Leadership and Organizational Performance

The Leadership and Organizational Performance program at Vanderbilt University is designed to equip students with the essential knowledge and skills needed to influence and improve organizational effectiveness across diverse industries. The curriculum emphasizes the development of advanced leadership capabilities, strategic thinking, and innovative problem-solving techniques that are crucial for guiding organizations through complex and rapidly changing environments. Students will explore core areas such as leadership theories, organizational behavior, change management, and performance measurement, gaining a comprehensive understanding of how to foster high-performance teams and build resilient organizational cultures. Through a combination of rigorous coursework, case studies, interactive workshops, and practical projects, participants are encouraged to apply their learning in real-world settings, enhancing their ability to lead with integrity and make data-driven decisions. The program also focuses on ethical leadership practices, diversity and inclusion, and the integration of technology in organizational strategies, preparing graduates to excel in both corporate and non-profit sectors. Faculty members, who are experts in leadership development, organizational psychology, and strategic management, provide personalized mentorship and guidance to support students' professional growth. Whether aiming for executive roles or seeking to refine leadership skills for personal development, students will benefit from Vanderbilt’s extensive alumni network and partnerships with industry leaders. The Leadership and Organizational Performance program promises a transformative educational experience that prepares individuals to lead confidently, adapt to change, and drive sustainable organizational success in today’s dynamic global landscape.

Overview: The LOP program curriculum aligns leadership theory with contemporary leadership practices. In the program, students build knowledge and sharpen competencies that can be applied in for-profit, non-profit, government, and educational organizations. The LOP Competencies have been identified from current and leading research, and encompass areas of effectiveness in critical thinking, organizational analysis, talent management, interpersonal skills, research literacy, and leading and managing people and organizations.

 Structure and Delivery: Most LOP students pursue their degrees full time (9 credit hours per semester) over the course of two years (four semesters). LOP courses typically meet during the week, usually in the evenings (4:10-7:00pm), with select courses occasionally offered in weekend classes three times throughout a given semester. With this course offering schedule, many students find they can also pursue part-time employment.

Curriculum Requirements: Students will complete 36 credit hours consisting of a variety of required courses as well as elective course. In addition, the summer between student’s first and second years will be spent participating in a summer practicum or internship. This experience will be utilized in a required course for the fall semester of their second year.

Core Courses:

• LOP 6110 Organizational Theory and Behavior
• LOP 6120 Learning Organizations
• LOP 6130 Strategy and Analytics I
• LOP 6140 Strategy and Analytics II
• LOP 6150 Evaluation of Org. Performance
• LOP 7990 Applied Experience

Elective Courses:

• LOP 6100 Leadership Theory and Behavior
• LOP 6200 Learning and Performance in Organizations
• LOP 6210 Design of Performance-Based Interventions
• LOP 6230 Consultation Skills
• LOP 6230 Organizational Development
• LOP 6240 Leading and Facilitating Groups
• LOP 6250 HR Planning and Business Processes
• LOP 6260 Executive Coaching
• LOP 6270 Leading Globally Diverse Organizations
• LOP 6280 Corp. and Prof. Communications
• LOP 6290 Talent Management
• LOP - Professional and Corporate Ethics
• LOP - Strategic Workforce Planning
• LOP - Evidence-based Practices in Organizations
• LPO 7200 Grants, Policy and Administration

Requirements

• Submitted online application. (There is no application fee.)
• Transcript(s) from prior undergraduate and graduate work. Please scan and attach your unofficial transcript(s), or a copy of your official transcript(s), to your application. Note: Unofficial transcripts are accepted for the application. We understand that requesting official transcripts can be expensive, so we only require official, sealed transcripts if you are admitted and enroll at Peabody College.
• Three (3) letters of recommendation. Recent graduates should have at least two letters of recommendation from college or university faculty with whom they have studied.
• Statement of purpose.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required for all Ph.D., Ed.D., M.Ed., and M.P.P. programs. The GRE must have been taken within the last 5 years and you must have an official score report sent directly from the testing agency. Our GRE institutional code is 1871 and there is no department code.
  • The Miller Analogies Test (MAT) may be submitted instead of the GRE for the M.Ed. programs in the department of Teaching and Learning and the Human Development Counseling program only. The MAT must have been taken within the last 5 years  and you must have an official score report sent directly from the testing agency. Our MAT institutional code is 2332.
• Scholarly writing sample (Special Education Ph.D. programs only)

Note: Other additional materials may be required by some programs.

International applicants:

International applicants must submit all of the above, plus the following:

• TOEFL or IELTS scores are required of all international applicants unless you have received a college degree from an institution in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or from an English medium university in South Africa. An official score report sent directly from the testing agency is required. Our TOEFL institutional code is 1871 and there is no department code.  There is no institutional code for the IELTS.
• The transcript(s) your submit must have an English translation.
• Note: International students with degrees from non-U.S. institutions who are admitted and enroll at Vanderbilt are required to have their transcripts evaluated by an approved credentials evaluation agency and to have an official report sent by the agency to the Graduate Admissions Office. The World Education Services (WES) is the preferred agency used by Peabody College. A WES evaluation is not required for the application.
• All new international students at Peabody College are enrolled in the Vanderbilt English Language Center course, US Education Concepts and Communication, in their first semester to help them adapt to academic life at Peabody College. 

Scholarships

Every professional student applicant is considered for merit aid. There is no separate application to complete and students will be notified in their admissions letter if they have been awarded merit aid.

Peabody Honors Scholarship (PHS) 

The Peabody Honors Scholarship (PHS) is the most competitive and prestigious award a student can receive from Peabody College. It covers 75% of a student’s tuition for up to three years,depending on the requirements of the program, and provides exclusive access to specialized lectures and social events with faculty and academic deans. A recipient must be enrolled as a full-time student for each semester unless it is her/his final semester. A student must maintain a minimum 3.75 GPA in all coursework to retain the scholarship.

Dean's Tuition Scholarship (DTS) 

The Dean's Tuition Scholarship (DTS) is a competitive scholarship that recognizes high-achieving students who will greatly contribute to their program of study. This award covers 50% of a student’s tuition for up to three years, depending on the length of the program. Recipients may enroll as full or part time students. However, since there is a time limitation on the award, students will want to complete their program of study before the three year award expires. Continuous enrollment and good academic standing (minimum 3.0 GPA) are required for renewal of this award.

Scholastic Achievement Scholarship (SAS) 

The Scholastic Achievement Scholarship (SAS) is a competitive scholarship that recognizes high-achieving students who will greatly contribute to their program of study. This award covers 25% of a student’s tuition for up to three years,depending on the length of the program. Recipients may enroll as full or part time students. However, since there is a time limitation on the award, students will want to complete their program of study before the three year award expires. Continuous enrollment and good academic standing (minimum 3.0 GPA) are required for renewal of this award.

Iris Scholarship 

The Iris Scholarship is a competitive  one-year award only that recognizes academic achievement.  This award varies from $1,000 to $4,000 and is equally distributed between the fall and spring semesters of the first year only. A minimum GPA of 3.0 must be obtained in the fall semester for this award to continue in the spring semester. This award is not renewable.

Virginia Haynes Redfield Scholarship 

The Virginia Haynes Redfield Scholarship is a competitive one-year award onlythat recognizes academic achievement of underrepresented students.  This award varies from $1,000 to $4,000 and is equally distributed between the fall and spring semesters of the first year only. A minimum GPA of 3.0 must be obtained in the fall semester for this award to continue in the spring semester. This award is not renewable.

The Leadership and Organizational Performance program at Vanderbilt University is designed to prepare students to become effective leaders and organizational strategists across diverse sectors. This program emphasizes the development of critical leadership skills, strategic decision-making, and an understanding of organizational dynamics. Students engage with a comprehensive curriculum that integrates both theoretical foundations and practical applications, reflecting Vanderbilt’s commitment to experiential learning and real-world relevance. Through coursework, case studies, projects, and internships, participants gain insights into leadership principles, organizational behavior, change management, and performance improvement. The program aims to foster innovative thinking, ethical leadership, and the ability to address complex organizational challenges in a global context. Vanderbilt University’s distinguished faculty, many of whom are recognized experts in leadership and organizational development, guide students in exploring contemporary issues and best practices. The program also offers opportunities for networking with industry professionals, participation in leadership workshops, and engagement with Vanderbilt’s extensive alumni network, enabling students to build meaningful connections that support their career advancement. Graduates of the program are well-equipped to lead organizations effectively, drive organizational change, and improve overall performance in various leadership roles across industries such as business, government, non-profit, and healthcare. The program’s flexible format allows students to tailor their learning experience to their professional goals, often incorporating online components or part-time study options to accommodate working professionals. Vanderbilt University’s Leadership and Organizational Performance program stands out for its rigorous academic standards, practical focus, and commitment to developing principled, result-oriented leaders who can make a lasting impact in their organizations and communities.