Irwin Nesoff, Chair and Associate Professor
Michelle Gibbons-Carr, Instructor

Available Programs of Study:

• Master of Science in Organizational Leadership
• Dual Degree: Master of Special Work/ Master of Science in Organizational Leadership
• Certificate in Organizational Leadership
• MSW Certificate in Organizational Leadership

MS/ Organizational Leadership/30 credits

The thirty-credit Master of Science in Organizational Leadership is designed to prepare a diverse group of students for leadership roles in nonprofit organizations, NGO’s and higher education institutions. Students will be prepared to take on administrative, executive and leadership positions through a series of required courses and advanced electives providing them with the knowledge, skills and values necessary to assume leadership roles. Designed for working adults, the Masters Degree can be completed in four semesters part-time. Students completing the four-course core curriculum will be awarded a Certificate in Organizational Leadership. The courses in this sequence include: Organizational Mission, Strategy and Leadership; Planning Evaluation and Marketing; Organizational Governance; and, Budgeting, Financial Management and Resource Development.

After completing the four course core curriculum students will then take a two course required sequence designed to further enhance their leadership skills in organizational governance and change. Students will also have the opportunity to choose two advanced electives specific to higher education or nonprofits.

All students, as part of their studies, will also complete a two-semester Capstone Project. This group project will consist of applied research in a specialized area of interest, providing students with a critical learning experience as they seek to address an identified organizational priority, issue or service delivery challenge. Over the course of an academic year, students will work in teams to address an organizational challenge and identify organizational opportunities or to conduct applied research on a specific issue of interest. Through this hands-on group experience, students will have the opportunity to become engaged in real-world issues and problem solving, while integrating and enhancing their learning.

Upon completion of the degree, students will have a unique combination of theory, knowledge of practical applications to organizational issues, leadership skills and applied knowledge that will qualify them for a wide-range of leadership positions in nonprofit organizations, NGO’s and institutions of higher education. Consistent with Wheelock’s mission of improving the lives of children and families the masters program will also provide students the skills and knowledge to lead diverse multicultural organizations with a global perspective focusing on social and organizational change.

Requirements 30 credits

ORL 510	Organizational Leadership, Mission and Strategy	3 credits
ORL 520	Leading People: Developing Human Potential	3 credits
ORL 530	Planning, Evaluation and Marketing	3 credits
ORL 540	Nonprofit Budgeting and Financial Management	3 credits
ORL 610	Leading Organizational Change	3 credits
ORL 620	Organizational Governance	3 credits
ORL 710	Capstone I	3 credits
ORL 711	Capstone II	3 credits
	Advanced Electives(2)	6 credits

Suggested Course Sequence

First Semester

Foundation Year: Semester 1 (Fall) (6 crs)

	ORL 510	Organizational Leadership, Mission and Strategy
	ORL 620	Organizational Governance

Second Semester

Foundation Year: Semester 2 (Spring) (6 crs)

	ORL 530	Planning, Evaluation and Marketing
	ORL 540	Nonprofit Budgeting and Financial Management

Third Semester

Advanced Year: Semester 3 (Fall) (9 crs)

	ORL 520	Leading People
	ORL 710	Capstone I

Advanced elective

Fourth Semester

Advanced Year: Semester 4 (Spring) (9 crs)

	ORL 610	Leading Organizational Change
	ORL 711	Capstone

Dual Degree - Master of Social Work (MSW) and Master of Science in Organizational Leadership/ 78 credits

The dual MSW/MS in Organizational Leadership degree offers the student interested in human service administration careers a unique opportunity. Students will develop justice-based social work competence as well as the organizational leadership skills and general orientation to human services that are necessary to perform as a leader in the human services sector. Dual degree graduates are well positioned to become administrators and policy leaders in organizations that deliver social services.

Students will complete all requirements for the MSW program which is designed to educate a diverse group of students who are committed to effecting change in the social conditions of diverse, oppressed and disadvantaged groups. Toward this goal, students will be prepared for advanced social work practice with a series of required and elective courses that will provide them with knowledge, skills and values that reflect strengths-based and empowerment approaches that are family-centered, community-based and interprofessional, and are directed toward change at the individual, family, community and system level. The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Students will attain an appropriate level of mastery of the Core Competencies and Practice Behaviors identified in the Educational Policy and Standards set out by this accrediting agency.

Students will also complete all requirements for the Master of Science degree in Organizational Leadership, preparing them to take on administrative, executive and leadership positions. Through a series of required courses and advanced electives, students gain the knowledge, skills and values necessary to assume leadership roles. Students will learn to build effective multicultural organizations, where the talents and contributions of individuals from diverse backgrounds are recognized, respected, and valued.

Students complete the MSW degree in its entirety and are eligible for social work licensure enabling them to work as a social worker while they complete the final part-time year of Organizational Leadership courses. Students enrolled in the ORL Certificate and the ORL Master’s Program are waived from SWK 610 Leadership and Administration.

There are three program options. Students can enroll in the Dual Degree program as full-time, part-time or Advanced-Standing MSW students.

Dual Degree Full-time Degree - Master of Social Work (MSW) and Part-time Master of Science in Organizational Leadership/78 CREDITS

Full time study is completed on a 6-semester, 3-year schedule. The first two years are full-time MSW and ORL courses, and the third year is part-time ORL courses.

Part-time study can be completed within five years, usually including 10 part-time semesters, on a fall and spring semester schedule.

Dual Degree Full-time Degree - Master of Social Work (MSW) and Master of Science in Organizational Leadership/78 CREDITS

Requirements

SWK 510	Human Behavior and the Social Environment I	3 credits
SWK 520	Social Policy	3 credits
SWK 540	Generalist SWK Practice I	3 credits
SWK 550	SWK Field Practicum and Seminar I	3 credits
SWK 511	Human Behavior and the Social Environment II	3 credits
SWK 530	Foundations of Social Research	3 credits
SWK 541	Generalist SWK Practice II	3 credits
SWK 546	Multicultural SWK Assessment	3 credits
SWK 551	SWK Field Practicum & Seminar II	3 credits
SWK 640	SWK Practice with Children & Families I	3 credits
SWK 650	SWK Field Practicum & Seminar III	3 credits
SWK 690	Integrative Project Seminar I	3 credits
SWK 620	Social Policy Practice	3 credits
SWK 641	SWK Practice with Children & Families II	3 credits
SWK 651	SWK Field Practicum and Seminar IV	3 credits
SWK 691	Integrative Project Seminar II	3 credits
SWK 850	Dynamics of Oppression & Discrimination	3 credits
ORL 510	Organizational Leadership, Mission and Strategy	3 credits
ORL 520	Leading People: Developing Human Potential	3 credits
ORL 530	Planning, Evaluation and Marketing	3 credits
ORL 540	Nonprofit Budgeting and Financial Management	3 credits
ORL 610	Leading Organizational Change	3 credits
ORL 620	Organizational Governance	3 credits
ORL 710	Capstone I	3 credits
ORL 711	Capstone II	3 credits
Advanced Elective (1)		3 credits

Course Sequence – Dual Degree – Full Time

First Semester	Foundation Year: Semester 1 (Fall)(15 crs)
SWK 510	Human Behavior and the Social Environment I
SWK 520	Social Policy
SWK 540	Generalist Social Work Practice I
SWK 550	Social Work Field Practicum & Seminar I
SWK 850	Dynamics of Oppression & Discrimination

 

Second Semester	Foundation Year: Semester 2(Spring)(15 crs)
SWK 511	Human Behavior and the Social Environment II
SWK 530	Foundations of Social Research
SWK 541	Generalist Social Work Practice II
SWK 546	Multicultural Social Work Assessment
SWK 551	Social Work Field Practicum & Seminar II

 

Third Semester	Concentration Year: Semester 3 (Fall)(15 crs)
SWK 640	Social Work Practice with Children & Families I
SWK 650	Social Work Field Practicum & Seminar III
SWK 690	Integrative Project Seminar I
ORL 510	Leadership, Mission and Strategy
ORL 620	Organizational Governance

 

Fourth Semester	Concentration Year: Semester 4 (Spring)(18 crs)
SWK 620	Social Policy Practice
SWK 641	Social Work Practice with Children & Families II
SWK 651	Social Work Field Practicum & Seminar IV
SWK 691	Integrative Project Seminar II
ORL 530	Program Planning, Evaluation and Marketing
ORL 540	Nonprofit Budgeting and Financial Management

 

Fifth Semester	ORL Advanced Courses (Fall, Part-time 9 credits)
ORL 520	Leading People: Developing Human Potential
ORL 710	Capstone I

Advanced Elective (3 credits)

 

Sixth Semester	ORL Advanced Courses (Spring, Part-time 6 credits)
ORL 610	Leading Organizational Change
ORL 720	Capstone I

 

Course Sequence – Dual Degree – Part Time

First Semester	Foundation Year: Semester 1 (fall)(9 crs)
SWK 510	Human Behavior and the Social Environment I
SWK 520	Social Policy
SWK 850	Dynamics of Oppression & Discrimination

 

Second Semester	Foundation Year: Semester 2(spring)(6 crs)
SWK 511	Human Behavior and the Social Environment II
SWK 530	Foundations of Social Research

 

Third Semester	Foundation Year: Semester 3 (fall)(6 crs)
SWK 540	Generalist Social Work Practice I
SWK 550	Social Work Field Practicum & Seminar I

 

Fourth Semester	Foundation Year: Semester 4 (spring)(9 crs)
SWK 541	Generalist Social Work Practice II
SWK 546	Multicultural Social Work Assessment: Applying Theory to Practice
SWK 551	Social Work Field Practicum & Seminar II

 

Fifth Semester	Concentration Year: Semester 5(fall)(6 crs)
SWK 640	Social Work Practice with Children & Families I
SWK 650	Social Work Field Practicum & Seminar III

 

Sixth Semester	Concentration Year: Semester 6(spring)(6 crs)
SWK 641	Social Work Practice with Children & Families II
SWK 651	Social Work Field Practicum & Seminar IV

Seventh Semester	Concentration Year: Semester 7(Fall) (9 crs)
SWK 690	Integrative Project Seminar I
ORL 510	Leadership, Mission and Strategy
ORL 620	Organizational Governance

 

Eighth Semester	Concentration Year: Semester 8 (spring)(12crs)
SWK 620	Social Policy Practice
SWK 691	Integrative Project Seminar II
ORL 530	Program Planning, Evaluation and Marketing
ORL 540	Nonprofit Budgeting and Financial Management

 

Ninth Semester	ORL Advanced Year: (fall, 9 credits)
ORL 520	Leading People: Developing Human Potential
ORL 710	Capstone I

Advanced Elective (3 credits)

 

Tenth Semester	ORL Advanced Year: (spring, 6 credits)
ORL 610	Leading Organizational Change
ORL 720	Capstone II

Dual Degree Full-time Degree - Master of Social Work-Advanced Standing (MSW) and Master of Science in Organizational Leadership/54 credits

Full-time Advanced Standing MSW students complete the 36-credit program in 3 consecutive semesters (summer, fall and spring), and then continue for 2 semesters of part-time study to complete the Organizational Leadership degree.

Part-time Advanced Standing MSW students complete the 36-credit program in five semesters (summer, fall, spring, fall, spring), and then continue for 2 semesters of part-time study to complete the Organizational Leadership degree.

Dual Degree - Advanced Standing MSW/MS Organizational Leadership

Requirements

SWK 800	Advanced Standing Summer Gateway	6 credits
SWK 640	SWK Practice with Children & Families I	3 credits
SWK 650	SWK Field Practicum and Seminar III	3 credits
SWK 690	Integrative Project Seminar I	3 credits
SWK 620	Social Policy Practice	3 credits
SWK 641	SWK Practice with Children & Families II	3 credits
SWK 651	SWK Field Practicum and Seminar IV	3 credits
SWK 691	Integrative Project Seminar II	3 credits
ORL 510	Organizational Leadership, Mission and Strategy	3 credits
ORL 520	Leading People: Developing Human Potential	3 credits
ORL 530	Planning, Evaluation and Marketing	3 credits
ORL 540	Nonprofit Budgeting and Financial Management	3 credits
ORL 610	Leading Organizational Change	3 credits
ORL 620	Organizational Governance	3 credits
ORL 710	Capstone I	3 credits
ORL 711	Capstone II	3 credits
ORL	Advanced Elective	3 credits

Sample/Suggested Course Sequence-Full time

First Semester

Advanced Standing Summer Gateway (Summer) (6 crs)

SWK 800

Advanced Standing Summer Gateway

 

First Semester

Advanced Standing Summer Gateway (Summer) (6 crs)

	SWK 640	Social Work Practice with Children & Families I
	SWK 650	Social Work Field Practicum and Seminar III
	SWK 690	Integrative Project Seminar I
	ORL 510	Leadership, Mission and Strategy
	ORL 620	Organizational Governance

 

Second Semester

Concentration Year: Semester 2 (Spring)(18 crs)

	SWK 620	Social Policy Practice
	SWK 641	Social Work Practice with Children & Families II
	SWK 651	Social Work Field Practicum and Seminar IV
	SWK 691	Integrative Project Seminar II
	ORL 530	Program Planning, Evaluation and Marketing
	ORL 540	Nonprofit Budgeting and Financial Management

 

Third Semester

ORL Advanced Year (Fall, 9 credits)

	ORL 520	Leading People: Developing Human Potential
	ORL 710	Capstone I

Advanced Elective (3 credits)

Fourth Semester

ORL Advanced year (Spring, 6 credits)

	ORL 610	Leading Organizational Change
	ORL 720	Capstone II

Sample/Suggested Course Sequence-Dual Degree Part time

First Semester

Advanced Standing Summer Gateway (Summer) (6 crs)

SWK 800

Advanced Standing Summer Gateway

 

First Semester

Concentration Year: Semester 1 (Fall)(6 crs)

	SWK 640	Social Work Practice with Children & Families I
	SWK 650	Social Work Field Practicum and Seminar III

 

Second Semester

Concentration Year: Semester 2 (Spring)(6 crs)

	SWK 641	Social Work Practice with Children & Families II
	SWK 651	Social Work Field Practicum and Seminar IV

 

Third Semester

Concentration Year: Semester 3 (fall) (9crs)

	SWK 690	Integrative Project Seminar I
	ORL 510	Leadership, Mission and Strategy
	ORL 620	Organizational Governance I

 

Fourth Semester

Concentration Year: Semester 4 (spring) (12crs)

	SWK 620	Social Policy Practice
	SWK 691	Integrative Project Seminar II
	ORL 530	Program Planning, Evaluation and Marketing

ORL 540

Nonprofit Budgeting and Financial Management

 

Fifth Semester

ORL Advanced Year (Fall) (9 credits)

	ORL 520	Leading People: Developing Human Potential
	ORL 710	Capstone I

Advanced Elective (3 credits)

Sixth Semester

ORL Advanced Year (Spring, 6 credits)

	ORL 610	Leading Organizational Change
	ORL 720	Capstone II

Certificate in Organizational Leadership/12 credits

Recent research indicates that within the next five to 10 years, more than half of current nonprofit leaders will retire and their organizations are not involved in succession planning or training of the next generation of leaders. This is also true of higher education, where we will be seeing a generational shift in leadership. As these shifts are approaching, more opportunities will be opening up for people interested in taking on leadership positions and responsibilities in these institutions. In this program, students will gain skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience needed to advance in nonprofit and higher education management and leadership. The certificate program is designed for nonprofit professionals, higher education administrators, social workers, and for-profit professionals and others who want to transition into the nonprofit sector. This program provides students with the fundamentals of effective management and leadership in as little as one year. The courses in this program can also fulfill the foundation year requirements for Wheelock's full Master of Science degree.

Requirements 12 credits

ORL 510	Organizational Leadership, Mission and Strategy	3 credits
ORL 530	Planning, Evaluation and Marketing	3 credits
ORL 540	Budgeting, Financial Management and Resource Development	3 credits
ORL 620	Organizational Governance	3 credits

MSW/Certificate in Organizational Leadership/12 credits

Recent research indicates that within the next five to 10 years, more than half of current nonprofit leaders will retire and their organizations are not involved in succession planning or training of the next generation of leaders. This is also true of higher education, where we will be seeing a generational shift in leadership. As these shifts are approaching, more opportunities will be opening up for people interested in taking on leadership positions and responsibilities in these institutions. In this program, students will gain skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience needed to advance in nonprofit and higher education management and leadership.

The certificate program is designed for nonprofit professionals, higher education administrators, social workers, and for-profit professionals and others who want to transition into the nonprofit sector. This program provides students with the fundamentals of effective management and leadership in as little as one year. The courses in this program can also fulfill the foundation year requirements for Wheelock's full Master of Science degree.

Requirements 12 credits

ORL 510	Organizational Leadership, Mission and Strategy	3 credits
ORL 530	Planning, Evaluation and Marketing	3 credits
ORL 540	Budgeting and Financial Management and Resource Development	3 credits
ORL 620	Organizational Governance	3 credits