The Valparaiso University Master of Organizational Leadership (MOL) is a versatile, interdisciplinary fully online degree program housed in the College of Arts and Sciences. The program matches Valpo’s educational mission to prepare students to lead in both church and society. With our university’s emphasis on truth-seeking, compassionate, and service-minded leadership, the Master of Organizational Leadership is focused on encouraging students to explore leadership and followership through the lens of their own values. Students in Organizational Leadership will expand their careers, grow their potential, and stand out as successful leaders in all areas of their personal and professional lives.
Students who graduate from Valpo’s Master of Organizational Leadership will be able to:
- Solve real-world organizational challenges using various theoretical approaches.
- Demonstrate how different change methodologies and practical strategies drive innovation in organizations.
- Examine the ethical implications of leadership decisions on organizational performance and culture.
- Appraise various approaches for evaluating organizational performance.
- Appraise the importance of context regarding leaders and followers in an organization.
- Develop a framework for leaders and followers in an organizational context.
This fully online program offers courses asynchronously. The MOL includes seven-week courses throughout the year (Fall I & II, Spring I & II, Summer I & II). Students can complete the program in as little as one year by taking two courses per seven-week session, or in two years by taking one course per seven-week session.
This 30-credit hour master’s program includes one co-requisite course ( LEAD 500 - Leadership Theory & Practice ) which must be taken in the student’s first semester. Students then must complete the remaining core required courses, and round out their degree program of study with electives either from within the program or from other Valpo graduate programs with permission from the MOL program director. The MOL program culminates in a required capstone course (LEAD 595 ) during which students prepare, polish, and submit a portfolio of work. This capstone and portfolio requirement prepares students to synthesize all the learning and work undertaken throughout the course of their degree program and put leadership theory into practice. This portfolio gives students a tangible collection of work and artifacts through which they display their competencies and preparedness for expanded leadership roles - however those leadership roles may manifest in students’ lives.
Sequencing of Coursework
Students must enroll in LEAD 500 - Leadership Theory & Practice in their first semester of enrollment. The Organizational Leadership Capstone (LEAD 595 ) must be taken in a student’s final semester of enrollment.
All other required core courses and electives may be taken in any sequence, under the direction and advising of the MOL program director and dependent on course availability.
Admission
To be admitted, applicants must meet all graduate admission requirements (see here ).
The Master of Organizational Leadership program offers three start dates each year - Fall I, Spring I, Summer I. Application deadlines for each start date can be found here.
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