Organizational Leadership and Learning (BS)

This program was approved for students entering the university in the Summer 2025-Spring 2026 catalog year. For more information about catalog year, go to Catalog Year Information.

Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Learning
Unit: College of Education and Human Development
Department:  Educational Leadership, Evaluation and Organizational Development 
Academic Plan Code(s): See Track Requirements tab.

Program Information

This program is completed 100% online unless otherwise specified for designated student groups that may take some courses in-person. 

The Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Learning (OLL), formerly Workforce Leadership, is designed for working professionals who have extensive and documented work experience. It is a great option for adults seeking an extra edge in today's job market. If you are ready to finish your degree, we can help do it while you enhance your skills in leading people and organizations or plan for a new career.

This program offers academic flexibility; all program/major courses required for completion are routinely offered in accelerated format (e.g., during 3-week or 8-week terms).  However, some options for general education (Cardinal Core) courses and/or Culminating Undergraduate Experience (CUE) courses may not be available in an accelerated format.

This program offers academic flexibility; all major specific courses required for completion are routinely offered online.  Subject to demand, in-person courses are also offered, and are held outside of regular business hours (e.g., after 5pm on weekdays).

UofL also offers a BS in Organizational Leadership and Learning in Healthcare Leadership program.

Degree Summary

Specific coursework information can be found on the Degree Requirements tab.

Departmental Admission Requirements

Prior extensive and documented work experience, or equivalent experiences as determined by the program faculty, or technical coursework in a training area or occupation is required.  

For the Career and Technical Education track, applicants must also have completed requirements for a professional license. This program is designed for Kentucky certified teachers in Career and Technical Education to earn their Rank 1 certification.

General Education Requirements

All degrees require the completion of the University-wide General Education Program (link provided above). Some General Education requirements may be met in the requirements for the major or supporting coursework, in which case additional electives may be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree.

Program/Major Requirements

Work Specialization & Electives 

Exit Requirements:  A minimum of 120 hours with an overall GPA of 2.25 is required for completion, with a 2.5 GPA required in the major courses. All major course grades must be a C- or better. Thirty-one hours of general education credit are required. A minimum of 50 hours of credit at the 300 level or above are required, along with satisfactory completion of the Program Portfolio.

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Applications for LEAD 440 must be submitted by mid-term week of the semester prior to enrollment.  All other core classes and at least one-half of the track courses must be completed prior to enrollment.

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LEAD 290, LEAD 291, LEAD 390, and LEAD 391 are the Work Specialization/Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) courses. A minimum of 9 hours of Work Specialization/Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) credit is required to satisfy degree requirements. However, students may earn a maximum of 48 credit hours cumulatively across all Work Specialization/Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) courses based upon their prior work experience. Depending upon students' number of awarded PLA credits and selected track, students may need elective coursework to reach the minimum 120 hours required for the degree.

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Students who have earned Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) credits from another major or program may not request PLA credit through the BS in Organizational Leadership and Learning major, without demonstrating additional work experience that was not previously awarded PLA hours.  Total PLA credit hours counted toward a BS in OLL degree may not exceed 48 hours.

Track Requirements

Track in Career and Technical Education

Academic Plan Code(s): WFL_BS_CTE, WFL_BS_CTO

 

Applicants must have completed requirements for a professional license. This program is designed for Kentucky certified teachers in Career and Technical Education to earn their Rank 1 certification.

 

Mid-Point Assessment: Completion of 32 credit hours in the Career and Technical courses with an average GPA of 2.5 and a letter grade of C or better.

 

CTE Certification Assessment: Successful completion of KDE New Teacher Institute, CTE Concentration Courses, and Portfolio.
Praxis Disclaimer: Per 16 KAR 2:020, Praxis is not required for occupation-based teacher certification.
Rank Change: To apply for Rank 1 status, students must complete this Bachelor’s degree program and submit CA-1 form to Kentucky Department of Education Office of Career and Technical Education Certification Specialist for submission to Education Professional Standards Board.

Track in Climate, Equity, and Opportunity in the Workplace

Academic Plan Code(s): WFL_BS_DIC, WFL_BS_DIO

Track in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education

Academic Plan Code(s): WFL_BS_ECE, WFL_BS_ECO

Track in Leadership, Training and Organizational Development (LTOD)

Academic Plan Code(s): WFL_BS_LTD, WFL_BS_LTO

Track in Counseling and Human Relations

Academic Plan Code(s): WFL_BS_CHO, WFL_BS_CHR

Track in Digital Leadership/IT

Academic Plan Code(s): WFL_BS_DLT, WFL_BS_DLO

Track in Project Management for the Modern Workforce

Academic Plan Code(s): WFL_BS_PMW, WFL_BS_PMO

Track in Human Resource Development

Academic Plan Code(s): WFL_BS_HRD, WFL_BS_HRO

Track in Cadre Faculty Development Course
NOTE: This track is restricted to students in the Master Educator Course (MEC)

Academic Plan Code(s): WFL_BS_TDX

Students who are enrolled in this track as part of the Master Educator Course will take part in a four-week residential component held at the University of Louisville campus.