Department of Leadership and Counseling

EDAD 5000 Master's Research & Thesis (1-16 credits, max 99)

Credit arranged

EDAD 5010 (s) Seminar (1-16 credits, max 99)

Credit arranged

EDAD 5020 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits, max 99)

Credit arranged

EDAD 5030 (s) Workshop (1-16 credits, max 99)

Credit arranged

EDAD 5040 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits, max 99)

Credit arranged

EDAD 5050 (s) Professional Development (1-16 credits, max 99)

Credit arranged. Professional development and enrichment of certificated school personnel. Credit earned will not be accepted toward graduate degree programs, but may be used in a fifth-year program.

EDAD 5090 Educational Policy and Change for Educational Leaders (3 credits)

This course is an introduction to the complex and often contested field of politics and education. It explores the principles and problems of organization and administration of American education, including local, regional, state, and federal systems. Students examine the roles of policy making organizations by unpacking educational policymaking during the annual legislative session. Students apply their learning as they communicate with policymakers and leaders to articulate and plan implementation of a recent statute change in their district. Typically Offered: Spring.

EDAD 5130 Administration of Special Education Law (3 credits)

This course is designed to provide an in-depth exploration of the legal issues related to delivery of special education and student services. The course examines current legal frameworks, including, but not limited to, case law, statutes, and regulations used to address issues in this area. Typically Offered: Fall.

EDAD 5280 Leading Standards Driven Instruction (3 credits)

This course explores the administrator’s role as instructional leader with a focus on managing curriculum and instruction aligned to state college- and career-ready standards. Students will develop skills in program evaluation and student assessment for continuous school improvement. Skills relating to auditing curriculum, reviewing results, and making recommendations for improvement are applied. Typically Offered: Fall.

EDAD 5300 Ethical Leadership and Law in Education (3 credits)

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the ethical and legal principles underpinning primary and secondary education in the U. S. and in Idaho. The course familiarizes students with statutory, regulatory, and case law focusing on Idaho, as well as general administrative and constitutional law principles affecting education. The course introduces ethical and legal problems education leaders might face, resources for making informed decisions, and how tension can be reconciled between personal and professional ethics. Typically Offered: Spring.

EDAD 5330 Multicultural Diversity and Educational Leadership (3 credits)

This course focuses on what it means to lead educational organizations in a diverse society. The educational leader’s role in creating an inclusive learning environment is explored. The course includes policy, theory, and practice as they relate to diverse school populations. Typically Offered: Spring.

EDAD 5340 The Principalship (3 credits)

This course prepares students for assuming a leadership role in elementary or secondary school administration with emphasis on practical leadership skills. The course focuses on 1) effective school administrator knowledge and performance competencies, and 2) current best practices for effective school leadership. This course incorporates components of schools as learning organizations supporting continuous improvement, i. e. , a school system focused on student achievement; faculty, staff, administrative and board professional development; parent involvement; and community engagement. Typically Offered: Spring and Varies.

EDAD 5350 School Finance (3 credits)

This course provides an overview of school finance and building-level daily funding operations. This course also examines theory and application of financing schools with an application to Idaho schools. Students will develop management skills, concepts, and information needed to develop and administer a building-level budget within a district. Typically Offered: Spring and Varies.

EDAD 5700 Methods of Educational Research (3 credits)

This course focuses on analysis of diverse types of educational research; familiarization with research resources and literature survey procedures; evaluation of educational research; implications for, and application to, educational practice. The course emphasizes scientific methods of investigation and development of competency to conduct a research study and write a research paper. Typically Offered: Fall.

EDAD 5710 Educational Leadership in the Global Society (3 credits)

This course is designed to prepare students to become culturally competent school district leaders who can initiate positive growth and change. Students gain an understanding of organization development strategies that cultivate equity, diversity, and inclusion in local and global school systems. Typically Offered: Summer and Varies.

EDAD 5800 Special Education Director Administration (3 credits)

This course is designed to help prepare students for assuming the role of a special education (SE) director. The course emphasizes research-based and practical guidelines recommended for successful SE administrator behavior. Typically Offered: Fall.

EDAD 5840 Bargaining/Mediation/Arbitration (3 credits)

This course focuses on collective bargaining, mediation, and other dispute resolution models used by school district administrators. The course emphasizes research-based and practical guidelines recommended for successful school district administration. Students learn the negotiation process, applicable laws, and facilitation techniques for communication among various stakeholder groups. Typically Offered: Varies.

EDAD 5860 Advanced School Finance (3 credits)

This course focuses on budgetary matters relating to school finance, including educational productivity, allocation of resources, efficiency, and equity. The course reviews basic accounting principles and addresses financial concerns that apply to both district and building levels. Prerequisite: EDAD 5350 or equivalent. Typically Offered: Varies.

EDAD 5870 The Superintendency (3 credits)

This course is designed to help prepare students for assuming a school district administrator role. The course emphasizes research-based and practical guidelines recommended for successful district office administrators. Typically Offered: Varies.

EDAD 5920 School-Community Relations (3 credits)

This course explores school and community relations with an emphasis on the social, economic, cultural, and political forces that affect how school administrators function within their communities. Students will examine policies, theories, research, and models of effective practices that inform an educational leader’s role in serving as a bridge between the school and community. Students will develop skills to help facilitate enhanced understanding and communication among all school stakeholder groups. Typically Offered: Varies.

EDAD 5930 School Facilities Planning and Maintenance (3 credits)

This course is designed to help school administrators and related personnel understand procedures and requirements in the planning, design, remodeling, maintenance, and financing of educational facilities. Course content includes recommendations for school facilities, emerging technology utilization, and a variety of means for financing of these facilities. Students develop skills in assessing building conditions, long range facility planning, and designing of safe schools. Typically Offered: Varies.

EDAD 5940 Theory in Educational Administration (3 credits)

This course introduces students to a range of leadership and organizational theories from psychology, sociology, and cultural points of views with a focus on problem solving and decision making for understanding and leading complex school organizations. Typically Offered: Summer.

EDAD 5950 Administration and Supervision of Personnel (3 credits)

This course is designed to prepare school administrators for effective hiring, supervision, and evaluation of certificated and non-certificated personnel. The course emphasizes supervision and evaluation processes for improving employee performance. Students will learn application of Idaho statutes, case law, and school district policies. This course includes a laboratory component for scoring teachers’ performance using the state’s approved evaluation framework. Typically Offered: Fall and Summer.

EDAD 5970 (s) Practicum (1-16 credits, max 99)

Credit arranged

EDAD 5980 Internship (1-16 credits, max 99)

The internship, spread over two semesters, is designed to offer a range of practical experiences and professional challenges in authentic educational settings to help prepare students for assuming roles of principals, superintendents, assistant superintendents, directors, district office administration, and special education directors. Students create a portfolio with evidence of meeting standards required for [a specific administrator] certification. Graded Pass/Fail.

Prereqs: Approval of major professor and substantial completion of certification program

EDAD 5990 (s) Non-thesis Master's Research (1-16 credits, max 99)

Credit arranged. Research not directly related to a thesis or dissertation.

Prereqs: Permission of major professor

EDAD 6000 Doctoral Res & Disser (1-45 credits, max 99)

Credit arranged

EDAD 6040 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits, max 99)

Credit arranged

EDAD 6980 (s) Internship (1-16 credits, max 99)

Credit arranged

LOD 2030 (s) Workshop (1-16 credits, max 99)

Credit arranged

LOD 2990 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits, max 99)

Credit arranged

LOD 4000 (s) Seminar (1-16 credits, max 99)

Credit arranged

LOD 4030 (s) Workshop (1-16 credits, max 99)

Credit arranged

LOD 4040 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits, max 99)

Credit arranged

LOD 4050 (s) Professional Development (1-16 credits, max 99)

Credit arranged

LOD 4990 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits, max 99)

Credit arranged

LOD 5000 Master's Research & Thesis (1-16 credits, max 99)

Credit arranged

LOD 5010 (s) Seminar (1-16 credits, max 99)

Credit arranged

LOD 5020 (s) Directed Study (1-16 credits, max 99)

Credit arranged

LOD 5030 (s) Workshop (1-16 credits, max 99)

Credit arranged. Graded Pass/Fail.

Prereqs: Permission

LOD 5040 (s) Special Topics (1-16 credits, max 99)

Credit arranged

LOD 5050 (s) Professional Development (1-16 credits, max 99)

Credit arranged. Professional development and enrichment of certificated school personnel. Credit earned will not be accepted toward graduate degree program, but may be used in a fifth-year program. Additional projects/assignments required for graduate credit.

LOD 5070 Future of Education and Work (3 credits)

This course is designed to provide students the opportunity to examine the world of work and education through a futuristic lens. Typically Offered: Fall and Varies.

LOD 5100 Foundations of Human Resource Development (3 credits)

This course provides a foundation of human resource development, including the fundamental processes, principles, theories, trends, and contemporary challenges. Strategies, techniques, tools, and procedures are examined for application. Typically Offered: Spring and Varies.

LOD 5260 Instructional Design and Curriculum (3 credits)

This course provides an in-depth examination and implementation of instructional design systems and curriculum development as a systematic method of teaching and learning. The course prepares students to design effective instruction based on research in human learning and communication. Typically Offered: Spring (Odd Years) and Varies.

LOD 5280 Program Planning, Development, and Evaluation (3 credits)

This course focuses on the systematic development, planning, and evaluation of programs. Designed to promote application of concepts, theories, and models. Students will learn evaluation of design, activities, and materials related to program planning. Typically Offered: Spring (Even Years) and Summer.

LOD 5310 Higher Education Leadership (3 credits)

This course explores the historical, philosophical, and organizational foundations of higher education in the U. S. Students will examine major models of governance, institutional types, and key challenges facing postsecondary administrators today. Typically Offered: Varies.

LOD 5320 Assessment, Planning, and Institutional Effectiveness (3 credits)

Focuses on assessment and planning practices used to support institutional improvement and accountability. Students learn to design assessment systems, interpret data, and connect findings to strategic planning and accreditation processes. Typically Offered: Varies.

LOD 5330 Policy, Governance, and Legal Issues in Higher Education (3 credits)

This course provides a comprehensive understanding of policy development, governance structures, and legal issues affecting colleges and universities. Topics include board relations, accreditation, funding, student rights, and compliance with federal and state regulations. Typically Offered: Varies.

LOD 5340 Student Affairs Administration and Student Success in Higher Education (3 credits)

This course provides an in-depth exploration of the roles, functions, and organizational structures of student affairs within higher education, with a primary focus on promoting student success. Students will analyze practical strategies and theoretical models for supporting holistic student development, fostering academic achievement, and addressing barriers to retention and graduation. Course topics include student learning and development theory, campus services, assessment of student needs, and the impacts of current trends on student affairs practice. Typically Offered: Varies.

LOD 5410 Organizational Culture, Systems, and Group Dynamics (3 credits)

This course explores the interconnection of organizational culture, systems theory, and group dynamics, enabling students to understand and influence workplace effectiveness and innovation. Students investigate how culture shapes group behavior, apply organizational systems models, and analyze the underlying dynamics of teams—including communication, conflict, and covert behaviors. Experiential and theoretical approaches guide learners in diagnosing workplace phenomena, building resilient systems, and developing effective leadership interventions. Typically Offered: Varies.

LOD 5420 Consulting Skills and Process Facilitation (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the theory and practice of organizational change consulting. Students will explore a range of consulting models—diagnostic, dialogic, and process-based—and learn how to support organizations through effective entry, contracting, data collection, feedback, and intervention. Emphasis is placed on building trust, navigating resistance, and managing ethical dynamics in consultant-client relationships. Typically Offered: Varies.

LOD 5430 Organizational Change & Interventions (3 credits)

This course explores the theory and practice of organizational change by examining multiple models, strategies, and interventions that support transformation in diverse organizations. Students will study a range of change theories—from classical approaches to emergent and adaptive perspectives—while applying diagnostic and intervention tools to real-world organizational challenges. The course emphasizes multiple frames of analysis, including structural, human resource, political, and cultural perspectives, to help students understand the multifaceted nature of organizational change. Typically Offered: Varies.

LOD 5440 Organizational Diagnosis, Inquiry, and Improvement (3 credits)

This course equips students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to diagnose and improve organizational effectiveness. Emphasis is placed on designing diagnostic approaches, applying assessment models, and gathering fact-based data to evaluate structures, processes, culture, and performance. Students will learn to analyze data, identify root causes, draw actionable conclusions, and develop improvement strategies that positively impact organizational performance. By integrating inquiry, diagnosis, and feedback, the course prepares students to lead evidence-based change initiatives that foster organizational learning and improvement. Typically Offered: Varies.

LOD 5600 Career Development in Organizations (3 credits)

This course focuses on career development by looking at both individual career planning and organizational career management. Students will develop an understanding of career development processes and theories, create a toolkit of career resources, foster an awareness of their own career development, and gain an understanding about the programs and processes that organizations use to support the career development of their employees. Typically Offered: Spring and Varies.

LOD 5700 Research in Leadership & Organization Development (3 credits)

This course prepares students to become critical consumers of scholarly research in the field of Leadership and Organization Development (LOD). Students will learn to interpret, analyze, and evaluate research across diverse methodological traditions. As a culminating project, students will design a research proposal addressing a research problem they identify within the LOD literature. Typically Offered: Fall, Spring and Varies.

LOD 5730 Adult Learners: Foundations and Characteristics (3 credits)

In this course, students examine the philosophical, psychological, social, and economic foundations of adult education and characteristics of adult learners. This course introduces the field of adult education as an area of study and considers adult education, informal and formal learning, in diverse settings. Typically Offered: Fall.

LOD 5740 Adult and Transformational Learning (3 credits)

This course focuses on transformative learning and Andragogy. Foundational elements of the course include cognitive, humanistic, social learning, behavioral, constructivist, and developmental learning for adults. Typically Offered: Spring and Varies.

LOD 5750 Facilitating Learning in Organizations with Technology (3 credits)

This course explores strategies for facilitating learning in organizations through the effective use of learning technologies. Students engage with tools such as learning management systems, collaboration platforms, artificial intelligence, and e-learning modules to design, deliver, and evaluate impactful training and development solutions that foster organizational growth and innovation. Typically Offered: Spring.

LOD 5770 Foundations of Organizational Development (3 credits)

This course introduces the history, evolution, and core theories of Organization Development (OD), with a focus on practical application. Students will explore change models and systems frameworks, as well as trace the progression in the field. Typically Offered: Fall, Spring and Varies.

LOD 5810 Leadership Concepts and Practices (3 credits)

This course introduces the foundational theories, principles, and practices of leadership, with an emphasis on personal and interpersonal leadership development. Students will explore major leadership frameworks, while reflecting on their own values, strengths, and areas for growth. Typically Offered: Fall and Varies.

LOD 5830 Organizational Leadership & Culture (3 credits)

Examines how interpersonal, group, and organizational leadership shape culture and performance. Students explore how leaders influence communication, motivation, ethics, and decision-making across relationships, teams, and systems. Typically Offered: Spring and Varies.

LOD 5900 Leadership & Organization Development Capstone (3 credits)

This capstone course represents the culminating experience for candidates in the LOD master’s program. Working closely with their major professor, students select from multiple capstone options, such as a research project or an applied project, that align with their professional interests and the program’s learning outcomes. Graded Pass/Fail. Typically Offered: Fall, Spring and Summer.

LOD 5970 (s) Practicum (1-16 credits, max 99)

Credit arranged. Supervised field experience in an appropriate public or private agency. Graded Pass/Fail.

LOD 5980 (s) Internship (1-16 credits, max 99)

Credit arranged. Supervised experience in teacher education, administration, supervision, or ancillary services in adult education. Graded Pass/Fail.

Prereqs: Permission

LOD 5990 (s) Non-thesis Master's Research (1-16 credits, max 99)

Credit arranged. Research not directly related to a thesis or dissertation.

Prereqs: Permission

LOD 6000 Doctoral Research & Thesis (1-45 credits, max 99)

Credit arranged

LOD 6150 Research Apprenticeship in Leadership & Organization Development. (1-16 credits, max 16)

The purpose of Research Apprenticeship is to prepare doctoral students for organization, education, and social research activities. The course focuses on collegial research projects and processes; students engage in research and scholarly activities alongside faculty. Students must be admitted into the doctoral program with a specialty in LOD. Graded Pass/Fail. Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.