I have reached out to the admissions counselor who handles YourPace to get more information about the new MA in Organizational Leadership. I'm pretty excited about this because I really like the format UMPI has going on. I am hoping this will lead to an MBA program. A girl can dream!
I have heard back from admissions at UMPI. The program starts next week with a handful of students. Its full roll out is for the January term. It is 36 credits and $2000 per 8 week term. There are 12 courses which are all CBE.
The MAOL Program
The program explores a multidisciplinary, organizational approach to leadership stressing social
responsibility and ethics, creativity and innovation, diversity and global mindset, dynamic
communication and visioning, and most importantly, the value of the individual. The
cornerstones of the program focus on self and authentic leadership, transformational and
transactional leadership, and critical thinking and data analysis which prepare students to lead
organizations. MAOL students will expand their knowledge of leadership through
interdisciplinary/collaborative research, and by discovering and pursuing a topic of scholarly
inquiry and research while completing their capstone thesis project.
Specific program goals are depicted by the following program mission and vision statements:
Mission - The UMPI Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership program provides a
transformational learning experience that develops resilient leaders with the creativity and
innovation needed to construct purposeful and sustained changed in today’s evolving world.
Vision - The UMPI Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership program aspires to become a
global educational leader offering impactful programs that transcend borders, providing
anytime, anywhere learning access and sustain a culture of lifelong learning.
Program Learning Outcomes:
The six categories of leadership program outcomes are organizational complexities, leadership,
cognition and application, strategy and innovation, civic engagement, and ethics and social
responsibility. Under these areas, graduates will be able to:
Organizational Complexities
● Evaluate organizational dynamics in the areas of structure, behavior, culture, and their
implications for leadership at various levels
● Develop an understanding of change processes and be able to think critically about
obstacles to change
Leadership
● Demonstrate the ability to understand and apply communication theory in order to
effect appropriate change in a variety of leadership settings
● Exhibit and reflect upon changes in personal leadership behavior, as evidenced by
expanded self-knowledge, emotional intelligence, team-behavior, cultural awareness,
and systems thinking
Cognition and Application
● Propose systemic and sustainable solutions to complex business problems using critical
thinking and applied through organizational studies and leadership conceptual
frameworks and theories
● Display knowledge of diverse cultures, cross-cultural communication, the dynamics of
privilege and oppression, and the uses of power between groups
Strategy and Innovation
● Be adaptive leaders that use entrepreneurial thinking and innovative practices to
strategically navigate the complex demand of organizational environments
● Respond positively and effectively to problems in unfamiliar contexts, applying creative
ideas, methods and ways of thinking
Civic Engagement
● Act out of humanitarian values, such as being committed to social justice, engaging in
social responsibility, and serving as positive social change agents
● Engage in controversy with civility
Ethics and Social Responsibility
● Recognize and address moral challenges facing leaders in organizations through
application of a meaningful framework for ethical development
● Practice socially responsible leadership in a changing global environment
The competency based (CBE) Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership program consists of
three Domains, each with four competencies, for a total of 12 competencies overall. Each
competency is worth 3-credit hours for a total of 36-credit hours, for the generation of a credit-
based transcript that records all achieved competencies. Domain 1 focuses on the leadership
foundations. Domain 2, which includes a capstone competency to reinforce the application of
concepts and theories learned throughout the degree program, focuses on leadership practices.
Domain 3 further explores leadership communication, creative and critical thinking, and
organizational policy and strategy.
Domain 1: Leadership Foundations Courses/Competencies
Research Methods: Data-Driven Decision-Making and Planning
Foundations of Organizational Leadership
Democracy and Ethical Leadership in Decision Making
Globalization and Diversity
Domain 2: Leadership Practices Courses/Competencies
Organizational Theory and Behavior
Team Leadership and Collaboration
Leading Organizational Change
Organizational Leadership Capstone
Domain 3: Expanding Leadership Foundations and Practices Courses/Competencies
Leadership and Business Operations
Strategic Communication
Conflict and Negotiation
Leadership and Innovation
MAOL Program Calendar, Cost & Admission
The MAOL program offers 6 starts a year, breaking the traditional 16-week semester into two,
8-week sessions with starts in September, October, January, March, May, and July. There is a
single subscription rate of $2,000 per 8-week session, with no additional costs or fees. All
textbooks or associated resources for the program are included in the $2,000 subscription rate.
For admissions, applicants are required to provide the following materials:
● Application: Online Application
https://www.umpi.edu/yourpace/graduate/
● Application fee: Waived for all applicants.
● Transcripts: An official transcript from the college or university that issued your
bachelor’s degree is required. A transcript is official when sent directly from the
institution. If the issuing institution is one of the seven campuses of the University of
Maine System, we are able to access the information, so you do not need to provide a
transcript. The transcript must demonstrate completion of a baccalaureate degree from
a regionally accredited college and a competitive GPA. A cumulative grade point average
(GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or a “B” average is expected. Cumulative GPAs not 3.0 or
better, will be considered on a case-by-case basis and may require more
documentation.
● Completed Letter of Recommendation Form(s)
Transfer Credit
Six credits of appropriate graduate-level course work may be transferred from an accredited
institution, if the grades earned in such course work are "B" or better, and an official transcript
received.
Next Steps
We are currently accepting applicants for the October 26th start date. To apply, please use the
application link above. This application link will also offer an option for the January 19th start
date. For admissions related questions, or if you are interested in the program but prefer to
start in a later session, please email Shea Cushman at shea.cushman@maine.edu.