The Master of Science in Learning and Organizational Change (MSLOC) at Northwestern University is a premier graduate program in organizational change, leadership development, industrial-organizational psychology (IO psychology), and learning innovation. Designed for experienced leaders, talent professionals, and aspiring consultants or change managers, MSLOC helps you master the human factors that drive organizational and market success.
Transform your career and your organization with Northwestern’s MSLOC—where people power change.
MSLOC prepares graduates to lead strategic change, talent and culture, and team performance across business, education, technology, consulting, nonprofit, and more. Our people-focused curriculum emphasizes how individuals and teams solve complex problems and design solutions that drive business results—offering a compelling alternative to the traditional MBA.
Situated within SESP, consistently ranked by US News and World Report as one of the top ten education schools in the US, our program blends management theory, IO psychology, organizational behavior, and design methodology. You’ll draw on insights from learning sciences, human and organizational development, strategy, change management, and knowledge management, ensuring you’re equipped to address critical and evolving workplace challenges by applying cutting edge techniques.
All MSLOC degree and certificate students are part of a single, collaborative community—supported by faculty, staff, alumni, and partners. Courses are delivered in a flexible hybrid format, combining live virtual classes with immersive three-day, in-person sessions on our Evanston campus near Chicago. About half of our students live outside Illinois, taking advantage of our unique blend of online and on-campus engagement.
The LOC Career Center, a comprehensive platform designed to support MSLOC and MOD students at every stage of their professional journey, offers personalized coaching, curated resources, and community networking opportunities to help students align their careers with their values and strengths. With features like one-on-one career advising, job boards, resume tools, and interactive programming, the LOC Career Center empowers learners to grow, connect, and thrive.
You can customize your pace and switch between paths as your needs evolve. All students complete 15 courses, choosing from a robust selection of core and elective options.
| Accelerated | Full-Time | Part-Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Where you live |
Anywhere in the US |
Anywhere in the US |
Anywhere in the US |
|
Average time to degree |
12 months |
18 months |
2.5 years |
MSLOC students select courses and customize their programs to match their learning and career goals. More than half of our degree students complete a certificate simultaneously.
“The beauty of this degree and the people is that we are not one thing and yet we are connected through this interest in people, organizations, and self-growth. ”
— Jenny Nance, MSLOC 2021
Schedule a personal chat with an advisor, current student or alum. In-Person Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:30am-4:30pm. Remote Office Hours: Friday 9:30am-4:30pm.
847-491-7376
msloc@northwestern.edu
1800 Sherman Avenue
Suite 3500
Evanston, IL 60208
Northwestern University
Transform your career and your organization with Northwestern’s MSLOC—where people power change.