Organization Development and Knowledge Management (MS)

Program Description

Program Description: The Master’s in Organization Development and Knowledge Management MS at George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government will prepare you with the skills needed to lead change in complex organizations.

In this cohort-based program, you will be part of a dynamic community of professionals. Explore organizational leadership theory and practice, the shift from hierarchical structures to group-based learning, and best practices to promote the creation of adaptive, collaborative work environments. You will graduate from the organization development master’s program with the capacity to manage, evaluate, and affect rapid change in government, corporate, and nonprofit organizations.

What it costs

The total cost for this program is $893.25 per credit hour for VA state residents or $1,681.25 per credit hour for Non-VA residents. See the Cost tab below for a breakdown of tuition and fees. All of Mason’s tuition rates and fees can be found on our Student Accounts site.

Application Deadline

For admission in the fall Semester, the priority deadline is February 1, and the standard deadline is May 1. This program is not available for spring admission. For more application information on how to apply, see the Admissions site.

Request Info

DETAILS COURSES COST CAREERS CONTACT READY TO APPLY?

Who should apply?

The Master of Science in Organization Development and Knowledge Management is an integrated program taught in executive format and designed for professionals who have several years of work experience. Providing conceptual tools and practical guidance to foster organizational change, the program focuses on three related areas: creating and leveraging knowledge through networks of people who communicate and collaborate; understanding and managing change by integrating the diverse roles of people, processes, and technology; and enhancing and facilitating collaboration by building effective relationships in technology-rich environments. A feature of this program is the group-oriented approach to learning supported by the use of web-based collaborative computer technologies. Students develop the competencies to apply these technologies to make organizations more effective.

The cohort usually completes the program on a part-time basis. Full-time study is also possible by arrangement with the program director.

Students work in teams and complete most of the courses in sequence. The second academic year includes an action learning component, in which participants undertake projects in organizations and apply research methods. Overall, the process and methods of evaluation stress the cumulative development of competencies and the capacity to apply the insights gained. Students are expected to have easy access to a computer and the Internet. Minimum computer specifications can be obtained from the program office.

Why choose George Mason?

With George Mason University’s prime location in the Washington, D.C. area, Schar School students gain access to leading scholars and practitioners who bring real-world experience to the classroom, providing you with the mentorship and skillsets needed to advance in your career.

The Schar School as a whole has 80+ faculty members, as well as hundreds of adjunct faculty, allowing students to gain access to a variety of perspectives and subjects through elective courses. Notable faculty members in the organization development and knowledge management program include program director Tojo Thatchenkery, Jessica Srikantia, Sheldon Edner, and more.

Program requirements may change; please refer to the Organizational Development and Knowledge Management, MS Program Page in the Mason Course Catalog for the most up-to-date requirements.

Requirements: 35-38 credits total

32 credits core courses
3 credits Electives
3 credits Experiential Requirement

Core Courses (32 credits)

ODKM 700 Foundations of Organization Development and Knowledge Management | 3 credits
ODKM 705 Group Dynamics and Team Learning | 3 credits
ODKM 710 Social and Organizational Inquiry | 4 credits
ODKM 715 Creating Learning Organizations | 3 credits
ODKM 721 Foundations of Coaching | 3 credits
ODKM 722 Coaching and Organization Development | 3 credits
ODKM 725 Knowledge Management and Collaborative Work | 3 credits
ODKM 732 Leadership and Social Justice | 4 credits
ODKM 735 Organizational Development Practices | 3 credits
ODKM 740 Learning Community | 3 credits

Electives (3 credits)

Select 3 credits of electives. Selection must be approved by the program director or advisor.

Experiential Requirement

POGO 794 Internship: A 3-credit internship is required. For students with appropriate work experience, this requirement can be waived with the approval of the program director or dean.

Tuition (2021-2022)

TUITION CLASSIFICATION	COST PER CREDIT HOUR
Virginia Resident	$743.00
Non-Virginia Resident	$1,531.00
Mandatory Student fee	$150.25
Total Cost per Credit for Virginia Residents	$893.25
Total Cost per Credit for Non-Virginia Residents	$1,681.25
Graduate New Student Fee	$60 (non-refundable, one-time fee)

Please Note: In addition to the tuition and fees described above, various course and lab fees may be assessed depending on the course(s) in which the student is enrolled. Please refer to the Students Accounts Office website for more information on tuition and fees.

Financial Aid

For information on loans and scholarships, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid.

In addition to university-wide resources, the Schar School has a dedicated team of student services and career development advisors to assist you in your academic and professional plans. The Master’s in Organization Development and Knowledge Management program prepares students for a range of industries and roles in the public and private sectors. In a recent graduating class career outcomes survey, approximately two-thirds of Organization Development and Knowledge Management graduates reported working in private sector consulting, and one-third identified as working in federal or local government.

Top employers hiring our ODKM graduates include:

Accenture
Booz Allen Hamilton
Deloitte Consulting
Defense Logistics Agency
Grant Thornton
Organization of American States
Pew Charitable Trusts
Target Corporation
The World Bank
U.S. Department of Defense
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Department of Labor

USEFUL RESOURCES
Program Contact	Tojo Thatchenkery Email: thatchen@gmu.edu
Program Website	https://schar.gmu.edu/programs/masters-programs/masters-organization-development-and-knowledge-management
School Contact	Schar School Graduate Admissions Phone: (703) 993-8099 Email: schar@gmu.edu
Schar School of Policy and Government Website	https://schar.gmu.edu/

Application Requirements

Graduate application and fee
750-1,000 word written statement of your goals and interest in the program
Current resume
Unofficial transcripts from all previous institutions attended in the U.S. For international institutions, transcripts may be unofficial but should include cumulative transcripts, degree certificate, individual semester marksheets (if applicable), and diploma (if applicable)
Two letters of recommendation. At least one recommendation should be from an individual who is qualified to attest to the candidate’s academic potential
Additional requirements for applicants with international credentials

If you have any questions during the application process, please contact schar@gmu.edu or (703) 993-2280.

Scholarship Requirements

The Schar School of Policy and Government awards merit-based scholarships based on an applicant’s academic achievements.