MA in Organizational Sciences

Two organizational sciences master's students discussing coursework and sitting on a couch

The Master of Arts in Organizational Sciences degree pushes the bounds of strategic leadership. Courses apply theories of organizational management and effectiveness to real-world objectives like employee retention and workplace culture change. 

Faculty share a strong foundation in systems thinking and work closely with students in small classes. Graduates emerge prepared to successfully manage organizations at the individual, group and environmental levels.

Note: The Organizational Sciences MA is an Open Enrollment Master’s Program at the Arlington Graduate Education Center.

All MA courses are in-person on GW's Arlington campus. All weekday classes will begin at 6pm to accommodate a part-time or full-time job schedule.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester: April 1 (February 1 for fellowship/assistantship applicants)
  • Spring Semester: October 1

GRE scores are not required to apply, though applicants can submit theirs if they so choose. We accept TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo test scores. An undergraduate degree is required to apply, however, there is no specific major requirement. While we currently do not provide any internal funding for our MA students, the Columbian School of Arts and Sciences will, in some cases, grant financial awards in the form of a fellowship to our applicants.


Outcomes and Focuses

 

Outcomes

Students leave prepared to:

  • Integrate solutions
  • Synthesize information
  • Resolve conflict
  • Sculpt organizations
  • Drive performance
  • Redesign work processes
  • Enhance collaboration
  • Accommodate stakeholders
  • Transform culture
 

Key Knowledge Areas

The OS program ties managerial and executive success to the integration of knowledge in three key areas:

  • Strategy and change management
  • Leadership and communication
  • Performance and talent development

"What we learned in the classroom translated so easily to our everyday lives ... how organizations work internally, how they interact with outside organizations and how things can change within."

John Vail
MA '16, Organizational Management


Course Requirements

The following requirements must be fulfilled:

The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Graduate Programs.

36 credits, including 27 credits in required courses, 9 credits in elective courses, and successful completion of a master’s comprehensive examination.

Required
ORSC 6104Statistics in Management, Administration, and Policy Studies
ORSC 6209Management Systems
ORSC 6216Theories and Management of Planned Change
ORSC 6219Managerial Economics
ORSC 6241Strategic Management and Policy Formation
ORSC 6242Organizational Communication and Conflict Management
or COMM 6242 Organizational Communication and Conflict Management
ORSC 6243Seminar: Leadership in Complex Organizations
ORSC 6245Seminar: Organizational Behavior
ORSC 6259Behavioral Economics and Group Decision Making
Electives
9 credits from the following:
ORSC 6212Current Issues in Personnel Testing and Selection
ORSC 6214Personnel Training and Performance Appraisal Systems
ORSC 6217Productivity and Human Performance
ORSC 6222Theory and Practice of Compensation Management
ORSC 6223Collective Bargaining
ORSC 6224Persuasion and Negotiation
or COMM 6150 Persuasion
ORSC 6246Comparative Management
ORSC 6248Strategic Human Resource Planning
ORSC 6250Leadership Coaching: Principles and Practices
ORSC 6251Team Coaching and Facilitation
ORSC 6295Directed Research
ORSC 6297Special Topics
ORSC 6298Directed Readings
Successful completion of a master’s comprehensive examination.