The University of St. Thomas

School of Education

Doctorate in Organization Development Courses

The course of study for this degree has been developed for a busy working professional.  Based on one weeklong in-residence training session and five weekend sessions over the course of a year, the program provides working professionals with the opportunity to obtain this doctorate degree and maintain work-life balance.

Course of Study - Year One
Panorama of OD: Practice, Vision and World Trends
Introduction to Research
The Application, Research and Theory of OD
Conflict Resolution and Negotiation
Process Consulting and Action Research
Mentoring Practicum
Elective Credits

Course of Study - Year Two
Emerging Trends in Leadership
Research Methods Lab
Appreciative Inquiry
Multicultural Aspects of OD
Group Dynamics
Team Practicum
Elective Credits

Course of Study - Year Three
Residency: Moral, Spiritual and Ethical Issues in OD
Research Lab
Large-Scale Change
Strategic Planning
Critical Theory and Perspectives on OD
Individual Practicum
Elective Credits

Course of Study - Year Four
Residency:  Pre-Dissertation Seminar
Dissertation

Refer to our catalog for course descriptions with greater detail.

Course of Study – Year One

   Panorama of OD: Practice, Vision and World Trends (ODOC900 – 3 Credits)

Weeklong, in-residence session. This class is an introduction to the theoretical base of OD, incorporating visionary perspectives and application models.

   Introduction to Research (ODOC931 – 4 Credits)

Students will be introduced to epistemology, methodology and methods as they apply to research in the social sciences, with a particular stress on research in organization development.

   The Application, Research and Theory of OD  (ART™) (ODOC903 – 2 Credits)

In this class, students will bridge the knowledge from previous courses with a general grounding in the field through an abbreviated, albeit comprehensive, exposure to all phases of OD.

   Conflict Resolution and Negotiation (ODOC910 – 2 Credits)

Improve negotiation skills and effectiveness in helping clients resolve conflict with key focus areas, including conflict management concepts and skills, and negotiation strategies.

   Process Consulting and Action Research (ODOC907 – 2 Credits)

Students will develop skills to carry out the essential steps of process consultation, including contracting for action, formalizing expectations, developing working relationships and reporting patterns, deliverables, timeframe and costs involved in the intervention.

   Mentoring Practicum (ODOC941 – 3 Credits)

An experience designed for students to have the opportunity to observe expert OD professionals at work in the real-time practice of OD.  Students will reflect on the mentor’s professional behaviors and skills, identify key findings and then use these findings as a basis for action in their own work.

   Elective Credits – 3 credits

Three University of St. Thomas elective credits or transfer credits.

Course of Study – Year Two


   Emerging Trends in Leadership (ODOC920 – 3 Credits)

Weeklong, in-residence session

This session will focus on the evolution of leadership and emerging concepts of leadership in today’s global society.

   Research Methods Lab (ODOC932 – 4 Credits)

This course allows for students to gain a deeper understanding of the methodologies used in the research of OD and learn to write research proposals.

   Appreciative Inquiry (ODOC915 – 2 Credits)

Students will explore and understand the perspectives of those at the “receiving end” of organizational change strategies.

   Multicultural Aspects of OD (ODOC916 – 2 Credits)

Exploration of organizational and international aspects of culture.

   Group Dynamics (ODOC945 – 2 Credits)

Explore and understand the history, research and basic concepts of group dynamics.

   Team Practicum (ODOC942 – 3 Credits)

In this practicum, students will carry out a team organizational assessment and intervention with the guidance of a field and a faculty mentor.

   Elective Credits – 3 credits

Three University of St. Thomas elective credits or transfer credits. 

Course of Study – Year Three

   Residency: Moral, Spiritual and Ethical Issues in OD (ODOC930 – 3 Credits)

Weeklong, in-residence session

This program will focus on the moral, values-based and ethical dimensions of OD practice with discussion revolving around the core values of the profession.

   Research Lab (ODOC933 – 4 Credits)

Students will receive hands-on experience using positivistic and interpretive research methods.

   Large-Scale Change (ODOC909 – 2 Credits)

This course is devoted to learning the theory and technique of large-group intervention, the foundation of whole-systems transformation.

   Critical Theory and Perspectives on OD (ODOC925 – 2 Credits)

Explore critical theory and transformative learning as elements of organizational change.

   Individual Practicum (ODOC943 – 3 Credits)
In this practicum, students independently conduct an organizational assessment and intervention.

   Elective Credits – 3 credits

Three University of St. Thomas elective credits or transfer credits. 

Course of Study – Year Four

   Residency:  Pre-Dissertation Seminar (3 Credits)

Over three weekend sessions, students work with faculty to ensure a successful transition to the dissertation phase of their degree programs.

   Dissertation (12 Credits)

The culminating experience of the program is a doctoral dissertation through which students make an original contribution to the research base of organization development.  Types of dissertations may include assessments of the effectiveness of large-scale change, the performance of virtual global teams or the effectiveness of OD in transnational corporations.


Refer to our catalog for course descriptions with greater detail.