Human and Organizational Leadership Development Major, B.A.
The human and organizational leadership development (HOLD) program prepares graduates to understand, lead, and work effectively with a diverse set of stakeholders in organizations focused on learning and human development. The curriculum provides students with a grounding in the science of learning and adult learning, organizational and leadership theory, quantitative and qualitative social science research methods, and data-informed decision making. Students will gain an insight into learning and development in a broad range of organizations, including businesses, non-profits, and government agencies that are committed to cultivating clients' and workers' capacities. In order to thrive in learning-oriented organizations, students must be skilled collaborators and communicators, keen observers of social structure and dynamics, as well as careful data consumers and analysts.
Admission to the human and organizational leadership development (HOLD) major is required and offered every semester. Admission is based on, but not limited to, a 2.5 grade point average, good academic standing, expressed interest in the helping professions, and space available. For more information, please visit the School of Education website.
Newly admitted students should expect to be enrolled in the HOLD program for a minimum of three fulltime semesters in order to meet program course sequencing and milestones. Students interested in studying abroad should meet the SOE director of advising to discuss a timeline upon as admission to the program.
Admitted students must earn a grade of C or better for each course counting to fulfill a degree requirement within the HOLD major. If a student earns a grade of C- or lower in a course, it will not satisfy a degree requirement within the HOLD major. The student will need to repeat that course or an equivalent. If a course is repeated, the student can only count the credit hours once when calculating the number of credit hours toward degree.
In the event that a student fails the internship or is dismissed for violating the School of Education, site placement, or the University Code of Ethics, they will be referred to the School of Education Appeals Committee.
For students pursing a major in HOLD, without the pursuit of a second major or minor, supplemental education will be required. Please discuss any questions with the advising team to ensure proper course planning.
Students are subject to the requirements in place when they are admitted to the School of Education; consequently, the requirements for approved programs described in this catalog particularly apply to students admitted to the school during the 2024–2025 academic year.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the human and organizational leadership development program, students should be able to:
- Utilize theory-informed and evidence-based approaches to critically assess and understand organizational and leadership dynamics
- Demonstrate effective skills in collaboration, data analysis, equity-minded leadership, and communication
- Actively engage with diverse stakeholders to improve organizations by cultivating human development
Requirements
In addition to the program requirements, students must
- attain a final cumulative GPA of at least 2.0
- complete a minimum of 45 academic credit hours earned from UNC–Chapel Hill courses
- take at least half of their major course requirements (course and credit hours) at UNC–Chapel Hill
- earn a C or better in all courses for the HOLD major (core and additional requirements).
For more information, please consult the degree requirements section of the catalog.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements 1 | ||
| EDUC 257 | Inquiry and Data Applications | 3 |
| EDUC 309 |  Foundations of Leadership F | 3 |
| EDUC 357 | Organizational and Community Development | 3 |
| EDUC 472 | System Improvement and Implementation at Scale | 3 |
| EDUC 505 | Leadership in Educational/Nonprofit Settings | 3 |
| EDUC 508 | Equity, Leadership, and You | 3 |
| EDUC 585 | Activating Human and Organizational Leadership Development | 3 |
| EDUC 695 | Human and Organizational Leadership Development Capstone | 9 |
| At least five elective courses from the list below. | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 45 | |
| F | FY-Launch class sections may be available. A FY-Launch section fulfills the same requirements as a standard section of that course, but also fulfills the FY-SEMINAR/FY-LAUNCH First-Year Foundations requirement. Students can search for FY-Launch sections in ConnectCarolina using the FY-LAUNCH attribute. |
- 1
Students may count courses completed prior to declaring a HOLD major toward major completion.
Approved Elective Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| AMST 248 | Intersectionality: Race, Gender, Sexuality, and Social Justice | 3 |
| EDUC 375 | Identity and Sexuality | 3 |
| EDUC 410 | Families and Communities in Diverse Contexts for Youth | 3 |
| EDUC 504 | Learning in the Modern World | 3 |
| EDUC 506 | Politics, Policymaking, and America's Schools | 3 |
| EDUC 509 | Helping Youth Thrive in K-12 Schools | 3 |
| EDUC 510 | Latinx Experience in Education | 3 |
| EDUC 521 | Schools, Cultures, and Communities I: Youth | 3 |
| EDUC 522 | Schools, Cultures, and Communities II: Schools | 3 |
| EDUC 526 | Ethics and Education: From Global Problems to Classroom Dilemmas | 3 |
| EDUC 529 | Education in American Society | 3 |
| EDUC 532 | Human Development and Learning | 3 |
| EDUC 533 | Social Justice in Education | 3 |
| EDUC 694H | Honors Thesis in Education | 3 |
| BUSI 405 | Leading and Managing: An Introduction to Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| BUSI 507H | Sustainable Business and Social Enterprise | 3 |
| BUSI 524 | Applied Improvisation for Business Communication | 3 |
| COMM 120 | Introduction to Interpersonal and Organizational Communication H, F | 3 |
| COMM 325 | Introduction to Organizational Communication H | 3 |
| COMM 525 | Organizational Communication | 3 |
| ECON 125H | Introduction to Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| ECON 327 | Venture-Creation Workshop H | 3 |
| HBEH 611 | Philanthropy as a Tool for Social Change | 3 |
| MEJO 332 | Public Relations Writing | 3 |
| MEJO 424 | Media Management and Policy | 3 |
| MNGT/SOCI 131 | Social Relations in the Workplace | 3 |
| NSCI 222 | Learning H | 3 |
| POLI 209 | Analyzing Public Opinion H | 3 |
| PLCY 85H | First-Year Seminar: Reforming America's Schools | 3 |
| PLCY 210 | Policy Innovation and Analysis H | 3 |
| PLCY 220 | The Politics of Public Policy H | 3 |
| PLCY 340 | Justice in Public Policy H | 3 |
| PLCY 450 | Internal and Interpersonal Conflict Management | 3 |
| PSYC 101 | General Psychology F | 3 |
| PSYC 250 | Child Development H | 3 |
| PSYC 260 | Social Psychology H | 3 |
| SOCI 101 | Sociological Perspectives H | 3 |
| SOCI 112 | Social Interaction | 3 |
| SOCI 251 | Research Methods | 3 |
| SOCI 252 | Data Analysis | 3 |
| SOCI 410 | Formal Organizations and Bureaucracy | 3 |
| SOCI 415 | Economy and Society | 3 |
| H | Honors version available. An honors course fulfills the same requirements as the nonhonors version of that course. Enrollment and GPA restrictions may apply. |
| F | FY-Launch class sections may be available. A FY-Launch section fulfills the same requirements as a standard section of that course, but also fulfills the FY-SEMINAR/FY-LAUNCH First-Year Foundations requirement. Students can search for FY-Launch sections in ConnectCarolina using the FY-LAUNCH attribute. |
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans can be used as a guide to identify the courses required to complete the major and other requirements needed for degree completion within the expected eight semesters. The actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Students should meet with their academic advisor to create a degree plan that is specific and unique to their interests. The sample plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UNC–Chapel Hill in the fall term. Some courses may not be offered every term.
| First Year | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| First-Year Foundations Courses | ||
| IDST 101 | College Thriving | 1 |
| ENGL 105 or ENGL 105I | English Composition and Rhetoric or English Composition and Rhetoric (Interdisciplinary) | 3 |
| First-Year Seminar or First-Year Launch | 3 | |
| Triple-I and Data Literacy | 4 | |
| Global Language through level 3 | varies | |
| Additional General Education and elective courses | 19 | |
| Hours | 30 | |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| Additional General Education and elective courses | 30 | |
| Hours | 30 | |
| Junior Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| EDUC 257 | Inquiry and Data Applications | 3 |
| EDUC 357 | Organizational and Community Development | 3 |
| EDUC 309 | Foundations of Leadership F | 3 |
| Additional electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| EDUC 472 | System Improvement and Implementation at Scale | 3 |
| EDUC 505 | Leadership in Educational/Nonprofit Settings | 3 |
| EDUC 508 | Equity, Leadership, and You | 3 |
| Additional electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Senior Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| EDUC 585 | Activating Human and Organizational Leadership Development | 3 |
| Additional electives | 12 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| EDUC 695 | Human and Organizational Leadership Development Capstone | 9 |
| Additional electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
| F | FY-Launch class sections may be available. A FY-Launch section fulfills the same requirements as a standard section of that course, but also fulfills the FY-SEMINAR/FY-LAUNCH First-Year Foundations requirement. Students can search for FY-Launch sections in ConnectCarolina using the FY-LAUNCH attribute. |
Special Opportunities in Education
Honors in the School of Education
During the fall semester of the senior year, an honors student in the School of Education participates in the first of a two-course sequence. This first course is an honors thesis class to begin the thesis preparation and writing process. During the spring semester of the senior year the student takes the second course in the honors class sequence. Across the two courses the student completes an honors thesis. In the spring semester there is an oral examination to defend the thesis. The program is limited to students with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.3 at the start of the fall semester of the senior year. That is, students who wish to undertake a senior honors thesis project must have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher in order to begin the project, and must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher through graduation.
Department Programs
Major
- Human Development and Family Science Major, B.A.Ed.
- Human and Organizational Leadership Development Major, B.A.
Minor
Dean
Fouad Abd-El-Khalick
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Director of Graduate Studies
Thurston Domina
