Becoming a Manager – Online Professional Development Course
Every organization — from classrooms to corporations — depends on someone who can turn ideas into action, guide a team through pressure, and keep people moving toward a shared goal. This 2-credit online course introduces educators to the real, everyday work of management: planning, organizing, leading, and decision-making. Teachers will walk away equipped to help students see management not as a distant title, but as a practical, learnable skill set they can start building today.
Click Here to View Syllabus UMass Global University Course Code: EDRU 9961Course Description
This course takes participants through six chapters that build a complete picture of what it means to manage people, projects, and outcomes. Beginning with the foundations of the managerial role, the course moves through the core functions of management (planning, organizing, leading, controlling), the personal skills that separate good managers from great ones (communication, emotional intelligence, decision-making), and the real career pathway from entry-level employee to leadership position. The course closes with an applied reflection on leadership in action and the consequences — good and bad — of management decisions.
Educators will finish the course ready to bring classroom-ready activities to their students, including team-based leadership exercises where students rotate through the role of "manager" to build firsthand insight into the position.
Target Audience
This course is designed for K-12 educators — particularly those teaching career and technical education, business, or elective courses — who want to introduce students to management and leadership as a viable, accessible career pathway. It's well suited for teachers building out career-exploration units, CTE programs, or advisory curricula focused on workplace readiness.
Syllabus Outline
Part I: Foundations of Management Chapter 1 — The Quiet Power of a Manager: Understanding the Role Beyond the Title
Part II: Managerial Functions and Responsibilities Chapter 2 — The Work Behind the Title: What Managers Actually Do (Planning, Organizing, Leading, Controlling)
Part III: Skills and Leadership Development Chapter 3 — The Inner Strength of a Manager: Skills That Shape Great Leadership
Part IV: Career Pathway and Growth Chapter 4 — The Journey to Becoming a Manager: Education, Experience, and Growth
Part V: Professional Practice Chapter 5 — Stepping Into the Role: Real Responsibilities, Career Expectations, and Professional Identity
Part VI: Application and Future Development Chapter 6 — Becoming the Manager: Application, Reflection, and the Future Ahead
Assessment: Quiz 1 (Understanding the Role of a Manager) – 30 pts | Quiz 2 (Becoming an Effective Manager) – 30 pts | Final Essay Reflection – 40 pts