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Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Leadership — 123 credits

Develop supervisory skills to become an effective leader. Gain a better understanding of organizations, their processes, and their interactions. Learn how to meet the challenges of today’s rapidly changing workplace. The bachelor’s degree program in organizational leadership can help you reach these goals as you add highly respected credentials to your résumé.

In-Depth Study of Three Important Themes
Drawing from a broad range of disciplines in the liberal arts, the degree program consists of three themes:

  • employer and employees
  • law, policy, and organizations
  • workplace dynamics

Flexibility to Pursue Your Career Goals
The bachelor’s degree program in organizational leadership also features a highly flexible curriculum, so you can tailor your course of study to meet your individual career goals. You can select courses in:

  • economics
  • English
  • crime, law, and justice
  • communication arts and sciences
  • labor and industrial relations
  • political science
  • psychology
  • sociology

As you work toward completing your bachelor’s degree you can also enhance your résumé with professional certificates, such as the Certificate in Labor Studies & Employment Relations, or an associate degree. Talk to your adviser to learn how you can achieve these education milestones.

Admission Requirements

  • You must be a high school graduate.
  • Or, you must have completed your GED.

Program Curriculum

Suggested academic plan

View the current Schedule of Courses

Required Courses (25 credits)

  • CAS 283 Communication and Information Technology I (3 credits)
  • ECON 002 Introductory Microeconomic Analysis and Policy (3 credits)
  • ECON 004 Introductory Macroeconomic Analysis and Policy (3 credits)
  • ENGL 215 Introduction to Article Writing (3 credits)
  • PSYCH 281 (formerly PSY 231) Introduction to Industrial-Organizational Psychology (3 credits)
  • PSYCH 485 (formerly PSY 451) Leadership in Work Settings (3 credits)
  • SOC 207 Research Methods in Sociology (3 credits)
  • STAT 200 Elementary Statistics (4 credits) STAT 200 counts as a core course and as a 4-credit general education GQ course.

Supporting and Related Courses (39 credits)
Select 39 credits from the following list, with at least 12 credits from each of the three categories, and at least 15 credits at the 400 level.

I. Employer and Employees

  • HIST (LER) 458Y History of Work in America (3 credits)
  • LER 136 Race, Gender, and Employment (3 credits)
  • PHIL 010 Critical Thinking (3 credits)
  • PHIL 103W Introduction to Ethics (3 credits)
  • PSYCH 100 (formerly PSY 002) Introductory Psychology (3 credits)
  • PSYCH 484 (formerly PSY 441) Work Attitudes and Motivation (3 credits)
  • SOC 035 Sociology of Aging (3 credits)
  • SOC (WMNST) 456 Gender, Occupations, and Professions (3 credits)

II. Law, Policy, and Organizations

  • CRIM (CRIMJ) 100 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 credits)
  • CRIM (CRIMJ) 113 Introduction to Law (3 credits)
  • CRIM (CRIMJ) 482 Seminar, Criminal Justice Agency Administration (3 credits)
  • LER 100 Employment Relations (3 credits)
  • LER 201 Employment Relationship: Law and Policy (3 credits)
  • LER 424 Employment Compensation (3 credits)
  • LER 435 Labor Relations in the Public Sector (3 credits)
  • PL SC 001 Introduction to American National Government (3 credits)
  • PL SC 490 (formerly 420) Policy Making and Evaluation (3 credits)

III. Workplace Dynamics

  • CAS 352 Organizational Communication (3 credits)
  • CAS 404 Conflict Resolution and Negotiation (3 credits)
  • CAS 452 Organizational Communication Theory and Research (3 credits)
  • CAS 475 Studies in Public Address (3 credits)
  • ECON 315 Labor Economics (3 credits)
  • ECON 342 Industrial Organization (3 credits)
  • ENGL 419 Advanced Business Writing (3 credits)
  • LER 434 Collective Bargaining and Contract Administration (3 credits)
  • LER 472 Work-Life Practices and Policies (3 credits)
  • SOC 404 Social Influence and Small Groups (3 credits)
  • SOC 455 Work and Occupations (3 credits)

Additional Courses (59 credits)
In addition to the major requirements, students must complete 41 General Education credits and 18 elective credits, chosen from multiple course offerings available through Penn State campuses and Penn State World Campus. Transfer credits may apply.

Ask your adviser about how to choose electives that can help you acquire professional certificates as you work toward your degree — another excellent way to enhance your marketability.

Financing your Education

Exploring alternatives to finance your education can be overwhelming. The Continuing Education staff can help you determine the best option for you based on your particular circumstances from Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to a deferred payment plan or employee reimbursement. Continuing Education also offers scholarship opportunities to adult learners.
Learn more about tuition and fees.

Penn State welcomes students with disabilities to participate in its educational programs. If you anticipate needing special accommodations or have questions about physical access, please contact the Office for Disability Services (ODS) or call 814-863-1807 (V/TTY).