Re-launched organizational leadership degree offers more options
Lakeland University is expanding one of its bachelor’s degrees to allow two-year degree holders to build a customized four-year degree.
Lakeland is re-launching its organizational management degree as a bachelor’s in organizational leadership and development.
The degree, which is open to students who have completed an associate degree, features three tracks: communication and team dynamics, teaching and training and business finance and economics. Once they have selected a track, students select from one of nearly 20 areas on emphasis, a wide range of areas including economics, communication, healthcare management and hospitality management.
“Adult learners are increasingly looking for ways to match their coursework to their needs in the workplace,” said Rachel Ware Carlton, dean of Lakeland’s Kellett School for Undergraduate & Graduate Studies. “This degree is truly customizable by offering a wide range of choices with existing classes and some new offerings that match a student’s professional and personal goals.”
The re-launched Lakeland program focuses on leadership and development, Carlton said, positioning it to serve a wider variety of students in a wider variety of careers. Students can also simultaneously earn graduate credits in Lakeland’s master of science in leadership & organizational development program.
“The program is ideal for students who want a leadership role in the workplace,” Carlton said. “Employers are increasingly looking for additional leadership skills for their employees, and this coursework will provide the needed training and experiences to become a leader.”
Students can take advantage of Lakeland’s popular Cooperative Education program as an area of emphasis. Lakeland’s Co-Op program puts students in full- and part-time jobs with Co-Op partner companies, allowing students to earn academic credit for their work.
The degree requires 33-48 semester hours depending on the pathway. Carlton said students can complete the degree with 10 traditional classroom courses and Co-Op credits on the job.
“Many of the students taking our evening and online courses are working full- or part-time jobs,” she said. “Co-Op allows them to earn academic credit for projects they’re doing, which directly applies the learning happening on the job to their degree.”
Carlton noted there are also credit-for-prior learning options that students can explore.
