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Coursework

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Course Requirements

A total of 39 units are required for completion of the degree. For a list of courses offered at each Operation Impact (OI) location, please contact an OI program representative.

Course Completion

Each course taken (registered for) must be completed within one semester. If extenuating circumstances exist, students may request an incomplete for up to 12 weeks. Students with extensions may be limited in the number of new courses they can begin until the incomplete courses have been finished.

Program Completion

APU graduate students have eight years to complete their programs. To meet this requirement, all Operation Impact classes, including the capstone, must be taken (registered for) within eight years.

View a detailed listing of scheduled OI course offerings.

Applying Knowledge

During their final semester, students develop a capstone project. This allows the student to design and complete a field research study. Students must also develop a portfolio that demonstrates their organizational leadership knowledge and skills, and present it to a committee of professional colleagues during the final celebration.

Capstone Project

Serving as a culmination of the Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership Program, the capstone project immerses students in field research to identify, develop, and study an area of interest. The project involves problem analysis and a literature review; the development, testing, and evaluation of a new idea, program, concept, etc.; and submission of a process summary for publication or presentation.

Each student chooses one of the following options:

  1. A document representing the above description
  2. A stand-alone project (e.g., manual, publication, item for presentation, etc.) which requires a 10-page minimum "Capstone Process Paper"

Final Celebration

The final celebration allows students to reflect, review, and evaluate their degree program with a celebrative presentation to friends, family, peers, and professional colleagues who can share in the accomplishments and give supportive feedback. The event includes:

  • A review of the highlights of the student's learning experience
  • A statement of the student's philosophy of leadership
  • A demonstration of the student's knowledge and skills relevant to leadership
  • A plan for on-going personal and professional development
  • A portfolio which demonstrates their leadership studies knowledge and skills
  • An opportunity to present one's capstone project
Note: This information is current for the 2009-10 academic year; however, all stated academic information is subject to change. Please refer to the current Academic Catalog for the most current and controlling information. For additional information, please contact the appropriate office.