Organizational Studies, MOS

Program Description

The Master of Organizational Studies comprises the core courses for the current Organizational Studies Educational Doctorate (Ed.D.) program. Students who are admitted into the Organizational Studies Ed.D. program will receive the M.S. in Organizational Studies once they have satisfactorily completed the Ed.D. program core courses, which includes the internship. The M.S. degree will permit all students to receive the master’s degree. The core courses provide an interdisciplinary approach to the study of topics, theories, and research critical to the success of leaders in a variety of organizational settings. These courses reflect a scholar-practitioner oriented program for working professionals, grounded in systems theory, adaptive leadership change, decision making, structure, personnel roles and functions, external relations, planning, program evaluation, and organization theory. The program is for those working in community, government, public service, business, non-profit, and education organizations.

Program Learning Outcomes

The focus of the master’s program is to develop scholar-practitioners committed to exploring and expanding research related to the practice and processes in organizations. Graduates will deepen their understandings related to leadership and change within organizations. The participants will gain the knowledge and skills to conduct robust research, to strengthen practices in organizations, and to establish networks for education, psychology, urban affairs, and health and human services, to name a few. The following six principles (Fullan, 2005) form the conceptual framework of the proposed program:

1. Commitment to changing contexts at all levels
2. Lateral capacity building through networks
3. Intelligent accountability and vertical relationships encompassing both capacity building and accountability
4. Deep learning at all levels of the system through collaboration
5. Dual commitment to short and long-term results
6. Leadership that produces leaders.

For More Information

• Organizational Studies
• School of Education and Leadership
• College of Health, Education, and Human Services