Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and Communication

(845) 848-4038

The M.S. in Organizational Leadership and Communication will prepare students to lead change within organizations, to become effective communicators, resolve conflicts, and create strategic plans to accom-plish organizational goals. This program supports the University mission of leadership and educational excellence while serving a diverse community.   

The M.S. in Organizational Leadership and Communication consists of 33-credits which include ten required courses and a choice of one elective course. It offers the flexibility of online courses in an asynchronous format and may be completed in one year by taking two courses each session throughout the academic year. (A session con-sists of eight weeks; there are six sessions in the year. )Throughout the program, a faculty mentor will provide individualized attention to each student.    

In the capstone course, students will be able to choose from one of the following projects: compose a research paper, develop a leadership plan, or develop a training or orientation program. The capstone project will consist of a project/paper and an oral defense.   

The graduate program in Organizational Leadership and Communication is suited for individuals in all career paths and is designed for the working professional. It will help students advance their careers in banking, business, government agencies, healthcare, higher education, industry, law enforcement, military, profit or non-profit organi-zations. It will offer leadership strategies to prepare graduates to enter the work force or to advance to middle management, upper management, and administrative positions in all fields. It will help students become more self-aware, emotionally intelligent, socially responsible, and culturally sensitive, while exercising critical thinking. The curric-ulum is designed to help students develop the skills they need to navigate various changes and conflict within organizations effectively.   

Leaders today need training in organizational communication and development and crisis management as well as an understanding of workplace culture and decision making with strategies for negotiation and conflict resolution. Change is inevitable, so skills in transformational leadership, strategic planning and understanding diversity 
will make effective leaders.   

Admissions  

All candidates for the MSOLC program must apply for admission to the program through the Dominican University New York Office of Graduate Admissions.    

To be considered for admission to the program, all students must submit the following materials:  

• Completed application and payment of application fee
• An official transcript documenting a baccalaureate degree from an accredited undergraduate institution with a grade point average of at least a 3.0 on scale of 4.0.
  • For applicants with a grade point average below a 3.0, other factors such as years of professional experience, grade point average in the major field, and academic development beyond the baccalaureate degree may also be taken into account in the admission decision.
• Completion of an online interview (interview will be scheduled with the Program Director).

Transfer Credits:

The expectation is that all courses for the degree will be taken at  Dominican University New York; however, up to six credits from accredited  master-degree granting institutions that match the requirements of our program may be accepted if approved by the Program Director.  To be eligible for transfer, courses must meet the following criteria: 

1. They must have a minimum grade of B,
2. Be equivalent to courses offered at Dominican University New York,
3. Have been taken within the last five years.

Good standing: 

Once accepted into the MSOLC program, students must meet the following standards to remain in good standing: 

1. Adherence to all published policies and procedures of the University,
2. Completion of the degree within five years of matriculation into the program,
3. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 with no individual course grade below B-.

It is the responsibility of the student to adhere to the requirements for good academic standing. A student whose cumulative GPA falls below a 3.0 will be automatically placed on academic probation. A student on probation will meet with the Director to discuss the conditions and requirements of probation. These conditions and require-ments may include continuing probation, academic leave or dismissal from the program.  

Curriculum 

The M.S. in Organizational Leadership and Communication consists of 33-credits which includes ten required courses and a choice of one elective course. The courses are:  

• The Dynamics of Leadership
• Research and Writing   
• Organizational Change and Development/Transformational Leadership   
• Critical and Ethical Decision Making
• Research Methods and Design 
• Strategic Planning and Leadership 
• Organizational Communication
• Technology for Leaders OR Organization Culture and Team Building  
• Leadership and Diversity
• Conflict Resolution and Negotiation  
• Capstone Course

Capstone 

The capstone serves as the culmination to all coursework and requires the student to apply the knowledge, theories and practices learned from previous courses in a highly integrated, coherent and real world manner. In the capstone course, students will be able to choose from composing a research paper, developing a leadership plan, or developing a training or orientation program. The capstone will consist of an applied research project or a research paper. All students will complete an oral defense of their research. 

Procedures 

Advisement 

The Program Director is the academic advisor for all MSOLC students. An academic plan that takes into account a student’s unique professional and personal situation is a key factor for success.  

Residency  

Students must successfully complete at least 27 credits in the online program at Dominican University New York to be able to graduate from the program.