Best Online Master’s in Organizational Leadership 2024
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There are many challenges that face the business world, and many complexities to understand. Completing an online master’s in organizational leadership can help you become a reliable expert on the matter.
These programs focus on developing specialized management and leadership skills in students. They can be beneficial for those looking to advance in their careers, as it helps them stand out in the job market.
This article provides an overview of an online master’s in organizational leadership, such as admission requirements, curriculum examples, and earning potential.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top Organizational Leadership Master’s Online
University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,806
- Out-of-state$36,554
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate80%
- Students Enrolled39,000
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment73%
- AccreditationYes
Trine University
- Fort Wayne, IN
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$9,576
- Out-of-state$9,576
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate60%
- Students Enrolled1,367
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment97%
- AccreditationYes
Arizona State University
- Scottsdale, AZ
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$10,710
- Out-of-state$12,984
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate70%
- Students Enrolled57,848
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment98%
- AccreditationYes
John Brown University
- Siloam Springs, AR
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$27,662
- Out-of-state$27,662
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate53%
- Students Enrolled2,459
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment43%
- AccreditationYes
Pepperdine University
- Malibu, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$59,450
- Out-of-state$59,450
- Retention Rate88%
- Acceptance Rate49%
- Students Enrolled10,029
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment36%
- AccreditationYes
Keiser University
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$20,800
- Out-of-state$20,800
- Retention Rate68%
- Acceptance Rate97%
- Students Enrolled18,800
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment50%
- AccreditationYes
Saint Louis University
- Saint Louis, MO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$48,100
- Out-of-state$48,100
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate86%
- Students Enrolled12,483
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment26%
- AccreditationYes
College of Saint Mary
- Omaha, NE
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$21,800
- Out-of-state$21,800
- Retention Rate71%
- Acceptance Rate50%
- Students Enrolled838
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment46%
- AccreditationYes
Excelsior College
- Albany, NY
- 2 year
- Online
- In-State$0
- Out-of-state$0
- Retention Rate0%
- Acceptance Rate0%
- Students Enrolled14,584
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment0%
- AccreditationYes
Creighton University
- Omaha, NE
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$42,618
- Out-of-state$42,618
- Retention Rate92%
- Acceptance Rate76%
- Students Enrolled8,480
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment39%
- AccreditationYes
What Is an Online Master’s in Organizational Leadership?
An online master’s in organizational leadership prepares students for leadership positions within various organizations. These programs include coursework, practical experience, and capstone projects that develop leadership, organizational, and strategic thinking skills and provide advanced industry training. They are fully online, consist of 30-36 credits, and often take 2-3 years to finish.
Core Courses
Core courses in organizational leadership cover important topics such as ethical decision-making, organizational behavior, change management, and strategic planning. These courses provide students with a strong foundation in leadership theory and practice, and are essential for developing leadership skills.Electives and Specialization Tracks
Specialization tracks and elective courses are available to help students become more competitive and versatile in the job market. Specialization tracks and elective courses can cover areas such as human resource management, nonprofit management, criminal justice, health services, and project management.Capstone Project
A capstone or thesis project allows students to apply theoretical and practical knowledge they’ve gained throughout their course. They focus on a specific topic or issue, allowing students to address and practice solving a real-world challenge. Master’s programs typically end with a capstone or thesis project.Online Format
Though online degree programs have pros and cons, they generally provide flexibility to balance school, work, and personal obligations. Online programs may have synchronous (gathering at the same time) and asynchronous (going at your own pace) courses in a virtual setting. The length of an online degree may depend on whether you study full-time or part-time.
Types of Online Master’s in Organizational Leadership
Schools offer master’s programs in organizational leadership in different types. They may be part of a master of science (MS) or master of arts (MA) degree or a concentration of a master of business administration (MBA) program.
Each provides specialized skills and knowledge in areas such as strategic decision-making, effective communication, team leadership, and organizational development. But they also have differences. The following are brief summaries of each type of organizational leadership master’s degree programs.
MS in Organizational Leadership
An MS in organizational leadership is a graduate degree that emphasizes the science of leadership. The curriculum often includes studying various leadership styles, conflict management, ethics, and fostering innovation within organizations.
MA in Organizational Leadership
An MA in organizational leadership program combines areas such as psychology, leadership theory, and team management. These programs provide skills applicable to many organizational settings, including leadership, communication, marketing, and human resources management.
MBA in Organizational Leadership
An MBA in organizational leadership typically blends key business principles and leadership training. These programs focus on applying leadership strategies to address business problems, covering strategic decision-making, organizational change, and human behavior in a business setting.
Admission Requirements for a Online Master’s in Organizational Leadership
Researching and reviewing specific program requirements is important as they can vary. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution is a typical requirement. Other requirements for a master’s in organizational leadership include:
- Admissions essays
- Personal statements
- Letters of recommendation
- Minimum grade point average (typically 3.0 on a 4.0 scale)
GMAT or GRE scores may be necessary to enter some programs. Professional work experience is often preferred. Online students may also have to meet certain technology requirements, such as having access to a computer with reliable internet access.
What Can You Do with an Online Master’s in Organizational Leadership?
With a master’s in organizational leadership, you can leverage your expertise and qualify for higher-level leadership or manager roles. These roles typically include positions that oversee organizational and administrative functions, including chief executive officer, human resources manager, and management analyst. You may handle planning, time management, and company-wide strategic goals.
The following are potential careers with a master’s in organizational leadership:
Chief Executive Officer
The chief executive officer (CEO) is the highest leader in charge of managing an organization. CEOs report to a board of directors, who hold them accountable for the company’s performance and decisions.
CEOs may hold different titles, such as executive director, managing director, or president. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data shows they earned an annual median salary of $206,680 in May 2023.
HR Manager
A human resources (HR) manager oversees the planning, setting, and directing of administration functions within an organization. They’re responsible for all aspects of employee management, from recruitment to exit interviews.
HR managers also maintain communication between an organization’s management and its employees. They earned a median annual salary of $136,350 in May 2023.
Organizational Development Manager
Organizational development managers focus on developing and growing a company’s employees. They identify and implement training and development programs that align with strategic goals and enhance performance.
They may also act as a liaison between various teams and upper leadership. According to Payscale, organizational development managers earn an average salary of $91,773 as of April 2024.
Administrative Services Manager
Administrative services managers oversee various office support services to help organizations operate efficiently. In larger organizations, they may specialize in monitoring facilities or mail distribution. In small organizations, they may act as business office managers. Administrative services managers earned $106,470 in median annual salary in May 2023, BLS data shows.
Management Analysts
Management analysts help improve an organization’s performance and help them achieve their goals. These analysts, also known as consultants, may provide strategic planning, process improvement, and organizational change management services.
Companies may hire management analysts to advise from an external perspective or for their specialized expertise to handle a certain issue. Management analysts earned a median annual salary of $99,410 in May 2023.
How Much Can You Make with an Online Master’s in Organizational Leadership?
Data shows the earning potential for a master’s in organizational leadership can be high, ranging from $80,750-$390,710, according to the BLS.
Many graduates join the management of companies and enterprises sector, one of the highest-paying among management occupations. The annual mean wage of these roles — such as chief executive, human resources manager, and administrative services manager — was $182,120 in May 2023, BLS data shows.
Choosing an Online Master’s in Organizational Leadership Program
Important factors to consider when choosing an online organizational leadership graduate program include tuition, program length, transfer policies, and graduation requirements.
- Accreditation: Accreditation is a review process that indicates that the school meets high academic standards. Having an accredited degree can expand employment, financial aid, and education opportunities. Accrediting agencies must be recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to be considered legitimate.
- Program Cost: In-state students typically pay less than out-of-state students, though some online programs offer the same tuition to online students regardless of residency. Additionally, public schools often offer lower tuition than private schools. However, many private schools offer more financial aid and scholarship opportunities to offset tuition costs.
- Transfer Policies: Transfer policies vary by institution. Many regionally accredited schools only accept transfer credits from other regionally accredited schools. In addition to credit for prior coursework, some programs may grant transfer credit for work experience. Check with each prospective school to determine its transfer policy.
- School Size and Type: Small schools typically feature similarly small class sizes that afford students ample one-on-one attention from professors. Larger schools may consist of larger classes, but they may also offer more degree and specialization options than smaller schools.
- On-Campus Requirements: Consider whether a school offers the program fully online or in hybrid format. Hybrid structures combine online courses with on-campus requirements, so students should ensure that they can meet all on-campus requirements. In fully online programs, students can graduate without visiting campus.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Master’s in Leadership Degrees
An online master’s degree in organizational leadership can lead to a career as a project manager, executive director, or human resources manager. Many of these professionals make upwards of $100,000 a year. While a master’s degree can help you advance your career, it’s not always needed for leadership roles.
According to the BLS, management occupations such as human resources manager and executive director are expected to grow at a faster rate than all occupations from 2022-2032. The BLS projects about 1.1 million openings each year, on average. The median annual wage for all management occupations was $116,880 as of May 2023, BLS data shows.
National data on an online master’s in organizational leadership is unavailable. However, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) provides tuition data for related degrees.
The average annual cost of an online master’s in business and management is $10,994.5, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. If you were to finish the degree in three years, the total cost would be $32,982.
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