Organizational Consulting

Certificate Program Director: Nancy Southern, EdD

In a time when the most vital skill is becoming the ability to step in to an unfamiliar organization and assess its needs quickly, this practice-oriented certification is relevant to nearly any job or career goal.

Certificate Description

The certificate in Organizational Consulting consists of four three-credit courses, a three-credit practicum, and a one-credit integrative paper. Required Courses: ORG 7025, 7080, RES 1150, and one approved elective.

Practicum

A practicum equivalent to one month of full-time effort is required. The practicum must directly involve consulting with an organization. Learners may work with a defined project in their own organizations or contract with another organization. With the assistance of a faculty advisor, learners develop a project plan, contract with the client, and engage in an intervention. A mid-project reflective status report is required, as is a final project summary.

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:

• Be knowledgeable about the principles, theories and methods and applications in the field of organizational development
• Be able to critically evaluate existing theories and apply models of organizational development
• Understand how to engage in the role of an organizational consultant
• Be able to work with some of the tools, techniques, and practices now available
• Gain some experience in consulting while working with an advisor
• Assess your own strengths as a consultant and areas needing further development

Learning/Teaching Approach

Students interested in pursuing a certificate in Organizational Consulting 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 in consulting with an organization as an internal or external consultant, using an action research approach. Students need to consider their learning interests and 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

Consulting skills are useful in many aspects of one's life and work. The knowledge and skills gained from this certificate can be used in a variety of organizations including businesses, public, and non-profit organizations. Consulting skills are helpful for managers, as they provide a roadmap for facilitating change. This certificate provides an opportunity for students to learn about the field of organizational development consulting as well as about themselves as agents of change.