Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership and Change

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Program Overview

Pacific Oaks’ M.A. in Organizational Leadership and Change program is based upon the theory that leadership requires knowledge, skill, and deep self-knowledge to be authentic, and that authentic leadership is essential to creating organizations with sustainable value.

Graduates from our Organizational Leadership and Change program will understand that establishing responsible and ethical relationships, valuing and respecting each individual, and leading with passion and purpose are all necessary to insure that organizations achieve goals that are aligned with the public good.

Through the development of management and leadership competencies grounded upon respect for human capacity, graduates will be prepared to become leaders of change, able to navigate the complexity and unpredictability of various organizations and to transcend cultural, political, and national barriers.

Unlike a more traditional MBA, societal considerations are not relegated to theory, but integrated with the development of each competency, providing for a more dynamic understanding of how these considerations directly affect organizational needs.

A primary learning outcome of the Organizational Leadership and Change program, capacity for critical self-reflection and moral comprehension, helps guide leaders to bring social justice, advocacy, and respect for diversity and individualism into organizations and the world.

Locations

Online, Pasadena, San Jose and *Offsite locations.

*The availability of off-site locations depends on enrollment.

Total Credits

30

Prerequisites

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution

Philosophy

The MA in Organizational Leadership and Change is a leadership program based upon the theory that leadership requires knowledge, skill and deep self-knowledge to be authentic, and that authentic leadership is essential to creating organizations with sustainable value.  Self-aware, genuine leaders who establish responsible and ethical relationships, who value and respect each individual, and who lead with passion and purpose are needed to insure that organizations achieve goals that are aligned with the public good.  Through the development of management and leadership competencies grounded upon respect for human capacity, this program prepares leaders for change, for complexity and unpredictability, and to transcend cultural, political, and national barriers.

Unlike a more traditional MBA, societal considerations are not relegated to theory, but integrated with the development of each competency.  Capacity for critical self-reflection and moral comprehension is, therefore, a primary learning outcome of this leadership program.  The program prepares graduates to bring social justice, advocacy, and respect for diversity and individualism into organizations and the world.  This culture- centered education emphasizes relevancy and strategy to managing a diverse workforce.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Examine and apply skills to lead responsibly, ethically, reflectively, and authentically at the individual, group, organizational and global levels.
2. Demonstrate and achieve positive strategic, economic, and societal goals by empowering organizational stakeholders.
3. Research and evaluate best practices for leading organizations
4. Analyze, develop, and implement effective solutions to complex organizational problems through the systemic integration of team building, and motivating self and others.
5. Develop systemic knowledge of essential management functions through oral, written, and interpersonal communication.
6. Assess the value and impact of social and cultural diversity in organizations.

Admissions Standards

Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution

Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of Pacific Oaks College

Number of Admit Terms per Year

Online: 3

Fall Session I

Spring Session I

Summer Session I

Ground: 3

Fall Session

Spring Session

Summer Session

Application Requirements

Completed Application for Admission

Application Fee

Resume

Personal Statement

Official Transcripts from the Bachelor’s Degree Granting Institution

Transfer of credit and waiver of courses

Transfer credit and waiver of courses are not accepted in the M.A. in Organizational Leadership and Change program.

The program requires 30 units of core coursework in the MAOLC program.

Applied Research Project

The MA OLC Applied Research Project (ARP) consists of three 3-credit hour sequential courses, which form the Summative Assessment for the MA OLC Program.  The purpose of the Applied Research Project is to promote the application of student’s learning about leadership and change in a specific leadership setting of the student’s choosing.  Students will be supported by two mentors throughout the Applied Research Project courses:  a Pacific Oaks Faculty Mentor and an Organization Mentor, as identified by the student. 

Students will select the focus for the Applied The combined deliverables of the three ARP courses will become a portfolio that demonstrates the research and leadership competencies of the student.

Graduation Requirements

Students are required to submit the Petition for Degree Completion and fee to the Registrar’s Office the semester before they anticipate completing their degree requirements. Students must submit the application, settle all outstanding fees with the Student Finance Office, satisfy any contingencies, and be in good standing in their program for the Master’s degree to be awarded.

Note: A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 is required for graduation. If a student receives a grade below a ‘B’ in a course, the student is not required to take it over, even though the student can choose to do so. A grade below the required average will adversely affect the student’s academic standing.

Course Length

Online:

Exclusively 8 weeks

Please note: Students register by semester for all courses/sessions in that semester