Strategic Management
One of the biggest challenges facing human resources managers or anyone with a leadership role in business management is developing organizational structures in which people can function effectively and comfortably. The Strategic Management post-baccalaureate certificate program teaches students about the changing state of organizations, how management and leadership function in an evolving business world, and how communication and other critical elements of business can be achieved most effectively within organizational structures. The program is designed for human resources professionals, as well as individuals in management and leadership positions or who aspire to those roles.
This program was formerly titled Strategic Organizational Management.
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Post-baccalaureate students at Northwestern's School of Professional Studies pay per course. For more information about financial obligations and tuition, please visit the Tuition page.
In addition to completing an online application, you'll also need to submit a few supplemental materials. A list of requirements for admission including application deadlines and tips on how to apply can be found on the Admission page.
Whether you're a first-time registrant or current and returning student, all students register using our online student registration and records systems. Important information about registering for courses at SPS, including registration timelines and adding or dropping courses in which you are already enrolled, can be found on the Registration Information page.
| Program Courses: | Course Detail |
|---|---|
| Team Leadership and Decision Making <> COMM_ST 250-DL | This course is organized to expose students to foundational
perspectives and concepts of effective, ethical leadership and
collaboration. Our work together will focus upon communication
principles and practices that support evaluation of others’
leadership and your own practices as part of a team. We will
explore models and theories that describe these topics and gain
practice thinking and writing critically. The goal of this course
is for students to leave with applicable knowledge and tactics that
will help them to engage with others--as a leader and a team
member-- to achieve good results in good conscience. View COMM_ST 250-DL Sections |
| Theories of Organizational Communication <> COMM_ST 360-DL | The ability to communicate successfully is vital to professional
success. In this course, students learn effective communication
behaviors and skills for contemporary organizations. We will
explore the dimensions of organizational communication, focusing on
topics such as listening, nonverbal communication, ethics, and
values, and will engage in interactive exercises and practical
applications of theory, applying the skills needed to thrive and
lead in today’s organizations. Students will complete the course
with multiple skills, including a rehearsed elevator pitch to
promote your professional career and an ability to evaluate, as a
corporate ethnographer, the ways that organizations express their
culture. We will focus on communication as a process and skill that
can help individuals and their organizations gain a competitive
advantage. Students will maximize their leadership and
communication skills and be ready to apply them immediately in the
workplace and in personal life. View COMM_ST 360-DL Sections |
| Bargaining & Negotiation <> COMM_ST 363-CN | This course is designed to explore the processes of bargaining
and negotiation as theoretical, social, and managerial activities.
It provides an overview of the basic theoretical approaches,
concepts, processes, and research in bargaining and negotiation.
Special emphasis is given in the areas of interpersonal and
intergroup conflict as well as language bias and its links to
negotiating. In addition, interpersonal influence techniques and
the tactics and strategies involved with improved bargaining and
negotiation are covered. The major purpose of the course is for
each participant to gain insight into his or her own negotiating
style and to become a more effective negotiator, as well as a more
astute observer of social processes. The course involves extensive
use of cases, role-plays, and related participative activities,
enhanced by rigorous self-review and introspection. There is no available section. |
| Leadership Principles <> ORG_BEH 307-DL | Leadership skills are the cornerstone of success in both personal and professional spheres, serving as the bedrock upon which individuals build fulfilling lives and thriving communities. At its core, leadership is about the ability to inspire and influence others towards shared goals, fostering collaboration and driving positive change. In navigating life's myriad challenges, from managing relationships to pursuing career aspirations, effective leadership skills empower individuals to communicate persuasively, navigate conflicts gracefully, and adapt to ever-changing circumstances with resilience and clarity of purpose. This course provides students with the opportunity to develop skills that have been proven to be the secret sauce to success as a leader. Through case studies, reading, and interactive lessons, students will leave this course equipped with tools for effective leadership and with the knowledge and skills to leverage those tools for success in their present roles as well as in the future. View ORG_BEH 307-DL Sections |
| Conflict Resolution <> ORG_BEH 311-DL | Conflict takes place daily in all organizations, regardless of size. Research indicates ways to deal with misunderstood and mismanaged conflict. In this course, we will focus on two types of conflict: conflict that is positive and has the ability to increase productivity, effectiveness, and satisfaction; conflict that will result in negative outcomes. Recognizing both the positive and negative impact of conflict is essential. With that knowledge, you can develop positive strategies to maintain excellent working relationships and address issues as they occur. Our goals, then, are to identify conflict, determine whether it is positive or negative, and resolve it to the benefit of all. This course is conducted completely online. A technology fee will be added to tuition. View ORG_BEH 311-DL Sections |
| Strategic Planning & Management <> ORG_BEH 367-DL | This course applies the concepts of strategic planning to
various types of organizations. Initial discussions will provide a
basic framework for preparing a strategic plan for corporations,
non-profits and government agencies. Practical applications will be
developed from case studies and the experiences of the instructor
and students. Since we can learn from wide range of situational
discussions, we will consider entrepreneurial and established
operations, as well as success stories and failures. This course is
conducted completely online. A technology fee will be added to
tuition. View ORG_BEH 367-DL Sections |
| Project Management ORG_BEH 368-DL | In this course, students will learn the basics and best
practices of project management and some of the tools and
techniques that help manage projects smoothly and successfully.
These include the essentials necessary for project success, the
stages of project management, determining a project's feasibility,
defining a vision for the project, setting measurable objectives,
assessing resources and constraints, creating a managing a project
plan, and dealing with change. This course is designed for those
who have no knowledge of project management and for those who have
been managing projects without any formal training. Its objective
is to prepare project managers to plan, implement, monitor and
evaluate projects of all kinds successfully, thus reducing stress
and ineffective communication while increasing efficiency and
success. View ORG_BEH 368-DL Sections |
