Common Core Courses
The MS in Innovative Leadership is a 40-credit program, with 14 credits gained in the common core and the remainder in each individual track.
GRST 501 Leading for Change I: Introduction to Innovative Leadership
This course provides an orientation to the Master of Science in Innovative Leadership. Focus is on the exploration of leadership as well as the process necessary to succeed in an intense graduate program. Students will be exposed to a variety of perspectives on leadership while simultaneously exploring the personal skills needed to develop self-authorship in future coursework and the benefits of mentorship in leadership development.
GRST 510 Evidence-based Practice
This course focuses on the analysis of evidence for application to the students’ professional practice setting. This course will provide a foundation for students to explore the strengths and limitations of various research designs and develop critical skills essential to the interpretation and application of evidence. This course will equip the students with the skills that will be needed throughout the program as well as for the students’ capstone experience.
GRST 511 Leadership and Decision Making
This course will examine leadership and decision making in its organizational context. The emphasis will be on exploring the role of cognitive processes, developing problem diagnostic skills and developing an understanding of the challenges involved in implementing decisions. The course will continually emphasize the acquisition of the skills necessary to apply concepts from decision making theory to areas of professional practice.
GRST 520 Interpersonal Workplace Dynamics
This course will examine roles, role expectations, and social systems in the workplace. Human motivation theories, group dynamics, and strategies for building community and a shared vision will be studied. Students will learn how to connect theory and practice, identify system components for best practice, mobilize resources, apply knowledge in diverse and authentic work settings, and manage conflict. How to act with integrity and fairness to create efficient, effective, and healthy work environments will be emphasized.
GRST 521 Innovation
This course provides an introduction to innovation. Focus is on creating organizational processes to foster creativity and innovation. Topics include idea generation, risk management associated with evaluation and implementing new ideas, and identifying and working through barriers to innovation. Students will study the role of creativity and innovation as organizational strategic core competencies.
GRST 535 Leading for Change II: Reflection and Transition
This seminar affords students the opportunity to develop a conceptual framework that will integrate topics that have been explored in the core classes. Students will continue the process of articulating insights that have emerged from the core courses regarding professional issues. The focus of the professional track courses of the second year of study will build upon the core foundation. (Prerequisite: Completion of all courses in the common core.)
For official course descriptions, see the Graduate Studies Catalog.
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