Track 1:  Social Enterprise

Course 1:  Fall semester:  BUSA 545: Social Entrepreneurship and Marketing

In this course, students will apply their knowledge of the fundamental areas of business to the development of a comprehensive business plan that focuses on developing social, economic, and spiritual capital. Students will gain a fundamental understanding of marketing theory and strategy in diverse cultural environments, and will explore the application of Social Entrepreneurship and Business as Mission to the process of economic development in urban and rural areas in the US and around the world.

Course 2:  Spring semester:  LDEV 660- Marketing, Communications, and Social Media 

This course addresses marketing and fundraising principles and techniques, focusing on marketing for social enterprise to its intended constituencies and stakeholders, making the purpose or mission known to the greater community, and using both paid and free tools in these endeavors. It is designed to introduce current and future leaders of NGOs to various means of acquiring resources to fulfill their missions. The course introduces some procedures to simplify the selection, design and implementation processes of resource generation. In addition, the biblical principles for service are developed, together with some marketing basis applied to private voluntary organizations. This course provides tools and guidelines on how to prepare marketing plans and proposals.

Track 2:  Advocacy / Public Policy

Course 1:  Fall semester:  LDEV 610- Advocacy and Human Rights

This course prepares leaders for actively engaging government and public leaders through policy interventions and advocacy to advance the global struggle for human rights. Students are prepared to advocate for social justice by developing the foundational skills necessary to assess and intervene in the policy process as well as develop and implement advocacy campaigns to influence policy. The course further emphasizes the importance of developing a biblical basis for social justice advocacy and the need for Christian professionals to cultivate strong advocacy skills. This course has an additional fee for transportation to Washington, DC for an Advocacy day on Capitol Hill.

Course 2:  Spring semester: BUSA 655 Public Policy in Nonprofits

This course prepares leaders for actively engaging government and public leaders through policy interventions and advocacy to advance the global struggle for human rights.  Students are prepared to advocate for social justice by developing the foundational skills necessary to assess and intervene in the policy process as well as develop and implement advocacy campaigns to influence policy.  The course further emphasizes the importance of developing a biblical basis for social justice advocacy and the need for Christian professionals to cultivate strong advocacy skills. 

Track 3:  Thesis/Project: 

Course 1: Fall semester: LEAD 681a Thesis/Project

The Thesis/Project course brings together the knowledge and practitioner-researcher skills developed in the program.  Students may select either an applied research project or original research thesis topic as the final requirement for this course.  Students will select a qualified advisor to work closely with them on developing the appropriate literature review, regardless of project or thesis deliverable.  Advisors will also guide students in the appropriate research methodology to satisfy their project/thesis goal.  Projects may include a business plan or feasibility study, a program evaluation or program impact study among others.  An original research thesis will answer a theoretical question developed between the student and advisor, employ appropriate research methodology and result in a publishable quality thesis.  The thesis/project option will be available to students carrying a 3.5 GPA, 2 letters of recommendation from program faculty on their writing ability and their potential for successful self-directed learning, and a $300 advising fee is levied for this course.  Pre-requisite for the course is an A  grade in LEAD 576.

Course 2: Spring semester: LEAD 681b Thesis/Project

The Thesis/Project course brings together the knowledge and practitioner-researcher skills developed in the program.  Students may select either an applied research project or original research thesis topic as the final requirement for this course.  Students will select a qualified advisor to work closely with them on developing the appropriate literature review, regardless of project or thesis deliverable.  Advisors will also guide students in the appropriate research methodology to satisfy their project/thesis goal.  Projects may include a business plan or feasibility study, a program evaluation or program impact study among others.  An original research thesis will answer a theoretical question developed between the student and advisor, employ appropriate research methodology and result in a publishable quality thesis.  Pre-requisite:  LEAD 681a.