Combined Organizational Leadership, BS & Leadership Development, MS

Program Description:

The combined BS in Organizational Leadership/MS in Leadership Development allows students to earn a BS in Organizational Leadership and a MS in Leadership Development in a total of 5 years. The program allows 9 credit hours of “overlap” courses, where credit is given at both the undergraduate (UG) and graduate (GR) level facilitating both BS and MS completion in five years. The program combines courses in leadership theory, interpersonal skills, and organizational development to prepare today’s and tomorrow’s leaders for challenges across all career fields.

Admission Requirements:

Only exceptionally well-prepared students are admitted to the program. At the end of their junior year, students that wish to pursue a combined Organizational Leadership Bachelor of Science (BS) and a Master of Science (MS) Leadership Development degree should complete an application that includes the signature of the undergraduate program director and the program director for the MS in Leadership Development. Students should then submit an application to the Wright State graduate school for the combined degree program. Students admitted to a combined degree program will be admitted as provisional graduate students to the Graduate School, pending completion of the requirements for their bachelor’s degree. Students admitted into an approved combined degree program do not have to formally apply to the master’s program in question. If students have studies in progress at the time they apply to a combined degree program, any approval of the application is provisional and may be revoked if the student fails to meet all required standards at the end of the term. Students enrolled in this combined program must follow the guidelines of the Wright State policy 5330.1 Combined Degree Programs. To finish with the graduate degree, students need to meet the Wright State Graduate School policies and procedures.

In addition to filling out the Wright State graduate application, students must include all academic transcripts. Students will also include a short entrance essay (under 1,000 words) explaining their interest in leadership development and its application in their workplace, organization, and/or community. Qualified applicants must have senior standing for the semester they start the combined degree program. In addition, students must have the following:

• 3.2 cumulative grade point average in all undergraduate work, including undergraduate credits earned at other institutions and transferred to Wright State.
• Undergraduate program director’s approval for admission to the combined degree program and mandatory advising with the program director during each semester the student is taking graduate credit toward the bachelor’s degree.
• Approval of the graduate program director.
• Approval of the LDR department chair.

To apply: 

Complete the Combined BS/MS Degree Program application and a graduate program of study. 

Organizational Leadership Program (BS) Learning Outcomes

The Organizational Leadership conceptual framework is developmental in nature. The core of the framework consists of examining the leader as an individual and progresses to looking at the leader in communication with others, in relationship to the organization, and ultimately, the community. The conceptual framework consists of eight foundations (program-level outcomes): competence, credibility, communication, connections, culture, change, coaching, and civic engagement.

Organizational Leadership students will be able to:

• Articulate their personal strengths competencies and preferences after completing associated self-assessments. (competence)
• Apply the principles of ethics, integrity, accountability, initiative, and follow-through necessary for establishing credibility as a leader. (credibility)
• Demonstrate competence in numerous forms of communication: one-on-one, in a team environment, verbally, nonverbally, in writing, through listening, in a large group presentation, and virtually, using technology. (communication)
• Demonstrate the leadership behaviors necessary to motivate individuals and collaborate in teams to achieve organizational goals. (connections)
• Describe the components necessary for developing an organization’s mission, vision, values, and goals within various organizational systems and structures. (culture)
• Examine how power, politics, and toxic leadership can affect organizational dynamics. (culture)
• Apply the principles of creativity, innovation, appreciative inquiry, adaptability, and resilience in leading organizational change initiatives. (change)
• Articulate the competencies associated with talent development in organizations. (coaching)
• Demonstrate the value of civic engagement through service or internship opportunities. (civic engagement)

Leadership Development Program (MS) Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

• Formulate problem statements, ascertain and collect relevant data, and utilize the correct methodology in order to both delineate and solve problems in the real world.
• Effectively communicate to peers, subordinates, and supervisors in a professional manner both orally and in writing.
• Have developed a thorough understanding of the organizational environment and roles of individuals, teams, and groups as required to make strategic-level decisions in the organizational environment.

For additional information:

• Organizational Leadership, BS
• Leadership Development, MS
• School of Education and Leadership
• College of Health, Education, and Human Services