Organizational Leadership and Learning Master’s Degree Program and Graduate Certificate - ILA
Why Earn Your Graduate Degree in Organizational Leadership and Learning at GW?
At GW’s Graduate School of Education and Human Development (GSEHD) you will focus on a unique view of leadership designed to expand your understanding of how to lead—right in the midst of change and complexity.
As you gain hands-on practice in diverse aspects of leadership—often in some of Washington, D.C.’s most influential and prestigious organizations—you will ultimately acquire the practical knowledge and necessary skills to incisively assess organizational performance and help design initiatives that lead to effective change.
YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A $6000 GRANT
Depending on the degree program, newly admitted students who are eligible for scholarships for the summer/fall 2022 semesters will receive a $6,000 grant—and may receive additional funding through merit scholarships. Learn more about this grant opportunity.
Gain a Multidisciplinary Approach
GSEHD challenges you to expand your understanding of how to lead by examining it from the vantage point of several disciplines. This multidisciplinary approach often facilitates creative, results-oriented breakthroughs.
Leading Faculty Practitioners
Gain opportunities to learn from faculty who are recognized practitioners with hands-on experience actively working in the field and can provide their own real-world experiences and uncommon insights from leading organizations.
Access Washington, D.C. and a Global Peer Network
Take advantage of our unique location in the heart of our nation’s capital, with access to research, internship, and employment opportunities with prestigious organizations, government entities, and professional associations—all while refining your critical analysis skills alongside a diverse group of students.
Programs at a Glance
Online or In-Person Master's in Organizational Leadership and Learning (OLL)
The OLL program prepares you to direct individuals, teams, and organizations to maximize their development and performance, and inspire their success. Our innovative, skills-based graduate program covers diverse aspects of leadership to prepare you for broad career opportunities in diverse work settings such as public and private businesses and nonprofit organizations.
Graduate Certificate in Leadership Development
Gain skills in instructional design, group processes, adult learning, organizational diagnosis, and consulting strategies. Designed for working professionals, students apply new skills in both real-world settings and the classroom. This certificate provides students with a realistic preview of the master's degree program in Organizational Leadership and Learning. If accepted, all 15 credits will apply toward the 30-credit Master's degree program.
Graduate Certificate in Organizational Learning and Change
This graduate certificate provides an in-depth understanding of how a learning focus helps organizations improve their performance and create sustainable change. Gain the practical skills necessary to assess organizational performance and help lead effective change initiatives. If accepted, all 12 credits will apply toward the 30 credit Master's degree program in Organizational Leadership and Learning.
“I'm the HR Business Partner at a small government contractor in the Washington, DC area. As a one-woman HR team at a growing organization, I report directly to the CEO in my job building our people operations from the ground up. I chose the OLL program because of the interdisciplinary approach it takes to improving workplace culture, leadership, and people's lives by consequence. It gave me the tools to take a human-centered design approach in all parts of my work from developing our performance management system to learning & development to leader development and coaching. I wouldn't have a job that I love, have the ability to define what meaningful work looks like for me, or be able to help others create a definition of meaningful work for themselves if not for the OLL program.”
Payten Kirby
M.A. ’21 (Organizational Leadership and Learning)
“Being part of an amazing program and cohort has been a gift. Completing the OLL program during the events of 2020, while challenging, only reminds me of the importance of our learning and my belief that this group of people can and will change the world. I could not be more grateful for the faculty, staff, peers, and mentors that have made this experience so valuable and fulfilling - even as we all faced challenges as individuals.”
Shannon K. Stearman
M.A. ’21 (Organizational Leadership and Learning)
Employment Opportunities With Industry Leaders
Here are just some of the field’s top organizations where our graduates are advancing their exciting careers:
- KPMG US
- LexisNexis
- Amazon Web Services
- DreamWorks Animation
- Lyft
- Los Angeles Times
- AdventHealth
- Colorado State University
Learn More Today
Take the next step towards completing your graduate degree from GW. Learn more about degree requirements, course descriptions, tuition, and schedules by completing the short form below.