Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership (MAOL)

Admission

The Admission Office is responsible for managing the admission process for prospective students. Admission is granted on a selective basis. The Admission Committee, consisting of College administrators, faculty, and staff, reviews policy set by the Admission Office to admit students who show promise of success at the College. The College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, age, religion, disability, national and ethnic origin, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity in administration of its admission and financial aid policies.

Selection of Applicants

Applicants for the next start date are reviewed on an ongoing basis by the MAOL Admission Committee. The committee reserves the right to accept, reject, or defer an application. Applicants receiving a letter of acceptance are granted a specific time period to notify the program of their intention to enroll.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

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, you must meet all application requirements listed below no later than July 15th to be considered for the next fall cohort.

1. Complete the online MAOL application.
   1. Upload a current resume or curriculum vitae (CV).
   2. Complete a 500- to 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. Hold a bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
   1. 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.
3. Submit transcripts from qualifying degree institution(s).
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 professor, instructor, employer or work colleague. 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 an online graduate degree.
   1. 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.
6. Graduate Entrance Exam (optional) – No graduate entrance exam is required for the MAOL program. If you wish to include a score (GRE, MAT, LSAT or GMAT), it will be considered. It may be helpful to include a score if you have a GPA below a 3.0 or if you would otherwise like to bolster your application.

Enrollment Deposit

The College of Idaho requires a $300 deposit before enrolling. This one-time, non-refundable deposit reserves a student’s place in the graduate program and will be applied to their first term’s tuition.

Grading

Students must achieve a minimum of 80 percent to pass each course with a grade of a B in accordance with the grading policy outlined in the syllabus for each course.

Students are permitted to repeat a course once in which they have earned a grade of B- or lower. Both attempts appear on the student’s transcript. Only the most recent grade will be used in calculation of the cumulative GPA, and only one attempt may be counted toward meeting degree requirements. Students who wish to file an academic appeal concerning a course grade should review the Grade Change Policy.

Graduation Requirements

To earn an MAOL degree at The College of Idaho, all students must complete all prescribed courses and pass all courses with a grade of B or better. This in turn requires all students to graduate with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.

MAOL Academic Calendar

Overview

The College’s accelerated, online Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership (MAOL) is designed to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to lead and manage organizations effectively. Students will graduate with the expertise to be a dynamic, influential and ethical leader in an ever-evolving organizational landscape.

It is designed for students seeking to enhance their leadership capabilities and advance their career. It will provide students with a deep understanding of organizational dynamics, strategic management, and effective leadership practices.

The accelerated, online MAOL originates from and emphasizes the liberal arts. Our program is 36 credit hours and offers an interdisciplinary curriculum through nine uniquely crafted courses. Through four core courses, four targeted courses and a practicum capstone, students learn to lead with confidence, make ethical decisions and drive positive change within their role at any organization.

• 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

Registration and Enrollment

Upon receipt of a student’s enrollment deposit, the College will enroll the student in the courses for the MAOL program for the 2025-2026 academic year and any future academic year until program completion. To complete enrollment, the student must be registered full-time for the semester/term and must either be paid in full for the semester/term or on a payment plan (see Payment Options) on or before the first day of class.

Full-time enrollment for the MAOL program is 12 credits per semester. To remain eligible for financial assistance, students must be enrolled in at least five (5) credit hours each semester.

Failure to make satisfactory payment arrangements by the stated deadline will result in expulsion from classes and charges calculated according to the refund rate for withdrawal (see Institutional Refund Policy).

Tuition and Fees

The accelerated, online Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership program consists of 36 credit hours that are completed in 12 months over three terms.

  2025-2026 Tuition: $21,600 or $600 per credit hour
Graduate Program and Technology Fee: $100 per term

Note: The College of Idaho’s MAOL tuition and fees are due before or on the first day of the semester/term.