Why study Organizational Leadership?

Organizational leadership is an interdisciplinary program that combines a liberal arts education and selective business subjects with classes, guest lectures and seminars in leadership. The core curriculum of the ORGL program focuses on understanding theoretical and practical approaches to leadership. “Leadership,” by definition, is not limited to for-profit enterprises, but extends to all forms of organizational life (e.g., non-profit, government, education) as well as our interpersonal and group relationships. Accordingly, this program provides a coherent pathway for students wishing to become leaders across all sectors by targeting skill areas essential for leadership, organizational success and a lifetime of personal and professional achievement.

Career Possibilities

Like students who graduate with other liberal arts majors, graduates with a BA in organizational leadership are prepared for further academic or professional study and for many different career options in the nonprofit and for-profit sectors.

Graduates are employed as:

• Human resource recruiter
• Marketing manager
• Bank financial loan officer
• Retail manager
• Loan processor, financial institution
• Sales representative
• Local government agencies
• Hospital administration supervisor
• Restaurant owner/manager
• Airline customer service manager
• Education administrator
• Employee relations representative
• Training and development manager
• Health care administration

Organizational leadership students may also choose to go on to law school, master's programs in business administration, human resource management or graduate programs in communication, psychology and other liberal arts disciplines.

Additional career options are listed on the Center for Exploratory Studies website.

Minoring in Organizational Leadership

The minor requires 18 credit hours of course work as outlined below:

Course Requirements for Minor:

• OLHR 2050 (3 hrs): Foundations of Leadership
• OLHR 2051 (3 hrs): Organizational Behavior for Effective Leaders
• OLHR 2095 (3 hrs): Diversity in the Workplace
• OLHR3050 (3 hrs): The Practice of Leadership

Elective Coursework:

Critical Thinking and Decision Making Elective (choose one):

• Leadership for Organizational Effectiveness (OLHR4000)
• Research Methods (OLHR3051)

Additional Leadership Elective (choose one):

• Women and the Workplace (OLHR3012)
• Lessons in Leadership (OLHR4050)
• Groups (OLHR6050)
• Ethics (OLHR5025)
• Special Problems in OLHR (OLHR4095)

Students are limited to one course substitution in the elective courses. For instance, if a student takes a diversity course outside the minor, he or she can use that for credit toward the minor, but must choose other electives from the lists provided to complete the requirements for the minor.

Certificate in Talent Development 

A certificate in talent development is also available. Students completing any program at the university may pursue the certificate, which is also available to non-degree seeking students.

Minor in Business

Students majoring in organizational leadership might pursue the business minor. Interested students should make an appointment with the business minor advisor by contacting the Undergraduate Programs Office in the College of Business.

Major Maps

• Guide: Organizational Leadership (BA) Curriculum

Advising

Contact the program director, whose name and information appear on this page.

UC Advantages and Special Opportunities

Students in the UC College of Arts and Sciences enjoy many benefits afforded through study at a research-intensive institution ranked among the nation's top 25 public research universities. UC's urban, Tristate location offers exciting opportunities for global education, research and service learning, while its student-centered focus includes an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, a nationally recognized Center for Exploratory Studies and a highly successful First Year Experience program that teaches critical skills for first-year students and provides connections with important campus resources.

Special Programs

Co-op Option

During your sophomore year, this major will allow you to choose a co-op rotation track. The optional co-op track provides an opportunity for you to engage in compensated, career-oriented experiences and reflect upon and integrate your experience within your undergraduate degree. Engaging in several meaningful career-related experiences prior to graduation provides you with an opportunity to develop transferable skills and provides you with a competitive edge as you enter the workforce after graduation.

Admission Requirements

Freshmen applicants, please visit the Admission Requirements page for more information.

Transferring to UC Requirements

Admission to A&S is generally available for any off-campus student who was admissible directly from high school and has a cumulative 2.0 GPA and a 2.0 in the most recent institution.

Students who were not admissible directly from high school must have:

• 24 semester (36 quarter) hours earned
• at least a cumulative 2.0 GPA and a 2.0 at most recent institution

University transfer scholarships are available to those who meet specific requirements and ANY admitted A&S transfer student might qualify for an A&S transfer scholarship. Deadlines and eligibility criteria are online via the previous links.

For any inquiries please contact us at artsci@ucmail.uc.edu.

For more information, visit the Transfer and Transition Advising Center. 

Transfer students should apply using our transfer student online application. 

Transfer Articulation Agreements & Pathways 

UC has developed clear pathways (articulation agreements) between select associate degrees at partner institutions and compatible bachelor’s degrees at UC. Each pathway includes a Transfer Degree Map that offers a semester-by-semester course comparison to assist with your transfer planning.

The following institutions have Transfer Degree Maps for this major:

• Cincinnati State Technical & Community College 

Changing Majors within UC Requirements

Admission to A&S is generally available for University of Cincinnati students enrolled in other colleges if they were admissible directly from high school, have a cumulative 2.0 GPA and a 2.0 in their most recent UC college.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate from the UC College of Arts and Sciences, students must:

• Earn at least 120 credits. This can include transfer credit, AP credit and free electives, but does not include preparatory coursework. Students who have met all other degree requirements must continue earning credit until the total number of their earned hours comes to at least 120.
• Attain a 2.0 grade point average for all courses taken at the University of Cincinnati.
• Be in good academic standing, that is, not on either academic probation or disciplinary probation or suspension.
• Complete the residency requirement by earning at least 30 credits after matriculating into the university.
• Complete all of the requirements of at least one major (see major requirements above).
• Complete the College Core Requirements.
• Submit an application for graduation to the registrar's office by their posted deadline.

Application Deadlines

While mid-year admission is possible, fall semester is generally the best time to enter the college, since many course sequences begin in that semester. Applicants to the UC College of Arts and Sciences who are enrolled or who were previously enrolled as degree-seeking students in A&S or in other UC colleges should apply for admission directly to A&S (in French West, 2nd Floor). All other applicants who wish to earn an undergraduate degree from A&S should apply through the Office of Admissions (3rd Floor, University Pavilion).

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