Master of Science [M.S] [Organization Development] From American University

The program's unique strengths draw from a 30-year partnership between AU and the NTL Institute, as well as emerging theory and practice. AU MSOD instructors are leading scholar-practitioners in OD.

There are four cornerstones that characterize the AU education in OD:

• Intentional use of self in professional practice

• Effective leadership and dynamics in groups and teams as foundations of sustainable change

• The principles of action research to promote change at multiple levels of a system

• Commitment to values, diversity, and cultural competence in engaging a system

• Courses focus on competencies, skills and knowledge in: theory, action research, process consultation, facilitation and intervention, diversity and cultural competence, and intentional use of self.

Learning throughout the program is related to each student's personal interests and career goals. Students are challenged to explore their worldview and to exercise curiosity and respect for the worldviews, diversity and values of others.

The AU MSOD classroom is a dynamic, challenging space where students learn from scholar-practitioner instructors, each other, and through reflection on their cohort's experiences and their own use of self. The MSOD program is built on a rigorous academic curriculum enriched by experiential learning. In recent years, the MSOD curriculum has been expanded to include international fieldwork experience for each cohort, along with active and engaging online learning outside of the classroom for each course.

It takes about 20 months to complete the 11-course curriculum. To accommodate working professionals and out-of-town students, most courses meet on AU's northwest DC campus for two three-day weekends a month apart. The coursework addresses foundations and skills essential to 21st century OD practice and ends with a series of fieldwork activities. Beyond the residential "launch" of the cohort learning community, there are two residential sessions for intensive learning: use of self in professional practice and international OD fieldwork.