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Learning and Organizational Change

The Learning and Organizational Change (LOC) concentration examines key concepts and ideas about formal and informal change across levels of society - for example, individuals, groups, organizations, and sectors. Students learn how to analyze and solve organizational problems across contexts. They also acquire knowledge and skills in leading, anticipating, and responding to change. This concentration draws from theoretical and empirical research and practices from disciplines as diverse as the organization and management sciences, learning sciences, sociology, psychology, economics, and design.

Curriculum— 42 units

  • Distribution requirements—10 units
  • SESP Core—8 units
  • Foundations courses—2 units
  • Concentration cluster courses—5 units
  • Extension courses—5 units any level, 4 units 300-level courses
  • Electives—8 or fewer as needed to complete the 42-unit degree requirement

For an in-depth breakdown of these requirements, please visit the Academic Catalog or reach out to your academic advisor in the SESP Student Affairs Office.

Real-World Practical Experience

All LOC students complete a one-quarter practicum internship for academic credit during their junior year, which allows them to use the skills and knowledge introduced in the classroom. The experience also includes conducting social science research. The program is offered year-round.

Recent LOC practicum sites have included the following:

  • Mission Measurement
  • The Cambridge Group
  • HUB International
  • Chicago Public Schools
  • Evanston Township High School

Flexible Coursework

In addition to core courses in life span development, quantitative and qualitative research, and statistics, students have the flexibility to tailor the program to their own interests. Many students specialize, double major or minor, while maintaining LOC as their primary focus. Classes typically encourage team projects, presentations, frequent discussions, and reflection.

Many courses include working for actual clients on real-world organizational problems. Students use their LOC knowledge to define the problem, design solutions, implement and test ideas, and evaluate the results. Clients represent a diverse array of corporations, non-profit organizations, and schools in the Chicagoland community.

Many undergraduate students also choose to participate in research projects with faculty in the School of Education and Social Policy. Faculty members conduct research on a variety of topics ranging from the distribution of leadership to the structural and cultural characteristics of knowledge sharing organizations.

After SESP

With a strong interdisciplinary understanding of forces of organizational change and learning, students are well prepared for leadership with for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Some graduates directly enter the workforce after graduation, while others attend graduate school or pursue a fellowship. Graduates often pursue consulting, change management, instructional design, training, or organizational development jobs. Below are some examples of jobs and graduate degree programs that recent learning and organizational change majors have entered.

Jobs

Graduate School and Fellowships