This course examines the ethical foundations, analytical frameworks, and leadership practices essential for guiding complex organizations and institutions. The course emphasizes how leaders use data-informed decision-making, moral reasoning, and reflective judgment to navigate organizational challenges, promote equity, and uphold trust. Students explore ethical theories, governance structures, and accountability systems that shape institutional behavior, as well as the role of transparency, integrity, and stewardship in effective leadership. The course prepares emerging and current leaders to cultivate ethical cultures, lead with clarity and compassion, and apply analytical tools to advance mission-driven, performance outcomes. Students will examine the use of AI within their organization through an ethical lens. This course aligns with the Florida Educational Leadership Standard 1 Professional and Ethical Norms and Standard 2 Vision and Mission.

The field of higher education administration is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by shifting demographics, technological innovation, financial pressures, and evolving societal expectations. This course offers a comprehensive overview of the principles, strategies, and challenges involved in leading and managing institutions of higher education. Students will study topics such as organizational leadership, strategic planning, budgeting and financial management through theoretical and practical applications.

This course will provide the student with an understanding of the breadth of college student affairs and services and introduce the student to leadership theories and practice in higher education. The leader’s role in facilitating issues of student affairs will be focused upon student development theories; diversity and social justice issues; student success and engagement; and leadership development.

This course provides an in-depth examination of the economic theories, financial policies, and contemporary issues that influence funding for higher education in the United States. Students will explore the complex dynamics that shape college and university financing by analyzing current topics such as the demand and supply for higher education, financial aid systems, tuition trends, and public policy impacts. This course will explore financial foundations of higher education institutions, including budgeting models, strategic planning processes, and resource allocation strategies. Students will gain practical experience by reviewing federal and state funding mechanisms, evaluating tuition policies, interpreting institutional financial statements, and investigating emerging trends in higher education finance. Emphasis will be placed on applied learning through case studies, collaborative group work, and policy analysis, equipping students with the tools to critically assess and contribute to financial decision-making in academic settings.

In this course, doctoral students will dig into the essentials of action research design by using a strategic plan to identify a problem of practice, use research from literature review to support the problem identification, and develop a plan for determining a solution to the identified problem by creating an organizational process that is sustainable and actionable. AI tools that can facilitate this process will be explored and evaluated.