MA in Organizational Sciences
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.
Organizational Sciences & Communication Management Info Sessions
Join us online on November 12 and January 22 for information sessions discussing the field of organizational sciences and communication. Learn about GW's Master of Arts in Communication Management and Master of Arts in Organizational Sciences programs.
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
This Bulletin covers the degree requirements for students matriculating in the current academic year. Students who matriculated before the current year can find their requirements in the relevant archived Bulletin.
36 credits, including 27 credits in required courses, 9 credits in elective courses, and successful completion of a master’s comprehensive examination.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| ORSC 6104 | Statistics in Management, Administration, and Policy Studies | |
| ORSC 6209 | Management Systems | |
| ORSC 6216 | Theories and Management of Planned Change | |
| ORSC 6219 | Managerial Economics | |
| ORSC 6241 | Strategic Management and Policy Formation | |
| ORSC 6242 | Organizational Communication and Conflict Management | |
| or COMM 6242 | Organizational Communication and Conflict Management | |
| ORSC 6243 | Seminar: Leadership in Complex Organizations | |
| ORSC 6245 | Seminar: Organizational Behavior | |
| ORSC 6259 | Behavioral Economics and Group Decision Making | |
| Electives | ||
| 9 credits from the following: | ||
| ORSC 6212 | Personnel Selection | |
| ORSC 6214 | Organizational Training and Development | |
| ORSC 6217 | Productivity and Human Performance | |
| ORSC 6222 | Theory and Practice of Compensation Management | |
| ORSC 6223 | Collective Bargaining | |
| ORSC 6224 | Persuasion and Negotiation | |
| or COMM 6150 | Persuasion | |
| ORSC 6246 | Comparative Management | |
| ORSC 6248 | Strategic Human Resource Planning | |
| ORSC 6250 | Leadership Coaching: Principles and Practices | |
| ORSC 6251 | Team Coaching and Facilitation | |
| ORSC 6295 | Directed Research | |
| ORSC 6297 | Special Topics | |
| ORSC 6298 | Directed Readings | |
| Successful completion of a master’s comprehensive examination. | ||