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What is a Master of Arts in Strategic Foresight?
The M.A. in Strategic Foresight provides individuals with a framework of understanding future developments and their implications on today's organizations. Best surmised as a degree in organizational strategic thinking, its curriculum draws from the fields of futures studies, technological forecasting, organizational development and strategic management. According to Dr. Richard Slaughter, "Foresight is the ability to construct coherent, high quality forward views and to apply these in organizationally useful ways." Often labeled as strategic thinkers, ideation leaders, foresight planners, consultants and CEO's, these individuals are the internal leaders who move organizations to create future opportunities. Organizations that incorporate the discipline of strategic foresight reap both competitive and collaborative advantages.
How does this degree differ from other GLE leadership degrees?
The M.A. in Organizational Leadership focuses on the human dynamics of an organization, and as such, studies the leader-follower relationship, organizational theory and human development. Moreover, it considers developmental aspects of teamwork, leadership and organizational change that lead to improved organizational effectiveness and fulfillment of its defined mission. By contrast, the M.A. in Strategic Foresight operates on a "forward-looking" or vision-based understanding of leadership. Through methods such as forecasting and scenario development, it explores the leader's role in directing an organization in its relationship to external change and the larger society. The degree builds on applied research in strategic management, knowledge creation and organizational transformation to empower leaders to proactively guide their organizations through impending transitions. Both degrees relate to leadership, however, one focuses on internal aspects of building organizational culture, while the other focuses on how organizations adapt to changing external environments. How does this degree differ from a management degree in strategic planning?
In times of stability, organizations turn to traditional strategic planning and quality-improvement methods to strengthen their market position. In times of uncertainty and change, organizations must rethink their strategy, reassess their opportunities and readdress potential threats. This latter function is the act of strategic foresight. According to business strategists Hamel and Prahalad, this is the difference between merely restructuring or reengineering the organization versus reinventing the organization. Strategic leaders use foresight tools to give their organizations a competitive advantage. The strategic foresight degree empowers mid-career leaders to discover the powerful synergies between foresight, strategy, innovation and entrepreneurship. Is strategic foresight or futures studies a recognized field of study?
Absolutely. While unfamiliar to many in general management positions, the concepts, dynamics and strategies have been implemented by leaders and leading organizations for 40 years. Internationally recognized companies such as Nokia, Interface, Pitney Bowes, Dow Chemical, Kellogg, and the American Cancer Society have individuals, and even departments, dedicated to the development and application of strategic foresight. Graduates of the field are well prepared to take advantage of the vast and growing opportunities available as this field continues to emerge and impact organizations around the world.
Will this degree equip me to be a consultant in the field of futures studies or strategic foresight?
Yes. The M.A. in Strategic Foresight builds on best practices from over 25 years of training practicing futurists at the graduate level. You will immerse yourself in the world of professional futurists, learning core skills from domains such as social change, systems thinking, business forecasting, scenario development and strategic planning. Then, through electives such as world futures, human futures, organizational futures and professional futures, you will discover how to position your leadership on the cutting edge of change. However, not everyone completing the program will serve as a consulting futurist. Many return to organizational leadership with a new set of strategic skills and a solid understanding of how to draw on consultants to reinvent corporations. Therefore, the M.A. in Strategic Foresight is also the perfect degree for managers of strategy, HR/training, R&D and marketing. What kind of faculty teaches in the program?
When you enter the M.A. in Strategic Foresight, a first-class faculty will stand behind you throughout your program and beyond. They inhabit the world of leadership studies and futures studies, both academically and professionally. Our faculty are active members of the World Futures Studies Federation, the Association of Professional Futurists and the World Future Society, and hold graduate degrees in leadership, sociology, education and management. As experienced practitioners in profit, non-profit, government and military sectors, our faculty provides a real-world perspective that will equip you to confidently embrace challenges in the workplace.
Is what I learn in this degree related to issues I face in my organization?
Designed for mid-career professionals who want to study the future in the context of organizational decision-making, our curriculum provides skills and insights for immediate application within the organization. Furthermore, through our unique online, asynchronous delivery system, you will interact with fellow students and faculty from around the world, gaining additional insight as they too, immediately apply the program to their organizations.
We consider the M.A. in Strategic Foresight at Regent University as part of the larger futures research and study movement, both domestically and internationally. Because the majority of our students are working professionals, we also encourage them to become actively involved with the various futures associations and, by their second year, to submit professional articles to journals such as Futures, Foresight, Journal of Future Studies, Long Range Planning, Strategic Management Journal, World Futures or magazines such as World Future Review or magazaines such as The Futurist.
What is it like to study through an online, distance education program?
Although our master's programs are conducted online, they are fully accredited and their academic rigor is just as challenging as on-campus programs. GLE uses autonomous learning methods that require students to learn independently, but not alone. Our integrative use of communication technology effectively connects you with professors, alumni and other students from around the world offering unparalleled access to a global network of leadership and strategic foresight professionals.
Going beyond e-mail to include online threaded discussions, audio and video computer-based presentations and electronic information access to libraries, databases, coursework and a world of resources, this innovative virtual learning environment offers a world of resources at your fingertips along with the flexibility to accommodate almost any schedule. With no on-campus residency required for the M.A. in Strategic Foresight, you'll never have to interrupt your personal or professional obligations. And, you'll complete the degree in the comfort and convenience of your own home or office. How does this degree incorporate biblical principles and address faith-related issues?
The Hebrew Bible lauds wise choices: "A prudent person foresees the danger ahead and takes precautions; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences" (Proverbs 22:3, NLT). Scripture is replete with examples of men and women who discerned the times through God-given wisdom, knowledge and insight. In the context of our current day, we have even greater access to information and data—and the challenge of evaluating all this in a manner that will lead the organizations we represent to more effectively accomplish their missions. Whether a non-profit, a corporation, a church or a government department, Christian futurists should be at the leading edge of perceiving forthcoming changes (and opportunities) and recommending the appropriate strategic response. The program as designed follows the educational model of Regent University which emphasizes intense professional development within one's field and the integration of biblical principles that guide working relationships and human dynamics of the organization.
What does the curriculum in strategic foresight cover?
The MSF curriculum can be thought of as a pyramid, that builds its structure upon five successive layers:
- Overview
You begin your program with an overview of leadership and futures studies. You learn how to leverage these two disciplines to think strategically and influence others.
- Theory
The second layer is futures theory. You study organized complexity and apply theories of how organizations and societies change over time.
- Methods
The third level of the Strategic Foresight degree are methods. You study forecasting, scenarios and strategic change.
- Context
The fourth level is context. Effective leaders specialize or develop contextual intelligence about their organization's future. Our electives in Organizational Futures, World Futures, Human Futures, Professional Futures and Religionists & Futurists help you build your own knowledge base.
- Capstone
The fifth and final level is a capstone project. You experience a professional internship, write a formal dissertation or write up a project relating to the long-term direction of your field.
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