Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership

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Why Choose Organizational Leadership?

Gain the skills you need to make a difference in your community with an organizational leadership major, minor, or certificate from Wright State. These programs are multidisciplinary, focused on the people side of organizations and managing others. An education in organizational leadership can provide you with a broad perspective to prepare for complex social, cultural, and professional issues which exist in organizational settings.

A Program Designed to Develop your Leadership Skills

  • Apply your associate or technical degree toward a four-year degree, saving time and money.
  • A fully online program with course flexibility
  • All courses are offered year-round, accelerating your graduation.
  • Consideration given to those with military education and experience.
  • Take your organizational leadership degree and earn that promotion, start your own. business, work in the non-profit, corporate, or government industries, attend graduate school, or increase your marketability.
  • Strengthen your leadership skills—wherever you are in life.

Contact Information

Kelly Schellhouse, M.A., M.Ed., Program Director
kelly.schellhouse@wright.edu

Careers

Graduates from the organizational leadership program have secured careers that include some of the following:

  • Marketing account manager
  • Business owner
  • Government/military positions
  • Public relations manager
  • Corporate recruiter
  • Sales account executive
  • Human resource specialist
  • Event planner
  • Pharmacy technician
  • Bank executive
  • Customer service manager

65 percent of our 2018-2019 organizational leadership graduates were employed in Ohio within a year of graduation. Eleven percent were pursuing advanced degrees a year after graduating. Top employers include Kettering Health Network, Miami Valley Hospital, Caresource Management Group, Speedway LLC, PNC Bank, Fifth Third Bank, Reynolds and Reynolds, Nationwide Mutual Insurance, Wright State University, and Sinclair Community College. (ODJFS Data Match, 2019). 
 

Real-World Experience

Experiential (hands-on) opportunities exist within the organizational leadership program. Students in the major will have options to choose among internships, service-learning, teaching assistantships, or applying career/life experiences, to earn the same 3-hour credit.

OL 4020 Community-Based Learning is a course designed to allow students the opportunity to intern or volunteer with a chosen organization / agency, to identify and research organizational or leadership issues through service, reflective writing, and the development of a final project.

OL 4030 Teaching Assistantship course provides students the opportunity to assist faculty in the management of course delivery within the program. Teaching assistantships are unpaid, but students earn 3 credit hours for enrollment in this option. Students must submit to an application process to be approved for this option. Undergraduate Teaching Assistantship Application (DOCX)

Prior Learning Assessment is an option for students with 10 years or more of relevant work experience, that is student-centered and faculty-driven. This option awards credit for demonstrated knowledge of leadership concepts through evidence of prior training and the development of a portfolio. This option is administered through the Wright State University Division of Academic Affairs. Note that although this option does count toward the 120 hour university requirement to graduate, it does NOT count toward the 30 hour minimal residency requirement to earn a degree from Wright State. Students who are interested may find complete information regarding the PLA program and its eligibility in the Prior Learning Assessment Handbook (PDF).
 

Success Stories

Academics and Curriculum

View Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership program information, degree requirements, and graduation planning strategies in the Academic Catalog.

Related Minor, Certificate, Honors Designation, and Combined Degree Programs

Honors Designation 

The Organizational Leadership Departmental Honors Scholar designation is awarded through the University Honors program. If you have achieved excellence in their academic program, you will have the opportunity to expand and enhance your knowledge and/or skills in leadership. Engage in a guided research project or paper under the guidance of a faculty honors advisor.

Eligibility

  • Must be admitted to the organizational leadership major
  • Must have completed OL 2010, 3020, 3030, 3040 courses prior to beginning the project
  • Must have a university cumulative GPA of 3.25
  • Must have an OL cumulative GPA of 3.85

Two semesters are needed to complete the Honors Project and you must apply the semester prior to starting the project. For example, to complete an Honors Project in the Fall and Spring semesters of your senior year, you would need to apply by March 1 of your junior year—six months prior to the start of the project.

You must contact the honors coordinator during the semester prior to the anticipated project, typically prior to the last semester of your junior year AND find a faculty member willing to serve as your honors project advisor prior to submitting the application. The honors project must be completed in the course of two consecutive semesters any time prior to graduation.

Selection Criteria

By March 1 for a Summer or Fall semester start and October 1 for a Spring start:

  • Fill out the application and submit by email to Corey Seemiller, Ph.D. corey.seemiller@wright.edu, the Honors coordinator.
  • If you meet the eligibility for participation, you will be contacted to set up a 30-minute timed in-person writing evaluation.

Honors Handbook (PDF)
 

Admission

Admission Requirements

Either:

  • Completion of an associate degree from an accredited college or university

Or:

  • Completion of:
    • 60+ semester credit hours
    • Cumulative minimum GPA of 2.0
    • Completion of OL 2010 and OL 3020

Admission Process

New Students

  1. Apply to the university. You will be admitted as a pre-major until you meet the criteria for acceptance into the major.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are the requirements to get into the Organizational Leadership undergraduate program?

    Either:

    • Completion of Associate’s Degree from an accredited college/university

    Or:

    • Completion of:
      • 60+ semester credit hours
      • Cumulative minimum GPA of 2.0
      • Completion of OL 2010 and OL 3020
  • How long will it take me to complete the Organizational Leadership program?

    This certainly depends on how many credits you have when you enter the program and how many credits per semester you can take. Students should seek the advice of a CEHS Student Services advisor to learn more about their own timeline.

  • What courses count as open electives?

    Anything that does not fit into General Education, the Integrated Leadership Focus or Organizational Leadership Focus will go into Open Electives.  If a student needs a lot of Open Electives, the overriding advice is to seek out courses that:

    • fit a student’s schedule
    • are nice complements to the O.L. major
    • they want to take
    • add a minor 
    • see an academic advisor for further assistance
  • After I’m officially admitted into the O.L. program, how do I know what to take and when?

    Students receive notice that informs the student how to access their program of study via the Internet. This is what the O.L. student should use when determining what to schedule. When to schedule is up to the student. The O.L. student can talk with the CEHS Student Services advisor to determine sequencing or to find out when to take certain courses.

  • What is the best way to contact my Student Services Advisor?

    Student Services Advisors are available by appointment Monday through Friday. 

    Student Services Advisors maintain their own appointment calendars. To schedule an appointment, please email your assigned advisor and provide the following information:

    • Calendar availability
    • Current phone number
    • Email Address (Wright State email address required for Wright State students)

    During peak advising times (i.e. registration for classes, graduation, etc.) appointments times will fill quickly. Please plan ahead and schedule your appointment well in advance.

  • Where do I get permission for an Organizational Leadership permission course?

    Contact the Leadership Studies department at 937-775-2516 to request register permission.