Colleges and Schools

Program Requirements

Upon completion of the certificate in organizational development, you will be prepared to adapt your organization’s processes, structures, and systems to meet changing environmental conditions. You will also be equipped to build effective work teams, analyze and adapt to behavioral styles, and manage conflict.

Required Semester Hours: 10

Required Courses:

These five classes are required for the certificate in organizational development. Click on a course title to read its description.

This course develops an understanding of human behavior in changing organizations and the managerial awareness, tools and methods that increase effectiveness. The course explores principles and theories about individuals and groups at work, motivation and interactive drives and processes for satisfying needs, organization strategies for effectively utilizing people and creating the environment to achieve goals of people and companies. The course also examines ethical issues and the rational integration of ethical thinking and decision-making in competitive organizations. New models of teams, organization structure and organizational development practices are studied as the product of today's transforming organizations.


This course examines current theory and practice as it applies to the management of human resources within organizations. Specific focus is given on the effects of organizational mission and culture on human resource management. The processes of recruitment and selection, training and development, performance evaluation, compensation and motivation, and legal influences are examined. The course takes the viewpoint of human resource management as a key responsibility of every manager within the organization.


The course will cover a foundational introduction and in-depth review of the socio-historical context and the theoretical basis of Diversity Equity and Inclusion, (DEI). Key DEI concepts and their significance in today's world are explored. Participants will study and recognize the impact and importance of addressing discrimination, bias, microaggression, forms of exclusion, privilege, and oppression interplay with established identities and those around them. Additionally, participants will gain a better understanding of cultural sensitivity to strengthen awareness and deepen cross-cultural respect of all groups.


This course is based on the premise that today's world increasingly depends upon collaboration for success. Teams are currently touted as the primary organizational unit in which the collaborative effort takes place. Students will investigate the arguments for and against teams and teamwork. Through exposure to theoretical knowledge and experiential learning technologies, the students will identify when teams are, and are not appropriate, as well as examine what is required to create a truly effective, high performing team.


This course examines the assessment of effectiveness against service delivery objectives. The course uses the logic model and other theoretical models to better understand the outcomes and assessment process. Case studies will highlight evaluation issues for improved organizational performance. Prerequisite: Any SBNM course. This may not be the first course in the SBNM academic program.

For full course descriptions view our academic catalog.

Academic Catalog

Review our semester schedules to see current offerings, including online and on-campus classes.

Course Schedules