Our 3+1 in Organizational Leadership

Applicants seeking a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership (MAOL) come from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds. No required major, employment position or specific expertise is a barrier to entry. To qualify for admission to the 3+1 program in organizational leadership, you must meet all application requirements listed below no later than October 1st to be considered for the next fall cohort.

1. Complete the online 3+1-Dual Degree application for organizational leadership.
   • Upload a current resume or curriculum vitae (CV).
   • Complete a 500-1,000-word personal statement (similar to a letter of interest). This personal statement should reveal something about you as an applicant, the reason you want to pursue this graduate degree and how it will advance your future goals.
2. Pursuing a bachelor’s degree at The College of Idaho and have completed four semesters (or two years) at the College toward completion of your bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
   • If your cumulative GPA falls below a 3.0, in order to be considered for the program, you must include: (i) an explanation of GPA statement; and (ii) an additional letter of recommendation from a College of Idaho faculty member.
3. Submit transcripts from The College of Idaho.
4. Demonstrate the ability to meet The College of Idaho’s technology requirements for the duration of the graduate program.
5. Submit a letter of recommendation from a College of Idaho faculty member. This letter should highlight your academic or professional experiences relevant to admission to this graduate degree program and evaluate your leadership, interpersonal skills, critical thinking, and judgement as well as your ability and capability to complete a hybrid graduate degree.
   • If your cumulative GPA falls below a 3.0, in order to be considered for the program, you must submit a second letter of recommendation from a College of Idaho faculty member.
6. Confirmation the Office of Academic Advising that based on your degree map to complete your bachelor’s degree, you have the ability to complete both your bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in four years.

The MAOL originates from and emphasizes the liberal arts. It draws from fields like psychology, sociology, and communications and covers topics such as equitable leadership, understanding multicultural environments, and the philosophy and ethics of decision-making. Through four core courses, four targeted courses and a practicum capstone, you gain the expertise to be dynamic, influential and ethical leaders in an ever-evolving organizational landscape.

• Leadership Theory
• Organizational Behavior
• Leadership Ethics
• Effective Organizational Communication
• Negotiation & Conflict Resolution
• Leadership Organizational Change
• Equitable & Inclusive Leadership
• Team Building & Leadership
• Capstone: Leading With Purpose & Integrity

At The College of Idaho, we prioritize keeping education affordable so financial barriers don’t stop you from earning your bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Since 1891, we’ve followed our founding principle from President William Judson Boone: “Let them come, let them all come, and we will see what they can do.” We priced our MAOL program with this in mind – tuition is below the national average for similar programs, ensuring you can focus on creating significant change in the professional world upon graduation.

For the 3+1 degree, students can keep their undergraduate financial aid during their senior year. The summer of graduate-level study ending the program is:

• 2025-2026 Summer Tuition: $9,600
• Graduate Program & Technology Fee: $100 per term (for a total of $300)

Once accepted into the program, students must pay a one-time, non-refundable matriculation deposit of $300 to secure their spot. This deposit is credited toward their summer tuition.

Textbooks

We require MAOL students to purchase textbooks for their courses. Students may order books from The College of Idaho's online bookstore, which MBS Direct manages. Students with book vouchers can use them through MBS Direct. 

Alternatively, students can order or rent books from other sources, such as Amazon, independent booksellers, textbook sites like textbooks.com or ecampus.com or directly from publishers. Before purchasing, students should carefully review book requirements and ensure they obtain the correct edition, using the ISBN for accuracy.

Note: The Cruzen-Murray Library does not endorse any of the retailers listed. We are providing this information for the benefit of MAOL program students. 

Student Health Insurance

All graduate students enrolled in a residential certificate, master’s or doctoral program at The College of Idaho must have health insurance coverage. A fee for student health insurance is included in the fees collected by the Business Office unless students provide proof of comparable coverage through their parent's policy, a spouse's coverage or their employment. 

Students must either waive coverage or enroll in coverage by the end of the first week of classes. Failure to take action by the deadline will result in automatic enrollment and insurance billing. The plan's cost is included in the first semester's bill. Approved waivers will remove student health insurance fees from the account, with refunds issued if applicable.

MAOL students can purchase student health insurance through The College of Idaho. The health insurance premium is $2,761 for the 2024-2025 plan year.

Students can qualify for federal financial assistance based on the information they submit in their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To learn more about financial aid options, explore our financial resources for graduate students or contact Financial Aid Services at [email protected] or 208-459-5380.

Only already admitted undergraduate students at The College of Idaho are eligible to apply for the 3+1/dual degree program. If admitted into the program, you will be required to complete the Leadership Minor as part of your bachelor’s degree.

In the College’s 3+1/dual degree program, you will spend your senior year of undergrad completing both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Students must complete all degree requirements of both programs to earn both degrees. 

Students can keep their undergraduate financial aid during their senior year. The summer of graduate-level study ending the program is billed at the MAOL tuition rate.

If you are interested in applying to the College’s 3+1/dual degree in organizational leadership, you will need to complete the following steps:

• Declare your major during your sophomore year
• Apply to the master’s program as a junior no later than October 1st to reserve your spot in the next fall cohort
• Complete one required undergraduate course (BUSN-1000: Introduction to Business or BUSN-1001: Introduction to Sport Administration) by the end of your junior year
• Begin graduate coursework in the fall of your senior year
• Finish with four graduate courses in the summer

When completing the 3+1/dual degree in organizational leadership, below is what you can expect your senior year to look like:

Senior-Year Fall

• Leadership Theory
• Organizational Behavior
• Undergraduate Course
• Undergraduate Course

Senior-Year Spring

• Leadership Ethics
• Effective Organizational Communication
• Team Building & Leadership
• Undergraduate Course

Post-Undergrad Summer – Session I

• Leading Organizational Change
• Equitable & Inclusive Leadership

Post-Undergrad Summer – Session II

• Negotiation & Conflict Resolution
• Capstone: Leading With Purpose & Integrity

A degree is organizational leadership helps graduates enter the professional world understanding the need to put the development of people first. By focusing on cultivating, supporting and growing colleagues and employees, you will drive positive outcomes for any organization at which you work.

The wonderful thing about an organizational leadership degree is that it is universally applicable across a multitude of organizational and career interests. Graduates cover every industry within every sector from government agencies, healthcare, technology, manufacturing, creative, service, nonprofits, education, consulting, and more. 

During the fall and spring semesters, the instruction for the 3+1/dual degree in organizational leadership will take place on-campus in Caldwell. During the final summer, all courses will be delivered exclusively online with optional in-person or virtual sessions or immersion experiences.