The following description of the program is scheduled to take effect in fall, 2010, pending final approval of the State University System Board of Governors. That approval is expected to be routine. However, until the Board’s action becomes official, the original format appears in the catalog. For planning purposes, please expect the format reported here to be in effect.
Thank you,
Dr. Alan Balfour
Chair, Dept. of Management & Organization
Director, M.S. in Management: The Graduate Leadership Program
University of South Florida, College of Business, BSN 3403
4202 E. Fowler Avenue. Tampa, FL 33620-5500
813.974.1785 I Fax: 813.905.9964 I E-mail: abalfour@usf.edu
Is developing your leadership skills important in your career and your organization?
Are you an experienced manager with upward career mobility?
Are you looking for a master's degree to enhance your promotability?
Would you like to prepare to work in a “green” organization?
Do you want to make a difference?
Do you want to contribute to something good?
Are program quality, faculty credentials, and program costs of concern to you?
If so, the Graduate Leadership Program at USF focused on sustainable organizational performance may be just right for you.
" The Graduate Leadership Program was instrumental in my promotion to Assistant General Manager at Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative." Duane Vann, Class of 1999.
" The Graduate Leadership Program has helped me translate managerial experience into the executive leadership skill needed to run my organization." Dale Schumacher, President, Tampa Bay Federal Credit Union, Class of 2001.
" This program isn’t only for business people. As a biological oceanographer I direct large-scale research projects. My scientific training did not prepare me for that. The Graduate Leadership Program did." Frank Muller-Karger, Class of 2001.
This program produces successful leaders. Hellicy Ngambi (Class of 1997) is the first woman and first person of color appointed to the faculty of the University of South Africa's Graduate School of Business Leadership. Frank Muller-Karger (Class of 2001) was appointed by President Bush to his 16-member Commission on Ocean Policy. David Becker (Class of 2001) provided expert testimony to Congress on the provision of health care. Pam Corbino (Class of 2000) was elected Mayor of Safety Harbor. Dale Schumacher (Class of 2001) was a finalist for Tampa Citizen of the Year and also for Small Businessman of the Year awards. Linda Thorpe (Class of 2001) was selected Tampa Hispanic Heritage Public Servant of the Year. Damian Nastri (Class of 2001) received the Point of Light Award from Governor Jeb Bush. Robbie Goodson Gerson (Class of 2006) was the first woman to be appointed Chair of the Tampa Centre Club’s Board of Governors. Many others have received promotions at work. As you can see, the students graduating from this program are being visibly recognized for their leadership skills. We hope you can join this list in the future.
You can enhance your success through this program's focus on sustainable organizational performance utilizing the "triple bottom line": financial performance, social responsibility, and concern for the natural environment. The program is distinctive in two ways. One is its broad ethical core. The other is its practical application. The program was constructed from what students, society, and the business and not-for-profit world informed us was most needed for leadership success. In this program, you will develop leadership and team building skills and learn how to increase cooperation and to adapt to change. Your performance will be effective, ethical, self-actualizing, and beneficial to society. Our faculty are proud of the leaders we graduate. You could be among them in the future.
Another distinctive quality of the program is its structured cohort format. You will be taking all of your courses with a cadre of classmates of similar commitment and direction, but of remarkably varied backgrounds. Our students come from many different undergraduate majors, colleges, and careers. Fewer than half majored in business. Your classmates will also add to your learning experience, your development and your fun. You may be part of this page in the future.
This program may be of terrific value to you. Academically, the accreditation (AACSB) is the highest possible. All faculty possess earned doctorates, are experienced and personally concerned about you. Courses are scheduled on Monday and Tuesday evenings to accommodate the needs of working managers. And, the cost is extremely affordable. All courses are taught face-to-face on the Tampa campus. This is the highest quality focused program you can enroll in in the area.
The Program Director would be happy to schedule an appointment to meet with you and to answer any questions that you have. If you wish to talk to current or former students, the Program Director can provide contact information. The faculty of the Graduate Leadership Program truly believe we can help you develop your leadership potential to its fullest. We hope you take this opportunity.
THE GRADUATE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
MASTER OF SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT
Program Mission Statement
The mission of the Master of Science in Management: Leading Sustainable Enterprise Program is to develop your ability to help organizations create and continuously improve sustainable organizational performance through triple bottom line responsibility: prosperity, social justice and concern for the natural environment. The program will accomplish its mission by enhancing your skills in four areas: (1) personal development; (2) understanding why organizations perform as they do; (3) assessing the three criteria of effectiveness of organizations; and (4) using this knowledge to prescribe and implement actions for continuous improvement. Acquisition of these skills should enhance your job mobility within both internal and external job markets and improve the performance of both your organization and society at large.
Statement from the Director
In this program you will develop the skill to lead 21st century organizations. If you are an experienced, successful working leader who is already good at your job and who can be promoted to higher leadership and executive positions within or outside your present organization, this program can help you reach your goals. The program may also be attractive to new and recent college graduates seeking entry level positions in “green management.” As a future leader you will learn to empower others and facilitate teamwork in diverse groups, to recognize and adapt to the constraints and opportunities of a global economy, and to accommodate the ethical and societal needs of the environment within which the organization functions.
The cornerstone concerns of this program will lead you to organizational behavior that is both effective and ethical. Your intrapersonal, interpersonal, organizational, and societal competencies will all be enhanced.
The Graduate Leadership Program faculty blends scholarly activity and applied skills. Their high levels of academic competence and experience are at your service. It is the goal of the faculty to prepare you for a successful career as a leader in the real world.
I believe you will find this an extremely progressive, ethical, well-focused program. I am confident it can be of service to you. The program is described in detail below. It is designed to help you reach career goals. I would be pleased to answer any of your questions or to provide assistance. You may contact me by the methods noted below.
Dr. Alan Balfour
Director, MSM: Leading Sustainable Enterprises
The Graduate Leadership Program at USF
Telephone: (813) 974-1785
Email: abalfour@coba.usf.edu
Fax: (813) 905-9964
How the MSM Degree Differs From An MBA Degree
The Master of Sustainable Management program differs from an MBA in several significant ways:
- The MBA is a broadly-based, multidisciplinary degree preparing graduates to be competent in all major areas of business administration. The Master of Sustainable Management, like all master’s degrees in single subjects, prepares specialists in that discipline. Leadership students take all of their classes in Management.
- The MBA degree is well known and understood by any employer who would hire one. It is marketable on its face. The Master of Sustainability Management program is unique and, consequently, not readily known. You have to explain to employers what your special skills are. We will help you.
- The curriculum of the MSM is focused on developing your leadership skills. The business community tells us these skills are not in abundant supply and that, for mid-level and higher positions, the “soft” skills of leadership are less developed by master’s programs than are “technique” skills. This degree provides a comparative advantage in this arena.
Format and Curriculum
Format
The Graduate Leadership Program is a 32 credit hour degree offered in a cohort format. The program is designed around needs of working managers. Classes meet on Monday and Tuesday evenings each week for twenty-one months. All students begin in August. The curriculum proceeds from basic tools of analysis and skills development, through understanding of interpersonal and organizational dynamics, to planned change and implementation. Course offerings and section availability are guaranteed to cohort members. Graduates from all majors are eligible and welcome.
Curriculum
The curriculum is designed to impart knowledge that leads to effective action. Leadership, teamwork, communication skills, visioning the future, and organizational change are emphasized. Through case studies, class discussion, exercises, group projects, and simulations, students receive mentoring from a faculty highly experienced in the real world of organizations. There is little emphasis on the passive absorption of knowledge; there is great emphasis on student participation and team work. It is expected that students will interact closely with faculty, get to know each other well, and become involved in a variety of leadership experiences. The Graduate Leadership Program classroom methodologies are dedicated to improving students' writing, presenting, and critical thinking skills. Students will enhance their interpersonal abilities and develop an awareness of how to assess the current state of an organization, to understand why it is that way, what changes could be made to improve it, and how to implement those changes successfully.
Course Information
Course Sequencing
Because the program follows a structured format, the courses have been sequenced in a logical progression where each course builds upon those that preceded it. The program divides into two main categories: (1) the development of basic personal skills necessary for successful leadership and, (2) courses in organizational effectiveness.
Course Descriptions
FALL I (First Eight Weeks)
MAN 6107 – Leading Sustainable Enterprises: Goals and Processes (Balfour) 2 Cr.
Examines the leadership role and responsibilities for sustainable organizational performance through analysis of the triple bottom line: financial performance, social responsibility, and concern for the natural environment.
MAN 6930– Leadership Concepts (Koehler) 2 Cr.
Provides a foundation for the study of processes of leadership in organizations and society. Presents an overview of various concepts of leadership, such as the personal values of leaders and leadership in dyads, teams, organizations, networks, and the broader society. Enhances student understanding of complex forms of leadership and effective practice. Prepares students for advanced study in leadership.
FALL I (Second Eight Weeks)
GEB 6445 – Social, Ethical, Legal Systems (Hanna-West) 2 Cr.
A study of the influence of social, cultural, legal, and political environment of institutional behavior, including the changing nature of the business system, the public policy process, corporate power, legitimacy and managerial autonomy, and organizational reactions to environmental forces.
MAN 6055 – Human Behavior and Organizations (Jermier) 2 Cr.
An examination of the theory and practice of management, including the study of goals and means, the functions of management, and the administrative process in general.
SPRING I
MAN 6149 – Sustainable Production Systems (Koehler) 3 Cr.
Examines processes necessary to eliminate waste and reduce resource inputs in production functions.
MAN 6448 – Negotiating Agreement and Resolving Conflict (Michaels) 3 Cr.
Examines negotiating techniques and dispute resolution designs including mediation, arbitration, peer review, and other alternatives to litigation in both domestic and international settings.
SUMMER I
MAN 6930 – Designing Sustainable Enterprise (Jermier) 3 Cr.
Examines several aspects of organizational design relevant to meeting and exceeding regulatory standards of environmental performance. Emphasis is placed on technological and structural innovations, human resource interventions, and changing organizational culture to enhance environmental performance.
MAN 6116 – Diversity and Organizational Justice (Fuller) 3 Cr.
Addresses the various ideas surrounding the concept of workforce diversity. Topics include: the multi-faceted definition and scope of the diversity concept; the relationship between diversity and civil rights laws; stereotyping and individuals’ biases; and the issues that have arisen regarding organizational management of a diverse workforce.
FALL II
MAN 6930 – Assessing Performance in Sustainable Enterprises (Staff) 3 Cr.
This course provides an overview of existing and proposed measures used to assess organizational performance measures, non-financial outcome measures, process and innovation measures performance drivers, and social impact measures of environmental sustainability.
GEB 6930 – Ethics, Law and Sustainable Business Practices (Hanna-West) 3Cr.
This course will expand on the stakeholder analysis method learned in Social, Ethical and Legal Systems. Exploring resolution of issues of such magnitude presents challenging ethical questions. It also requires prioritizing competing stakeholders. This class will heighten your awareness of the far-reaching impact of various corporate actions and help you make decisions when the rules aren’t clear.
SPRING II
MAN 6256 – Politics and Control in Organizations (Nord) 3Cr.
Course explores politics and control at the individual, small group, and organizational levels. Students will also explore the power relationships between organizations and the larger political/economic systems of which they are a part and with which they interact.
MAN 6930–Capstone Experience: Leading Sustainable Enterprise (Staff) 3 Cr.
The course is intended to help you integrate and exhibit the knowledge you have acquired in your MSM studies. Teams of students will study a real organization, assess its performance, recommend improvements, and recommend how changes will be implemented using concepts and processes covered in the program. Reports and presentations will be assessed by examiners outside the program.
Student Commitment
Students join a cohort of classmates who begin at the same time, pursue all classes together, and graduate at the same time. Student bonds and career-long alliances may be formed. While the program contains an inherent team camaraderie among students, it is not to be taken lightly or frivolously. It is not to be dabbled in, taking a course here and there as time, interest, and circumstance permit. Instead, it must be committed to. The workload of two class nights per week for twenty-one months enforces a discipline that results in finishing and finishing at a planned time in the future. The structured format allows the faculty to deliver a very well- organized, well-focused program that can benefit you immensely. It is expected that if you enter the program, you will willingly pursue it with vigor and commitment.
Admissions Requirements
Admission to the MSM program is on a competitive basis. In order to be considered for admission, applicants must provide three items: a transcript of undergraduate courses from each institution of higher learning attended; a satisfactory test score on the General Management Aptitude Test (GMAT), and a one-page statement in which the candidate explains his or her career interests and leadership potential. Letters of recommendation are not required or utilized in this program. The GMAT consists of three separate sections measuring verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing acumen. The verbal and analytical writing scores are weighted most heavily for admission. The GMAT is offered often and is taken by computer. GMAT information may be obtained by contacting Educational Testing Services (ETS) at 1-800-GMAT-NOW (U.S. only) or by visiting www.MBA.com. FREE Powerprep test preparation software is also available through the GMAT web site. Residents of the Tampa Bay area may schedule a date to take the GMAT by contacting the USF Evaluation and Testing Center at (813) 974-2742 or the Sylvan Learning Center at (813) 989-9988. International students must also have a TOEFL score of 550 or higher on the written version, or a minimum score of 213 on the computerized test. TOEFL information may be obtained by calling 1-800-GO-TOEFL (U.S. only) or by visiting www.ets.org/toefl/.
To receive unconditional admission, a student must:
- Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher for upper division undergraduate course work.
- Score 500 or higher on the GMAT. Total scores below 500 may be offset by scores of 28 or higher on verbal and 4.0 or higher on analytical writing.
- For international students, have a TOEFL score of 550 or higher on the written version, or a minimum score of 213 on the computerized test.
- Display leadership success based on past experience and future potential as demonstrated in the personal statement.
For domestic students the application deadline is June 1; for international students it is January 2.
Learning Partnership
The following section describes the position of the College of Business Administration and the Graduate Leadership Program on the responsibilities of both students and faculty to the learning partnership.
Mutual Obligation
Each of us influences the quality of the learning environment through daily actions, interactions, and choices. Learning is not a spectator sport; both students and faculty must commit to active participation in the process. The ability and willingness to teach and learn reside in the individual. If very high levels of knowledge transfer are to occur, it is necessary for all members of the USF community to understand and respect their mutual obligations.
Respect for a Supportive Learning Environment
The learning environment in the Graduate Leadership Program is characterized by mutual respect, teamwork, ethical behavior, enthusiasm, and fun. Faculty, in their quest to continuously improve the education process, may try new approaches to teaching. Remaining open to new methods of critical and creative inquiry by students helps to maintain an intellectually challenging, yet stimulating environment.
Strong, Personal Commitment to Honesty, Excellence, and Integrity
Academic institutions thrive on personal honor and integrity. We value the contributions of each individual toward the creation of knowledge and its dissemination to students, business, the academic community, and society. Dedication to accepted standards of conduct enhances the integrity of the institution and ultimately the meaning of the Graduate Leadership Program degree. Dishonest behavior only serves to degrade the educational experience for the entire learning community.
Respect for Individual Differences
The College of Business values the strength which results from its diverse community. Each person-faculty, staff, or student-brings a unique set of experiences and thus a unique perspective to each interaction. In searching for knowledge, there may be one clear truth; often, the answers are not so clear-cut. The quest for knowledge requires an appreciation for the risks inherent in its pursuit. Learning will flourish if all parties are open to exploring issues from a variety of perspectives, even when closely held beliefs may be challenged.
Operationalizing the Learning Partnership
Achieving the ideals outlined in the learning partnership required mutual commitment to specific behavioral principles. Below are some fundamental guidelines which help operationalize the learning partnership philosophy. Some of these elements may appear to be obvious; yet given the diversity represented (along many dimensions) in the USF community, we feel it is important for all community members to start from a common base of understanding. We believe commitment to these behavioral guidelines will add value to your educational experiences and enrich each member's personal and professional lives.
Elements of the Student Role in the Learning Process Include:
- Treating the classroom as a professional responsibility
- Arriving on time and fully prepared for each class
- Communicating ideas and opinions in a way which demonstrates respect for fellow classmates, the faculty, and other USF community members or guests
- Providing objective and constructive feedback through appropriate channels to help improve the educational process
- Taking responsibility for the successful transfer of knowledge
Elements of the Faculty Role in the Learning Process Include:
- Treating the classroom as a professional experience
- Starting class on time and being fully prepared for each class
- Communicating ideas and opinions in a way which reflect awareness of other's views
- Challenging students to extend the frontiers of knowledge through lifelong learning
- Providing honest and constructive feedback to enhance student learning
- Taking responsibility for the successful transfer of knowledge
