Organizational Learning, Leadership, and Policy MS

Major: Organizational Learning, Leadership, and Policy
Degree Awarded: Master of Science (MS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 45.0

Co-op Options: None
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code:
13.0401
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 11-9033, 11-9039

About the Program

In today’s dynamic educational environments, the integration of learning, leadership, and policy is more critical than ever. The Master of Science in Organizational Learning, Leadership, and Policy (OLLP) provides students with a comprehensive understanding of leadership across educational organizations and systems, along with expertise in data-driven policy and decision-making. Throughout the program, students will develop essential knowledge and skills in organizational learning, leadership fundamentals, systems thinking, diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice, and data literacy that are critical for education management. This program emphasizes the intersections of learning, leadership, and policy across diverse educational contexts, blending innovative theories with practical applications to drive sustainable change. Graduates will emerge as inclusive, ethical leaders in education, prepared to address complex global and domestic challenges, transform organizations, and advocate for progressive policies.

Additional Information

For more information about this program, please visit the School of Education website. 

Admission Requirements

Each candidate interested in the MS in Organizational Leadership, Learning, and Policy will submit the following application materials:

  • Completed application form
  • Transcripts (must be provided for every post-secondary institution attended)
  • Personal essay
  • Resume
  • Two letters of recommendation (professional or academic)
  • Admission to the MS in Organizational Leadership, Learning, and Policy program will follow the University standards for admission to graduate study including the receipt of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an earned GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale. Provisional admission may be granted with a GPA between 2.70 to 2.99.

Degree Requirements

Core Courses
EDCR 510Leadership in Educational Contexts and Systems 3.0
EDCR 514Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice in Education 3.0
EDCR 610Organizations and Institutions: Concepts and Principles3.0
EDGI 604Quantitative Literacy: Interpreting and reporting data for educational policy and research3.0
Program Concentration
Select one of the following options:15.0
Education Policy
Foundations of Education Policy
The Shaping of American Education Policy: Global Forces, Interest Groups, and Politics
American Educational Policy and U.S. Competitiveness
Ethics in Educational Policy Making
Access & Equity in Educational Policy Making
Global Education Policy and Practice
Comparative Higher Education Systems
Culture, Society & Education in Comparative Perspective
Education for Global Citizenship, Sustainability, and Social Justice
Measuring the World: Education and National Development
Gender, Education, and International Organizations
Higher Education Leadership
Foundations of Higher Education and Governance
Student Development Theory and Application
Legal Issues & Ethics in Higher Education
Institutional Assessment, Accreditation and Effectiveness
Critical Issues & Risk Management in Student Affairs
Human Resource Development
Foundations of Human Resources Development
Coaching and Mentoring for Sustainable Learning
Organization Development and Change
Strategic Human Resource Development
Principles of Adult Learning
Sport Coaching Leadership
Coaching Theory and Principles
Ethical Considerations in Coaching
Learning Strategies in Coaching
Coaching Psychology
Athletic Recruiting
Post-baccalaureate Certificate (PBC)
Select one of the following options:9.0
Creativity Tools and Techniques for the Classroom and Workplace (CTCW)
Tools and Techniques in Creativity
Creativity in the Workplace
Neuroscience, Creativity and Innovation
Current Trends in Creativity & Innovation
Higher Education Leadership (CHEL)
Select three of the following courses:
Foundations of Higher Education and Governance
Student Development Theory and Application
Legal Issues & Ethics in Higher Education
Institutional Assessment, Accreditation and Effectiveness
Instructional Design for e-Learning (CIDL)
Instructional Design Methods
Instructional Design: Project Management
Teaching and Learning Issues in E-Learning
Learning Analytics (CLA)
Learning Analytics: Lenses on students, teaching, and curriculum enactment
Information Enabled Change in Educational Organizations
Using Data to Understand Educational Systems
Learning in Game-Based Environments (CLGA)
Foundations of Game-Based Learning
Play & Learning in a Participatory Culture
Integrating Games & Pedagogical Content Knowledge
Mind, Brain & Learning (CMBL)
Mind, Brain and Learning
Select two of the following courses:
Foundations in Creativity
Neurodiversity in Education and Workforce
Neuropedagogy and Assessment
Neuroscience, Creativity and Innovation
Organization and Talent Development (COTD)
Foundations of Human Resources Development
Coaching and Mentoring for Sustainable Learning
Organization Development and Change
U.S. Education Policy (CUED)
Foundations of Education Policy
American Educational Policy and U.S. Competitiveness
Access & Equity in Educational Policy Making
Capstone or Additional Post-baccalaureate Certificate (PBC)
Select one of the following options:9.0
Capstone Research Sequence
Applied Leadership Portfolio Capstone
Applied Leadership Project Capstone
Creativity Tools and Techniques for the Classroom and Workplace (CTCW)
Tools and Techniques in Creativity
Creativity in the Workplace
Neuroscience, Creativity and Innovation
Current Trends in Creativity & Innovation
Higher Education Leadership (CHEL)
Select three of the following courses:
Foundations of Higher Education and Governance
Student Development Theory and Application
Legal Issues & Ethics in Higher Education
Institutional Assessment, Accreditation and Effectiveness
Instructional Design for e-Learning (CIDL)
Instructional Design Methods
Instructional Design: Project Management
Teaching and Learning Issues in E-Learning
Learning Analytics (CLA)
Learning Analytics: Lenses on students, teaching, and curriculum enactment
Information Enabled Change in Educational Organizations
Using Data to Understand Educational Systems
Learning in Game-Based Environments (CLGA)
Foundations of Game-Based Learning
Play & Learning in a Participatory Culture
Integrating Games & Pedagogical Content Knowledge
Mind, Brain & Learning (CMBL)
Mind, Brain and Learning
Select two of the following courses:
Foundations in Creativity
Neurodiversity in Education and Workforce
Neuropedagogy and Assessment
Neuroscience, Creativity and Innovation
Organization and Talent Development (COTD)
Foundations of Human Resources Development
Coaching and Mentoring for Sustainable Learning
Organization Development and Change
U.S. Education Policy (CUED)
Foundations of Education Policy
American Educational Policy and U.S. Competitiveness
Access & Equity in Educational Policy Making
Total Credits45.0

Sample Plan of Study

Plan of Study (students pursuing Capstone option)

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
EDCR 5103.0EDCR 5143.0EDCR 6103.0Concentration Course3.0
Concentration Course3.0Concentration Course3.0Concentration Course3.0PBC Course3.0
 6 6 6 6
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
Concentration Course3.0EDGI 6043.0EDUC 8704.5EDUC 8714.5
PBC Course3.0PBC Course3.0  
 6 6 4.5 4.5
Total Credits 45

Plan of Study (students pursuing second PBC option)

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
EDCR 5103.0EDCR 5143.0EDCR 6103.0Concentration Course3.0
Concentration Course3.0Concentration Course3.0Concentration Course3.0PBC Course3.0
 6 6 6 6
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
Concentration Course3.0EDGI 6043.0PBC Course3.0 
PBC Course3.0PBC Course3.0PBC Course3.0 
PBC Course3.0   
 9 6 6 
Total Credits 45

Program Level Outcomes

  • Lead diverse teams and organizations by applying humanistic and learning-oriented leadership principles, with an eye toward diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice within various organizational and institutional contexts. 
  • Critically analyze and interpret the multi-paradigmatic nature, behavior, structure, and dynamics of organizations and institutions, understanding their interrelationships with learning, leadership, policy, and other important outcomes. 
  • Apply evidence-based practices and engage in critical reflection to enhance decision-making and problem-solving in complex organizational environments. 
  • Analyze, visualize, apply, and interpret data and information in support of organizational learning, leadership, and policy making and implementation. 
  • Design and conduct applied research or projects in organizational settings, utilizing interdisciplinary knowledge from learning, leadership, and policy to address real-world challenges and promote positive change.