The Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL) offers its participants opportunities to develop the intellectual and personal skills required of managers and executives of today’s and future organizations.

This is accomplished through a series of rigorous examinations of historic and current theory related to the organizational development discipline, always emphasizing the application and relevance of the theories to real world work settings and situations.

The student is directed through a sequence of modules that begins with the study of the theoretical underpinnings of the discipline and their application to real world situations. This study provides the backdrop and framework for the other three content areas and the research and thesis.

The organization’s external environment and its impact are analyzed and assessed with a view to developing facilitative and collaboration skills in the program’s participants. The significant role strategic partnerships play, as integrating factors for the external environment components, is explored.

Similar analyses and assessments of the internal environment of organizations are completed. The principles and best practices of Total Quality Management systems approach (TQM) are explored as a tool for creating and sustaining effective organizations.

Finally, the personal and interpersonal skills required of a leader are studied from both theoretical and practical aspects.

The unifying experience that gives depth and meaning to the course sequence is the Master’s thesis. This capstone work is the result of research that is streamed throughout the course sequence. The final products will represent the research efforts of the students related to a specific problem facing an organization or a proposed change envisioned by the organization.

Graduates of the program will demonstrate the following personal and professional competencies:

• An integrated systems approach to organizational leadership.

• The flexibility to adapt leadership styles and theories to various settings.

• The ability to carefully analyze organizational needs and challenges and to provide resolutions that are supported by the organization.

• The facilitation of effective interpersonal communication.

• Providing skilled employee motivation through the development and facilitation of team management.

• An understanding of the complex interface between the internal and external environments of an organization.

• The ability to direct organizational change processes.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Technical skills related to the quantitative aspects of an organization.

• An ethical approach to business and employee relations.

• Inspired leadership that enables an organization to excel.