Courses offered at ALU have been identified by course codes and numbers that are comparable to accredited institutions’ numbering system. The course code is a 3 letter identifier for a major division of an academic subject. The course code is related to the content of the course, rather than the department in which it is taught. All courses are 3 semester units, unless otherwise indicated.
100-299 Undergraduate lower division courses
300-499 Undergraduate upper division courses
500-999 Graduate courses
BCL 395 Old Testament Introduction
This course is an introduction to the content, historical background, canon, theological and critical issues of the Old Testament. Students who complete this course will: 1) understand the basic content of the books of the Old Testament; 2) be able to place each book in its historical and canonical setting; 3) begin to think theologically about Old Testament themes; and 4) be familiar with several critical methodologies for interpreting the Old Testament.
BCL 400 Introduction to Christian Leadership Development
This course will explore 21 characteristics of a leader as set forth by John Maxwell. The student will then select five of these leadership qualities and reflect on them to discover connections with previous leadership training. The student will select another five of the leadership qualities and envision a scenario in which these qualities could be applied. The learning outcome will be an increased awareness of components of effective leadership that can be recognized in others as well as developed personally. By labeling and defining these qualities of leadership the student will be able to seek to develop them with concerted intentionality.
BCL 401 Christian Team Leadership
This course will use a strengths-based approach that focuses on the positive attributes of individuals that seem to be inherent in them to review the major issues in team leadership. The student will start by using the Strength Finder assessment tool developed by the Gallup Organization to identify their five top strengths (talents). The student will then reflect and explore how these strengths are manifested in their life. To expand an understanding of the 34 strengths identified by Gallup, the student will create a scenario in which the student is leading a team. The student assigns strengths to the team members and acting as their leader leads them on a simulated mission utilizing the strengths of each team members to enhance the success of the mission. The learning outcome for the course will be an understanding of the value of a strengths-based approach where success occurs by focusing on developing strengths while managing weaknesses and how building a team possessing a variety of strengths can produce greater efficiency and effectiveness.
BCL 402 Dynamic Christian Leadership in Stressful Environment
The foundation for leadership under stress is operating from a set of principles. In this course, students will be looking at the value of these principles in stressful settings and as a basis for decision- making. The student will also reflect on where these principles have been illustrated in their previous leadership training. The learning outcome will be to establish an application of these principles in the student’s role as a leader and to recognize principled behavior in others.
BCL 403 The Christian Leader as a Manager
This course will examine how effective leadership requires management skills to create the routines that stabilize both the leader and the surrounding organization. This stability is connected to the culture that the leader creates and nurtures. The management style provides direction for organizational behaviors and expectations. In this course, students will study management and cultural principles that engender successful organization. The learning outcome will be the discovery of principles of management that help to increase the organizations effectiveness and efficiency.
BCL 404 Christian Leadership Styles and Skills
This course is intended to introduce the students to a philosophy of leadership to help to prepare them for their future careers. The students will assess their style of leadership and learn how to work with other people with different styles. They will engage in activities that will help them develop their teamwork skills.
BCL 405 Servant Leadership
This course provides students with the opportunity to discuss the nature, styles, and skills of servant leadership, utilizing historic and contemporary models and emphasizing moral roots of responsible leadership. Students will participate in a field experience in a service agency combined with reflection and discussion in small groups on issues in service leadership. Students will be asked to critically review and analyze current strategic ideals about servant leadership through a focus on perspectives, values, skills and knowledge necessary for successful leaders in the 21st century.
BCL 406 Christian Leadership in Organizations
Organizational leadership goes well beyond conventional management, requiring strategies that support visionary thinking and inspire workplace innovation. Students will learn to build a culture of trust and to help employees see the benefits of organizational changes, so they can adapt and respond effectively to those changes. The course will also focus on leadership ethics to guide leaders in making the right decisions for stakeholders of the organization.
BCL 407 Principles of Christian Management
This course is designed to examine the fundamentals and principles of management to develop an understanding of management in any formal organization. Special attention is paid to planning and decision-making.
BCL 408 Special Topics in Christian Leadership
This course will analyze and synthesize the concept of leadership using cultural, ethical, sociological, and historical perspectives. As part of this process the course will examine the role of personal values, leadership traits, philosophy, styles, and different skills needed in working with groups and in organizations. Topics such as “Assisting youth to achieve successful seamless transition to career opportunities.” will form part of the course content. Such a topic requires us to be competent in interfacing with employers and networking with community partners. Understanding and developing leadership skills to meet specific situations will assist the students to meet their post school vision. A variety of topics to be covered by each group will be negotiated with the course group to meet their specific concerns and interests.
BCL 409 Managing Christian Organizational Change
This course focuses on the effective management of human resources during the process of change. It emphasizes change management as a tool for survival, growth, increased productivity and conflict management in the complex and volatile organizational environment of today and the future. Change in an international environment also is discussed.
BCL 410 Developing a Christian Philosophy of Leadership
This course will examine the theory and application of leadership from a philosophical perspective. The course will explore real world leadership examples in order to develop the conceptual framework, skills, competencies and insights needed to become an effective leader.
BCL 411 Critical Thinking for Christian Leaders
This course will explore the concepts of critical thinking and decision-making and learn how those can be adapted as your leadership roles and responsibilities evolve.
BCL 412 Christian Ethical Leadership and Globalization
This course will work with students to develop an understanding of ethical leadership and globalization from both theoretical and practical perspectives. This course will examine prominent theories and practices of leadership in a communitarian, social and global contexts, and build on individual conceptual frameworks for leadership by developing a sense of how to better the common good.
BCL 413 Strategic Planning for Christian Leaders
This course focuses on how to apply the principles of vision and strategic leadership to ministry. Topics include how vision is born, praying and planning, role of faith, going public, power of vision, price of vision, moral authority, distractions, courage, and the process of strategic planning. Students will create visual projects, and a personal vision statement, and will be involved in strategic planning.
BCL 414 Christian Community Service and Social Responsibility
This course examines how ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things through service learning, volunteering and community outreach, and by developing an understanding of the fundamental importance of moral and civic education. Students will be asked to see themselves as members of a community and as an individual with a responsibility to contribute to the common good of society and their communities.
BCL 415 Mentoring and Networking for Christian Leaders
The Mentoring and Networking for Leaders course provides a base for the skills necessary to coach, mentor, counsel, network and measure performance to assist others in becoming more committed to performance objectives and increased productivity.
BCL 416 The Self Efficacy for Christian Leadership
This course will work with students to develop self-awareness, express personal authenticity and integrate practical leadership skills into an effective approach to organizational management. Students will be given the opportunity to hone their communication, coaching, motivational, and inspirational public speaking and group facilitation skills.
BCL 417 Change Agent – A Christian Leader for Change
This course will help students to identify and incorporate the eight-stage process of successful change agents. Students will gain skills for breaking through challenges at each of the eight stages and learn how to successfully remove organizational structural barriers to attain lasting change. Students will examine real-life business scenarios where the need for change has been imminent and identify strategic business implications for lack of change.
DCL 800 Christian Leadership: Advanced System and Research
The course content includes a critical analysis of the theoretical constructs in contemporary leadership. Attention is devoted to the study of organizational improvement, with an emphasis on the theories regarding how individuals and group skills interact to implement and manage dynamic system change. Structural, human resources, political and symbolic perspectives on leadership are examined. Theoretical perspectives of leadership are studied in the context of the research from which they emerged.
DCL 810 Organizational Christian Analysis: Culture and Change Strategies
This course examines the theories and research regarding organizational cultures and change processes. Students examine organizations using organization diagnosis and development tools in an effort to support leaders as they transform their organizations into high performing entities. Students study organizational culture and leader-follower interaction as they develop a change model using constructs from existing, as well as emerging, research to explain the behaviors and events in an organization setting. Case studies are included to enhance the analysis of emerging forms of educational, corporate and community development and improvement.
DCL 820 Moral and Ethical Foundations for Christian Decision Making
A study of theories of ethical decision-making is combined with the critical analysis of case studies that examine the role leaders play in shaping the vision, mission, and activities of organizations. Special emphasis is placed on the tactics, techniques, and skills needed to solve problems, as well as to address external threats. Students gain insights about their values and refine their concepts about leadership.
DCL 830 Strategic Christian Leadership
This course seeks to develop innovative strategic thinkers and change agents who can create and lead agile organizations to attain and maintain a competitive advantage in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous strategic environment. This course also provides frameworks to build sustainable new strategies, create organizational change through strong leadership, and generate tremendous value as a result.
DCL 840 Christian Leadership and Spirituality
This course is based on the foundation that spiritual development is essential to human development. This course emphasizes the importance of leaders awakening their own spirit in management and leadership. Students will analyze theoretical and philosophical perspectives on spirituality and how those perspectives apply to the workplace.
DCL 850 Christian Organizational Behavior & Leadership
The class material for this course will include both theory and practical application of organizational behavior in organizations. Organizational behavior is the study of how individuals and groups impact the behavior within an organization. It is a field of systematic study that focuses on improving productivity and other areas of performance improvement. At the completion of the course, the student will have studied the major topic areas within the field of organizational behavior and the challenges and opportunities for managers as they seek to apply organizational behavior principles within organizations.
DCL 860 Human Resource and Christian Management
The purpose of this course is to review and analyze practices, trends and problems of human resource management (HRM). Research shows that how managers implement and maintain HRM practices can impact organizational productivity, quality of work life, and profits/outcomes. The goal of this course is to prepare you to use HRM practices effectively. Topics include (but are not limited to): HRM strategy, employment planning, regulation, job analysis and design, performance assessment, recruitment and selection, training and development, employee relations and compensation. This course evaluates and applies various HRM practices to case studies and real situations. By the end of the course, you should be able to evaluate and understand HRM situations and determine the best course of action.
DCL 870 Advanced Coaching for Lay Leaders
This course is designed to support students in developing advanced coaching leadership skills, competencies and abilities. Upon successful completion of the Coaching Leadership Training Program, participants will have acquired advanced coaching leadership skills, competencies and direct training in organizational scenarios to become more authentic, energized, engaging leaders within their organization.
DCL 880 Developing Christian Leadership for Strategic Execution
This course focuses on understanding the crucial role that leadership plays in achieving better organizational performance and how best to use that role. Students will learn innovative techniques for making astute decisions, translating strategy, assessing risk, managing change, and applying a personal framework to increase their leadership effectiveness. Students will learn to lead decision-making and communications in the planning and execution of organizational strategy, to assess risks and incorporate them into the organizational execution plan. They also will learn to plan and lead changes introduced by new strategies and portfolios as well as to understand the benefits of building and exercising organizational influence.
DCL 890 Christian Leadership and Communication
This course is designed to introduce students to leadership perspectives and the role communication plays in effective leadership and management strategies. This course explores communication variables involved when leaders attempt to influence members to achieve a goal. Topics include power, credibility, motivation, research on leader traits and situations, and current models of leadership. The varied leadership challenges posed by different groups and organizational types will also be explored. This course focuses on communication styles of leaders. Students will examine various theories of effective internal and external organizational communication, and explore how different organizational structures may impact communication styles and effectiveness.
DCL 891 Developing A Leader’s Self Understanding
This course helps to build the leader’s self-awareness through a journey of discovery of the leader’s strengths, an analysis of the leader’s personal strength finder style for processing information, an exploration of the work of the heart in significant heart arenas, and identifying the challenges that threaten to derail the leader’s personal development. All great leaders lead from the inside out. The single most important a leader possesses is self-understanding. This requires a theory that can be able to shape the leader through life assignments as well as using the leader to impact others through those assignments.
DCL 892 Developing Christian Ethical Foundation and Personal Development for Lay Leaders
This course introduces the student to the study of ethical leadership foundation and provides the foundation for value clarification, ethical decision-making and responsible leadership in diverse organizations and communities. This course also introduces students to the concepts, skills, and strategies of personal/professional transformation that are the foundation of leading organizations in diverse communities. Topics include personal vision, creating a context for innovation, and maintaining happiness and personal well-being as well as establishing community activities in order to support personal development.
DCL 893 Transforming Christian Leadership Development
The goal of leadership development is transformation. This course guides students into principle-driven approaches to leadership development. This course is designed for leaders who are tired of the status quo, and are ready to see the new type of leaders that transform all levels of organization. The process of leadership development will be challenging, and transforming.
DCL 894 Raising and Multiplying Godly Leaders
This course will enable students to examine ways to identify potential leaders in their organizations and then provide practical methods for mobilizing training, coaching and releasing leaders toward their full potential.
GED 100 English I
The course introduces the necessary writing, composition, grammar, and spelling skills needed for various careers. The comprehensive course provides the student with a firm grasp of what components are required to be a good writer.
GED 105 English II
Reinforcement of basic writing skills with emphasis on persuasion and argumentation, including a documented essay. Aids in writing convincing arguments and assembling, organizing, and documenting evidence supporting a thesis.
GED 110 Communication
This course offers a general introduction to the systematic study of human communication. It is intended to provide a overview of communication study, including definitions of key terms, explanations of foundational concepts and assumptions, a brief history of the discipline, methods of research, and areas of specialized scholarship.
GED 115 Mathematics
An introduction to the concepts and techniques of arithmetic, algebra, and geometry.
GED 120 Chemistry
This course is designed to help students understand basic chemical principles and master problem-solving skills. Students will develop an understanding of how those concepts and skills are relevant to other courses and their daily lives. Chemical topics covered in the course include basic science concepts, measurements, atomic theory, bonding, stoichiometry, states of matter, solutions, acids & bases, and nuclear chemistry.
GED 125 Physics
This course offers a study of the fundamental laws of mechanics, forces and motions, energy, material properties, fluids, and heat.
GED 130 Biology
This course is an introduction to biology, the science of life. It includes: origin and nature of life, from simplest single-celled forms to complex plants and animals and human beings.
GED 135 Environmental Science
This course is an interdisciplinary approach to environmental science, focusing on the inter-relatedness of humans and the natural world. Historical perspectives, economic and political realities, varied social experience and ethnic backgrounds are integrated into the identification of major issues and the search for possible solutions.
GED 140 The Human Body
This course will allow students to discover more about themselves and how your body works, both when it is healthy and when it is suffering from disease. It is intended for anyone interested in gaining a basic understanding of the human body, and seeing how that information can be used to diagnose and treat various diseases.
GED 145 Introduction to the Humanities
A survey course concerned with the conduct of human life. Emphasis is on understanding of the esthetic sense, an important element in the art of being human. Identification of the ideas of the great philosophers and of the unresolved philosophical questions.
GED 150 World Civilizations
Presentation of Western Civilization’s major happenings. Review of where man has been, leading to a better understanding of where he is now.
GED 155 General Psychology
This introductory course will provide students with an overview of the current body of knowledge and methods of the science of psychology. Topics will include the historical foundations of psychology, cognition, emotions, learning, human development, biological bases of behavior, personality, psychological disorders, psychotherapy and behavior change, and social behavior.
GED 160 Psychology of Adjustment
This course explores major perspectives on psychology and provides opportunities for students to apply useful concepts to their personal lives. Content is drawn from theory and research in different areas of psychology, and covers personality development, stress management, health issues, relationships, work, life span development, and other areas of life.
GED 165 Intro to Sociology
This course introduces students the core concepts in sociology, including sociological perspectives on culture, social structure, socialization, social institutions, personality and the self, prejudice and discrimination, the significance of race, class, and gender, political and social change, demography, human ecology, and crime and deviance.
GED 170 United States History
Survey of the political, social, economic and cultural development of the United States from discovery to the present. Attention given to the rise of the nation, sectional and national problems, disunion and reconstruction.
MCL 500 Old Testament Introduction
This course focuses on the four canonical gospels. We will explore a number of different aspects of the gospels, including their historical and socio-cultural contexts, particular literary features that they exhibit, and their application and significance within the life of the church. This course is designed to help students develop better mastery of the specific emphases and content of each of the four gospels, to help students develop a clearer understanding of the development of early Christianity, and to assist in cultivating the skills necessary to apply these texts in informed and responsible ways within the life of the church.
MCL 502 Foundation of Leadership Development
The course is designed to introduce students to the basic principles of leadership and empower them with the tools necessary to develop their leadership and assess the level in which these elements are actively being utilized in our own growth process. Students are not only challenged to master the concepts delivered in this course, but also to personally evaluate and apply what they are learning to their lives. Specific attention will be placed on Leadership Styles, Spiritual Gifts, and the Leader/Follower Relationship. Ultimately the student will gain a valuable insight concerning how to evaluate and apply leadership potential personally and with others.
MCL 503 Developing A Leader’s Self Understanding & Assessing Ministry Health for Leaders
This course helps to build the leader’s self-awareness through a journey of discovery of the leader’s God-given strengths, an analysis of the minister’s personal strength finder style for processing information, an exploration of God’s work in significant heart arenas, and identifying the challenges that threaten to derail the spiritual leader’s personal development. Spiritual leaders lead from the inside out. The single most important a leader possesses is self-understanding. This requires a theology that allows God to shape the leader through life assignments as well as using the leader to impact others through those assignments.
MCL 504 Strategic Leadership
This course focuses on how to apply the principles of vision and strategic leadership to ministry. Topics include how vision is born, praying and planning, role of faith, going public, power of vision, price of vision, moral authority, distractions, courage, and the process of strategic planning. Students will create visual projects, and a personal vision statement, and will be involved in strategic planning.
MCL 505 Transforming your Leadership Development
This course guides students into a biblically-based, principle-driven approach to leadership development. Jesus himself started with those who were not religious, he lived life and practiced ministry alongside them. Following this pattern cultivates a leadership development process that starts with evangelism and results in the multiplication of disciples, leaders, groups, ministries, churches, and movements. Failure to incorporate the DNA and the processes of leadership development that Jesus used results in less effective leadership development, and truncates the potential growth for the kingdom. This course is designed for leaders who are tired of the status quo, and are ready to see Jesus raise up generative leaders that multiply all levels of ministry. The process will be challenging, and transforming.
MCL 506 Leading and Transforming Your Ministry
This course focuses on the practical application of leadership in ministry. Leadership is made of a thousand good decisions. Leadership is what the leader does. Living in an era of high expectations the leader must understand the context of leadership, the approaches to church leadership and how to turn leadership goals into everyday practice. Special focus will be on the leader in context—how to lead in a specific church at a specific time.
MCL 507 Raising and Multiplying the Transformed Leaders in your Ministry
This course will enable students to examine ways to identify potential leaders in their ministries and then provide practical methods for mobilizing training, coaching and releasing leaders toward their full potential.
MCL 508 Empowering Leaders through Coaching
Coaching is an intentional relationship focused on facilitating change. This practical course equips leaders to coach others in their ministries so that people can realize their God-given potential. Hands-on experience with feedback allows pastors, church planters, denominational and mission leaders to develop the competencies and micro-skills of an excellent coach. Students will learn how to come alongside other leaders to empower them to discover and implement God’s will in their lives.
MCL 509 Empowering Leaders for Healthy Growth
This course focuses on cultivating godly, effective leaders who multiply other leaders. Students learn how to design and implement reproducible processes that increase the leadership capacity of a church or ministry as it grows. A balance of spiritual formation and leadership skills provides the foundation for healthy organizational development.
RSC 900 Doctoral Research Methods
This course is designed for the practitioner-researcher, looking to develop their research, analytical, conceptual and critical thinking skills to the highest level and become innovators in their chosen fields of expertise. This course focuses on a working knowledge of the principles that will assist the student in any type of scholarly inquiry, including a doctoral dissertation. Additional focus will be on the students’ acquisition of substantive, foundational knowledge of research and its methodologies. Quantitative and qualitative frameworks for inquire will be introduced.
RSC 901-903 Literature Review I-III
This course allows students to review academic papers published in scholastic journals in business disciplines. This assignment is intended to help students familiarize themselves with the journals in business. This will allow the students to prepare for as well as develop original ideas for the Doctoral Project.
RSC 904 Doctoral Project/Dissertation Proposal
This course requires students to submit a proposal for the Doctoral Project/Dissertation. The doctoral research methods course creates an opportunity for a Student to demonstrate application of the knowledge and skills gained in the course work portion of the program and demonstrate the critical thinking and analytical skills required to successfully propose and conduct the doctoral project/dissertation.
RSC 905 Doctoral Project (15 units)
The final step is the completion of a qualitative project in the candidate’s area of specialization. This involves consideration of an identified issue or problem developed through the Graduate Thesis Proposal Course, under the close supervision of the DBA program Chair. The Doctoral Project must be both original and pertinent to current business theories and practices. The Doctoral Project is expected to make an original and significant contribution to the advancement of professional practice, as well as demonstrating a level of competence appropriate for a doctoral award.