Compare online master's in leadership programs
Earning your master’s in leadership online can help you transform into a better, more skilled leader. Discover this type of program’s benefits, career applications, and salary expectations in our guide.
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Why earn a master's in leadership degree online?
Build responsive and transferable skills
Organizational culture generally flows from the top down. Relevant in virtually any industry, leadership training teaches you how to foster positivity, lead by example, and inspire others.
Become a more competent and culturally aware leader
Leadership programs build important sensitivities to the differing perspectives, backgrounds, and needs of the diverse people that make organizations thrive.
Acquire leadership skills on your own schedule
Online master's in leadership programs offer flexibility that face-to-face education cannot match. You can build valuable new skills without disrupting your entire schedule.
Leadership qualities don't always come naturally — you can learn them, and an online master's in leadership can offer an effective and convenient way to do it. Explore programs, concentration options, curricula, and career paths available to professionals with advanced leadership degrees.
Browse online master's in leadership programs
Types of master’s in leadership degrees
When you earn a master's in leadership online, you will generally graduate with a master of arts (MA) or master of science (MS) designation. Schools offer many different concentrations within this framework, which is where degrees vary the most.
Common examples include:
- Educational leadership: Designed for teachers and education administrators, an can help you develop leadership qualities for K–12 or postsecondary environments.
- : This interdisciplinary specialization equips self-starters with advanced leadership insights.
- Inclusive leadership: Build cultural sensitivities that support healthy dynamics in diverse environments.
- : Prepare for leadership roles in business specializations, government, or the nonprofit sector.
- Religious or spiritual leadership: Some schools offer faith-focused specializations for aspiring religious community leaders.
What to expect from an online leadership master's program
Master's in leadership and management programs explore various leadership styles and theories to identify and teach effective strategies and techniques for managing and inspiring others. They also emphasize organizational culture, dispute mediation and conflict resolution, communication skills, and cultural sensitivity.
Curricula usually cover about 30–36 semester credits or the equivalent. If you study full-time, you can typically graduate in about 15–24 months.
Curriculum for online master's in leadership programs
Online master's in leadership programs usually include core, elective, and capstone courses in their curricula. Many schools offer courses similar to these:
- Theoretical foundations of leadership: Leadership styles vary, and each style has particular strengths, shortcomings, and situational uses. This required survey-style course examines these theoretical fundamentals.
- Organizational design: In this foundational course, students consider organizational structures and the ways in which leaders impact their performance. It emphasizes strategies for applying specific leadership styles to maximize results.
- Change leadership: Internal, external, organic, and unpredictable factors can all prompt gradual or abrupt organizational change. This course introduces specific leadership methods for navigating change.
- Strategic decision-making: Leaders must make difficult decisions, often with partial or limited information. This course develops analytical skills and techniques for making strategic and data-backed decisions.
- Ethical leadership: This course examines the complex ethical dilemmas that professionals in leadership positions must sometimes navigate. Business-focused programs may also cover corporate social responsibility in this class.
What can you do with a graduate degree in leadership?
Leadership degrees transfer to many industries and professional settings. Common examples include business, education, government, and religious communities. Leadership credentials generally complement existing degrees, competencies, and experiential backgrounds in these and other fields.
The exact positions for which you can qualify with an online master's in leadership degree largely depend on these complementary aspects of your professional profile. With that in mind, consider these potential career paths:
- Business manager, executive, or entrepreneur
- Clergyperson, minister, or spiritual leader
- Management analyst
- School principal, K–12 administrator, or higher education administrator
- Training and development manager
Salary expectations for online master's in leadership graduates
An online master's in leadership degree can help , but your salary potential depends significantly on your complementary credentials, degrees, and professional experiences. Pay rates also vary depending on factors including:
- Your location and industry of employment
- Local labor market conditions
- The time you spend in your professional role
The following table profiles the median annual salaries for common . It draws on data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
| Salary outlook for online master's in leadership graduates | |
|---|---|
| Job title | Median annual salary (May 2024) |
| Clergyperson | $60,820 |
| Education administrator (kindergarten through secondary) | $104,070 |
| General or operations manager | $102,950 |
| Human resources manager | $140,030 |
| Management analyst | $101,190 |
| Medical and health services manager | $117,960 |
| Postsecondary education administrator | $103,960 |
| Training and development manager | $127,090 |
Career outlook for master's in leadership and management graduates
Professionals with strong leadership qualities are generally in demand, but many factors affect the degree of that demand. Major examples include:
- Your precise role
- Location and local job market dynamics
- Industry and market conditions
This BLS and O*NET data highlights near-term job growth for various leadership careers:
| Career outlook for online master's in leadership graduates | |
|---|---|
| Job title | Projected job growth (2024–34) |
| Clergyperson | +1% |
| Education administrator (kindergarten through secondary) | -1.5% |
| General or operations manager | +4.4% |
| Human resources manager | +5% |
| Management analyst | +8.8% |
| Medical and health services manager | +23.2% |
| Postsecondary education administrator | +1.7% |
| Training and development manager | +5.8% |