Master of Organizational Leadership and Change

The program can be completed in as few as 15 months

Leadership and Change (3 credits)

This course focuses on understanding why and how leaders influence change. Centering on leadership theory, managerial role, and best practices in leadership and change management, students will examine the theoretical and practical aspects of leading and managing change to enhance individual and organizational effectiveness. Specific intention will be to build capabilities in the design, development and implementation of change management strategies through practice and theoretical exploration of conventional and critical perspectives of leadership and change.  

Leading High-Performing Teams (3 credits)

This course examines characteristics of high-performing teams, common challenges that prevent teams from realizing their full potential, and selected strategies for overcoming constraints on optimal team performance. Students explicitly explore the evidence-based characteristics, competencies, and practices exemplary leaders embody and employ to mobilize and maintain teams that thrive. Students will consider how team leaders proactively embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion to create a climate of belonging that enhances team performance.   

Global Leadership: Leading Across Cultures and Borders (3 credits)

This course explores the theory and practice of leadership in a globalized world. Students will examine how cultural, political, economic, and social systems shape leadership behaviors and expectations across diverse global contexts. Through case studies, simulations, and real-world projects, students will develop the competencies needed to lead effectively in multicultural and international environments. Emphasis will be placed on global mindset, intercultural communication, ethical decision-making, and adaptive leadership strategies. 

Human-Centered Leadership in a Tech-Driven Era (3 credits)

This course provides an in-depth exploration of how contemporary leaders can thoughtfully and responsibly integrate artificial intelligence, automation, and other emerging technologies into organizational strategy and culture. Students will engage with the multifaceted challenges and opportunities presented by digital transformation, including ethical dilemmas, social impacts, and ecological considerations. Through case studies, interactive discussions, and practical applications, the course fosters digital literacy and fluency in key AI-driven tools, empowering students to leverage technology while maintaining a strong commitment to human-centered leadership. Emphasizing a balanced approach, the course challenges students to reconcile rapid innovation with core values such as equity, inclusivity, and sustainability.

Adaptive Leadership (3 credits)

Designed for leaders within and across a variety of sectors, this course introduces the student to self-as-instrument and to the adaptive leadership framework for addressing complex, systemic change. The course provides students with the tools and cultivates the mindsets needed to lead in environments of significant uncertainty and resistance to change. Students learn how to diagnose systems, identify adaptive challenges, mobilize stakeholders, manage resistance, and regulate their own behavior under pressure while challenging traditional notions of authority and leadership. The course places a strong emphasis on self-as-instrument—helping students understand their own leadership styles, triggers, loyalties, and risks. Key topics include the distinction between technical and adaptive work, authority vs. leadership, diagnosing systems and uncovering hidden dynamics, managing disequilibrium and orchestrating conflict, mobilizing others and building resiliency, self-regulation and self-reflection in leadership practice, as well as the dangers and ethics of leadership.

Leadership Reflective Practice Portfolio (2 semester credits)

This longitudinal course provides a structured framework for ongoing reflection and integration of learning throughout the Master of Organizational Leadership and Change program. Taken alongside the core curriculum during the first five sessions, the course supports students in developing a reflective leadership practice that connects academic learning to real-world professional application. Through guided journaling, meta-reflection, and coaching interactions, students explore the evolution of their leadership identity, deepen their self-awareness, and strengthen their capacity for intentional leadership. The course culminates in an integrative reflection in which students articulate their personal leadership philosophy, synthesizing insights from across their degree experience.

Milestone Experiences in Leadership and Change (1 credit)

This course comprises three required real-time convenings that mark key developmental milestones in the Master of Organizational Leadership and Change program: program launch, mid-point, and completion. Each convening is designed to foster a sense of community, promote integrative reflection, and provide opportunities for networking, collaboration, and professional growth. Through these facilitated sessions, students will synthesize learning, engage with peers and faculty, receive coaching and feedback, and prepare for their leadership journey beyond the program.

Organizational Leadership and Change Project (3 credits)

This class is the culminating experience of the Master of Organizational Leadership and Change program. It provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of leadership theory, strategic thinking, and systems change through an applied, real-world project. Working independently with faculty guidance, students choose from three capstone pathways: a research-based inquiry, a strategic assessment with strategic recommendations, or a leadership and change intervention in an organizational or community context. Each project must address a significant leadership challenge or opportunity for transformation, grounded in principles of equity, justice, and inclusion. 

Students have access to electives available from within the university’s MBA curriculum, including but not limited to the following 3-semester-credit classes:

• Triple Bottom Line Principles and Sustainability
• Organizational Leadership and Governance
• Strategy, Innovation, and Resilience
• Program Planning and Evaluation
• Developing People and Performance
• Corporate Social Responsibility, Ethics & Legal Issues

Many organizations are finding that technology projects fail because people—not software—are the limiting factor. Leaders who understand both organizational behavior and technological change are increasingly valuable. Companies increasingly need leaders who can manage organizational change rather than simply oversee operations. Global teams are now the norm in many industries, increasing demand for cross-cultural leadership. Regulators, boards, and customers are placing greater emphasis on ethical governance and responsible AI. Moreover, organizations continue to struggle with employee engagement, reskilling, and change fatigue. These trends create opportunities for professionals who can bridge strategy, people, and technology.

• Executive Leadership
• Human Resources
• Nonprofit Leadership
• Organizational Development
• Change Management
• Government Administration
• Consulting
• Learning & Development

The degree  is especially relevant in industries experiencing rapid transformation, such as:

• Technology
• Healthcare
• Financial services
• Government
• Higher education
• Manufacturing undergoing automation
• Consulting
• Nonprofits with international operations