About the Program
Lead Change. Transform Organizations. Shape the Future. The MSLOC Program at Northwestern University is a premier graduate program in organizational change designed for professionals who aspire to drive innovation and lead transformation in today’s complex environments. Our leadership development curriculum goes beyond the classroom, connecting you to a vibrant, collaborative community dedicated to making a meaningful impact in organizations worldwide.
A Graduate Program Built for Change Leadership
Our master’s degree in learning and development is continuously updated to reflect emerging research and best practices. The MSLOC curriculum equips you to:
- Lead high-impact organizational change
- Develop and implement effective talent strategies
- Advance leadership development initiatives
- Solve complex problems in dynamic workplaces
A Collaborative, Diverse Community of Learners
At MSLOC, learning is interactive and community-driven. From your first onboarding session, you’ll join a diverse cohort of professionals from:
- Fortune 500 companies
- Startups and nonprofits
- Government agencies
- K–12 and higher education institutions
This diverse graduate program fosters interdisciplinary leadership education, exposing you to a wide range of organizational change perspectives. Our courses emphasize discussion, peer critique, and collaborative projects, ensuring you build lasting connections and expand your worldview.
Transform Yourself. Transform Organizations
MSLOC students become leaders of transformation—starting with themselves. Our program is designed to help you:
- Cultivate self-awareness and leadership agility
- Set goals and engage in reflective practices
- Share insights and receive constructive feedback
Your transformation is personal, research-driven, and directly applied to real organizational contexts.
Experiential, Problem-Based Learning
Experience is at the heart of MSLOC. Every course features:
- Team-based projects with real clients
- Opportunities to frame and solve organizational challenges
- Immediate feedback from faculty, peers, and industry professionals
You’ll graduate with hands-on experience tackling high-impact problems, ready to make a difference from day one.
Digital Networked Learning for the Modern Workplace
Our hybrid learning model mirrors the digital, networked nature of today’s organizations. As part of the program, you’ll:
- Collaborate via online learning platforms and enterprise social networks
- Use real-time digital collaboration tools
- Build a digital portfolio that showcases your skills and achievements
This focus on digital learning and online collaboration in graduate programs prepares you for success in any networked organization.
Innovation Through Learning How to Learn
MSLOC integrates learning technologies for an explicit professional development outcome: Developing the digital literacy required for success in the networked organization.
Our online learning platforms, including a learning management system and enterprise social network, are designed to facilitate collaboration in a manner more closely resembling a contemporary workplace than a traditional school environment. We also actively integrate a variety of collaboration technologies into our course designs.
Being Innovative Means Learning How to Learn
MSLOC faculty are innovators in teaching and learning. You’ll engage with:
- Case studies and research-based projects
- Simulations and leadership assessments
- Personalized coaching and actionable feedback
You’ll also have opportunities to publish your insights and solutions, extending your impact beyond the classroom.
Ready to Lead Change?
Take the next step toward becoming a transformational leader.