Full Course Description List:

DDBA Courses

(0 semester credits)

A background in the basics of business is often a key to making the most of a graduate business or management program. In this foundational course, students can build their business acumen in major functional areas that are essential to business success including business leadership and management, business ethics, the legal environment of business, accounting, finance, economics, quantitative methods and statistics, information systems management, global business, marketing, and strategic management.

(0 semester credits)

The purpose of this course is to assist doctoral students in making steady progress toward the DBA. Students use this course as a forum for ongoing exchange of ideas, input, and feedback with peers and their doctoral study chair. They engage in a variety of activities, providing the tools needed to complete the doctoral study capstone successfully. Students gain practice with various research methods and data-gathering techniques; determine best practices; explore the various resources, including the Walden Library, Writing Center, and Research Center; and prepare a draft and final version of their doctoral study prospectus, which is required to proceed with the final doctoral study.

Note: The "instructor of record" for a section of the course is the chair of the student's doctoral study committee. Section participants are students who work with faculty members at various stages of their doctoral study.

(3 semester credits)

Students are provided with a foundation for academic and professional success specific to Walden University and to the requirements for successful participation in the Doctor of Business Administration degree program. The topics covered in this course include change management, crisis management, innovation, and disruptive technology. Students engage in discussion and analyze scholarly literature related to these topics, their personal and professional experiences, and areas of academic interest from a practitioner approach and from a social-change-agent viewpoint. The focus of the course assignments is on the practical application of writing and critical-thinking skills and the promotion of professional business practice and academic excellence. Through their assignments, students emphasize their personal and professional development, including the completion of a personal SWOT analysis and professional development plan.

(1 semester credits)

The purpose of this course is to assist doctoral independent scholars in making steady progress toward the DBA degree. Independent scholars use this course as a forum for ongoing exchange of ideas, input, and feedback with peers and their doctoral study chair. They engage in a variety of activities, providing the tools needed to complete the doctoral study capstone successfully. They gain practice with various research methods and data-gathering techniques; determine best practices; explore the various resources, including the Walden Library, Writing Center, and Research Center; and prepare a draft and final version of their doctoral study prospectus, which is required to proceed with the final doctoral study.

Note: The instructor of record for a section of the course is the chair of the independent scholar's doctoral study committee. Section participants are independent scholars who work with faculty members at various stages of their doctoral study.

(1 semester credits)

The purpose of this course is to assist doctoral independent scholars in making steady progress toward the DBA degree. Independent scholars use this course as a forum for ongoing exchange of ideas, input, and feedback with peers and their doctoral study chair. They engage in a variety of activities, providing the tools needed to complete the doctoral study capstone successfully. They gain practice with various research methods and data-gathering techniques; determine best practices; explore the various resources, including the Walden Library, Writing Center, and Research Center; and prepare a draft and final version of their doctoral study prospectus, which is required to proceed with the final doctoral study.

Note: The instructor of record for a section of the course is the chair of the independent scholar's doctoral study committee. Section participants are independent scholars who work with faculty members at various stages of their doctoral study.

(1 semester credits)

The purpose of this course is to assist doctoral independent scholars in making steady progress toward the DBA degree. Independent scholars use this course as a forum for ongoing exchange of ideas, input, and feedback with peers and their portfolio chair. They engage in a variety of activities, providing the tools needed to complete the portfolio capstone successfully. They gain practice with various research methods and data-gathering techniques; determine best practices; explore the various resources, including the Walden Library, Writing Center, and Research Center; and prepare a draft and final version of their portfolio prospectus, which is required to proceed with the final portfolio research (program evaluation or quantitative secondary data analysis).

Note: The instructor of record for a section of the course is the chair of the independent scholar's portfolio committee. Section participants are independent scholars who work with faculty members at various stages of their portfolio project.

(3 semester credits)

Corporate social impact is of increasing interest because many organizations are moving from a profit-only outlook to a model of social responsibility. Students in this course are immersed in the ways business operates in a global environment, which provides the opportunity to widen professional perspectives. Students engage in variety of writing and creative assignments while exploring a variety of topics, such as supply chain management, process management, quality, innovation, and forecasting. Integrating professional practice at the doctoral level, they employ critical-thinking skills to analyze decision-making motives and techniques in a global operations environment.

(3 semester credits)

Information technology and systems saturate every aspect of business, from small corner stores to global corporations. Students are provided with broad coverage of information systems management concepts and trends underlying current and future developments as well as principles for providing effective implementation of information systems management in this course. Students use business case studies to gain real-world insight on the impact of information systems on decision making, collaboration, and maintaining business relationships. They engage in discussions on a variety of topics, such as the advantages and disadvantages of global Internet commerce, the role of on- and off-shore workers in a company-wide information system, and the pros and cons of short-cycle time approaches to information systems development. Students develop and define their position and reasoning on a variety of information systems' current issues as the course progresses. Students also focus on the practical application of writing and the integration of professional practice at the doctoral level.

(3 semester credits)

The current global environment is diverse, technologically reliant, and constantly changing; old skills and tools that were once effective may no longer be efficient for today's market. In this course, independent scholars examine the global marketplace and identify, adapt, and apply skills and supporting tools that guide them to develop and create a globally competitive advantage in multiple and diverse scenarios and settings. They apply requisite knowledge of marketing concepts, such as the marketing mix, differentiation, and branding for focused markets as essentials for market audit data analysis. Through detailed case studies and marketing audits, independent scholars will develop market analysis skills to determine potential marketing strategies, with an emphasis on the importance of positive social change.

(3 semester credits)

Daily, there are risks of corporate challenges and insults ranging from local and national regulatory shifts and breaches to international complexities of emerging opportunities. These events require global business leaders to possess a variety of financial skills and sensibilities. Through case studies and analytical projects, students have the opportunity to build skills and knowledge for leading organizations with ethical integrity and social accountability. They explore the financial and monetary markets in the United States and abroad to gain an economic context to apply the concepts and tools necessary to assess an organization's financial position and to explore alternatives to finance-organizational ventures. Students also engage in assignments focused on financial planning, budgeting, and other trends, such as balancing risks. Students prepare to be key ethical players who are effective in leading an organization's financial capabilities based on sound financial and economic principles.

(3 semester credits)

Successful business leaders create a positive organizational culture based on personal ethical behavior, ethical expectations, training, and transparency. Business leaders use a range of leadership styles, including transformational, transactional and servant leadership, based on the organizational situation. Regardless of leadership style, one thing that business leaders have in common is the ability to identify and develop leadership strategies that lend to the success and sustainability of their business. In this four-module course, students cover a wide range of different topics on business leadership. Students focus on the practical application of APA writing, critical thinking, and the integration of professional leadership practice at the doctoral level as they develop sustainable solutions from the perspective of a business leader. Students examine the relationship between leadership and management, evaluate the impact and utility of leadership styles assessments, and analyze different leadership styles. Additionally, students evaluate and investigate various leadership theories, sources of power, and motivation theories to gain a better understanding into the nature and practice of leadership. Students evaluate and assess ethical dilemmas, organizational stress, and craft an organizational strategy to shape a successful business culture. They assess current articles, engage in online discussions, and complete application assignments based on organizational culture, ethics, strategy, stress, and leadership theories.

(3 semester credits)

Students in this DBA strategy course concentrate on the creation and implementation of business strategies that maximize competitive advantage in the marketplace. Students develop an understanding of why and how individuals and business organizations work together creating sustainable businesses in the global marketplace. They apply models for assessing the strengths and weaknesses of business organizations and identify opportunities and threats resulting from forces shaping the marketplace. Students focus on practical business applications of writing, critical thinking, and classroom engagement in a combination of essay discussions, research assignments, and writing papers to analyze, develop, and defend ideas for strategic and innovative business solutions for sustainability.

(4 semester credits)

In this course, independent scholars are introduced to quantitative and qualitative frameworks for inquiry. Quantitative designs covered include correlation, experimental and quasi-experimental, survey, and causal-comparative designs; qualitative designs include case study, phenomenology, grounded theory, and ethnography. Independent scholars work toward acquiring substantive, foundational knowledge of the philosophy of science as they construct, use, and critique concepts and theories. They learn to produce knowledge for practice as they examine ethical, social, and political aspects of conducting research. Demonstrating knowledge and the ability to solve problems, independent scholars engage in course assignments that emphasize the practical application of writing and critical-thinking skills and the integration of professional practice at the doctoral level.

(4 semester credits)

In this course, independent scholars have the opportunity to extend their research and general analysis skills as they further explore qualitative research methodology and design types—with emphasis on case-study, pragmatic inquiry, and program evaluation research designs—that they may incorporate into their own doctoral study. Independent scholars learn to focus their analysis on efforts to improve the quality of business practice. They also focus on how to think in an action-oriented manner, as if they were business consultants, so that their own doctoral study work could be applied in action. Finally, they engage in an iterative process of writing their own prospectus application, incorporating feedback from peers and the course instructor.

(3 semester credits)

In this course, independent scholars develop skills in descriptive statistics, statistical inference, and quantitative techniques, including t-tests, analysis of variance, correlation, multiple linear regression, and nonparametric methods (i.e., two-way contingency table analysis). They use quantitative data analysis and data-management techniques, and they learn to utilize SPSS software for data analysis. This course is not intended for independent scholars to become fully grounded in statistical methods; rather, they learn appropriate questions to ask about data analysis as well as how to defend their use of specific techniques in professional practice.

(4 semester credits)

In this course, independent scholars develop skills in descriptive statistics, statistical inference, and quantitative techniques, including t-tests, analysis of variance, correlation, multiple linear regression, discriminant analysis, and nonparametric methods (i.e., two-way contingency table analysis). They use quantitative data analysis and data-management techniques, and they learn to utilize SPSS software for data analysis. This course is not intended for independent scholars to become fully grounded in statistical methods; rather, they learn appropriate questions to ask about data analysis as well as how to defend their use of specific techniques in professional practice.

(3 semester credits)

In this course, students are provided with the opportunity to acquire substantive, foundational knowledge of the philosophy of science, including the construction, use, and critique of concepts and theories. Students examine qualitative and quantitative frameworks for inquiry as well as the ethical, social, and political aspects of conducting research. They learn about quantitative designs, such as experimental and quasi-experimental, survey, causal-comparative, evaluation, and existing action research. In regard to qualitative designs, students examine case study, phenomenology, grounded theory, and ethnography designs. Students complete application exercises to demonstrate their conceptual knowledge of applied research methods in preparation for their doctoral study as well as for problem-solving in professional practice. They also engage in the practical application of writing and critical thinking as they synthesize the relationship between research in management and the promulgation of social change.

(3 semester credits)

As globalization integrates all regions of the planet, business has become multinational and multimodal. Regardless of the role—manufacturers, retailers, or service providers—doing business globally requires a thorough understanding of how products, services, and information products develop from ideas to deliverables. In studying global supply chain management, students learn about the systems required to identify sources of people and material as well as ways to ensure that the supply chain conforms to the highest expected business standards anywhere in the world. Students investigate potential opportunities for new research in the field and share their findings through a presentation. They sharpen their critical-thinking and communication skills as they give and provide feedback on research conclusions. Students accomplish the objectives of this seminar course by examining current information through extensive use of topical journal articles and papers as well as classic articles and papers related to the field of study.

(3 semester credits)

An essential, "make or break" aspect of today's organizational environment is innovation. Students in this seminar course are provided with the opportunity to position themselves for professional success in management through the study of concepts, processes, and tools needed to accelerate the rate, breadth, and depth of innovation within any organization. Students examine what innovation is and is not, as well as how to establish the organizational policies, processes, and employee-support infrastructure required to facilitate successful innovation throughout organizations. Students assess current information through extensive use of topical journal articles and papers as well as classic articles and papers related to the field of study. They also disseminate their findings to their peers through group discussions.

(3 semester credits)

Though many aspects of information technology (IT) are becoming staples in the business toolbox, competitive advantage is still possible through the development of creative applications and the configuration of technology in ways unique to an organization. In this seminar course, students investigate this advantage through the evaluation of the frontier of IT in business and new ways of applying IT to cut costs, increase customer satisfaction, and open new business opportunities. Students explore social networking tools and Internet recognition strategies for potential business uses. They accomplish course objectives by examining current information through extensive use of recent journal articles and papers as well as classic articles and papers related to the field of study. Students also identify additional resources and disseminate their conclusions to their peers.

(3 semester credits)

Energy is a primary enabler of business operations. Energy sources include nuclear power, fossil fuels, oil, natural gas, solar, wind, and flowing water (hydro). Energy is used in business to power machinery, heat factories, and propel vehicles to deliver goods and services. Independent scholars will analyze regional, national, and international energy production issues from a business leadership perspective. Issues include environmental regulations, legal requirements, and social conditions (e.g., building a production facility in a neighborhood). The conceptual analysis of managing emerging new energy sources is explored.

(3 semester credits)

The only constant in today's business environment is change. However, implementing change alone is not sufficient. It is also necessary to identify and prioritize the key organizational issues requiring change and to implement the necessary changes successfully. Furthermore, change must be defined and aligned at the organizational, process, and employee levels. In this seminar course, students identify and focus on the key areas of an organization that should be prioritized for change initiatives and for the development and implementation of strategies that will increase the success rate of the key change initiatives. Students formulate an original research topic related to the course literature and present and debate their findings through a peer work group. They accomplish course objectives by examining current information, such as foundational literature and theories, seminal works, and established models in the field of change management.

(3 semester credits)

The various environmental crises facing the planet threaten the human race. Therefore, the primary challenge for business is to conduct itself in a responsible manner through sustainable decisions. That means more than anticipating continuous profitability. Students in this seminar course explore what it means to be sustainable from an environmental perspective and examine the implications for business in terms of resource consumption, materials processing and disposal, and the impacts of the products made and distributed. Students analyze natural systems and how their condition influences doing business in a global economy. They also examine the long-term implications for conducting business globally. Students fine-tune critical-thinking skills by formulating an original research topic, which they discuss with their peers. They accomplish course objectives by examining current information through extensive use of recent journal articles and papers as well as classic articles and papers related to the field of study.

(3 semester credits)

Recent cases of corporate greed, bankruptcy, and fraud, as well as the collapse of the housing market and its fallout in the investment community, have prompted the need for new regulatory responses; these include laws, such as Sarbanes-Oxley, Dodd-Frank, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, as well as whistleblower protection programs. Independent scholars in this seminar course examine these new ways of doing business in today's sociopolitical climate from a legal perspective, including identification of opportunities for new research in business law and compliance. They formulate an original research topic and assess the potential impact of their findings on the fields of business law and compliance. They also give and receive feedback through critiques for and by peers. Independent scholars accomplish course objectives by examining current information, such as foundational literature and theories, seminal works, and established models in the fields of business law and compliance.

(3 semester credits)

Growing cultural diversity within countries and expansion of organizations’ international initiatives has brought about the need to recognize, lead, and manage a broader cultural spectrum of workers, managers, and performance improvement teams. In this seminar course, students define the key organizational techniques and the potential benefits stemming from managing multicultural workforces. Students contextualize their study through the examination and development of case studies of successful and unsuccessful attempts to realize the potential that can be derived from multicultural workforces and teams. Students accomplish course objectives by examining current information through extensive use of recent journal articles and papers as well as classic articles and papers related to the field of study. They also disseminate their findings to their peers through group discussions.

(3 semester credits)

Energy is needed throughout the world for business operations. The end user of energy and the production source can be miles, countries, or oceans apart. Independent scholars will analyze regional, national, and international energy distribution issues from a business leader perspective. Issues include environmental regulations, legal requirements, and social conditions (a pipeline, power lines, or a local substation, for instance). The conceptual analysis of managing new means of energy delivery is explored.

(3 semester credits)

Business-to-business (B2B) marketing has emerged as its own discipline to meet the needs of other businesses. The challenge is to find new methods of enhancing marketability and value while maintaining important relationships with consumers. Students in this seminar course focus on B2B marketing techniques, strategies, customer acquisition, and relationship building. They explore the theory and conceptual challenges facing today's B2B marketing manager. Primarily, students learn aspects of online promotion and advertising, communications strategies to promote online initiatives, and creative ways of developing the B2B channel. They fine-tune critical-thinking skills by formulating an original research topic and debating with peers. Students accomplish course objectives by examining foundational literature and theories, seminal works, and established models in the field of B2B marketing.

(3 semester credits)

The buyer decision-making process is one of the driving forces behind how, where, and when to market a product, which is why understanding consumer behavior is integral to successful businesses. In this seminar course, students focus on the characteristics of consumers from the perspective of why they purchase products and services as well as their expectations when doing business. More importantly, students study individual behavior and the psychology of choice, the motivation to buy, and how to maintain satisfaction after purchase. Because forces beyond individual control sometimes influence markets, niches, and segments, students also examine consumer behavior from a cultural (and subcultural) perspective. Students engage in course activities and discussions that focus on how to manage the customer experience from attraction to a mutually rewarding relationship. Students accomplish course objectives by examining foundational literature and theories, seminal works, and established models in the field of consumer behavior.

(3 semester credits)

Business leaders and decision makers need accurate information to introduce projects and services that create appeal and value in the mind of the consumer. In this seminar course, students explore the processes and methods of studying markets and focus on understanding the empirical research process. Students survey marketing research methods in the context of understanding competitive opportunities, new product development, and positioning a product or service in the marketplace. They examine the practices of utilizing public databases, spotting trends, and identifying opportunities for new research in the field. Students hone critical-thinking and analytical skills by formulating an original research topic related to the course literature, which they present and debate in a peer work group. Students accomplish course objectives by examining foundational literature and theories, seminal works, and established models in the field of marketing research.

(3 semester credits)

International finance is a branch of economics that considers how capital investment is undertaken globally and how financial markets and global trade influence investment opportunities. Independent scholars taking this seminar course are provided with an overview of the historical context of globalization. Included in the discussions is an in-depth analysis of how organizations, emerging markets, and society benefit from globalization. Independent scholars examine how organizations manage risk in a global environment. Scholars also explore barriers to globalization. Independent scholars accomplish course objectives by examining foundational literature and theories, seminal works, and established models in the field of international finance. They also formulate an original research topic and synthesize findings and conclusions based on their literature review for a comprehensive and critical understanding of the discipline.

(3 semester credits)

Entrepreneurial finance is designed to help managers make accurate investments and business decisions in entrepreneurial settings. In this seminar course, students explore the development of a small business from startup to financial security. They examine the process and various sources of funding, including partnerships with venture capitalists, conventional sources, and initial public offerings. Most importantly, students explore how to construct funding as well as the trade-offs and benefits for each model. They analyze entrepreneurial equity and how to negotiate any agreement with funding sources. Students accomplish course objectives by examining foundational literature and theories, seminal works, and established models in the field of entrepreneurial finance. They also identify additional resources and disseminate research conclusions to their peers.

(3 semester credits)

Using a theoretical approach, students in this seminar examine common concepts, principles, and methods used in managerial decision making, including revenue forecasting and cost prediction methods, break-even and cost-volume-profit analyses, performance variance analysis, relevant cost analysis, project valuation, expected rates of return, and discounted cash flow methods. They also explore opportunities for optimizing methods. Additionally, students examine applied research methods in the context of design and development of rational managerial decision-making systems.

(3 semester credits)

Students in this seminar examine theories of corporate governance and employee performance evaluation, including the control and performance evaluation aspects of pricing/contribution margin analysis, cost allocation, activity-based costing, throughput accounting, key performance indicators, and balanced scorecard methods. They also explore opportunities for optimizing methods. Additionally, students examine applied research methods in the context of design and development of rational corporate governance and employee performance evaluation systems.

(3 semester credits)

Through this seminar course, independent scholars have the opportunity to examine international aspects of theories of managerial decision making, risk management, and budgeting in the context of global, cross-cultural management. They also explore applied research methods on the effects of import/export issues, foreign exchange rates, controlled economies, social responsibility reporting, inflation accounting, and international taxation.

(3 semester credits)

In this seminar, independent scholars examine the application of healthcare policy and economic principles to managerial decision making, including policy development and implementation processes as well as how health policy changes over time. They also explore key policy initiatives related to cost, quality, ethics, and access, and they investigate stakeholders and interest groups involved in the health policy process. Independent scholars devote special attention to how economic principles, such as supply, demand, and market price determination, relate to the structure of the healthcare industry and the distribution of resources and services.

(3 semester credits)

Healthcare delivery is one of the largest industries in the United States. Students in this seminar focus on the components of the health services delivery system, including patients, organizations, professionals, public and private third-party payers, regulators, reimbursement and reimbursement methods, and technology. Students explore the nature of population illness and disease, and they examine the continuum of health services, such as hospitals and hospital systems, ambulatory care services, long-term care services, wellness/prevention services, and community/public health services. In addition, students analyze contextual factors and challenges that are linked to the healthcare delivery system management; they also explore the impact of these challenges on the delivery of services and healthcare management.

(3 semester credits)

Students in this seminar engage in an examination of the key laws, regulations, and court decisions related to healthcare operations, oversight of organizations and practitioners, and the rights and responsibilities of healthcare providers and patients. They study laws and regulations governing healthcare providers, the identification of organizational governance issues, fraud and enforcement, and the development of risk management processes and controls. Students also explore key ethical issues underpinning healthcare delivery and management, including patient rights and advocacy.

(3 semester credits)

Independent scholars in this seminar course examine developments in the discipline of project-based program and portfolio management and the business competencies required to manage complex projects in dynamic, distributed, and global environments. Among the topics included are aligning project portfolios to organizational strategy and value, assessing project portfolio management successes and failures, measuring project portfolio performance, and stimulating organizational creativity and innovation.

(3 semester credits)

Managing an organization's portfolio of projects requires an understanding of project management process groups and the alternative approaches for selecting and managing a portfolio of projects. Independent scholars also examine how an effective project portfolio management infrastructure is built so that a formal approach to project management can be applied by balancing the need for structure with the need for flexibility. Issues of cultural and ethical diversity that affect management in a global environment are also explored.

(3 semester credits)

Independent scholars in this seminar course examine the forces of complexity and uncertainty and their impact (past, present, and future) on the project management profession. Topics include a retrospective analysis of research and practice over the past several decades and the examination of the increasing focus on the strategic value of projects and project leadership. Because the global business environment is characterized as increasingly complex and uncertain, and projects are directly linked to the organization's strategic goals and competitive position, project management practitioners and researchers also learn about leading the continued development and maturity of the project management profession.

(3 semester credits)

The role of the human resources (HR) department as a strategic partner entails new and different functions that enable organizations to function as high-performing and cost-cognizant entities. To recognize the best way for organizations to grow in capability and capacity, students in this course detail the potential for involvement of HR in evaluating buy-build alternatives and B2B partnerships. They explore a range of alternatives, including service agreements, contract negotiations, and management of fully outsourced services. Graduates of this course will be able to analyze the impact of such decisions on the quality of the deliverables and the risk impact on both the HR department and the organization.

(3 semester credits)

In order to succeed in competitive environments, organizations must begin succession planning at the beginning of every initial interface—when an employee is added to the talent pool, when a leader is added to the knowledge capital, when the organization reviews its successes and its challenges, and when corporations plan "to plan." The only sure way to do this well is to know where the gaps are in present-day resources and cast them repeatedly against future and emerging needs and trends facing the organization, then craft the strategies that will map the path for getting there. In this course, students are drawn into defining organizational capability using career mapping, opportunistic development, and technology to fulfill future strategic human and knowledge capital essential in optimizing organizational success.

(3 semester credits)

Graduates of this new human resources (HR) strategic partner course will be able to integrate several key HR concepts with organization-wide strategic planning to develop an evidence-based annual HR department/division operating plan critical to the for-profit or not-for-profit organizations. New HR professionals must be able to direct individual and organizational performance to deliver on value proposition, build sustainability, and impact positive social change.

(3 semester credits)

The term business continuity management is a unifying process and the umbrella under which multiple supporting functions, including crisis management and business continuity, operate and integrate. Terrorism represents a significant threat to global business leaders, since globalization and terrorism are inextricably linked. Events such as the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the 2004 Madrid bombings had significant impact on business continuity management. From a business continuity perspective, learners in this course examine key questions and issues facing the U.S. intelligence community from a global viewpoint. What is its role in homeland security and how may these topics affect business continuity management? The emphasis of the course will be on issues affecting business continuity management policy, oversight, and intelligence support to homeland defense/security and global business decision making. The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 is addressed, and the course is shaped to focus on homeland intelligence support business issues at the state, local, and tribal levels.

(3 semester credits)

A foundational tenet of terrorist activity is the destruction of business structures. Business leaders can do much to prepare for the impact of hazards faced with regard to technology-related hazards, terrorism, natural hazards, and human-caused hazards. From a business planning standpoint, the business leader will examine an all hazards approach. Learners, as part of an economical system, will get an overview of terrorism that includes the definition, root causes, ideologies, historical and current perspectives, modus operandi and targets, radicalization and recruitment, terrorist group structures, domestic and international terrorist groups, state-sponsored terrorism, and counterterrorism inasmuch as all impact the business leader. Terrorism affects both the long-term and short-term segments of businesses around the world; therefore, the need for business continuity planning is investigated.

(3 semester credits)

Given the uncertainty of emerging terrorist and criminal threats, business leaders require a quick qualitative assessment of the vulnerability to existing business operations, personnel, facilities, and assets. From a business perspective, critical infrastructure protection is one of the cornerstones of homeland security. The National Strategy for Protection of Critical Infrastructure and Key Assets lists 11 critical sectors. Students in this course are introduced students to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) risk-based resource allocation process. In the course, the fundamentals of business-related risk assessment are discussed, and the advantages and disadvantages of various risk assessment tools are examined. At the completion of the course, learners will be able to assess the value of various risk tools, apply those tools to any critical infrastructure within their multijurisdictional region, and derive optimal business strategies and draft policies to reduce the risk associated with future terrorist attacks and other hazards on their business interests.

(4 semester credits per term for a minimum of five terms until completion)

In the final doctoral study, independent scholars demonstrate their ability to examine, critique, and synthesize knowledge, theory, and experience so that new ideas can be tested; best practices identified, established, and verified; and theoretical, practice, or policy constructs evaluated and advanced. In all cases, independent scholars engage in rigorous inquiry that results in new knowledge, insight, or practice, demonstrating efficacy in the world of business and management. Through this course, independent scholars gain assistance in working through the process of the doctoral study. They design personal best practices for completing their study within a designated context. They also select their committee members, with whom they establish and maintain strong working relationships and on whom they rely to mentor and approve their proposal and final study. Ultimately, independent scholars completing the doctoral study make a fresh contribution to the field of practice in the professional business environment.

Students take this course for a minimum of five terms and are continuously enrolled until completion of their doctoral study with final chief academic officer (CAO) approval.

To complete a doctoral study, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the chief academic officer. Students must also publish their dissertations on ProQuest before their degree is conferred.

(3 semester credits per term for a minimum of 5 terms = 15 semester credits)

In the final doctoral portfolio capstone, independent scholars demonstrate their ability to examine, critique, and synthesize knowledge, theory, and experience. Through the capstone they provide evidence of new ideas tested; best practices identified, established, and verified; and theoretical, practice, or policy constructs evaluated and advanced. In all cases, independent scholars engage in rigorous inquiry that results in new knowledge, insight, or practice, demonstrating efficacy in the world of business and management. Through this course, independent scholars gain assistance in working through the process of the doctoral portfolio capstone. They design personal best practices for completing their portfolio capstone within a designated context. They also select their committee members, with whom they establish and maintain strong working relationships and on whom they rely to mentor and approve their proposal and final study. Ultimately, independent scholars completing the portfolio make a fresh contribution to the field of practice in the professional business environment.

(Continuous enrollment in 3 semester credits per term for a minimum of five terms until completion, with two 8-week terms taken per semester)

In the final doctoral study, independent scholars demonstrate their ability to examine, critique, and synthesize knowledge, theory, and experience so that new ideas can be tested; best practices identified, established, and verified; and theoretical, practice, or policy constructs evaluated and advanced. In all cases, independent scholars engage in rigorous inquiry that results in new knowledge, insight, or practice, demonstrating efficacy in the world of business and management. Through this course, independent scholars gain assistance in working through the process of the doctoral study. They design personal best practices for completing their study within a designated context. They also select their committee members, with whom they establish and maintain strong working relationships and on whom they rely to mentor and approve their proposal and final study. Ultimately, independent scholars completing the doctoral study make a fresh contribution to the field of practice in the professional business environment.

Students take this course for a minimum of five terms (two 8-week terms per semester) and are continuously enrolled until completion of their doctoral study with final chief academic officer (CAO) approval.

To complete a doctoral study, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the chief academic officer. Students must also publish their doctoral study on ProQuest before their degree is conferred.

(Continuous enrollment in 3 semester credits per term for a minimum of five terms until completion, with two 8-week terms taken per semester)

In the final doctoral study, independent scholars demonstrate their ability to examine, critique, and synthesize knowledge, theory, and experience so that new ideas can be tested; best practices identified, established, and verified; and theoretical, practice, or policy constructs evaluated and advanced. In all cases, independent scholars engage in rigorous inquiry that results in new knowledge, insight, or practice, demonstrating efficacy in the world of business and management. Through this course, independent scholars gain assistance in working through the process of the doctoral study. They design personal best practices for completing their study within a designated context. They also select their committee members, with whom they establish and maintain strong working relationships and on whom they rely to mentor and approve their proposal and final study. Ultimately, independent scholars completing the doctoral study make a fresh contribution to the field of practice in the professional business environment.

Students take this course for a minimum of five terms (two 8-week terms per semester) and are continuously enrolled until completion of their doctoral study with final chief academic officer (CAO) approval.

To complete a doctoral study, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the chief academic officer. Students must also publish their doctoral study on ProQuest before their degree is conferred.

(Continuous enrollment in 3 semester credits per term for a minimum of five terms until completion, with two 8-week terms taken per semester)

In the final doctoral portfolio capstone, independent scholars demonstrate their ability to examine, critique, and synthesize knowledge, theory, and experience. Through the capstone, they provide evidence of new ideas tested; best practices identified, established, and verified; and theoretical, practice, or policy constructs evaluated and advanced. In all cases, independent scholars engage in rigorous inquiry that results in new knowledge, insight, or practice, demonstrating efficacy in the world of business and management. Through this course, independent scholars gain assistance in working through the process of the doctoral portfolio capstone. They design personal best practices for completing their portfolio capstone within a designated context. They also select their committee members, with whom they establish and maintain strong working relationships and on whom they rely to mentor and approve their proposal and final study. Ultimately, independent scholars completing the portfolio make a fresh contribution to the field of practice in the professional business environment.

Students take this course for a minimum of five terms (two 8-week terms per semester) and are continuously enrolled until completion of their doctoral study with final chief academic officer (CAO) approval.

To complete a doctoral study, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the chief academic officer. Students must also publish their doctoral study on ProQuest before their degree is conferred.