Course Descriptions

M.A. Course Descriptions
AC10
Foundations of Human Development and Emotional Intelligence
8 credits

Emotional intelligence is a recognized factor in successful leadership, coaching, training, and teaming. This AC covers the foundations and components of emotional intelligence and their role in leadership, learning, and human dynamics. Topics covered include the purpose and neuroscience of emotions, their contribution to learning, effective decision-making and communication, and how emotional data support positive self-concept and executive hardiness. The performative learning in this AC helps learners to become more aware of their emotions, to learn how to express them responsibly, to use emotional data to affect positive outcomes, and to achieve greater satisfaction and fulfillment at work and in all areas of life.

No prerequisites.

AC20
Foundations of Human Relationships
8 credits

In almost all vocations, success is greatly influenced by the quality and depth of relationships. Patterns of relating are founded on earliest childhood experiences. This AC introduces learners to leading theories of human development and explores the many subtle links between childhood and adult relating – all with an eye toward lifting individuals and groups to higher performance. Interpersonal skills taught in this AC are founded on systems and attachment theories, humanistic and developmental psychology, and existentialist perspectives. Learners understand the neurological foundations of self-limiting behavior as they employ increasingly effective group and interpersonal strategies.

No prerequisites.

AC30
Educational Approaches to Developing and Deploying Personal Power
8 credits

The ability to influence others and get work done – in other words, personal power – is a natural attribute of all human beings. This AC helps learners understand the many varieties of personal power they already employ, as well as self-imposed blocks and limiting beliefs that prevent them from realizing their full power. Skills taught include identifying one’s personal power styles and learning different means of influencing and motivating others. An overview of developmental and existential philosophy helps learners understand the power of orienting to principles in any situation, including the power of orientating towards personal principles of truth and authenticity.

No prerequisites.

AC40
Purposeful Living and Leadership
8 credits

Purpose is an essential element that informs every aspect of vocational success. Learners identify a life purpose and discover ways in which having a clearer sense of purpose brings deeper meaning and greater performance to all careers. Learners will analyze their natural gifts and talents and explore how applying those gifts in the service of others can generate a lifelong sense of satisfaction and meaning.

No prerequisites.

AC60
Scholarly Inquiry and Critical Thinking
8 credits

In every profession, the ability to think critically and ask insightful questions is essential to superior performance. Learners in this AC learn about social research and inquiry – how research is designed and conducted, the various methodologies for gathering and analyzing data, and how to spot inherent assumptions that can influence results. Learners are introduced to grounded theory as a powerful means of interpreting situations and determining the core variables driving events. They also conduct a grounded action project, learning how to use research methods to solve challenges in the workplace.

No prerequisites.

AC70
Transformational Leadership and Group Dynamics
8 credits

Leadership is typically understood as the ability to effect and manage change in people and organizations. This AC takes as its starting point the assumption that one is always leading and proceeds to question how and to what end. Through self-assessment, case studies, theoretical modeling and experience, learners will make use of historical and emerging leadership principles and technologies, deepen their understanding of the leadership resources they have at their disposal, align their leadership aims with higher principles, discover how to be more effective leaders in every area of life, and influence others to do the same. Learners also study the models, mechanisms, and dynamics of groups and identify the conscious and unconscious behaviors that influence group functioning. Learners emerge with new skills for facilitating group performance, identifying positive and negative group patterns, and mitigating the factors that lead to dysfunction.

Prerequisites:      AC10 Foundations of Human Development and Emotional Intelligence

AC20 Foundations of Human Relationships

AC30 Educational Approaches to Developing and Deploying Personal Power

AC80
Personal and Professional Coaching
8 credits

In this AC, learners learn the core principles and practices associated with effective personal and professional coaching, becoming excellent coaches who operate with mutuality and responsibility to help individuals function at their best at work and achieve their potential in all areas of life. Learners will understand and attend to three dimensions of the coaching relationship: the learner’s relationship to self, relationship to coach, and relationship to world.

Prerequisites:      AC10 Foundations of Human Development and Emotional Intelligence

AC20 Foundations of Human Relationships

Certificate Course Descriptions
AC10c
Foundations of Human Development and Emotional Intelligence
4 credits

Emotional intelligence is a recognized factor in successful leadership, coaching, training, and teaming. This AC covers the foundations and components of emotional intelligence and their role in leadership, learning, and human dynamics. Topics covered include the purpose and neuroscience of emotions, their contribution to learning, effective decision-making and communication, and how emotional data support positive self-concept and executive hardiness. The performative learning in this AC helps learners to become more aware of their emotions, to learn how to express them responsibly, to use emotional data to affect positive outcomes, and to achieve greater satisfaction and fulfillment at work and in all areas of life.  

No prerequisites.

AC20c
Foundations of Human Relationships
4 credits

In almost all vocations, success is greatly influenced by the quality and depth of relationships. Patterns of relating are founded on earliest childhood experiences. This AC introduces learners to leading theories of human development and explores the many subtle links between childhood and adult relating – all with an eye toward lifting individuals and groups to higher performance. Interpersonal skills taught in this AC are founded on systems and attachment theories, humanistic and developmental psychology, and existentialist perspectives. Learners understand the neurological foundations of self-limiting behavior as they employ increasingly effective group and interpersonal strategies.

No prerequisites.

AC30c
Educational Approaches to Developing and Deploying Personal Power
4 credits

The ability to influence others and get work done – in other words, personal power – is a natural attribute of all human beings. This AC helps learners understand the many varieties of personal power they already employ, as well as self-imposed blocks and limiting beliefs that prevent them from realizing their full power. Skills taught include identifying one’s personal power styles and learning different means of influencing and motivating others. An overview of developmental and existential philosophy helps learners understand the power of orienting to principles in any situation, including the power of orientating towards personal principles of truth and authenticity.

No prerequisites.

AC40c
Purposeful Living and Leadership
4 credits

Purpose is an essential element that informs every aspect of vocational success. Learners identify a life purpose and discover ways in which having a clearer sense of purpose brings deeper meaning and greater performance to all careers. Learners will analyze their natural gifts and talents and explore how applying those gifts in the service of others can generate a lifelong sense of satisfaction and meaning.

No prerequisites.

AC70c
Transformational Leadership and Group Dynamics
4 credits

Leadership is typically understood as the ability to effect and manage change in people and organizations. This AC takes as its starting point the assumption that one is always leading and proceeds to question how and to what end. Through self-assessment, case studies, theoretical modeling and experience, learners will make use of historical and emerging leadership principles and technologies, deepen their understanding of the leadership resources they have at their disposal, align their leadership aims with higher principles, discover how to be more effective leaders in every area of life, and influence others to do the same. Learners also study the models, mechanisms, and dynamics of groups and identify the conscious and unconscious behaviors that influence group functioning. Learners emerge with new skills for facilitating group performance, identifying positive and negative group patterns, and mitigating the factors that lead to dysfunction.

Prerequisites:      AC10 Foundations of Human Development and Emotional Intelligence

AC20 Foundations of Human Relationships

AC30 Educational Approaches to Developing and Deploying Personal Power

AC80c
Transformational Coaching
4 credits

In this AC, learners learn the core principles and practices associated with effective personal and professional coaching, becoming excellent coaches who operate with mutuality and responsibility to help individuals function at their best at work and achieve their potential in all areas of life. Learners will understand and attend to three dimensions of the coaching relationship: learner’s relationship to self, relationship to coach, and relationship to world.

Prerequisites:      AC10 Foundations of Human Development and Emotional Intelligence

AC20 Foundations of Human Relationships