www.uwplatt.edu/disted

Contact: Elizabeth Lucas
Program Coordinator
Address: Master of Science in Organizational Change Leadership
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
1 University Plaza
Platteville, WI 53818
Telephone: 608.342.1524
Fax: 608.342.1466
Email: lucase@uwplatt.edu

Statement of Purpose

The Master of Science in Organizational Change Leadership prepares graduates to fill leadership positions in managing organizational change. A graduate degree in Organizational Change Leadership will specifically allow students to move from front-line positions in the field, which often require an undergraduate degree, to more advanced administrative positions. This major will fill a growing need within the ranks of middle and upper management as worldwide change and, in particular, change within the business environment increase at an exponential speed.

The MS in Organizational Change Leadership is an integrated degree addressing such issues as the nature of change, the change process, establishing the change vision, the origins of resistance, assessing readiness for change, communication strategies, assessing stakeholders, and sustaining change.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates will:

  1. Develop an understanding of the scope, breadth, and function of organizational change.
  2. Acquire an appreciation and understanding of different perspectives from different disciplines of organizational change.
  3. Appreciate the challenges of scheduling and executing a plan through an integrated organizational change.
  4. Assess and understand the hidden costs of organizational change.
  5. Acquire and analyze pertinent data from computer information systems.
  6. Demonstrate the collaborative style, innovative spirit, effective communication, and leadership skills of an organizational change professional.
  7. Discern and act upon opportunities for improvement across the organization.
  8. Identify the need to understand ethics, culture, and societal implications as part of the change process.

Introduction

The Master of Science in Organizational Change Leadership (MSOCL) is an online program designed to accommodate the needs of working adults who want to pursue a degree while remaining employed. The program is open to persons who hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and have the desire to learn about organizational change leadership. It provides professionals with a convenient, practical, and high-quality course of study that allows them to develop the new skills required for managing today’s workplace while earning graduate credits toward an advanced degree.

Admission Requirements for Master of Science in Organizational Change Leadership

Those seeking admission to the MSOCL program must have earned a bachelor’s degree from a nationally or regionally accredited institution recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). International degrees will be evaluated on an individual basis. To be eligible for admission in full standing, a student must have an overall undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 or higher, or 2.90 on the last 60 credits from the degree-granting institution. Students who do not qualify for admission in full standing may be admitted on a trial enrollment justified by the admitting department and approved by the dean of the School of Graduate Studies. Students are allowed seven years from the date of admission into the program to complete degree requirements; extensions may be granted for extenuating circumstances.

Program entrance requirements and degree completion requirements are consistent with those of the graduate programs of the institution. Students seeking admission should follow the instructions found in the Online Admission Policies and Procedures section of this catalog.

Special Students:

Students with a bachelor’s degree who want to enroll in selected courses without being admitted to the program may enroll as special students. Go to the UW-Platteville Distance Education website (www.uwplatt.edu/disted) for application information. A maximum of 12 credits may be taken as a special student.

Curriculum

The Master of Science in Organizational Change Leadership is earned upon the successful completion of 30 credit hours. All courses are three credits unless otherwise noted.

Core Courses (18 credits)

Organizational Change Leadership Elective Courses (15 credits)

Check the website (uwplatt.edu/disted) for information as the following courses are developed:

*Courses pending approval and/or development. Check the Distance Education website at www.uwplatt.edu for current offerings.

Writing Requirement

Students in the online program Organizational Change Leadership must satisfy the writing requirement of their degree program by completing one of the following:

Papers for the MSOCL program must follow APA Style. Students should consult with the program coordinator for additional guidelines for the writing requirement.

Certificate in Organizational Change Leadership

An online certificate in Organizational Change Leadership will be available, beginning summer 2012. The certificate is designed for students who want a strong foundation in basic organizational change leadership skills, but are not currently pursuing the MS in Organizational Change Leadership. The credits earned for the certificate can be applied toward the master’s degree in Organizational Change Leadership for those who apply and are accepted into the degree program. The certificate is comprised of three courses. Each course is worth three credits.

Students must complete all of the required courses for this certificate from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville to be eligible to earn the certificate. Transfer courses may not be applied to the certificate program.