Provide educational programs for students seeking the Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Leadership and Supervision. Of secondary importance is providing an opportunity for students to earn the Associate of Science degree in Organizational Leadership and Supervision or Operations Technology.
Both a minor and a Certificate in Supervisory Leadership are available as well. The degrees, the minor, and the certificate offer comprehensive practitioner-oriented education for supervisory level personnel in the areas of supervisory leadership, human resource development, office administration, occupational safety and health, operations leadership, and a variety of other work-related areas as listed below.
The Certificate program is designed for working supervisors who likely will use the skills taught and not go further in their education or proceed to the completion of an A.S. degree. The minor is intended to serve those students working toward a Bachelor's degree in an area other than OLS. The A.S. degree is not intended to be a terminal degree, although some majors do stop at that level. (Usually, such students are considerably older than the average student and do not perceive a strong need to take the time to pursue the B.S. degree.)
The "core" of the Organizational Leadership and Supervision Department is to serve the needs of B.S. degree seeking students. The assumption made by the faculty is that all students will complete their B.S. degrees, and the content of the courses offered by the Department are not diluted to serve the needs of students seeking only the Certificate in Supervisory Leadership, the A.S. degrees, or the minor.
Equip students with specific job-related knowledge and practical skills in the following minor, certificate, and degree programs.
Minor and Certificate: Organizational Leadership and Supervision
The OLS program is ideally designed for non-traditional students with past or on-going significant work experience. The B.S. degree may be completed either during the daytime or evening. The AS degree may be completed during the day, night, or on the weekend. The AS degree in Operations Technology degree may be completed during the day or evening.
Areas of concentration available in Supervision:
The OLS degrees offered by the Department of Organizational Leadership and Supervision (OLS) are distinguished from business degrees. Numerous individual, industry specific concentrations are offered to majors in the OLS B.S. degree program. All concentrations provide industry-specific training for graduates. The industry-specific emphasis is the most important distinguishing element of the OLS degree program. Majors must declare an area of concentration and complete all of the required course work.
The Department's distinctive focus on industry-specific areas of concentration demonstrates the dissimilarity of OLS to traditional business programs. An OLS student's area of concentration typically involves a requirement of 21 credit hours. Most or all courses in the 21-hour concentration area are taken outside of OLS course offerings. Students are required to take OLS courses to develop their abilities to successfully and efficiently supervise the work of others. However, the specific area of work in which an OLS student wishes to engage is offered by departments other than OLS. These concentration areas are neither a collection of OLS courses, nor are they courses offered by the IPFW Management and Marketing Department. They are specifically related to the student's current or projected work interest.
Examples of concentrations, most of which have been formally developed, are:
A.S. graduates will demonstrate leadership, oral communication, and written skills appropriate to their degree level. For example, students will acquire these skills during informal oral presentations and in written work. Leadership skills may be developed by assuming the responsibility for successful completion of a class group project.
Students will be able to use appropriate interpersonal skills in the workplace. They will be developed through working with others in group projects and receiving appropriate feedback. Further, students gain the ability to handle issues of diversity and ethics in work. For example, students participate in discussions regarding interaction in work groups composed of culturally or gender diverse employees. Also, ethical issues that affect work on a local and national level are discussed.
Students who successfully complete the Office Administration option are able to perform well as supervisors in a wide variety of office environments. They are well prepared in leadership skills, computer application skills, and the practices and procedures of the modern office climate. These students understand the need for lifelong learning in their area of specialization, and they are prepared to face continuous change on the job.
Upon successful completion of the A.S. in Operations Technology, students will demonstrate recognition and use of the basic skills required of first line supervisors in an industrial setting. For example, the students are able to analyze a financial statement, discuss departmental operations in detail with the plant manager, deal with union grievances and arbitration procedures (if applicable), and direct the work of diverse employees in a production department.
B.S. degree students will demonstrate the effective use of oral communication and written skills. Students are taught to express themselves effectively by making informal and formal presentations as a regular part of class activities. Further, they write technical and non-technical reports and assess the findings of professional research articles in many of their OLS classes.
Students will be prepared to use appropriate interpersonal skills in the workplace. Students learn to identify, discuss and give examples of interpersonal problems in organizations. They use the skills of self-objectivity and sensitivity to others through group projects designed to illustrate the need for perceptual checking, appropriate behavior for group leaders, evaluation of the talents and aspirations of employees, and adapting to the changing workforce. In addition, B.S. degree level courses emphasize the acquisition of skills needed to develop employees in organizations through job training, mentoring, coaching, and counseling.
B.S. degree students demonstrate clear recognition of the issues
of cultural, ethnic, and gender diversity as well as the many ethical issues
affecting work. Students participate in discussions regarding diverse work
groups and ethics as these issues affect work on a local and national level.
In addition, students participate in individual and group class projects
requiring a presentation and written report on recommended solutions to
complex ethical issues in contemporary organizations. Emphasis in the courses
is put on the student's adaptability, personal adjustment, and leadership
in a rapidly changing and increasingly diverse world.