Leading Organizational Transformation

Certificate Program Director: Nancy Southern, Ed.D.

Organizations are made up of people, but they rarely change and adapt as well as people do. Leading organization transformation requires an understanding of the nature of transformation, personal experience of transformation, the ability for authentic leadership, and knowledge of organizational culture, systems, and processes that support change.

At Saybrook we believe that we can change the world by acting in ways that are socially responsible and ethical, and that engage the human spirit. The Leading Organizational Transformation certificate provides the learner with the opportunity to develop organizational systems knowledge and practical skills needed to be an effective leader and change agent in whatever professional setting he or she chooses.

Develop the practical skills to understand organizational cultures and teach organizations large and small how to adapt in positive ways

Certificate Description

The certificate in Leading Organization Transformation consists of four threecredit courses, a three-credit practicum, and a one-credit integrative paper. Required Courses: ORG 7032, 7070, 7076, 7095

Practicum

A practicum equivalent to one month of full-time effort is required. The practicum must be directly involved with leading transformation in any type of organization. Learners may work with a defined project in their own organizations or contract with another organization. With the assistance of the faculty advisor, learners develop a project plan, which constitutes the first assignment. A mid-project reflective status report and a final project summary are required.

Integrative Paper or Project

The final activity in the certificate program is the writing of a culminating paper that integrates and advances the learning gained from the four courses and the practicum. The paper provides the opportunity to demonstrate praxis by applying theory to practice.

Learning Objectives

Upon completing this certificate, you will:

Understand the breadth and depth of transformational change
Be able to critically evaluate existing theories and models of organizational transformation
Be able to work with some of the tools, techniques, and practices now available
Have an enhanced capacity to guide successful transformation efforts
Appreciate the cultural, ethical, and psychological aspects of transformation and be able to apply your work with compassion and respect.

Learning/Teaching Approach

Students interested in pursuing a certificate in Leading Organizational Transformation should first contact the certificate coordinator to develop their plan based on their area of interest. Students then work through the courses, using the learning guides available on the Saybrook website, and selecting the instructors that best complement their learning objectives.

The next section of the certificate, the practicum, is planned with a faculty advisor. The practicum is tailored to the professional needs of the student and requires the direct involvement of leading transformational change in an organization. Students need to consider their learning interests and to find an organization in which to work that will enable them to meet the course requirements and ideally complete the work within a semester.

The final part of the certificate is an integrative praxis paper. The purpose of this culminating assignment is to give the learners an opportunity to draw together and integrate the most important aspects of the four courses and the practicum experience:

to reflect on the relevant theory as it applies to their practice,
to assess their own strengths and identify further learning needs, and
to develop a plan for continuing their personal and professional development.

Summary

As businesses, as well as public, nonprofit and community organizations continue to strive to develop new cultures, structures, systems, and processes which enable them to thrive in an ever changing world, they need leaders who can envision and facilitate the needed transformation. We do not yet have enough people with the desire and ability to lead transformational change and these skills are highly valued. Professionals with specialized training in leading transformation might find themselves in a variety of leadership roles where change and transformation are needed. People with these skills can choose to be leaders holding positions in the organizations or to be consultants to the organizations.