Leading and Managing Change
BUSA-40978
Today’s working professionals are frequently leading others through dynamic and changing landscapes. They are tasked with leading their teams to do more with less, championing new changes amid uncertainty, all while resolving interpersonal conflicts and resistance to change. Managing stakeholders can be especially challenging in times of persistent and rapid change within complex organizations. By learning foundational leadership and change management skills, team leaders and managers will be better positioned to analyze the change landscape, plan responses and achieve desired outcomes. This course offers skill-building in areas such as: analyzing change factors and change readiness; building strategic partnerships; increasing receptivity for change; thinking critically about change drivers; evaluating stakeholder dynamics; communicating effectively; and balancing assessment, planning, and action. The particular challenges associated with leading dynamic cycles of change will be addressed.
This course provides 30 education hours applicable toward Professional Development Units (PDUs). To request an official university transcript, please contact Student Services or click here for more information.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
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Identify and compare key change management models and techniques used to analyze and implement organizational change.
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Explain the factors that influence successful change initiatives and assess organizational readiness for change.
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Define and evaluate the primary drivers of organizational change across various business contexts.
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Formulate a comprehensive change management strategy that integrates essential planning and implementation elements.
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Apply practical methods to build organizational receptivity, engagement, and capacity for change.
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Facilitate individuals and teams through decision-making processes and the adoption of new practices.
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Communicate change initiatives effectively across all organizational levels, both upward and downward.
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Design and articulate the core components of a strategic change management plan.
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Employ techniques to foster constructive dialogue and manage emotional responses during periods of transition.
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Analyze the influence of power structures and resource allocation on change outcomes.
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Develop and implement measurable plans to evaluate, sustain, and reinforce change initiatives.
Course Information
Course sessions
Section ID:
Class type:
All class meetings held in-person according to published location, dates and times. Students may be expected to engage with course content online during the published course dates.
Textbooks:
All course materials are included unless otherwise stated.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 1/16/2026
- 1st no meeting date: 2/16/2026
- Early enrollment advised
Note:
Schedule:
| Date | Day | Start | End | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/12/2026 | Mon | 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. | Room 460, UCSD Division of Extended Studies 8980, 8980 Villa La Jolla Drive, San Diego |
| 1/23/2026 | Fri | 5:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. | |
| 1/26/2026 | Mon | 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. | Room 460, UCSD Division of Extended Studies 8980, 8980 Villa La Jolla Drive, San Diego |
| 2/2/2026 | Mon | 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. | Room 460, UCSD Division of Extended Studies 8980, 8980 Villa La Jolla Drive, San Diego |
| 2/9/2026 | Mon | 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. | Room 460, UCSD Division of Extended Studies 8980, 8980 Villa La Jolla Drive, San Diego |
| 2/23/2026 | Mon | 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. | Room 460, UCSD Division of Extended Studies 8980, 8980 Villa La Jolla Drive, San Diego |
| 3/2/2026 | Mon | 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. | Room 460, UCSD Division of Extended Studies 8980, 8980 Villa La Jolla Drive, San Diego |
| 3/9/2026 | Mon | 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. | Room 460, UCSD Division of Extended Studies 8980, 8980 Villa La Jolla Drive, San Diego |
| 3/16/2026 | Mon | 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. | Room 460, UCSD Division of Extended Studies 8980, 8980 Villa La Jolla Drive, San Diego |
Instructor:
Peter Thurman
Throughout his career, Pete has consistently contributed to his organizations by leading highly complex projects, improving efficiency, and managing strategic partnerships. He also demonstrates success in leading cross-functional teams and developing innovative solutions, which generate new sources of revenue. Pete consistently mentors and coaches colleagues in project management, Lean Six Sigma methodologies, and trains colleagues and peers in career development.
Pete finds it extremely fulfilling to teach and engage students in practical and interactive discussions about shared experiences and real-world examples that help students apply curriculum quickly. He is very passionate about equipping, training, and supporting students in the discipline of project management and how tools can be applied effectively in one’s professional and personal lives.
Pete holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with an emphasis in Marketing from the University of Southern California. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Southern California. Pete has been a faculty member at Point Loma Nazarene University since 2015. In the Organizational Management Program at PLNU, he has taught undergraduate courses in principles of management, group and organizational behavior, and interpersonal behavior. In 2019, he earned his Lean Six Sigma Black Belt from UC San Diego Extended Studies.
In his spare time, Pete is a father and enjoys helping other parents build theatrical sets for performing art productions at his daughter’s school. He is also an avid soccer player and sports fan.
Section ID:
Class type:
This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
All course materials are included unless otherwise stated.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 1/18/2026
- Early enrollment advised
Note:
Schedule:
Instructor:
Maureen Orey, MEd
Certified Professional in Learning and Performance
Maureen Orey is a Certified Professional in Learning & Performance with over 25 years of experience designing & delivering training. An award winning international speaker, trainer and best-selling author, she is an expert facilitator and session participants rave about her work. Orey is president of the WLP Group and her clients include Scripps, SHARP and Kaiser Permanente.