Alumnus, Colonel Sean L. McEwen, Named National Security Affairs Fellow at the Hoover Institution
Master's in Organizational Leadership and Learning
Maximize Your Leadership Impact, Inspire Organizational Growth, and Cultivate Lifelong Learning
The Organizational Leadership and Learning program empowers change-driven professionals with the mindset and tools to rethink leadership, challenge assumptions, engage diverse stakeholders, and drive meaningful change across organizations. Designed for those who aspire to thrive in today’s complex, evolving world, GW's Master’s in Organizational Leadership and Learning blends theory and practice with real-world applications, rigorous research, and higher ideals. It combines a global perspective and hands-on learning to maximize potential and performance. We don’t just teach leadership — we redefine it as a force for social good.
Scholar-Practitioner Faculty
Learn from faculty members who are active and experienced working professionals with real-world insights into leading organizations. All faculty members have a doctoral degree and are members of reputable industry associations.
Diverse Student Body
Engage in a collective learning environment shared by classmates with a broad range of professional backgrounds. Gain exposure to unique viewpoints and refine your critical analysis and communication skills with discussion forums and small group projects.
Accessible + Flexible
With courses available fully online or on the Foggy Bottom campus, you have access to all of the resources of our tier 1 research institution, wherever you are in the world.
The GW Advantage
Take advantage of our unique location in the heart of the nation’s capital that offers unparalleled access to research, internship, and employment opportunities with prestigious private and government organizations. The program’s hands-on learning experiences expand your ability to lead responsibly amid change and complexity.
The Organizational Leadership and Learning program offers an interdisciplinary approach. Our courses and faculty broaden your understanding of organizational challenges by examining them from the perspective of different disciplines to facilitate creative, holistic, and results-oriented solutions to make a lasting impact.
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Degree Awarded:
Master of Arts in Education and Human Development in the Field of Organizational Leadership and Learning
Department:
Human and Organizational Learning
Program Delivery:
-Online
(Synchronous/Asynchronous*)
-Foggy Bottom Campus
Program Entry:
-Spring, Summer, Fall (Online)
-Spring, Fall (Main Campus)
- Our Mission
The goal of the program is to develop ethical, responsible, and humanistic leaders with strong ‘learning’ orientation, capability to effectively lead change, and capacity to continuously develop themselves and others in their organizations and environments.
- *Program Delivery
Our online courses offer a flexible blend of live (synchronous) and self-paced (asynchronous) learning. Students typically meet with faculty and classmates 3–6 times per semester in the evenings (Monday–Thursday, Eastern Time), with schedules shared in advance to support planning and balance.
The in-person (Foggy Bottom) format provides an immersive campus experience with face-to-face learning, community, and access to University resources. To ensure students have access to the full curriculum, select courses may be delivered online—adding flexibility while maintaining the benefits of an in-person cohort.
- Curriculum Requirements
The following requirements must be fulfilled: 30 credits, including 21 credits in required courses and 9 credits in elective courses.
Code Title Required HOL 6700 Human Behavior and Learning in Organizations HOL 6701 Adult Learning HOL 6702 Organizational Change HOL 6704 Leadership in Organizations HOL 6709 Leadership Development HOL 6721 Assessing the Impact of Organizational Change Using Qualitative and Quantitative Methods HOL 6746 Work Groups and Teams in Organizations Electives 9 credits in elective courses; In consultation with their advisor, students may take electives outside of the OLL program. Courses must be at the master’s level or above and aligned with OLL curriculum and the student’s professional interests. - Program Outcomes
Students will learn topics such as the foundations of human behavior, adult learning principles, group dynamics, research methods, organizational change, strategic change, leadership development and coaching, impact of globalization on societies and organizations, and assessing the impact of change efforts.
Graduates of the Master's in Organizational Leadership and Learning benefit from its unique focus on how to lead responsibly in a rapidly changing environment. The program’s interdisciplinary approach also allows you to tailor learning as well as deliver practical skills, including:
- A holistic understanding of organizational problems and innovative strategies to solve them
- Practical methods for leading effective group processes, adult learning, organizational diagnosis and change
- Effective use of critical thinking and reflection in problem solving
- Enabling a sense of social responsibility in your leadership strategy and your organization
Apply Now
GSEHD’s Office of Admissions invites you to apply for a spot in our program. Please review the following admission and financial information.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Review our step-by-step guide to applying to GSEHD >
To learn more about the program, admission process, and upcoming events, please connect with the GSEHD Admissions Team at askhol
gwu [dot] edu (askhol[at]gwu[dot]edu) or 202-994-9283.
| Apply Now | Schedule Meeting with Admissions Coach |
To be considered for admission, applicants must submit the online application form as well as the following required supporting documents. There is no application fee.
- Prerequisite: Bachelor's Degree
- Resume
- Transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities
- Statement of Purpose
- Two Letters of Recommendation
*Additional application requirements may exist for international applicants.
Applications are now being accepted for Spring, Summer and Fall 2026. We encourage you to apply as early as possible.
Application Timeline Spring Summer (Online) Fall Priority Deadline Sept 1 Nov 1 Nov 1 Round 1 Deadline Oct 1 Dec 1 Dec 1 Round 2 Deadline Nov 1 Jan 15 Jan 15 Round 3 Deadline - March 1 March 1 Round 4 Deadline - - May 1 Round 5 Deadline - - June 15 Program Deadline Dec 1 May 1 Aug 1 For more information or to inquire about the next admissions cycle, contact the GSEHD Admissions Team at askhol
gwu [dot] edu (askhol[at]gwu[dot]edu) or 202-994-9283.
Tuition & Financial Aid
We know embarking upon graduate school is a big decision - due in part to the costs of attending. At GW, we understand the time and thought behind making graduate school work for you. Please take a moment to learn more about the options and opportunities available to help fund your graduate education.
Graduate tuition is charged per credit hour, unless otherwise noted. Rates vary by program and location.
The tuition rate* for the on-campus Master's in OLL program is $1,960 per credit hour.
This program requires 30 credits.
Please note: Additional fees may apply for international students, late fees, etc. Current tuition rates may be updated during the year.
*Summer 2025, Fall 2025 and Spring 2026
Scholarships are available to eligible admitted students. Review eligibility requirements and learn more about funding your education >
Graduate tuition is charged per credit hour, unless otherwise noted. Rates vary by program and location.
The tuition rate* for the online Master's in OLL program is $1,265 per credit hour.
This program requires 30 credits.
Please note: Additional fees may apply for international students, late fees, etc. Current tuition rates may be updated during the year.
*Summer 2025, Fall 2025 and Spring 2026
Scholarships are available to eligible admitted students. Review eligibility requirements and learn more about funding your education >
I come from the law enforcement and military communities, but after entering the GSEHD program I have been exposed to other leadership styles from not only different communities, but different walks of life and corners of the world. I've learned from the faculty and the student community that there's a lot more to leadership.
Kevin Jelani
Master’s in Organizational Leadership & Learning
Career Outlook
A degree in Organizational Leadership and Learning is suitable for leaders and managers across a wide range of sectors (e.g., government, corporate, nonprofit, education, military, international development, healthcare, IT, financial). It helps you enter, transition, or advance your careers.
Graduates of the program contribute across industries as consultants, managers, and leaders dedicated to facilitating individual growth, supporting teamwork, and enhancing organizational systems. Our alumni work both locally and internationally.
Learn more in our guide: What Can You Do With an Organizational Leadership and Learning Degree?
- OLL Career Opportunities
Typical roles include:
- Consulting (particulalry in areas related to Organizational Development, Change, and Strategy)
- Learning and Development Manager or Chief Learning Officer
- Human Resources, Talent Management, or People Strategy Manager
- Leadership and Executive Coach
- Change Management and Organizational Effectiveness
- Strategic Planning
- Team Development or Facilitation Expert
- Training and Development Professional
- Project or Program Manager (with an emphasis on learning and change)
- Entrepreneur or Business Leader
These roles include some of the most dynamic positions in business today. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Services reports that training and development managers earned a median annual salary of $127,090 in 2024, with jobs in the field expected to grow 7% by 20331. Management analysts had a 2024 median pay of $101,190 per year, with job opportunities expected by grow 11% by 20332.
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Training and Development Managers,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/training-and-development-managers.htm (visited July 31, 2025).
2 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Management Analysts,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/management-analysts.htm (visited July 31, 2025).
Dr. Shaista E. Khilji
Department Chair and Professor, Human and Organizational Learning
(202) 994-1146
Dr. Yoshie Tomozumi Nakamura
Associate Professor, Human and Organizational Learning
