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.

Core Requirements 1
EDUC 257Inquiry and Data Applications3
EDUC 309IDEAs in Action General Education logo Foundations of Leadership F3
EDUC 357Organizational and Community Development3
EDUC 472System Improvement and Implementation at Scale3
EDUC 505IDEAs in Action General Education logo Leadership in Educational/Nonprofit Settings3
EDUC 508IDEAs in Action General Education logo Equity, Leadership, and You3
EDUC 585Activating Human and Organizational Leadership Development3
EDUC 695IDEAs in Action General Education logo Human and Organizational Leadership Development Capstone9
At least five elective courses from the list below.15
Total Hours45
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

AMST 248IDEAs in Action General Education logo Intersectionality: Race, Gender, Sexuality, and Social Justice3
EDUC 375IDEAs in Action General Education logo Identity and Sexuality3
EDUC 410Families and Communities in Diverse Contexts for Youth3
EDUC 504Learning in the Modern World3
EDUC 506IDEAs in Action General Education logo Politics, Policymaking, and America's Schools3
EDUC 509Helping Youth Thrive in K-12 Schools3
EDUC 510IDEAs in Action General Education logo Latinx Experience in Education3
EDUC 521Schools, Cultures, and Communities I: Youth3
EDUC 522Schools, Cultures, and Communities II: Schools3
EDUC 526IDEAs in Action General Education logo Ethics and Education: From Global Problems to Classroom Dilemmas3
EDUC 529IDEAs in Action General Education logo Education in American Society3
EDUC 532IDEAs in Action General Education logo Human Development and Learning3
EDUC 533IDEAs in Action General Education logo Social Justice in Education3
EDUC 694HIDEAs in Action General Education logo Honors Thesis in Education3
BUSI 405IDEAs in Action General Education logo Leading and Managing: An Introduction to Organizational Behavior3
BUSI 507HSustainable Business and Social Enterprise3
BUSI 524Applied Improvisation for Business Communication3
COMM 120IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introduction to Interpersonal and Organizational Communication H, F3
COMM 325IDEAs in Action General Education logo Introduction to Organizational Communication H3
COMM 525Organizational Communication3
ECON 125HIDEAs in Action General Education logo Introduction to Entrepreneurship3
ECON 327IDEAs in Action General Education logo Venture-Creation Workshop H3
HBEH 611IDEAs in Action General Education logo Philanthropy as a Tool for Social Change3
MEJO 332IDEAs in Action General Education logo Public Relations Writing3
MEJO 424Media Management and Policy3
MNGT/SOCI 131Social Relations in the Workplace3
NSCI 222Learning H3
POLI 209IDEAs in Action General Education logo Analyzing Public Opinion H3
PLCY 85HIDEAs in Action General Education logo First-Year Seminar: Reforming America's Schools3
PLCY 210Policy Innovation and Analysis H3
PLCY 220IDEAs in Action General Education logo The Politics of Public Policy H3
PLCY 340IDEAs in Action General Education logo Justice in Public Policy H3
PLCY 450IDEAs in Action General Education logo Internal and Interpersonal Conflict Management3
PSYC 101IDEAs in Action General Education logo General Psychology F3
PSYC 250Child Development H3
PSYC 260Social Psychology H3
SOCI 101IDEAs in Action General Education logo Sociological Perspectives H3
SOCI 112Social Interaction3
SOCI 251IDEAs in Action General Education logo Research Methods3
SOCI 252IDEAs in Action General Education logo Data Analysis3
SOCI 410IDEAs in Action General Education logo Formal Organizations and Bureaucracy3
SOCI 415Economy and Society3
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.

Plan of Study Grid
First YearHours
First-Year Foundations Courses
IDST 101 IDEAs in Action General Education logo College Thriving 1
ENGL 105
IDEAs in Action General Education logo English Composition and Rhetoric
or IDEAs in Action General Education logo 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 IDEAs in Action General Education logo Foundations of Leadership F 3
Additional electives 6
Hours 15
Spring Semester
EDUC 472 System Improvement and Implementation at Scale 3
EDUC 505 IDEAs in Action General Education logo Leadership in Educational/Nonprofit Settings 3
EDUC 508 IDEAs in Action General Education logo 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 IDEAs in Action General Education logo 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.

School of Education

Visit Program Website

Peabody Hall, CB# 3500

(919) 455-8878

Program Director

Jemilia Davis

jemilia_davis@unc.edu

Dean

Fouad Abd-El-Khalick

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Director of Graduate Studies

Thurston Domina

tdomina@email.unc.edu

Interim Assistant Dean for Student Affairs

Diana Lys

lys@unc.edu

Assistant Dean for Educator Preparation and Accreditation

Diana Lys

lys@unc.edu

Registrar

Lisa Johnson

lisajohnson@unc.edu

Director of Undergraduate Advising and Student Engagement

Sarah Rowe

sarahrowe@unc.edu