Expanding upon its mission to deliver high quality, affordable education to adult learners, the University of Virginia School of Continuing and Professional Studies is now offering a 100% online Master of Change Management designed to deliver the skills mid-to-senior-level professionals need for leading organizational transformation amidst rapid change.
Today's leaders face unprecedented challenges related to artificial intelligence, distributed teams, shifting workforce demographics, volatile markets and sociopolitical change. Effective change initiatives require applied skills and theoretical foundations in leadership, project management, communications, organizational behavior and technology transformations. The Master of Change Management degree provides an interdisciplinary curriculum that enables professionals to design change processes and communicate effectively during periods of instability and adaptation.
"We believe this is the right degree at the right time for many managers and leaders facing unprecedented change and disruption in their organizations and industries."
Kai Degner, Senior Director of Certificate Programs, UVA School of Continuing and Professional Studies
Meeting Surging Industry Demand
Change management skills are in demand by employers nationwide. Within regional job postings, it ranks as the fifth most-desired skill, and one actively sought by top employers including Amazon, Booz Allen Hamilton, Capital One, Leidos and Northrop Grumman. Public sector leaders are also facing change and disruption across all levels of government.
Graduates will be prepared for high-demand roles as Change Management Analysts, Management Consultants, Human Resources Managers, Digital Transformation Directors, and executive-level leadership. As Degner notes, “The applied nature of our courses will let students immediately leverage theory, frameworks, and tools in their current challenges.”
30-Credit Program Structured for Working Professionals
Students will benefit from the high-quality learning for which the School is known, coupled with incredible support provided by staff who understand the competing demands that adult learners juggle. The core curriculum, which includes five core courses, a capstone, and four electives, builds proficiency in disciplines that transcend industries and roles. Students will enhance their ability to:
- Lead change across diverse organizational contexts
- Apply evidence-based strategies to real-world challenges
- Manage high-stakes conversations and transitions
- Leverage data and AI-driven insights for decision-making
- Facilitate collaboration and group processes
"Our faculty members bring decades of change leadership experience to empower students so that they can experiment with new theories and tools and then meet emerging challenges."
Sara McClellan, Associate Professor of Professional Studies, UVA School of Continuing and Professional Studies
Students can start in the spring, summer or fall semesters. The first application deadline is November 1, 2026, for the spring semester, which begins January, 2027.
A Tailorable Degree
Four electives allow students to align their learning and career goals. Students can choose to focus their learning in human resources, project management, cybersecurity management, public administration, federal procurement & contracts management, health care management and accounting.
An Accelerated Pathway
Professionals who have received a B- or higher in a School of Continuing and Professional Studies graduate-certificate course within the past five years can apply up to 12 credits toward the master's degree, provided those courses have not contributed to a different conferred degree. Students with graduate course credit from another institution may be eligible to transfer up to six credits. Learn more about opportunities to apply and transfer credit into the program.
Learn More
- Join an upcoming online information session
- Reach out to our recruitment counseling team
- Current SCPS certificate students should fill out the advising form request