Program Description and Benefits

36 credits

The (MSOLD) Master of Science in Organizational Learning and Development focuses on key competencies in both adult education and organizational learning.

Organizational Learning benefits you and your employer by:

• Leveraging the knowledge in the organization
• Improving interdepartmental and interpersonal relationships
• Encouraging a long-term perspective while managing the short term
• Helping people work on both content and process to make improvements and to make better decisions that support strategy
• Allowing more effective and productive use of information technology
• Improving the means of creating new knowledge and of increasing creativity and innovation

The curriculum encompasses instructional design, creative problem solving, performance improvement, needs assessment, individual/ interpersonal effectiveness, and team-based learning skills.

You will also learn about:

• Systems thinking
• Instructional technology and e-learning
• Presentation skills
• Adult training methods
• Teaching and learning styles
• Program management and evaluation
• Marketing
• Continuing education for the professions

This dual-career oriented degree has enabled recent graduates of this program to secure positions as managers of training and development, human resource generalists, training consultants, recruitment specialists, directors of contract training and education, instructional designers, academic computing specialists, and junior college and adult education instructors.

Actively involved in the design and direction of the program, the Human Resources, Learning and Performance Programs Advisory Board is an established network of practitioners who provide great opportunities for students. Members of the Board assist with curriculum development, serve as mentors and guest speakers, and provide corporate internship placement opportunities.

The Master of Science in Adult and Organizational Learning Program may be tailored to meet your individual needs and career objectives. For example, courses from the Graduate Human Resources Certificate Program may be applied as electives to the Master of Science in Adult and Organizational Learning Program.

You also have the option of pursuing an internship and/or independent study in areas of specific research interests, including:

• Organizational learning
• Corporate training
• Systems thinking
• Instructional design
• Web-based training
• Continuing education for the professions
• Adult learning
• Marketing, and more

Are you interested in finding out more?

Contact

Prof. Christine Westphal, Director
Human Resources, Learning and Performance Programs
Suffolk University
Beacon Hill
Boston, MA 02114
Tel: 617.994.6455
E-mail: cwestpha@suffolk.edu

OR

Office of Graduate Admission
Tel: 617.573.8280

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Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Organizational Learning and Development Program is a 36-credit (12 course) program.

Internship

• All students enrolled in the Master of Science in Organizational Learning and Development Program are required to pursue an internship.
• The intern can expect to be treated as a full-time exempt professional employee with a graduate degree. Compensation is optional and left to the discretion of the company.
• Internships may be full or part time, depending on the needs of the student and/ or company.
• Individuals who are currently employed in a full-time capacity may complete the internship at the corporate work site.

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Required Courses

Core Requirements: (3 credits)

EHS 695 HRLPP Action Research*

* Students are advised to take this course toward the completion of the degree program.

Concentration Requirements: (18-21 credits)

EHS 650 Instructional Design
EHS 651 Adult and Organizational Learning
EHS 652 Training Methods for Adult Learners
EHS 658 Systems Thinking
EHS 660 Internship (3 - 6 credits)¹
EHS 662 Organizational Learning Seminar

Elective Courses: (12-15 credits, choose 4 or 5 from the following²)

EHS 653 Marketing Training and Education Programs
EHS 654 The Adult Learner
EHS 655 Continuing Education for the Professions
EHS 657 Advanced Instructional Design
EHS 659 Reflection and Dialogue
EHS 661 Teaching and Learning Styles
EHS 663 Human Performance Improvement
EHS 664 Communicating for Results
EHS 666 Coaching and Mentoring
EHS 667 Critical Business Competencies
EHS 670 Special Topics
EHS 700 HRLPP Independent Projects
EHS ___ Human Resources Electives³
EHS ___ Organizational Development Electives⁴
EHS 712 Adult Development
SSOM Graduate Management Electives⁵

Notes:

1. Students are advised to take the internship toward the conclusion of the degree program.
2. All elective courses are selected in consultation with the faculty advisor. Six (6) graduate credits directly related to the AOL program may be transferred prior to matriculation at the discretion of the advisor.
3. Courses may be selected from the Graduate Program in Human Resources. EHS 680 is a prerequisite to human resources courses.
4. In consultation with and at the discretion of the faculty advisor, only two (2) courses may be selected from the Advanced Degree in Organizational Development.
5. Graduate level management courses may be elected with permission from the Sawyer Business School Dean of Graduate Programs.

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Admission Requirements

To be reviewed for admission into the Master of Science in Organizational Learning and Development Program, you must:

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• Provide two letters of recommendation, preferably from employers or supervisors
• Take either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT); the GRE or MAT test will be waived for those who have matriculated in and completed four (4) courses from the related certificate program with a cumulative GPA of 3.5
• Complete the Graduate Application for Admission
• International students must take the TOEFL or the IELTS and provide a statement of financial resources

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