Leadership and Organizational Development, M.A.
Offered through Saint Louis University's School for Professional Studies, the Master of Arts in Leadership and Organizational Development curriculum will teach you the skills needed to work effectively as a self-aware, reflective change leader. You will learn to improve organizational dynamics through sound leadership and organizational development practices.
Through assessments, reflections, and project-based learning, you will strengthen your leadership competencies while learning with a network of peers from around the world with a diverse range of academic and professional backgrounds. You can also earn a graduate certificate that complements a master’s degree, often without taking additional credits. This allows you to tailor the program to your specific interests.
As part of the School for Professional Studies, this 36-credit online program offers you a flexible option to meet your personal career goals. With multiple start terms, you can begin the master's program in fall, spring, or summer through SLU online. All courses are offered entirely online in 8-week terms, making advanced education more accessible for working professionals.
Careers
Organizations are searching for professionals capable of facilitating strategic change and who are fluent in designing cross-cultural interventions. Upon graduating from SLU's leadership and organizational development program, students will be ready to navigate complex organizational systems and apply research to develop oneself, their employees and their organizations. Ultimately, through the leadership courses, students will develop a portable set of knowledge and skills that aren't about how to perform their job but are about how to be a leader in their current job, their future job and all areas of their life.
Admission Requirements
- Completed application.
- Official transcript(s) from most recent institution attended.
- Most successful applicants have an undergraduate grade point average of 3.00 or better.
- At least two years of work experience is recommended (includes full-time and part-time employment, internships, co-ops and similar experiences).
- Three external reference evaluations.
- Statement of professional goals (approximately 500 words suggested) articulating: (1) what attracted you to this program, and (2) how a master's degree in this field will benefit you in your present or future career.
- Resume or curriculum vitae.
Application Requirements
- Application form and fee
- Transcript: An official transcripts from the most recent institution attended
- Three recommendations submitted using the Applicant Evaluation Form
- Résumé
- A 500-word personal statement articulating why a master's degree is needed within present or future career and how the program will help meet that need
Requirements for International Students
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:
- Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
- Proof of financial support must include:
- A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University
- A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
- Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.
Application and Assistantship Deadlines
Students should apply for the fall semester by July 1 and for the spring semester by Jan. 3.
To be considered for an assistantship, apply by Feb. 1.
Review Process
Applications are reviewed by a committee of School for Professional Studies faculty members.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
For priority consideration for graduate assistantship, applicants should complete their applications by Feb. 1.
For more information, visit the student financial services office online at http://finaid.slu.edu.
- Graduates will be able to apply organizational development theory in intervention design.
- Graduates will be able to apply leadership competencies appropriate for a given situation or context.
- Graduates will be able to apply program-specific knowledge to address practical problems using an ethical, evidence-based framework.
- Graduates will be able to utilize argumentation skills appropriate for a given problem or context.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Core Courses | ||
| Graduate core requirements | 12 | |
| Foundation Courses | ||
| ORLD 5000 | Organizational Dynamics | 3 |
| ORLD 5450 | Leading Organizational Change | 3 |
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Prof Leadership Development | ||
| Talent Mgmt & Development | ||
| Team Leadership | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select three of the following: | 9 | |
| Leading a Healthy Organization | ||
| Consulting and Facilitation Skills | ||
| Future-Focused Leadership | ||
Elective | Student's choice outside of program | |
Elective | Student's choice outside of program | |
| Applied Research Project | ||
| ORLD 5961 | Master’s Research Project I | 1 |
| ORLD 5962 | Master’s Research Project II | 1 |
| ORLD 5963 | Master’s Research Project III | 1 |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Continuation Standards
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.
Graduate Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ORLD 5010 | Contemporary Organizational Leadership | 3 |
| or ORLD 5000 | Organizational Dynamics | |
| ORLD 5050 | Ethical, Evidence-Based Decision Making | 3 |
| AA 5221 | Applied Analytics & Methods I | 3 |
| AA 5222 | Applied Analytics & Methods II: Survey Approaches | 3 |
| or AA 5223 | Applied Analytics & Methods II: Experimental Approaches | |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Fall 1 | ||
| Critical course: ORLD 5010 | Contemporary Organizational Leadership | 3 |
| Fall 2 | ||
| Critical course: ORLD 5050 | Ethical, Evidence-Based Decision Making | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| Spring 1 | ||
| Critical course: ORLD 5000 | Organizational Dynamics | 3 |
| Spring 2 | ||
| Critical course: ORLD 5450 | Leading Organizational Change | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| Critical course: ORLD 5350 | Team Leadership | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| Fall 1 | ||
| Critical course: ORLD 5250 | Leading a Healthy Organization | 3 |
| Fall 2 | ||
| Critical course: ORLD 5100 or ORLD 5150 |
Prof Leadership Development or Talent Mgmt & Development |
3 |
| ORLD 5961 | Master’s Research Project I | 1 |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Spring | ||
| Spring 1 | ||
| Critical course: AA 5221 | Applied Analytics & Methods I | 3 |
| Spring 2 | ||
| Critical course: AA 5222 | Applied Analytics & Methods II: Survey Approaches | 3 |
| Critical course: ORLD 5962 | Master’s Research Project II | 1 |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Summer | ||
| Critical course: ORLD 5700 | Advanced Evidence-Based Decision Making | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| Fall 1 | ||
| Critical course: ORLD 5550 or ORLD 5650 |
Consulting and Facilitation Skills or Future-Focused Leadership |
3 |
| Fall 2 | ||
| ORLD 5963 | Master’s Research Project III | 1 |
| Credits | 4 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
For additional admission questions please call (314) 526-2825 or email sps@slu.edu.