The Human and Organizational Leadership Development curriculum includes 14 courses totaling 45 credit hours, culminating in a capstone project that challenges students to address a real and relevant organizational issue drawn from their own experiences. Designed to develop both insight and impact, the curriculum equips students with the tools to support people, strengthen teams, and help organizations deliver on their goals and mission.
The program of studies includes:
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18 credit hours in required HOLD classes; courses include:
- EDUC 257: Inquiry and Data Applications
- EDUC 309: Foundations of Leadership
- EDUC 357: Organizational and Community Development
- EDUC 472: System Improvement and Implementation at Scale
- EDUC 505: Leadership in Educational/Nonprofit Settings
- EDUC 508: Equity, Leadership, and You
- 15 credit hours in elective classes from disciplines that include: education, management, sociology, business, communications, and psychology
- 12 credit hours for Culminating Experience (semester-long capstone)
- EDUC 585: Capstone Planning
- EDUC 695: Capstone Project and Seminar
Note: Students are not permitted to double major in both Human and Organizational Leadership Development and Human Development and Family Science.
Additional Program 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).
Capstone Project
The HOLD capstone sequence spans two courses and offers students an integrative learning experience that bridges theory and practice. At their capstone sites, students apply knowledge and skills from their coursework to address real-world organizational challenges. Each student completes a project demonstrating mastery of leadership and organizational competencies, culminating in a written report and an oral presentation.
This culmination is celebrated at the HOLD Capstone Symposium, where students and partner organizations come together to showcase these impactful projects. The symposium highlights collaborative work designed to meet authentic organizational needs and advance learning and human development across sectors.
HOLD leadership and faculty members have cultivated relationships with a number of organizations across sectors and fields that align with students’ professional aspirations, including:
- Therapy for Black Girls
- The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation
- CollegeBound Foundation
- Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
- Coalition for Non Profit Housing & Economic Development
- UNC Operational Excellence
- The Hunt Institute
- UNC Undergraduate Admissions
- North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
- BMW
- Versado Training
- UNC Athletics
- Girls On The Run
- North Carolina Botanical Garden
- Boy Scouts of America
- Carolina Performing Arts
- North Carolina Teaching Fellows
- North Carolina Department of Justice
- Carolina Women’s Center
These partnerships provide students with meaningful opportunities to lead, learn, and contribute across education, nonprofit, government, corporate, and cultural sectors.
Honors Program
Students in the HOLD program may apply to the School of Education Honors Program, which offers participants the opportunity to sharpen their skills in analysis, synthesis, and research while engaging in a thesis project alongside faculty mentors.