Due to the rapidly and continually changing nature of industrial and organizational (I/O) psychology, it is important for scholars, researchers, and practitioners to stay abreast of current and emerging issues in the field. Given that many of the changes occurring in the field of I/O are due to the globalization of the business would, particular emphasis will be focused on the role and practice of I/O in the complex environment of global organizations. In this advanced seminar, students explore current and global issues that attract the attention of researchers and practitioners in I/O psychology, as evidenced by the published literature, with an emphasis on learning the application and implementation of best practices and emerging theories in the field. Topics in the seminar will evolve along with the issues that appear most often in the I/O literature, issues that receive the most attention in the professional and business press, and current lines of research having the most impact on the field.

This course focuses on the role of training, coaching, and mentoring as they relate to strategic talent development utilizing an evidence-based approach. Students will learn to integrate and align a development strategy with the long term goals and needs of the organization. Connections will be made to tools and methods used for performance management, identification of high potential leaders, and succession planning. Topics include the role of talent management in increasing the effectiveness of the organization, alignment of talent management strategies with organizational vision and direction, talent management approaches, use of data in talent management, and current trends in talent development.

This course presents approaches to utilizing quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of training programs. Models/methods will include Kirkpatrick’s levels of evaluation, Brinkerhoff’s Success Case Method, Phillip’s ROI method, and new developments in TDR (Talent Development Reporting).

This course focuses on the process of applying research design models and methodologies to the analysis of performance problems or opportunities for organizations, teams or individual workers. Students will develop and apply a variety of systematic measurement tools, including extant (existing) data research, surveys, benchmarking, and focus groups while conducting performance and root cause analysis in the context of needs assessments or front end analysis.

This course explores aligning organizational learning and business strategies. Students will explore current issues in this area, including different approaches that organizations take to planning, implementing, managing, and evaluating training as well as factors that contribute to success. Topics include selecting the optimal combination of curricula and delivery modalities; choosing and implementing learning management systems, selecting and utilizing instructional technology tools; and evaluating the impact of learning programs on strategic organizational performance.

Non-profit organizations and their governance, depend heavily on sound working relationships among staff, especially executive staff, volunteer officers, and board members. This course explores common issues and concerns related to this governance, especially succession planning, assessing the ability of potential leaders, executive development, and engaging volunteers during and between board meetings.

This course provides students with knowledge of the various types of funding sources, including government agencies, private and community sources, grants and contracts as well as rules, guidelines and typical procedures applied to gaining and managing funding. The course also includes basic skill building in using social capital to develop funding sources and in grant proposal development. Interagency collaboration is emphasized.

This advanced seminar examines all recognized methods of fund raising, forecasting fund raising income, and balancing administrative and fundraising expenses in the short term with longer term programmatic and mission goals. Topics include direct mail, planned giving, special events, corporate giving, and foundation grant writing.

This advanced seminar examines enduring issues in business and professional ethics and applying proven approaches to ethical professional practice and organizational operations in contemporary non-profit organizations. Topics will include social responsibility of for-profit organizations in support of non-profit organizations, program operating budgets vs. long-term financial stability, and ethical concerns related to governance and program priorities.

This course explores the past, present, and future of various human services information technology modalities from the basics of computer literacy, telecommunications, networking, accounting and administrative applications, to security issues and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). With evolving changes in laws and policies, such as implementation of the Affordable Care Act, this course is recommended for those students interested in staying abreast of the latest in cutting-edge technologies that coincide with this and other legislative initiatives impacting the human services field.