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Program Overview
Through this program you will acquire a sophisticated understanding of organizational development, leadership theory, talent management, evidence-based practice, and program evaluation. And you will develop in-demand skills in leadership, critical thinking, collaboration, research, data literacy, and technology.
Student Profile
LOP students typically fit one of two profiles: early career professionals who often have had several internship experiences to draw on, or working professionals with ten or more years of experience, who join the program to enhance their expertise and accelerate their careers.
Program Facts
Program Director: Kim Davenport
Admissions Coordinator: Rosie Moody
Admission Term: Fall
Credit Hours: 30
Application Dates
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Application Deadline 1
Jan 3, 2024
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Application Deadline 2
Feb 3, 2024
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Rolling Admissions
After Feb 3, 2024*
*Applications received after the Feb 3rd second deadline are reviewed on a rolling basis and accepted as space and funds allow.
Program Curriculum and Flexibility
The LOP curriculum draws widely from the social sciences and emphasizes leadership, organizational theory, learning theory, behavioral theory, social psychology, and research aimed at change.
Though it is designed as a 1.5-year master’s degree program, you can accelerate and complete it within one year by enrolling in summer course offerings. All courses meet in the evening or on weekends, allowing you to work full or part time. Flexible schedules allow you to build your career while completing program requirements.
| Fall Credit Hours | Spring Credit Hours | Summer Credit Hours | Fall Credit Hours | Program Completion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 Years | 9 | 9 | 3 | 9 | 30 |
| 1 Year | 9 | 12 | 9 | 30 |
Required and Elective Courses
You will complete 30 credit hours consisting of a variety of required courses, elective courses, and if you have less than five years of work experience, a summer internship. The 135-hour internship gives students a valuable opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to hands-on placement across a variety of industries.
Flexibility is a key component of the LOP program, allowing you to customize your elective courses to support your educational and career goals. For example, you can take 12 elective credit hours from the menu of LOP courses listed below. Alternatively, electives can be completed with 6 LOP credit hours and 6 credit hours from other parts of the university, for example, the Owen Graduate School of Management, or the College of Arts & Science.
Workforce Readiness
LOP is among those degree programs that address real workplace needs and bridge the gap between theory and practice. Most LOP courses include an experiential learning component through class projects with client organizations. Students who complete internships also benefit from networking opportunities; the experience often leads to full-time employment.
This emphasis on real world skills leads to a high employment success rate: more than 90% of students have jobs within four months of graduation (96% employment by 2023 cohort).
LOP faculty, alumni and the Peabody Career Services team build strong mentoring relationships that support internship and job placement. These relationships reflect the college’s inclusive culture and a community that values equity and diversity of thought.
Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Leadership and Organizational Performance is designed to develop future leaders--and those who may be responsible for developing those leaders—across institutional contexts. Several LOP courses inherently address issues of justice, equity, and inclusion. Courses include topics such as the sources of organizational inequality, biases in leadership development programs, and researching and designing of strategies that can alleviate sources of injustice and inequity.