School of Organizational Leadership

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Science in Applied Communication

Dena Counts, Program Director
16633 Dallas Pkwy, Suite 800
Addison, TX 75001

Phone: 832-915-0183
Email: dena.counts@acu.edu

Faculty

Dena Counts, Assistant Professor

Introduction

The goal of Abilene Christian University’s Bachelor of Science in Applied Communication is to provide students with communication skills vital to the modern workplace. Students can choose between two tracks: healthcare communication and organizational change. Graduates will be prepared to enter or advance in a variety of careers, this goal is accomplished through equipping students to:

Engage in problem-solving by considering systems, cultures, and participants.
Learn to work in and manage teams.
Analyze and form persuasive messages.
Develop leadership skills.
Build a portfolio of work that enhances employability.
Lead organizations during times of crisis.
Conduct organizational analysis to diagnose system problems.

Admission Requirements

Abilene Christian University’s Online Baccalaureate programs are intended for non-traditional students interested in obtaining a bachelor’s degree online. Students may enroll four years after completing high school. Students who have earned a GED must be at least 22 years of age. Exceptions to these requirements may be made for transfer students matriculating from an institution with an articulation agreement with ACU.

Bachelor of Science in Christian Service and Formation

Tiffany Dahlman, Program Director
16633 Dallas Pkwy, Suite 800
Addison, TX 75001

Phone: 214-305-9508
Email: tad18a@acu.edu

Faculty

Tiffany Dahlman, Instructor

Introduction

The Bachelor of Science in Christian Service and Formation degree program enables students to faithfully engage their local context by providing tools of biblical interpretation, a theoretical framework to analyze their culture, and practices of spiritual formation that nurture an identity rooted in Christ.

Admission Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership

Dena Counts, Program Director
16633 Dallas Pkwy, Suite 800
Addison, TX 75001

Phone: 832-915-0183
Email: dena.counts@acu.edu

Faculty

Dena Counts, Assistant Professor

Introduction

The goal of Abilene Christian University’s Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership is to provide students with the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills in communication, collaboration, and ethical decision-making. Students learn about leadership from an interdisciplinary perspective with courses from a number of fields, including Leadership, Psychology, Communication, and Management. Graduates will be prepared to enter or advance in a variety of careers, this goal is accomplished through equipping students to:

Apply best practices from leadership theories and models.
Lead and serve in the professional workforce.
Promote effective communication structures.
Lead a diverse workforce across multiple contexts and modalities.
Apply a range of collaboration skills that meet demands of a diverse and ever-changing professional work environment and economy.
Demonstrate ethical decision making skill through vocation and calling.

Admission Requirements

Graduate

Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership

Karen Maxwell, Program Director
Kathy Yeager, Associate Program Director
16633 Dallas Pkwy, Suite 800
Addison, TX 75001

Phone: 325-513-6262
Email: karen.maxwell@acu.edu

Faculty

Jennifer Butcher, Professor
Brian Cole, Associate Professor
Wade Fish, Associate Professor
Karen Maxwell, Associate Professor
Kristin Koetting O’Byrne, Associate Professor
Linnea Rademaker, Professor
Heather Rasmussen, Associate Professor
Leah Wickersham-Fish, Associate Professor
Kathy Yeager, Assistant Professor

Introduction

The School of Organizational Leadership offers a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership. This program is offered online with optional residency experiences for select concentrations.

The mission of the EdD in Organizational Leadership is to prepare professionals in a variety of contexts for leadership roles. A distinguishing feature is a focus on the vocation of leadership in complex organizational cultures to develop effective practice. This is accomplished through equipping leaders to:

Positively influence organizations through the expression of their vocations;
Create, interpret, and administer practices that contribute to learning and human flourishing in organizational contexts;
Build shared understanding and quality professional and personal relationships through available communication channels;
Demonstrate an understanding of data, information, and empirical evidence and will apply organizational assessment strategies to their organizational contexts; and
Demonstrate healthy leadership practices to influence organizational culture.

The EdD will entail 60 credit hours consisting of 18 foundational hours; 21 hours of research methods; a 15-hour track in the student’s choice of specialization – conflict management, higher education, learning with emerging technologies, positive leadership, school superintendent (advanced standing only), or principalship (advanced standing only); and a minimum of 6 hours of dissertation credit. Students with a master’s degree in an existing track may be considered for advanced standing of up to 15 credit hours to serve as their specialization track with the approval of the Program Director.

Graduates of the EdD in Organizational Leadership will be prepared for executive leadership roles in a variety of settings including primary and secondary schools; colleges and universities; nonprofit agencies; government, military, and law enforcement; businesses; and in a variety of organization and community settings.

Admission Requirements

Application for admission with a nonrefundable processing fee.
Official transcripts in English of all previous colleges attended. The transcripts must indicate an earned Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
A statement of interest in the EdD in Organizational Leadership addressing such topics as the applicant’s view of leadership. ability to create followers, propensity to take risks, perseverance and demonstrated achievements, future career/life objectives, and reasons for pursuing a doctoral program.
Completion of a writing exercise in response to a prompt provided by ACU Dallas. Because effective academic writing is an essential skill in doctoral study, students who do not demonstrate the necessary writing skills to be successful may be placed on academic probation and be required to participate in writing enhancement tutoring.
Professional CV or résumé.
Video conference interview with the program director may be requested.

International applicants to the EdD will be required to complete the standard graduate application requirements for all international students applying for an ACU graduate degree, including TOEFL or IELTS scores and transcript assessment for degrees completed outside of the United States (http://www.acu.edu/undergraduate/admissions/international/international-graduate-application-information.html). All students in the EdD, regardless of their language background, are held to the same standard of written English proficiency.

Students who choose the superintendent or principal track must already possess the superintendent or principal certification, the equivalent courses, and recent school administration experience.

Education Specialist in Organizational Leadership

Karen Maxwell, Program Director
Kathy Yeager, Associate Program Director
16633 Dallas Pkwy, Suite 800
Addison, TX 75001

Phone: 325-513-6262
Email: karen.maxwell@acu.edu

Faculty

Introduction

The School of Organizational Leadership offers an Education Specialist degree in Organizational Leadership.

The mission of the EdS in Organizational Leadership is to provide students with the theory and application skills necessary to serve effectively in positions of leadership within organizations.

The EdS has traditionally been a professional degree for educators, primarily within the K-12 educational sector, to provide additional training and credentialing beyond the master’s degree. The goal of the EdS in Organizational Leadership is to introduce students to the essential foundations of leadership from both a theoretical and practical perspective. The curriculum will provide opportunities for students to develop strategic and tactical approaches to providing and nurturing leadership in the organizations they serve.

Admission Requirements

Application for admission with a nonrefundable processing fee.
Official transcripts in English of all previous colleges attended. The transcripts must indicate an earned Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
A statement of interest in the EdS in Organizational Leadership addressing such topics as the applicant’s view of leadership. ability to create followers, propensity to take risks, perseverance and demonstrated achievements, future career/life objectives, and reasons for pursuing a doctoral program.
Completion of a writing exercise in response to a prompt provided by ACU Dallas. Because effective academic writing is an essential skill in doctoral study, students who do not demonstrate the necessary writing skills to be successful may be placed on academic probation and be required to participate in writing enhancement tutoring.
Professional CV or résumé.
Video conference interview with the program director may be requested.

International applicants to the EdS will be required to complete the standard graduate application requirements for all international students applying for an ACU graduate degree, including TOEFL or IELTS scores and transcript assessment for degrees completed outside of the United States (http://www.acu.edu/undergraduate/admissions/international/international-graduate-application-information.html). All students in the EdS, regardless of their language background, are held to the same standard of written English proficiency.

Students who choose the superintendent or principal track must already possess the superintendent or principal certification, the equivalent courses, and recent school administration experience.

Master of Education

Karen Maxwell, Program Director
Kathy Yeager, Associate Program Director
16633 Dallas Pkwy, Suite 800
Addison, TX 75001

Phone: 325-513-6262
Email: karen.maxwell@acu.edu

Faculty

Wade Fish, Associate Professor
Karen Maxwell, Associate Professor

Introduction

The School of Organizational Leadership offers a Master of Education (MEd) degree in the following areas:

Instruction and Learning (Teacher Leadership roles)
Higher Education (see the Higher Education section of this catalog)

Students in the Instruction and Learning program may also be able to complete the requirements for a graduate certificate in Learning with Emerging Technologies or in Conflict Management for Educators .

The Master of Education program prepares individuals who have a thorough mastery of the technical and practical aspects of education and are skilled in both the art and science of teaching and learning. The faculty and staff seek to accomplish this within the context of Christian values and principles.

The mission of the MEd in Instruction and Learning is to improve an educator’s professional craft through the utilization of his/her faith-based vocational calling: seeing and experiencing work as participants in the life and mission of God. The program’s curriculum prepares educators to effectively serve their learners through (a) implementing evidence-based teaching practices; (b) understanding complex processes of teaching and learning; (c) making data-driven decisions that strive towards continuous improvement to meet accountability expectations; (d) providing meaningful engagement for all learners across culturally diverse settings; and (e) promoting a positive learning culture for all learners.

Faculty members author teaching materials, publish articles and papers, present at state and national conferences, serve as officers in professional organizations, and conduct numerous workshops and seminars for school professionals.

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements for the Master of Education in Instruction and Learning are:

A completed application for admission with a nonrefundable application fee;
An official transcript(s) in English (or translated to English) of all previous colleges attended. The transcript must indicate an earned bachelor’s degree in education or related field from a regionally accredited college or university or equivalent;
A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above;
A current résumé.

Certificate in Learning with Emerging Technologies

The Certificate in Learning with Emerging Technologies is a 15-hour online program designed to prepare students to be instructional designers, trainers, and leaders of professional development in education and in other industries.

Faculty

Leah Wickersham-Fish, Associate Professor

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for the Certificate in Learning with Emerging Technologies are as follows:

A completed application for admission with a nonrefundable application fee;
An official transcript(s) in English (or translated to English) of all previous colleges attended. The transcript must indicate an earned bachelor’s degree in education or related field from a regionally accredited college or university or equivalent;
A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale;
A current résumé;
A purpose statement (2 pages double spaced, typed) including philosophy of education.

Higher Education

Jason Morris, Program Director
ACU Box 29009
Abilene, Texas 79699-8252

Phone: 325-674-2830
Fax: 325-674-2123
Email: morrisj@acu.edu
Web: highered.acu.edu

Faculty

Jason Morris, Professor

Introduction

The Master of Education in Higher Education is a 33-hour program designed to prepare students for a professional career in a broad range of higher education settings. The program has three concentrations, 1) Student Affairs Leadership, 2) Academic Advising, and 3) Conflict Resolution.

Higher education is understood increasingly as a holistic enterprise that requires not only a traditionally organized discipline-oriented faculty but also a cadre of professionals trained in co-curricular concerns—matters that command great importance in the lives of college students but are not commonly the focus of classroom experiences. This program is designed both for working student development professionals who reside in a higher education setting and need advanced training and for recent college graduates who have an interest in working in higher education.

The program will prepare students to incorporate faith-based principles in professional practice. Graduates will be qualified for roles such as residence life director, academic advisor, international student coordinator, financial aid counselor, intramurals director, career services advisor, and many others. The degree will also provide a solid foundation for future doctoral work in higher education.

This program is designed to provide learning that is both content-based and experiential and that is intentional in its consideration and integration of the role of Christian faith in the work of a higher education professional. Upon completion of this program, students will be knowledgeable about and competent in:

Resource management in higher education
Diversity and intercultural issues
Conflict management
Assessment and evaluation
Student development
Legal and ethical issues in higher education
Student spiritual formation
Research methodology
Enrollment management
Higher education leadership
Academic advising

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for the MEd in Higher Education are:

A completed application for admission with a nonrefundable application fee;
An official transcript(s) in English (or translated to English) of all previous colleges attended. The transcript must indicate an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university or equivalent;
A cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale;
A written purpose statement describing the applicant’s reasons for wishing to enter the higher education program and future career plans; and
A résumé or curriculum vita.

Conflict Management and Organizational Development

Kipi Fleming, Program Director
16633 Dallas Pkwy, Suite 800
Addison, TX 75001

Email: klw07b@acu.edu
Web: www.acu.edu/conflict

Faculty

Garry P. Bailey, Associate Professor
Kipi Fleming, Assistant Professor, Program Director
Joseph Halbert, Associate Professor

Adjunct Faculty who teach in this program:
Dorothy Andreas
DeLila Bergan
Jim Guinn
Mike Hare
Wilbur Hicks
Wynona James
Paul Lakey
Emily Landon
Jon Schwiethale

Conflict Management

Introduction

The Master of Arts in Conflict Management and Resolution is a 36-credit hour non-thesis program. A 15-credit hour graduate certificate in conflict management is also available. The degree and certificate courses are offered in an online format. Students choose one of four tracks: general, practitioner, organizational, or healthcare. The practitioner, organizational, and healthcare tracks require a mandatory one-week residency session designed to concentrate on practical skill development. The practitioner, organizational, and healthcare tracks also require a 3-credit-hour practicum which is arranged in conjunction with the program advisor.

PLEASE NOTE: Because courses are offered online, students must have access to a computer with an internet connection and have sufficient technical proficiency for the online environment.

The program is designed to prepare students to analyze, address, and manage conflict effectively and professionally. The faculty and course materials emphasize the importance of reconciliation. The degree will serve professionals currently engaged in careers in business, education, counseling and ministry, as well as individuals engaged in dispute resolution professions.

Primary purposes of the program are to equip and enable graduates who:

Are recognized and utilized as peacemakers, regardless of their professional or career positions;
Are well-versed in conflict theory and are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage conflict;
Possess the capacity for advancement into positions of leadership and service in a wide range of professions; and
Mentor and challenge others to pursue godly lives of collaboration and reconciliation.

Course work in this program has been designed to provide students with a depth of knowledge in the theory of conflict and its management. The emphasis on reconciliation reflects the importance of maintaining relationships even when the parties disagree. Each student is introduced and immersed in practical skills that both foster those relationships and effectively move parties to agreement.

Admission Requirements

Entrance into the program is not limited to any specific undergraduate degree. The admission requirement for the Conflict Management and Resolution program are:

Complete an application and application fee (see online link to admission);
An official transcript(s) in English (or translated to English) of all previous colleges attended. The transcript must indicate an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university or equivalent;
A cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale;
A purpose statement of no more than 1,000 words detailing the applicant’s motivation for undertaking a focused study on conflict management and resolution; and
Upon request, a personal or telephone interview with the program advisor or other departmental faculty or staff.

Certificate in Conflict Management

The graduate certificate in conflict management is available for those students who are not seeking the graduate degree yet desire specialized education in conflict management. The certificate is a 15-credit-hour program. Attendance at a one-week residency session is required to successfully complete the certificate.

PLEASE NOTE: Because courses are offered online, students must have access to a computer with an internet connection and have sufficient technical proficiency for the online environment.

Admission Requirements

All candidates for the Certificate in Conflict Management must complete an application for the certificate program and must submit an official undergraduate transcript that shows a completed bachelor’s degree.

Certificate in Conflict Management for Church Leaders

The Graduate Certificate in Conflict Management for Church Leaders is offered for those students who seek to work with churches and/or religious organizations in managing and resolving conflict. The certificate is a 15-credit hour program. Attendance at a conflict management residency session is required to successfully complete the certificate.

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements for the Certificate in Conflict Management for Church Leaders are:

A completed application for admission with a nonrefundable application fee;
An official transcript(s) in English (or translated to English) of all previous colleges attended. The transcript must indicate an earned bachelor’s degree in education or related field from a regionally accredited college or university or equivalent;
A cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale;
Submit a current résumé;
A purpose statement (2 pages double spaced, typed) including personal philosophy of conflict management and resolution.

Certificate in Conflict Management for Educators

The School of Organizational Leadership also offers a 15-credit hour graduate certificate in conflict management designed specifically for educators. This unique program includes online course work and a one-week residency session for the development of practical skills and for preparing trainers of mediators in the school setting. Students may apply 12 hours toward the Master of Education in Instruction and Learning degree.

PLEASE NOTE: Because courses are offered online, students must have access to a computer with an internet connection and have sufficient technical proficiency for the online environment.

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements for the Certificate in Conflict Management for Educators are:

A completed application for admission with a nonrefundable application fee;
An official transcript(s) in English (or translated to English) of all previous colleges attended. The transcript must indicate an earned bachelor’s degree in education or related field from a regionally accredited college or university or equivalent;
A cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale;
Submit a current résumé;
A purpose statement (2 pages double spaced, typed) including philosophy of education;
An official document indicating 2 years of teaching experience in an accredited PK-12 public or private school and;
Have access to a K-12 school or school district.

Certificate in Conflict Management in Leadership

The graduate certificate in Conflict Management in Leadership is offered to EdD students in the Conflict Management track who would like to add the certificate to their doctoral degree. The 15-credit hours required are included in their track. Attendance at a one-week Dallas residency session is required to complete the certificate.

Admission Requirements

The Certificate in Conflict Management in Leadership is only available to students in the Conflict Management track of the Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership program. Interested students who meet this requirement may apply directly to the EdD Program Director for admission to this certificate program.

Certificate in Healthcare Collaboration and Conflict Management

The Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Collaboration and Conflict Management is offered for those students who are not seeking a graduate degree but desire specialized training in conflict management geared toward those who work in the healthcare field. The certificate is a 15-credit-hour program. A residency session is required to successfully complete the certificate.

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements for the Certificate in Healthcare Collaboration and Conflict Management are:

A completed application for admission with a nonrefundable application fee;
An official transcript(s) in English (or translated to English) of all previous colleges attended. The transcript must indicate an earned bachelor’s degree in education or related field from a regionally accredited college or university or equivalent;
A cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale;
Submit a current résumé that includes experience in the healthcare field;
A purpose statement (2 pages double spaced, typed) including personal philosophy of conflict management and resolution.

Organizational Development

Introduction

The School of Organizational Leadership in the College of Graduate and Professional Studies offers the Master of Science (MS) degree in organizational development (OD). The MS in OD is an online 36-hour degree program that is interdisciplinary and includes courses from communication, conflict management and resolution, and management sciences.

The central objective of the degree program is to provide an advanced degree that synthesizes knowledge from diverse fields into a focused, yet flexible plan of study that is useful to leaders in all forms of organizations. The program is committed to applying the study of individual, group and cultural issues to meet the special needs of human resource professionals, administrators, managers, trainers, non-profit leaders, government leaders and others in the professional community.

Distinctive features of the program are breadth in understanding human behavior, development of leadership skills with multiple applications, adaptation of models to diverse organizational settings, and maximization of career mobility for holders of the degree.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for the MS in organizational development are:

A completed application for admission with a nonrefundable application fee;
An official transcript(s) in English (or translated to English) of all previous colleges attended. The transcript must indicate an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university or equivalent;
A cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale;
A two-page, typed purpose statement describing the applicant’s career goals, professional interests and reasons for wanting to enter the OD program;
Current resume.

Programs

Doctor of Education

Education Specialist

Master of Arts

Master of Education

Master of Science

Organizational Development, MS (OD)

Bachelor of Science

Certificate

Courses

Missions Online

BMSO 421 - Mission as Spiritual Formation

Philosophy Online

BIPO 352 - Biomedical Ethics

Theology Online

BITO 342 - Christianity in Culture

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