Organizational Development is a field of study focused on understanding and improving the human aspects of organizations, including people, processes, systems, leadership practices, and organizational culture. The program prepares students for roles such as supervisors, project leaders, change agents, trainers, and other leadership positions across a wide range of organizational settings. Graduates learn to employ behavioral science principles and planned interventions to improve organizational effectiveness, employee development, and overall organizational health.
The program is specifically designed to meet the needs of working adults and recognizes that valuable learning occurs both inside and outside traditional academic environments. Students often enter the program with extensive workplace training, professional experience, military service, licenses, certifications, and other forms of experiential learning that provide a foundation for continued academic and professional growth.
All Organizational Development courses emphasize contextual and applied learning. Coursework encourages students to draw upon their professional and personal experiences to address real-world workplace issues and organizational challenges. Students develop practical skills while maintaining flexibility and autonomy, supported by faculty facilitators who provide guidance throughout the learning process.
Courses are available in fully online formats and are designed to provide maximum flexibility through multiple 8 week delivery options. Required courses are regularly offered during the fall, spring, and summer semesters to support timely degree completion and accommodate diverse student schedules.
Request More Information Apply NowFaculty members bring significant academic expertise and industry experience to the classroom. Their diverse professional backgrounds create engaging learning environments that incorporate multiple perspectives while leveraging the existing knowledge, skills, and experiences of students.
The Organizational Development program recognizes that college-level knowledge and competencies may be acquired through workplace training, professional certifications, military service, licensure programs, and other life experiences. Through Prior Learning Assessment (PLA), students may earn academic credit for demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities gained outside traditional college coursework.
PLA opportunities include:
The Organizational Development program also offers opportunities to earn college credit for other work-related experiences you may have had different from those within the ODL program core and minors. Have you worked in a field where the knowledge, skills, and abilities don’t typically translate into a traditional college degree or credit? If so, the Organizational Development program provides different options such as portfolio or program level credit for eligible work experience. If you think you might have work experience that qualifies for these options, please contact the program for additional information.
Organizational Development has a long history of serving active-duty military personnel, veterans, and their families. Originally established to support individuals stationed at Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Illinois, the program has assisted military learners in degree completion for nearly four decades.
Veterans and active-duty personnel may receive credit for military education and training, helping accelerate degree completion. Military transcripts should be submitted directly to the Organizational Development Coordinator for evaluation. Eligible military coursework is reviewed using ACE credit recommendations.
Additional advantages available to military-affiliated students include:
Students may also qualify for educational funding and support programs including Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31), Veterans Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 32), Dependent Educational Assistance (Chapter 35), Montgomery GI Bill (Chapter 30), Selected Reserve Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 1606), Illinois Veteran Grant, MIA/POW Scholarships, and other federal and state veteran education benefits.
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"I was already enjoying a successful career prior to entering the program at EIU. I have no doubt that the knowledge and skills I have acquired since enrolling have helped me achieve my most recent promotion as the general manager of a cutting-edge logistics facility. I am looking forward to the completion of my degree which will pave the way for continued advancement within my company."
Misty Melton
"The professors were all extremely knowledgeable and cared for their students. A couple of times the professors made personal phone calls to every student to inform them of their class’s cancellation.”
Wes Meyers, Farnsworth Group
"The program has provided me with knowledge and skill necessary to successfully identify human behaviors and needs within an organization. Understanding people and processes within the organization I work in allow me to make training and development decisions on a daily basis.”
Jami Brown, Technical Training Manager, Patterson Companies
"The courses and electives provided me with a better understanding of many things—not just business. When considering the possibility of working within an organization, I believe myself to be a good fit for Human Resources. I would happily work in a capacity that would allow me the opportunity to develop individuals professionally, as well as organizations."
Celeste Blodgett (2011)School of Technology
Lumpkin College of Business and Technology
Eastern Illinois University
600 Lincoln Ave.
Charleston, IL 61920
lsteinke@eiu.edu
Associate Professor
Klehm Hall - 4032
gjgrant@eiu.edu
