Applied Technical Leadership Bachelor of Science Degree

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Overview for Applied Technical Leadership BS

The applied technical leadership degree program is designed for adult learners, working in specialized technical fields, who have completed a two-year associate degree. These learners are seeking a bachelor of science degree that builds on the skills gained in the technical associate degree, connects to their career aspirations, and is delivered as an upper-level undergraduate degree online. The online leadership degree provides competency-based expertise in technical leadership development, human resource development and the development of foundation skills for initiatives relevant to a student’s specialized career path.

These specialized fields include technology, public service, medical professions such as CNA certified nursing assistant, LPN, or technologist, and other related fields. The online leadership degree provides competency-based expertise in technical leadership development, human resource development and the development of foundation skills for initiatives relevant to a student’s specialized career path.  

Plan of study

The major is an online upper-level degree and the curriculum includes required courses in service systems and environmental management and safety. Additional courses in business and liberal arts are provided by Saunders College of Business, the School of Individualized Study, and the College of Liberal Arts. Students complete general education requirements as part of the bachelor of science degree and, depending on the amount of transfer credit accepted, may complete addition professional electives as needed. 

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Curriculum for 2024-2025 for Applied Technical Leadership BS

Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements

Applied Technical Leadership, BS degree, typical course sequence

Course Sem. Cr. Hrs.
First Year
   YOPS-10
 RIT 365: RIT Connections
RIT 365 students participate in experiential learning opportunities designed to launch them into their career at RIT, support them in making multiple and varied connections across the university, and immerse them in processes of competency development. Students will plan for and reflect on their first-year experiences, receive feedback, and develop a personal plan for future action in order to develop foundational self-awareness and recognize broad-based professional competencies. (This class is restricted to incoming 1st year or global campus students.) Lecture 1 (Fall, Spring).
0
 
 General Education – First Year Writing (WI)
3
 
 General Education – Ethical Perspective
3
 
 General Education – Artistic Perspective
3
 
 General Education – Global Perspective
3
 
 General Education – Social Perspective
3
 
 General Education – Mathematical Perspective A
3
 
 General Education – Mathematical Perspective B
3
 
 General Education – Elective
3
 
 Professional Electives
6
Second Year
 
 General Education – Natural Science Inquiry Perspective‡
3
 
 General Education – Scientific Principles Perspective
3
 
 General Education - Elective
3
 
 Professional Electives
21
Third Year
   ACCT-110
 Financial Accounting
An introduction to the way in which corporations report their financial performance to interested stakeholders such as investors and creditors. Coverage of the accounting cycle, generally accepted accounting principles, and analytical tools help students become informed users of financial statements. (This course is available to RIT degree-seeking undergraduate students.) Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring, Summer).
3
   CETL-350
 Leadership Development
3
   CETL-355
 Contemporary Problems in Applied Technical Leadership
3
   COMM-203
 General Education - Elective: Effective Technical Communication
3
   HRDE-386
 Human Resources Development
A one-semester, three-credit course in human resource development provides the prospective manager practical information on methods to enhance the productivity, quality, and effectiveness of an organization through the creation of an environment where individual and collective performance and development has primacy. The course requires students to assimilate course material related to the following: to organizational strategy, systems thinking and legal compliance; workforce development, career development of employees; individual development and training; measuring outcomes; human resource processes and effective communications. Students integrate theoretical classroom concepts with practical knowledge and work experiences. As part of the course: students continually practice effective communication skills; students may work in teams; and are expected to engage in critical and innovative thinking. Students' understanding of human resource development is intended to help them enhance organizational effectiveness through implementing processes designed to develop and train employees. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring).
3
   PUBL-101
 General Education - Elective: Foundations of Public Policy
This interdisciplinary course introduces the student to the key concepts of public policy, the policymaking process, the role of stakeholders and interest groups, and the basic dimensions policy analysis. Those concepts are then applied through a range of issues, such as the environment, clean energy, climate change, healthcare, cybersecurity, employment, privacy, telecommunications, and innovation, at local, state, federal and international levels. Lecture 3 (Fall).
3
 
 Open Elective
3
 
 General Education – Elective
3
 
 General Education – Immersion 1, 2
6
Fourth Year
   BUSI-510
 Project Management
3
   CETL-400
 Crisis Intervention in Applied Technical Leadership
3
   CETL-490
 Senior Project (WI)
3
   ESHS-480
 EHS Law
An overview of environmental, health and safety (EHS) related law with an emphasis on legislative law. Topics include a review of the historical and modern sources for EHS law, the emergence of administrative law and the responsibilities of the separate branches of government. Major EHS related legislation will be covered. (This class is restricted to undergraduate students with at least 4th year standing.) Lecture 3 (Spring).
3
   SERQ-420
 Service Quality
Those involved in service professions should be aware of the role quality plays in the industry. This course will allow students to understand how quality initiatives benefit clients and customers, employees, and the organization. Students will explore and apply the concepts of quality management, and process control and improvement. To accomplish these students will review and apply the commonly used quality tools and techniques for problem solving and process improvement. This is a required core course in the applied technical leadership degree. Course is available to undergraduate students only on a space available basis and if ATL admission requirements of associate degree and three years full-time work experience is satisfied with department permission. (This class is restricted to students with at least 4th year standing in ATLEAD-BS.) Lecture 3 (Fall).
3
 
 General Education – Immersion 3
3
 
 Open Elective
3
 
 General Education – Electives
9
Total Semester Credit Hours
120

Please see General Education Curriculum (GE) for more information.

(WI) Refers to a writing intensive course within the major.

‡ Students will satisfy this requirement by taking either a 3- or 4-credit hour lab science course. If a science course consists of separate lecture and laboratory sections, students must take both the lecture and lab portions to satisfy the requirement. The lecture section alone will not fulfill the requirement.