Leadership and organization development

The M.S. in leadership and organization development is housed in the Department of Leadership and Counseling. This 30‑credit program combines rigorous coursework with applied learning experiences designed for emerging and practicing leaders. Upon admission, each student is paired with a faculty mentor who provides individualized academic and professional guidance.

Flexible online format

The program is intentionally designed for working professionals. Flexible online coursework allows students to balance graduate education with career and personal commitments while remaining connected to faculty and classmates. Many students complete the degree in approximately 21 months, though the pace can be adjusted to fit individual goals and schedules.

Review the Leadership and Organization Development student learning outcomes in the U of I catalog. Students may also earn the human resource development graduate academic certificate, a 15‑credit program that can be applied toward the master’s degree. Explore current Leadership and Organization Development (LOD) courses in the catalog and consult the Leadership and Counseling Graduate Student Handbook for detailed policies, expectations and resources.

University of Idaho is committed to making graduate education accessible and helping students navigate the cost of earning an advanced degree. Many leadership and organization development graduate students receive funding for their degrees through employer tuition assistance or tuition reimbursement programs.

How students typically fund this degree

Most LOD students use one or more of the following:

• Employer tuition assistance or reimbursement
• Federal financial aid (based on the FAFSA)
• Personal or family funds, including employer-provided professional development funds
• We encourage you to review your employer’s education benefits and complete the FAFSA, even if you are unsure about your eligibility for aid.

Key financial aid resources

• Submit your FAFSA: Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an important first step in accessing federal financial aid and some institutional funding opportunities.
• Estimate your cost of attendance: Use the U of I cost of attendance page to review estimated tuition, fees and typical living expenses for graduate students.
• View a breakdown of tuition and fees: Student Financial Aid, Costs and Tuition for 2026-27 page provides current tuition rates, mandatory fees and other billing information for graduate programs.
• Explore graduate funding opportunities: The College of Graduate Studies lists scholarships, fellowships and other funding options for eligible graduate students.
• Connect with your program: Some opportunities may be coordinated through the Leadership and Counseling Department or faculty projects, so prospective students are encouraged to reach out with questions.

Support and advising

If you have questions about financial aid, scholarships or graduate funding, U of I’s financial aid counselors and graduate program staff are available to help you explore options and make informed financial decisions throughout the admissions process.  

View Financial Aid resources

Assistantships

The LOD program infrequently offers its own Research Assistantships (RAs), Teaching Assistantships (TAs), or Graduate Assistantships (GAs). Students should therefore not plan on an LOD assistantship as a primary source of funding for their degree. However, other departments, colleges, administrative units, faculty grants or special projects across University of Idaho may offer graduate assistantship opportunities. Availability, eligibility, funding levels and work arrangements vary by position, and some opportunities may be limited to students who can work on campus.

International students should also be aware that LOD is an online program, which may affect visa eligibility and access to certain assistantship opportunities. Fully online programs do not qualify for F-1 student visa status at University of Idaho. International students should consult Graduate Admissions and International Student and Scholar Services about their individual circumstances and any immigration or employment requirements before relying on an assistantship as part of their funding plan.

Tuition assistance from employers

Employer and workplace support
Because the LOD program is designed for working professionals, many students receive financial support from their employers. This support may take the form of tuition reimbursement, direct tuition payment or professional development funds that can be applied to graduate coursework.

Steps to take with your employer

• Review your organization’s tuition assistance or professional development policies
• Talk with your supervisor or HR office about potential funding for graduate study
• Clarify any requirements, such as maintaining a certain GPA or continued employment for a set period
• Using employer tuition benefits can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs for the LOD program.

Scholarships

Departmental scholarships
The Leadership and Counseling Department offers a limited number of scholarships to help partially fund advanced degrees. These awards are modest and typically provide partial support rather than full funding.

Eligibility requirements

To be considered for departmental scholarships, students must:

• Complete the FAFSA
• Be enrolled full time in the program

Additional scholarship opportunities

Beyond department-level awards, graduate students may be eligible for scholarships, fellowships and other funding offered through the university. Students are encouraged to review university scholarship information and the College of Graduate Studies graduate funding pages, and to reach out with questions about eligibility and deadlines.

Tuition and fees

Resident tuition for all LOD students
Because the leadership and organization development program is delivered online, all students in the program are billed at the Idaho resident graduate tuition rate, regardless of where they live.

Current cost structure

• Full-time enrollment (9 or more credits per semester)
• Part-time enrollment (1–8 credits per semester)

View estimated online student 2026-27 tuition and costs

Have questions about the program or the graduate student experience? Connect with our program team for personalized guidance about curriculum, faculty mentorship, application requirements and graduate funding opportunities. 

Leadership and Counseling contact:
lead@uidaho.edu

Program coordinator contact:
Kyle Znamenak
znamenak@uidaho.edu

For questions related to admissions, application materials, transcripts or enrollment steps, contact Graduate Admissions:

Graduate Admissions contact:
graduateadmissions@uidaho.edu
208-885-4001

Interested in research areas or finding a faculty mentor? Explore faculty expertise, research interests and advising opportunities on the department’s faculty page. 

Find Department of Leadership and Counseling faculty advisor contact.

Applicants for the M.S. in leadership and organization development must meet the following admission requirements:

Program availability

• Concentration: Thesis and non-thesis
• Semester intake: Summer, fall or spring
  • Currently offers admission for the online campus
  • Eligible for expedited admission for U of I undergraduates
  • Students can earn concurrently the human resource development graduate certificate at no extra cost
  • Not eligible for international applicants who require F-1status  
• Deadlines: General application deadlines
• Start dates: View the academic calendar to see start and end dates

University requirements

• Education level: Bachelor's degree in a similar or related field from an accredited or recognized institution (earned or expected before the start of the graduate program)
  • Transcripts for all post-secondary education will be required. Unofficial transcripts may be used for initial admission review. Official transcripts sent by the issuing institution(s) will be required if admitted. View more information on the Graduate Admissions page.  
• GPA: 3.0 (Applicants with a lower undergraduate GPA who have relevant professional experience in the field, have already earned a graduate degree, or have completed graduate-level credits may still be considered for admission with approval from the academic program.)
• GRE: Not required
• Letters of recommendation: Two
• Resume  
• Statement of Purpose  
• Writing Sample
• Valid picture ID (required to verify students’ identity and will be kept confidential)
• English proficiency (for applicants whose education was completed in countries where English is not an official language).  
• Accepted tests: TOEFL: 5.0, IELTS: 7.0, Duolingo: 120, PTE-A: 60. Learn what qualifies as proof of English proficiency.  
• Application fee: $50

Application and admission process

Applications are submitted online and are specific to the program and term selected. Applicants seeking admission to multiple programs must submit a separate application for each program.

Before submitting an application, applicants must provide personal and academic information from all post-secondary institutions attended, recommender information, required program-specific materials, and their intended program and start term.

Applications are reviewed for admission by the academic program. Only complete applications, including required letters of recommendation and payment of the application fee, will be forwarded for evaluation and admission decision. Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete their applications early to allow sufficient time for a thorough review.

Visit Graduate Admissions to learn more and start your application.