Organizational Development and Leadership, MS
The Organizational Development and Leadership (ODL) program uses a unique interdisciplinary approach to prepare students for leadership positions in various career fields. Our approach provides a broad understanding of leadership strategies and the operational characteristics and concerns of organizations, while also providing the opportunity to select a concentration area for one’s career goals.
Get more info
What Will I Learn?
This 30-credit interdisciplinary program has three key components:
- 12 credits of core coursework in Organizational Theory, Leadership Theory, Research, and Diversity Equity and Inclusion,
- 12 credits in a concentration which may be either a specific area of expertise (e.g., Business, Higher Education and Student Affairs, or Management Information Systems) or an individualized concentration that offers students a flexible array of graduate classes to achieve their self-identified skills across disciplines, and
- an internship and capstone experience.
Accelerated Program Offered
The ODL 4+1 Program is an accelerated option for Shippensburg Undergraduate students to complete their bachelors and master’s degrees in five years. Eligible students should apply by April 1 of their junior year. During their senior year, 4+1 students should take two graduate-level courses. These courses will count towards both their bachelors and masters. This saves the student money, as they will be taking two graduate courses at the undergraduate tuition rate. This program is available to students from all majors, as long as they have two free electives available in their senior year or require electives in ODL approved disciplines such as Sociology, Political Science, and Communications.
Example timeline:
Fall of Senior Year: 400 or 500-level ODL graduate course (Credits: 3)
Spring of Senior Year: 400 or 500-level ODL graduate course (Credits: 3)
Summer of Graduate Year: Two 3 credit classes (Credits: 6)*
Fall of Graduate Year: Three ODL 3 credit classes (Credits: 9)
Spring of Graduate Year: Three ODL 3 credit classes (Credits: 9)
*In lieu of Summer classes, students may be able to take one or two Winter classes.
What Kinds of Experiences Could I Have?
This interdisciplinary program offers a broad social science perspective on the interactions between leaders, followers and social structures. The highlight is an experiential capstone where you will put leadership into practice and gain valuable real world insights.
Creating tomorrow’s leaders
Laura Childs, Education Abroad Coordinator for West Virginia University
My ODL internship was at the Center for Global Engagement at Duquesne University, which houses Study Abroad, International Admissions, International Student Services and the ESL program for the institution. I shadowed the assistant directors of each department and learned so much about the field. My experiences with the ODL internship at Duquesne directly led to more confidence in interviews, which in turn brought on incredible professional opportunities.What Types of Careers Could I Get With This Degree?
Alumni of this concentration have careers in these areas and more: Army Community Service at US Army War College, Army Heritage Center Foundation, Gettysburg College, JLG Industries, Johns Hopkins University, Keystone Human Services, Messiah University, National Science Foundation, North Carolina Central University, Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, US Department of Defense, US Lacrosse, and US Veterans Administration.