Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and Change

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and Change program at Edgewood College is designed for working professionals seeking to enhance their leadership skills and become change agents. Delivered entirely online, the program offers a flexible schedule and can be completed in 10 months to two years. Through a blend of theoretical and practical approaches, students develop a comprehensive understanding of organizational dynamics, leadership practices, and change management strategies, preparing them for various leadership and management roles across diverse industries.

Program Outline

Degree Overview

Overview:

The Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and Change (OLC) program at Edgewood College is designed for working professionals who want to improve their organizational effectiveness and become change agents. The program can be completed in 10 months to two years and is offered entirely online with no on-campus requirements.

Objectives:

• Understand and improve organizational dynamics through leadership and development practices.
• Strengthen leadership skills through assessment, reflection, and project-based learning.
• Gain the tools to advance your career and succeed in the global economy.

Outline

Program Content:

The OLC program focuses on developing leadership skills through a combination of theoretical and practical approaches. The curriculum covers topics such as organizational change, employee learning and development, leadership, individual and team interventions, organizational theory and design, consultation in organizations, strategic leadership, leading in a global context, business ethics, and organizational development and behavior.

Structure:

The program consists of 10 courses, each worth 3 credits, for a total of 30 credits. Courses are delivered in an accelerated format and can be completed within 10 months to two years. There are no prerequisites, and students can choose a schedule that fits their work and family commitments.

Course Schedule:

• Organizational Change
• Employee Learning & Development
• Organizational Leadership
• Individual and Team Interventions
• Organizational Theory and Design
• Consultation in Organizations
• Strategic Leadership
• Leading in a Global Context
• Business Ethics
• Organizational Development and Behavior

Module Descriptions:

• Organizational Change: This course looks at the nature of change, the forces driving change, and its impact on individuals and organizations.
• Employee Learning & Development: This course explores the principles of adult learning and helps students understand how to develop employee skills and knowledge in various organizational settings.
Students develop their own leadership model and explore their leadership strengths and areas for improvement. Topics include performance coaching, conflict resolution, team building, and process consulting.
• Organizational Theory and Design: This course looks at the analysis of organizations as holistic entities, focusing on their structure, components, and processes.
Students learn how to analyze organizations to better understand their functioning and identify areas for improvement.
• Consultation in Organizations: This course focuses on various issues surrounding client-consultant relationships in organizational settings.
Students develop skills in contracting, intervention design, evaluation, and ethical practice.
• Strategic Leadership: This course explores the process and practice of action research in organizations.
Students learn to conduct research and use their findings to design and implement strategic initiatives.
• Leading in a Global Context: This course examines the challenges and opportunities associated with leading in a globalized world.
It explores the differences in cultures and business practices across different countries and helps students develop the skills necessary to manage cross-cultural teams and operations.
• Business Ethics: This course analyzes ethical decision-making in organizations and examines how to design and create ethical organizational cultures.
• Organizational Development and Behavior: This course studies human behavior in organizations and the principles of organizational development.
Students learn how to build effective interpersonal relationships, lead and develop teams, increase productivity, and enhance the quality of work life.

Assessment

Assessment methods:

• Individual coursework: Students complete various written assignments, presentations, and projects for individual courses.
• Group projects: Students participate in collaborative projects that require teamwork and application of course concepts.
• Portfolio development: Students build a comprehensive portfolio of their work throughout the program, showcasing their learning and development.

Teaching

Teaching methods:

• The program utilizes a blend of teaching methods, including interactive lectures, facilitated discussions, case studies, simulations, role-playing exercises, and group projects.
• All courses are taught by experienced faculty with expertise in organizational leadership, change management, and related fields.
• The program emphasizes an adult-learning approach, recognizing the diverse backgrounds and experiences of its students.

Careers

Career outcomes:

The OLC program prepares graduates for various leadership and management roles across diverse industries and organizations. Potential career paths include:

• Human Resources Management
• Organizational Development Specialist
• Change Management Consultant
• Training and Development Manager
• Team Leader
• Project Manager
• Corporate Communications Manager
• Operations Manager
• Director of Business Development
• Executive Coach

Other

Student Experience:

The program provides a supportive and collaborative learning environment for students to connect with their peers, faculty, and industry professionals.

Professional Network:

Graduates join a strong network of alumni in leadership positions across various organizations.

Industry Engagement:

The program engages with industry leaders and organizations to ensure its curriculum remains relevant to current and emerging trends in organizational development and leadership.

Global Focus:

The program includes a course on leading in a global context, preparing students for the challenges and opportunities of managing in a globalized world.