Organizational behavior is changing how businesses, nonprofit organizations and governments do business and take care of their employees. It is also changing how the field of psychology and business intersect. So it may come as no surprise that so many business professionals are choosing to undertake a Master’s in Organizational Behavior. Before embarking on this advanced degree path, get an idea of what courses may be offered in these programs.
Related Resource: 50 Most Affordable Master’s in Organizational Behavior Degree Programs
Human Behavior and Learning in Organizations
Most programs will require a course in human behavior and learning in organizations. This course features a thorough look at the relationship between organizational leadership and learning. It is a course that will build a student’s understanding of their field and how to translate and apply what they learn into real-world settings.
Organizational Change
Organizational change is a course that focuses on how change takes place through the various professional levels. Because changes in a business often arise due to a problem or issue that is impacting growth, students will be taught how to diagnose and assess a problem while also building a solution that can be implemented by their clients. This course is often required within the first two terms of the program in order to ensure that students understand the importance of change within a business dynamic.
Leadership Development
Leadership development is a course that focuses on nurturing and developing leadership within the business world. Many organizations are managed by demanding leaders with a specific skillset that requires them to understand not only how to use their own leadership skills in a business setting but also how to engage other professionals in leadership development. A good portion of the course will also feature concepts and theories that differentiate between leaders and leadership development.
Leadership in Organizations
Leadership in organizations is a course that is best preceded by leadership development. In this course, students will learn some of the basic approaches to leadership in organizations. The concepts and theories provided for in this course are meant to serve as a standard for current operating procedures within organizations. Most students will find that they fit one of the main categories for leadership modeling and will have the opportunity to discuss their own leadership experiences with the class. This course is completed once a student either creates a personal leadership plan for themselves or a leadership development program for a real-world case study.
Adult Learning
This course focuses on how adults learn after completing their formal education. Most programs will focus on both theory and application, as organizational behavior programs are built to provide professionals with models that will enable them to help their clients learn new skills and concepts in a professional setting. This is considered to be an introductory course that is only available to graduate students; undergraduate students may not take this class.
Organizational behavior is an incredible resource for businesses and nonprofits; Forbes dedicated an entire article to how important the field is for nonprofit work. Graduates who earn a Master’s in Organizational Behavior degree will have completed courses and demonstrated knowledge in a variety of subjects that will make them invaluable in the field. Now that candidates know what to look for in terms of curriculum, it is time to research programs that will help them meet their career goals.
