation as theoretical, social, and managerial activities. It provides an overview of the basic theoretical approaches, concepts, processes, and research in bargaining and negotiation. Special emphasis is given in the areas of interpersonal and intergroup conflict as well as language bias and its links to negotiating. In addition, interpersonal influence techniques and the tactics and strategies involved with improved bargaining and negotiation are covered. The major purpose of the course is for each participant to gain insight into his or her own negotiating style and to become a more effective negotiator, as well as a more astute observer of social processes. The course involves extensive use of cases, role-plays, and related participative activities, enhanced by rigorous self-review and introspection. View COMM_ST 363-CN Sections |
| Leadership Principles & Practices <> ORG_BEH 307-CN | This course introduces the theory and practice of leadership: the capacity to mobilize group resources to affect fundamental change in organizations. Topics include understanding organizations as complex social systems; the difference between leadership and authority; navigating the politics of competing factions within organizations to achieve shared goals; emotional intelligence and the emerging neuroscience of leadership; the role of personal presence in establishing trust in leader-follower relationships; and the role of leadership in creating an environment in which risk-taking and innovative solutions are encouraged. The classroom, as well as students' experiences, become case studies in leadership. First class attendance is mandatory. This course combines classroom lecture and discussion with an online component. For the lecture and discussion components, this course is paired with another session of the BLP program, and meetings are held on alternate Saturdays: 9/25, 10/9, 10/23, 11/6 and 11/20. View ORG_BEH 307-CN Sections |
| Organizational Change <> ORG_BEH 310-CN | This course is an in-depth investigation of the forces driving
organizational change and their impact on people and structure.
Today's emphasis on quality, service, and efficiency has created
great urgency for change that runs counter to other factors (e.g.,
a mobile labor force, uninspired leadership, and intense global
economic pressures). The byproduct is often cynicism,
self-preservation, and confusion--ingredients for disaster. Yet
some organizations thrive; this course examines why, and explores
change drivers and dynamics across organizational settings and
situations ranging from major corporate mergers to not-for-profit
politics. This course combines classroom lecture and discussion
with an online component. This course is part of the Business
Leadership year two cohort. There is no available section. |
| Conflict Resolution <> ORG_BEH 311-DL | Conflict takes place daily in all organizations, regardless of size. Research indicates ways to deal with misunderstood and mismanaged conflict. In this course, we will focus on two types of conflict: conflict that is positive and has the ability to increase productivity, effectiveness, and satisfaction; conflict that will result in negative outcomes. Recognizing both the positive and negative impact of conflict is essential. With that knowledge, you can develop positive strategies to maintain excellent working relationships and address issues as they occur. Our goals, then, are to identify conflict, determine whether it is positive or negative, and resolve it to the benefit of all. View ORG_BEH 311-DL Sections |
| Conflict Resolution <> ORG_BEH 311-DL | Conflict takes place daily in all organizations, regardless of size. Research indicates ways to deal with misunderstood and mismanaged conflict. In this course, we will focus on two types of conflict: conflict that is positive and has the ability to increase productivity, effectiveness, and satisfaction; conflict that will result in negative outcomes. Recognizing both the positive and negative impact of conflict is essential. With that knowledge, you can develop positive strategies to maintain excellent working relationships and address issues as they occur. Our goals, then, are to identify conflict, determine whether it is positive or negative, and resolve it to the benefit of all. This course is part of the Business Leadership year one curriculum. View ORG_BEH 311-DL Sections |
| Strategic Planning & Management <> ORG_BEH 367-DL | This course applies the concepts of strategic planning to
various types of organizations. Initial discussions will provide a
basic framework for preparing a strategic plan for corporations,
non-profits and government agencies. Practical applications will be
developed from case studies and the experiences of the instructor
and students. Since we can learn from wide range of situational
discussions, we will consider entrepreneurial and established
operations, as well as success stories and failures. This course is
conducted completely online. A technology fee will be added to
tuition. There is no available section. |
| Project Management ORG_BEH 368-DL | In this course, students will learn the basics and best
practices of project management and some of the tools and
techniques that help manage projects smoothly and successfully.
These include the essentials necessary for project success, the
stages of project management, determining a project's feasibility,
defining a vision for the project, setting measurable objectives,
assessing resources and constraints, creating a managing a project
plan, and dealing with change. This course is designed for those
who have no knowledge of project management and for those who have
been managing projects without any formal training. Its objective
is to prepare project managers to plan, implement, monitor and
evaluate projects of all kinds successfully, thus reducing stress
and ineffective communication while increasing efficiency and
success. View ORG_BEH 368-DL Sections |
