Leading Organizations (M.Ed.)

An Online Master’s Program from the Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations

Program Overview

Ready to move up in your organization? Want to learn from renowned scholars and practitioners how to tap its potential? Seeking to promote a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive workforce and working environment?

The online master's degree in Leading Organizations (MLO) offers courses specifically designed for working professionals. Live, online classes developed and led by Peabody College faculty serve as the starting point for your empowering learning experience. Students interact face-to-face, no matter where they are, engaging in group discussions, hands-on learning with inspiring peers, and application of theory-to-praxis. This part-time program will elevate your capacity to manage, lead, and strengthen organizations of all kinds. Whether you want to implement change and effectively solve problems or cultivate a dynamic and inclusive workplace that responds to today's needs, you can become the leader you envision and make a difference within and beyond your organization.

Understanding that organization and leadership effectiveness cuts across domains, the MLO Program offers broad instructional experiences. Classes are tailored to address the challenges of your particular organization in a manner that affirms your work experience and diverse perspectives and helps you discover your leadership potential. The expertise you gain will prepare you for leadership in for-profit, non-profit, government, educational and start-up organizations.
You'll learn to leverage people's diverse and untapped strengths and galvanize your organization's culture; to balance theory and practice; and to become the leader who sets a clear and inclusive vision for your organization, guides and motivates employees, and builds morale. And because we believe leadership is demonstrated during challenging and uncertain times, your skillset will be augmented by understanding and addressing today's emerging social problems.

Note: The GRE is optional for admission to master's programs for the 2023 application cycle. If you have taken the GRE and believe your scores will improve your application, you may submit the GRE with your application.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens, or permanent residents who reside in the United States. Current exceptions to this policy include active members of the U.S. military who are stationed abroad and residents of U.S. territories.

Program at a Glance

Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Leading Organizations

An Online Master's Program from the Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations

Program Director: Kim Davenport, Ph.D.
Admissions Coordinator: Rosie Moody
Admission Term: Fall
Credit Hours: 30
Priority Application Deadline: December 31*

*Applications will be evaluated for admission and scholarships as space and funds are available.

Application Checklist Scholarships and Financial Aid Request More Information Apply Now

Program Components

Weekly online classes
Live, online classes led by Peabody College faculty serve as the starting point for your empowering learning experience—engaging group discussions, hands-on learning with inspiring peers, and theory-to-praxis are just the beginning. The classes take place on our online platform via webcam, allowing students to interact face-to-face, no matter where they are.

Capstone
The program culminates in a project-based capstone experience that will catapult students into their next career move or other world-changing venture.

Program Curriculum

You'll learn to leverage people's diverse and untapped strengths and galvanize your organization's culture; to balance theory and practice; and to become the leader who sets a clear and inclusive vision for your organization, guides and motivates employees, and builds morale. And because we believe leadership is demonstrated during challenging and uncertain times, your skillset will be augmented by understanding and addressing today's emerging social problems.

The online M.Ed. in Leading Organizations is a 30-credit-hour program that can be completed in 18 months over 5 semesters. Students will hone their leadership skills and gain in-depth understanding in:
• Leadership Theory and Practice
• Organization Theory and Behavior
• Strategy and Analytics
• Program Evaluation
• Leading Inclusive Organizations
• Leadership in the Professions
• Public Policy
• Research Design
• Evidence-based Practice

Faculty

Many of the faculty in the Leading Organizations program are practice faculty, meaning they actively use research to inform practice and practice to inform their research.

Faculty members bring these perspectives from many fields, including business, education, government, sociology, and psychology — and from disciplines such as coaching, organizational development, human resources, leadership development, and consultation.

Kim Davenport

Lecturer, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations
Program Director, Leadership and Organizational Performance
Program Director, Leading Organizations

Mark Cannon

Professor of the Practice, Department of Human and Organizational Development
Professor of the Practice and Director of Undergraduate Studies, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations

Susan Douglas

Associate Professor of the Practice of Human Development, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations

Corbette Doyle

Senior Lecturer in Organizational Leadership, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations

Carrie Grimes

Assistant Professor of the Practice, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations
Director, Independent School Leadership

Jason Grissom

Faculty Director, Tennessee Education Research Alliance (TERA).
Patricia and Rodes Hart Professor of Public Policy and Education, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations

Christine Quinn Trank

Professor of the Practice of Organization Leadership, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations