Online Master of Change Management Degree

Lead change in a complex world.

Leaders and managers today face change of unprecedented scope and speed. Whether from artificial intelligence, distributed workforces, environmental crises, political and regulatory shifts, or global supply chains, one thing is clear: teams, organizations, and communities must continuously adapt.

Leading change is difficult, and many initiatives fail. UVA's 100% online Master of Change Management is built to help change leaders meet this moment and the unforeseen challenges ahead, empowering them with tested models, frameworks, and tools to shape change more confidently and effectively.

This first-of-its-kind degree draws on leadership and organizational studies, project management, communication, psychology, and more—knowledge students can apply across every sector and industry.

Don't just study change, put it into motion: 

• Integrate best practices for working with existing organizational cultures.
• Build change plans that pair proven, evidence-based strategies with the flexibility to iterate as circumstances evolve.
• Co-create change with teams and stakeholders across organizations and industries.
• Navigate high-stakes conversations and keep your team aligned.
• Leverage Artificial Intelligence and data to assess change impact in real time and inform future decisions.

Tailor your degree to your goals, location and timeline.

As a professional adult learner, you need flexibility to fit your coursework to your goals, geographic location, and busy life. We designed the Master of Change Management to meet your needs!

1. Customize your learning: Choose four elective courses from project management, public administration, human resources, cybersecurity management, federal procurement and contracts management, health care management, leadership studies, and accounting. 
2. Engage regardless of your location: All classes are 100% online and there is no in-person requirement. Progress at your preferred pace. We recommend taking two courses per semester but you can move at the speed that allows you to manage your life demands. Courses are offered in fall, spring, and summer semesters. You have up to five years to complete the program.

Key Takeaways:

• 30 credits / 10 courses can be completed in as little as one year - or you can take up to five years to complete. 
• Start dates in January, June and August.
• 100% online, flexible program with learning conducted in a live, online classroom for engagement and connection. Recordings or other accommodations can be made available when schedule conflicts arise. 
• Up to 12 graduate credits earned in a UVA School of Continuing and Professional Studies certificate program may be applied to the degree. Up to 6 graduate credits earned from another institution, which were not applied toward a conferred degree, may apply to this degree. 

Why a Master's Degree in Change Management?

Influencing and directing organizational change is typically performed in the mid to senior levels of an organization. Whether you're there already or aspire to move into these roles, a master's degree will deliver core knowledge, skills, and abilities you need to support your organization through complex shifts and changes.

Our program offers you the ability to customize your learning plan and build unique skillsets relevant to your professional goals. You can focus your elective choices in a wide variety of areas like leadership, human resources, project management or public administration. 

A Master's Degree in Change Management provides you with a path to pursue high-demand roles across industries, such as: 

• Change Management Analyst
• Project Manager
• Management Consultant
• Artificial Intelligence/Digital Transformation Director
• Human Resources Manager
• Training and Development Manager
• Chief Executive Officers and Senior Leaders

According to sources including Glassdoor and Ziprecruiter, Change Management Analysts typically earn between $85,000 - $180,000, depending on their level of experience. 

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 

Current School of Continuing and Professional Studies Students

Image

If you have completed a graduate certificate at UVA's School of Continuing and Professional Studies within the past five years, you can apply up to 12 credits (four courses) toward the degree upon admission.

This means:

• Your certificate coursework could satisfy all elective requirements for the master’s degree
• You would need only six additional courses (18 credits) to complete the master’s degree

Up to six graduate credits earned at other institutions, which have not been applied to another conferred degree, may apply to UVA's Master of Change Management degree. 

Tuition and Admissions Information

Tuition and Fees

• Per Credit Hour Cost: $649 per credit hour for in-state and out-of-state students, plus $12 per credit hour in fees for the 2026-2027 academic year. This equates to $1,983 per course. 
• Estimated cost: $19,830 for 10 courses, or $11,898 for 6 core courses only.
• Students have access to financial aid, scholarships and payment plans.
• Additional fees may apply, including course materials. Tuition rates are adjusted annually.

See Tuition Details

Scholarships

To ensure you receive communications about available financial aid and scholarships, please ensure you have either submitted an application (when available) or submitted a request for information. Notifications will be delivered to the student’s UVA email address or the applicant’s application-associated email address. 

School of Continuing and Professional Studies Scholarships

UVA School of Continuing and Professional Studies offers scholarships annually based on merit and financial challenges for new and returning students. 

Enslaved Ancestors College Access Scholarship Program

New and returning students in certificate or degree programs in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies also are eligible to apply for the Enslaved Ancestors College Access Scholarship Program. 

For more information about scholarships, please email scps-scholarships@virginia.edu.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Deadline Information

• To begin in the fall (August): application must be submitted by July 1 
• To begin in the spring (January): application must be submitted by November 1 (see note below)
• To begin in the summer (June): application must be submitted by April 1

The application for spring 2027 will be open soon! To ensure you are notified when the application is open, please submit your preferred email address in this form. 

Requirements for Admission 

Prospective students may apply to be admitted into one of three terms (Summer, Fall, or Spring) and to be eligible must have: 

• A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Professional experience in the workforce (typically 3 or more years)  

In the application, the following must be provided:

• Transcript of undergraduate record (and graduate record, if applicable)
• Professional resume detailing professional experience, education, and other relevant accomplishments
• Statement of purpose (approximately 500-750 words)  
• Two letters of recommendation that address applicant’s suitability for graduate study
• TOEFL, IELTS scores (if applicable) meeting the following minimum requirements:
  • TOEFL: minimum total score of 90 on the computer-based portion; section minimums 
    of 22 in speaking, 22 in writing, 23 in reading, and 23 in listening.
  • IELTS: minimum score of 6.5 in each band

How to Apply 

Complete an online application.   

A $70 application fee is currently waived through SCPS. 

Support for Master of Change Management Students

As a UVA School of Continuing and Professional Studies student, you have incredible resources available to you, including: 

• Academic advisor and success staff 
• Career support 
• A powerful network of peers and alumni
• Access to the UVA library system 
• Mental health support through Timely Care
• Technology support 24/7

What You Will Learn

Interdisciplinary in nature, the Master of Change Management blends core knowledge and practical skills from leadership, organizational behavior, communication, and technology. 

Program Requirements

All coursework (core courses and approved electives) must be completed with a grade of B- (2.7) or better in order to count towards the degree. Students may retake a course if they get below a B- (2.7). All requirements must be completed within five years of starting the program.

Core Courses

All core courses are offered each semester. 

PSCM 6000: Foundations of Change Management

Introduces key change management theories, models, and practices. Examines historical perspectives and core concepts, with emphasis on analyzing and critiquing theories and approaches. Differentiates change approaches in stable/predictable versus complex/uncertain contexts, primarily though case studies. Analyzes the role of ethical decision-making in guiding successful change initiatives across varied sectors and industries

PSCM 6010: Change Within: Navigating Personal and Organizational Transitions

Explores the psychological foundations of change, including identity, motivation, resistance, and learning. Builds self-awareness, mindset, and skills to shift from reactive patterns to more  generative responses. Through case studies and reflective practices, explores how personal change experiences intersect with broader social and structural forces, offering practical tools to foster presence, resilience and the capacity to help teams navigate stress, uncertainty, and transformation.

PSCM 6020: Change Communication and Stakeholder Engagement

Introduces theories, frameworks, methods, and tools to engage stakeholders in co-creating change, assessing needs, and building coalitions. Explores how identity, emotion, and power dynamics shape responses to change and outcomes. Builds communication skills such as framing, collaboration, active listening, empathetic dialogue, persuasive storytelling, meeting facilitation, and conflict resolution tailored to complex, real-world change scenarios across  digital and in-person environments.

PSCM 6030: Change Process Design

Explores multiple frameworks and tools for designing effective and ethical change processes, integrating project management, systems thinking, user-centered design, and continuous improvement models. Develops change management processes, budgets, and implementation plans that respond to organizational goals and stakeholder needs and experiences. Offers experience with practical tools such as journey mapping, systems mapping, and iterative feedback loops to co-create human-centered change solutions.

PSCM 6040: Data-Driven Decision-Making for Change

Introduces role of data analysis to support effective decision-making for change planning, implementation, and assessment. Provides relevant data-driven tools to help establish baseline metrics and evaluation plans, surface blind spots and bias, and adapt strategies in real time. Topics include performance planning, data visualization, risk sensing, and acting with incomplete or imperfect information. Fosters a data-driven mindset to support trust, catalyze learning, and continuously improve. 

PSCM 6050: Capstone: Applied Change Management

Demonstrates mastery of change management with a comprehensive applied change proposal or project topic that is practically relevant to student’s work or interest. Applies theoretical knowledge and practical tools to plan change that meets organizational goals, address stakeholder needs, and use data to inform decision-making and measure success. To enroll, students must complete all required core courses and preferably have taken 24 credits that count towards the Master of Change Management. 

Additional Components

Elective offerings vary by term.

Electives

Students who are completing the full degree program will select four graduate-level courses from the following list of courses. Students may request and, upon the program director’s review and approval, be allowed to complete electives from elsewhere in the university, in order to gain specific knowledge or skills.

• PSHM 5020: Management of Healthcare Organizations
• PSHM 5330: Introduction to Long-Term Care Administration 
• PSHM 5650: American Healthcare: Challenges and Opportunities 
• PSHM 5750: Organizational Behavior & Leadership in Healthcare 
• PSLP 5300: Foundations of Leadership 
• PSLP 5310: Strategic Leadership 
• PSLP 5320: Organizational Leadership 
• PSLP 5330: Communication and Team Development 
• PSLP 5500: Contemporary Issues in Leadership 
• PSPA 5000: Intro to Public Administration 
• PSPA 5020: Public Organization Management 
• PSPM 5015: Stakeholder Engagement and Change Management 
• PSPM 5030: Introduction to Project Management 
• PSPM 5200: Project Schedule, Cost, and Budget Control 
• PSPM 5210: Project Risk Management 
• PSPM 5230: Leadership and Managing the Project Team 
• PSPM 5290: Agile Project Management 

Meet Our Faculty