2025-2026 Academic Catalog

Dec 05, 2025

2025-2026 Academic Catalog

Combined Organizational Leadership, BS & Leadership Development, MS (LD-MS-PREG)

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 five years. The program allows nine 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.

Program 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:

3.20 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.

Program Learning Objectives

Students enrolled in this program will learn to:

Program 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.

As a result of their learning experience, graduates of the undergraduate program can:

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)

As a result of their learning experience, graduates of the graduate program can:

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 More Information

Program Requirements

I. Wright State Core: 36 Credit Hours

As a part of the requirements for a bachelor’s degree at Wright State University, all students must complete the Wright State Core, a general education curriculum. Most programs require 36 hours in the Core, some programs may require additional hours.

Specific Core classes in some of the Elements may be required by some majors. When this occurs, the specific Core courses required will be listed below. In Elements where a specific course is not required, students can choose any course from the Wright State Core Program Requirements.

First-Year Seminar: 1 Credit Hour

All students must successfully complete a First-Year Seminar during their first year. Transfer students who transfer 24 or more credit hours (post high school graduation) are exempt from this requirement and will need to satisfy one additional credit hour in the Additional Core Courses category.

UVC 1010 - First Year Seminar Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3

Element A - English Composition: 6 Credit Hours

First-Year Writing Course (3 credit hours)

All students must successfully complete ENG 1100.  Based on Writing Placement level, some students may be required to enroll in a corequisite course (DEV 0100). 
ENG 1100 - Academic Writing and Reading Credit Hour(s): 3
Second-Year Writing Course (3 credit hours)
ENG 2100 - Research Writing and Argumentation Credit Hour(s): 3

Element B - Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic: 3 Credit Hours

Students will select one Element B course from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements list. Based on Math Placement Level, students may need additional prerequisite or corequisite coursework in mathematics prior to enrollment in the course chosen.

Element C - Arts and Humanities: 6 Credit Hours

Students will select two Arts and Humanities courses, with different course prefixes from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements. One course must fulfill the History requirement.

History Requirement (3 credit hours)

Choose 1 course from the list below:
HST 1100 - Western Civilizations to 1500 Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI)
HST 1200 - The West and the World since 1500 Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI)
HST 1500 - Introduction to Greek and Roman Culture Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI)
Arts and Humanities Course (3 credit hours)

Choose an additional Arts and Humanities course (a different prefix from what is chosen above) from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.

Element D - Social Sciences: 6 Credit Hours

Students will select two Social and Behavioral Sciences courses, with different course prefixes from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.

Element E - Natural Sciences: 7 Credit Hours

Students will select two Natural Science courses, from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements. At least one course must contain a laboratory.

Additional Core Courses: 7 Credit Hours

Students will select up to 7 additional credit hours from Elements A-E from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements to reach the 36 minimum hours required in the Core. Unless specified by the student’s major, these are selected by the student. When a major has required courses in this area, the specific Core course(s) required will be listed below.

Additional Core Requirements

Within the 36 credit hours of the Wright State Core students must successfully complete the following:

One Global Inquiry (GI) course

Two Inclusive Excellence (IE) courses

One to two Integrated Writing (IW) courses. To meet degree requirements all students must complete a minimum of 3 IW courses by choosing either (a) 1 in the Core and 2 in the major or (b) 2 in the Core and 1 in the major. Students should check their major program requirements for courses that fulfill Integrated Writing.

Students who do not make choices within the 36 required hours of the Core to fulfill the GI, IE, and IW requirements will take additional Core hours beyond the minimum of 36.

II. Organizational Leadership Major: 30 Credit Hours

Required OL Courses: 21 Credit Hours

OL 2010 - Leading Self Credit Hour(s): 3
OL 3020 - Leadership Foundations Credit Hour(s): 3
OL 3030 - Interpersonal Leadership Credit Hour(s): 3
OL 3040 - Leading Teams Credit Hour(s): 3
OL 4010 - Leading Organizations Credit Hour(s): 3
OL 4940 - Talent Development Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)
OL 4950 - Leadership Skills Application Credit Hour(s): 3 (IW)

Choose one: 3 Credit Hours

Choose from any 1000-level or 2000-level COM course.

Choose one: 3 Credit Hours

ENG 3000 - Business Writing Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3610 - Technical Writing Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 3650 - Writing Nonfiction Credit Hour(s): 3

Choose One: 3 Credit Hours

Speak with your advisor to determine which course best meets your professional needs.

OL 4020 - Community-Based Learning Credit Hour(s): 3
OL 4025 - Community-Based Internship Credit Hour(s): 3
OL 4030 - Undergraduate OL Teaching Assistant Credit Hour(s): 3

III. General Electives: 45 Credit Hours

Students must earn a minimum of 120 credit hours for a baccalaureate degree. If the total number of credit hours in the WSU Core (general education program) and the major requirements do not total at least 120 credits, students will choose additional courses (general electives) to meet the minimum required 120 credit hours. Students may choose from any undergraduate course in the Academic Catalog for which they meet the course prerequisites and for which they do not already have earned credit.

Within the 45 credit hours students will choose:

9 hours minimum (3 courses) with the same departmental prefix Credit Hour(s): 9
9 hours minimum (3 courses) with 2000-level or above Credit Hour(s): 9
Any general electives Credit Hour(s): 27

Students are encouraged to complete a minor, certificate, and/or microcredential in a field of their choice.

MSLD Double-Counted Graduate Classes: 9 Credit Hours

LDR 7010 - Theories of Organizing, Leading, and Change Credit Hour(s): 3
LDR 7050 - Moral Leadership: Ethics, Authenticity, and Social Responsibility Credit Hour(s): 3
LDR 7100 - Developing Interpersonal Competencies Credit Hour(s): 3

MSLD Graduate Classes: 21 Credit Hours

LDR 7030 - Building Leadership Capacity Credit Hour(s): 3
LDR 7070 - Teaming, Communication, and Emerging Technology Credit Hour(s): 3
LDR 7090 - Navigating Organizations Credit Hour(s): 3
LDR 7250 - Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Culture in Leadership Credit Hour(s): 3
LDR 7300 - Research Methods for Leadership Credit Hour(s): 3
LDR 7350 - Coaching and Talent Development Credit Hour(s): 3
LDR 7600 - Capstone Credit Hour(s): 1 to 6 (complete a minimum of 3 credit hours)

Total: 141 Credit Hours

Graduation Planning Strategy

A Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS) is an academic tool showing one example of how a program can be completed in a certain amount of time. All Wright State undergraduate majors can be completed in four years with careful planning. Some programs may require summer coursework. Combined programs can be completed in five to six years. Time to degree is dependent on many factors including student placement in mathematics and writing courses, CCP and AP coursework, transfer coursework, and other variables.

This GPS is valid for this year’s Academic Catalog only and is subject to change. This GPS is a recommendation only and your actual program may vary. Students should consult with their academic advisor on a regular basis and create a personalized plan to degree completion.