Dr. Keith E. Lee, Jr., Program Coordinator
2301 West Hall
The Bachelor of Science degree with a Major in Organizational Leadership is designed for non-traditional adult and military students, students seeking degree completion, or traditional students who are seeking to improve their credentials and knowledge base for professional advancement. The focus on organizational leadership is especially beneficial to those wanting to enter public service, since many agencies seek employees with bachelor’s degrees and are specifically interested in employees with an understanding of organizational management, administration, human resources, and technology skills applicable to organizational leadership.
Selected Educational Outcomes
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science with a major in organizational leadership, students will demonstrate
- an understanding of organizational leadership as it relates to and impacts individuals, communities, and wider society from democratic, multicultural, and national perspectives.
- through the discussion of key concepts and ideas the ability to express themselves effectively on topics and issues related to the field of organizational leadership.
- critical thinking and problem-solving abilities regarding issues related to key challenges that organizations face when interacting with their environments.
- an understanding of the ethical principles underlying both research and practice in organizational leadership.
Examples of Outcome Assessments
- Students will use the skills gained in classes to write on specific topics in organizational behavior and leadership.
- Discussions will be used to develop a deeper understanding of the concepts beyond what is covered in the textbook and course content.
- Case studies or writing assignments will provide a useful approach for identifying the key functional, operational, and procedural activities that organizations engage in on a daily basis.
- Quizzes and exams will provide measurable data on how well students master broad theories, ideas, and concepts in organizational behavior and leadership.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree with a Major in Organizational Leadership
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum | 60 | |
| Core Curriculum Areas A, B, C, D.1, and E (See VSU Core Curriculum) | 42 | |
| Core Curriculum Area F (Courses appropriate to the major) | ||
| ACED 2400 | Computer Technology for the Workplace | 3 |
| or CS 1000 | Introduction to Microcomputers and Applications | |
| PSYC 1101 | Introduction to General Psychology | 3 |
| Any courses in Areas C-F approved by advisor | 12-15 | |
| Major Core Courses | 60 | |
| ACED 2050 | Communications for the Workplace | 3 |
| ACED 3400 | Applied Computer Technology | 3 |
| ACED 4820 | Project Management for Technical Leaders | 3 |
| ENGL 3010 | Professional Writing | 3 |
| or ENGL 3030 | Writing for the Legal and Social Science Professions | |
| POLS 3600 | Introduction to Public Administration | 3 |
| POLS 4610 | Public Personnel Administration | 3 |
| POLS 4620 | Public Finance Administration | 3 |
| PSYC 3800 | Industrial/Organizational Psychology | 3 |
| ORGL 4690 | Capstone Seminar in Organizational Leadership | 3 |
| ORGL 3000 | Reflective Seminar I: Self as Learner | 1 |
| ORGL 3050 | Reflective Seminar II: Self in Context | 1 |
| ORGL 4000 | Reflective Seminar III: Transforming Self, Self-Transformation | 1 |
| Guided Electives | 15-30 | |
| Students will select elective courses related to Leadership and Professional specialties, such as: | ||
| Public Administration and Public Policy Formation | ||
| Government Organization and Administrative Theory | ||
| Intergovernmental Relations | ||
| Quality Management in Public Administration | ||
| Computer Systems | ||
| Computer Systems for the Office | ||
| Desktop Publishing | ||
| Workforce Development and Management for Technical Leaders | ||
| Contemporary Skills for the Workplace | ||
| Legal Research I | ||
| Legal Research II | ||
| Criminal Law and Procedure for the Paralegal | ||
| Consumer Law | ||
| Administrative Law | ||
| The Law of Real Property Transactions | ||
| General Electives | 0-15 | |
| Total hours required for the degree | 120 | |
Students need a total of 39 hours of course work at the 3000-4000 level. These will include courses in the Major Core, the Guided Electives, and General Electives.
The Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track
The Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track is an undergraduate-to-graduate degree program. Students in this track will complete up to 9 hours of graduate course work at the 7000 level in Public Administration that will count toward the completion of the undergraduate degree in Organizational Leadership. These 9 hours may then be applied toward the completion of degree requirements for the Master of Public Administration degree upon admission to the graduate program at Valdosta State University.
To be admitted to the Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate degree program, students
- must have completed the courses listed below and have earned a minimum grade of B (or course equivalent),
- acquired a cumulative VSU GPA of 3.0 or higher;
- submit a personal statement not to exceed 5 pages describing how the program will assist the students to achieve their goals;
- submit to the PADM/ORGL Program Coordinator the Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate application, two letters of recommendation from VSU Political Science faculty, a current resume, and a writing sample from an ORGL/POLS course to demonstrate writing skills.
Once admitted to the program, a specific course of study will be developed with the student's undergraduate advisor, as the student can take one or more graduate courses to complete the undergraduate degree (summer, fall, and/or spring terms once the student is admitted to the Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate track).
Graduate courses taken as an undergraduate will count toward the student's undergraduate degree requirements but will not count toward the student's undergraduate GPA or the calculation of academic honors.
Upon admission to the Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track, students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 to remain in good standing. Students who do not remain in good standing or who do not wish to continue with the track may complete the remaining requirements for the B.S. in Organization Leadership.
Successful completion of the Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track requires that the student earn a grade of B or better in all graduate-level coursework. A grade of C earned in a graduate course can still be used for credit toward the undergraduate degree, but such a grade will affect the student's graduate GPA as a grade of C creates one deficiency point at the graduate level.
Once a student graduates with the B.S. in Organizational Leadership, she/he/they must submit the VSU graduate application form to continue the M.P.A. degree.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree with a Major in Organizational Leadership
Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum | 60 | |
| Core Areas A, B, C, D.1, and E | 42 | |
| Core Curriculum Area F (courses appropriate to the major) | 18 | |
| ACED 2400 | Computer Technology for the Workplace | 3 |
| or CS 1000 | Introduction to Microcomputers and Applications | |
| PSYC 1101 | Introduction to General Psychology | 3 |
| Any courses in Areas C-F approved by advisor | 12-15 | |
| Major Core Requirements | 60 | |
| ACED 2050 | Communications for the Workplace | 3 |
| ACED 3400 | Applied Computer Technology | 3 |
| ACED 4820 | Project Management for Technical Leaders | 3 |
| ENGL 3010 | Professional Writing | 3 |
| or ENGL 3030 | Writing for the Legal and Social Science Professions | |
| POLS 4610 | Public Personnel Administration | 3 |
| POLS 4620 | Public Finance Administration | 3 |
| PSYC 3800 | Industrial/Organizational Psychology | 3 |
| ORGL 3000 | Reflective Seminar I: Self as Learner | 1 |
| ORGL 3050 | Reflective Seminar II: Self in Context | 1 |
| ORGL 4000 | Reflective Seminar III: Transforming Self, Self-Transformation | 1 |
| ORGL 4690 | Capstone Seminar in Organizational Leadership | 3 |
| PADM 7300 | Foundations Seminar in Public Administration (counts as POLS 3600) | 3 |
| Select three undergraduate and two graduate courses from the following: | 15 | |
| Public Administration and Public Policy Formation | ||
or PADM 7600 | Public Policy Formation | |
| Government Organization and Administrative Theory | ||
or PADM 7170 | Organizational Theory and Behavior | |
| Public Personnel Administration | ||
or PADM 7000 | Human Resource Management | |
| Public Finance Administration | ||
or PADM 7140 | Governmental Budgeting and Finance | |
| Intergovernmental Relations | ||
or PADM 7350 | Intergovernmental Management | |
| Nonprofit Organization Management | ||
or PADM 7040 | Non-Profit Management | |
| Total Hours Required for the Degree | 120 | |
