Leadership takes place in many levels throughout an organization - in interpersonal relationships, in small groups and at the highest positions of administration. The organization and leadership degree prepares students to be dynamic members of their organizations with clear thinking, ethical decision-making, a commitment to organizational effectiveness and the linking of leadership theory to everyday practice.
The degree is well-suited for individuals with an interest in administrative, supervisory or managerial positions within the for-profit, not-for-profit or public sectors - positions that require business acumen and an understanding of communication strategy and theory.
The strong liberal arts core and organizational leadership theory and practice develop students who can think for themselves, make well-reasoned decisions, value diversity and balance multiple perspectives. After completing the core leadership courses, students can specialize in one or more of the six areas of concentration, creating degrees tailored to them.
Business management; federal, state and local government administration; health care administration; human resource management; manager information systems; manufacturing management; public administration; social work; volunteer coordinator.
Students are required to take the following courses unless they have credit from another institution.
| ORLE 2100 | History and Theories of Leadership | 3 credit hours |
| ORLE 2140 | Ethics and Leadership | 3 credit hours |
| ORLE 2150 | The Culturally Diverse Organization | 3 credit hours |
| ORLE 2160 | Systems Thinking | 3 credit hours |
| PRST 3110 | Research and Inquiry Methods | 3 credit hours |
| ORLE 4997 | Integrating Seminar | 3 credit hours |
| Total core leadership courses | 18 credit hours |
To complete the major, students must choose one of six ORLE concentrations. Within each concentration, students must complete five courses for 15 credits.
To complete a minor students are required to take the following courses:
| ORLE 2100 | History and Theories of Leadership | 3 credit hours |
| ORLE 2140 | Ethics and Leadership | 3 credit hours |
| ORLE 2150 | The Culturally Diverse Organization | 3 credit hours |
| ORLE 2160 | Systems Thinking | 3 credit hours |
| Mandatory courses | 12 credit hours |
In addition, ORLE minors are required to take three additional upper division courses (300 and above), a total of nine elective credits.
| Mandatory courses for the ORLE minor | 12 credit hours | |
| Elective upperdivision coursework | 9 credit hours | |
| Total coursework for the minor | 21 credit hours |
PLEASE NOTE: Any student electing the ORLE major with the Professional Communication concentration cannot declare Professional Communication as a minor or a second major. Conversely, students may not select the Professional Communication concentration in the ORLE major if the Professional Communication major or minor have been declared. Also, any student electing the ORLE major with the Commerce concentration cannot declare a Professional Minor.
Organization & Leadership and Professional Communications '03,
President, Urban Strategies
"I came to Marquette University's College of Professional Studies with ideas; I graduated with choices. Today, I'm president of Urban Strategies, a successful executive management consulting firm. "
