Concentrate on employee relations or leadership, online or in the classroom.

Organizations today reflect the depth and breadth of change in society. All types of organizations (corporate, non-profit, government, foundation) seek managers who can bring a global, strategic point of view to future direction and growth.

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Organizational Studies is offered totally online, or hybrid. Students gain analytical skills with applied knowledge of how to improve organizations using such tools as conflict resolution, leadership building, problem solving, and diversity awareness.

Is this program right for me?

The Master of Science in Organization Studies appeals to working adults who are currently in or aspire to positions of leadership. Those who complete the degree will:

• gain a wide variety of skills critical to highly-functioning organizations
• acquire the skills to lead and help others perform at a high level
• undertake ethical analysis, and learn to manage organizational change and integrity
• gain skills to lead and motivate a diverse workforce
• know how to cultivate leadership skills in others

Job Prospects

A 2006 study by the Bridgespan Group found that demand for leaders among nonprofits with revenues greater than $250,000 (excluding hospitals and institutions of higher education), will be quite high.

The study found that over the next decade, these organizations will need to attract and develop some 640,000 new senior managers—the equivalent of 2.4 times the number currently employed. If the sector were to experience significant consolidation and lower-than-forecast turnover rates, this number might fall as low as 330,000. On the other hand, given historic trends, the total need could well increase to more than one million. By 2016, these organizations will need almost 80,000 new senior managers per year.

Concentrate on employee relations or leadership, online or in the classroom.

The 30-credit program consists of seven required courses and three courses in your chosen area of concentration. You must complete a minimum of 24 credits of the degree through Robert Morris University; a maximum of six transfer credits may be applied to degree requirements.

Required Courses - 21 credits

Course Number	Course Name
SAOS6000*	Introduction to the History and Theory of Leadership
SAOS6100*	Organizational Studies
SAOS6200	Organizational Ethics
SAOS6300	Organizational Communications
SAOS6400	Legal Issues for Leaders and Organizations
SAOS6500	Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving in Organizations
SAOS6600	Knowledge Acquisition for Organizational Decision Making

Option 1: Leadership Concentration - 9 credits

Course Number	Course Name
SAOS6700	Leadership and Organizational Behavior
SAOS6800	Transformational Leadership and Organizational Change
SAOS6900	Leading Now and in the Future

Option 2: Employee Relations Concentration - 9 credits

Course Number	Course Name
SAOS6750	Conflict Resolution and Negotiation
SAOS6850	Interpersonal Relations and Group Dynamics
SAOS6950	Working With Diversity

* Note: SAOS6000 and SAOS6100 are prerequisites to all other courses and must be taken first.

Flexible Scheduling

The M.S. in Organizational Studies degree program can accommodate full-time and part-time students. Courses are offered in eight-week sessions. By enrolling in one class per eight-week session, you can complete the program in approximately two years.

Two delivery options are offered: fully online delivery and hybrid delivery. You must complete all course work within the delivery option you select upon matriculation.

• Full Online Delivery
  In the fully online option, all course requirements are completed online via e-mail and the Internet. No class meetings are required.
• Hybrid Delivery
  In the hybrid delivery option, courses combine classroom study with an online component. Hybrid classes meet for two hours one evening per week, with a minimum of 3.5 hours per week online.

Courses

Course Number	Course Name
SAOS6000*	Introduction to the History and Theory of Leadership
SAOS6100*	Organizational Studies
SAOS6200	Organizational Ethics
SAOS6300	Organizational Communications
SAOS6400	Legal Issues for Leaders and Organizations
SAOS6500	Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving in Organizations
SAOS6600	Knowledge Acquisition for Organizational Decision Making
SAOS6700	Leadership and Organizational Behavior
SAOS6800	Transformational Leadership and Organizational Change
SAOS6900	Leading Now and in the Future
SAOS6750	Conflict Resolution and Negotiation
SAOS6850	Interpersonal Relations and Group Dynamics
SAOS6950	Working With Diversity

* Note: SAOS6000 and SAOS6100 are prerequisites to all other courses and must be taken first.