Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership

Kurt Takamine, Ed.D., Interim Dean, Business and Professional Studies

Janet Cooper Jackson, Ph.D., Associate Dean, Business and Professional Studies

Glenn Worthington, Ed.D., Associate Dean, Business and Professional Studies

Tracy Gibson, Ed.D.

Keith Hilton, Ph.D.

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Organizational Leadership focuses on understanding and transcending barriers to individual and organizational effectiveness. The program provides a curriculum which links theory and practice to promote six program learning outcomes:

• Diversity: Explain the importance of diversity in an organization.
• Communication: Apply effective communication skills for interacting collaboratively in global environments.
• Critical Inquiry: Assess individual capacity, team behavior, and organization culture.
• Leadership: Compare and contrast leadership theories and models to the practice of leadership.
• Ethics: Evaluate ethical behavior and decision making.
• Application: Create an applied research or related leadership project.

The program is ideally suited for students with strong interests or experience in leadership, management and/or administration. Depending on the emphasis area chosen, students with degrees in organizational leadership are prepared for entry- and mid-level supervisory positions in a wide range of administrative careers or for graduate school in a variety of academic disciplines. (Not all emphasis areas or courses may be offered at all campuses.)

Students wishing to major in organizational leadership are encouraged to complete the prerequisite requirements before the start of their junior year. Transfer credits may be applied toward major requirements, subject to all university guidelines or the approval of the Associate Dean of the School of Business and Professional Studies. Students must attain at least a "C+" (2.30) grade point average in all required work with no course below a "C" (2.0). All required courses must be taken for a letter grade where the option exists.

The B.A. in Organizational Leadership consists of 48 credits of coursework, including 18 credits in electives or a pre-selected emphasis area, and 6 credits in a research project. This project should be completed toward the end of the student's program.

A minor in organizational leadership (18 credits), a Master of Arts (36 credits), and graduate certificates in organizational leadership and organization development are also offered.

Departmental Honors

Students who are majoring in organizational leadership are eligible for departmental honors if they meet the following criteria:

1. Chapman University GPA of 3.80 or higher
2. Organizational Leadership Major GPA of 3.80 or higher
3. Complete a special project (OLCU 488 or 499) in which the student examines some aspect in organizational leadership which results in a paper of publishable quality. This may require CUIRB approval; therefore the project/syllabus needs to be constructed the term prior to the study.

Electives/Emphasis Area (18 credits in electives)

Upon admission, students work with their program advisors to develop a plan for electives in the degree program. Electives may lead toward a formal emphasis area in Organizational Administration or Organizational Communication (see below). Students who do not wish to develop a formal emphasis area, which are not designated on the student's transcript, may select 18 elective credits to meet individual educational and professional goals, and may be selected to build either functional career skills and/or career context awareness. With the assistance of their advisor, students may design an emphasis area that reflects their career goals. Approved electives include courses from the following programs: Organizational Leadership, Human Resources, Criminal Justice, Organizational Administration, and Organizational Communication. Electives may also be selected from other programs with advisor and Associate Dean approval. At least 9 credits must be upper division (300+). Internship and independent study credits do not count toward an emphasis area, but do count as electives in the major.

Emphasis in Organizational Administration

Most appropriate for students contemplating a career in leadership, management, and/or administration. This emphasis addresses the fundamentals of management and administration. This emphasis will be designated on the student's transcript. Students select six courses (18 credits from the following):

Emphasis in Organizational Communication

The emphasis in organizational communication combines the dynamics of speech communications with the principles of organizational leadership. Together, these skills prepare students to effectively utilize interpersonal, presentation, and written competencies in organizational communications. This emphasis will be designated on the student's transcript. Students select six courses (18 credits from the following):

Minor in Organizational Leadership

Consistent with the program's commitment to educate students about and for leadership, a minor in organizational leadership is offered as an option to students who prefer to major in a different academic subject, but who wish to supplement their academic program with leadership studies. Students desiring or contemplating a minor in organizational leadership should file their Intent to Minor with the offering School no later than their junior year or as soon as possible. Filing does not obligate the student. Internship and independent study credits do not count toward the minor.

Minor requirements (18 credits)