Master's in organizational leadership programs
A master's in organizational leadership can help you advance your career. Research programs, career paths, and job outlooks as you prepare to take your next step.
Explore organizational leadership graduate programs
Why earn an organizational leadership master's degree?
Learn transferable leadership principles
Master's in organizational leadership programs build relevant and versatile skills with excellent cross-industry transferability.
Advance in your current career or transition to a new one
Leadership skills can help you advance beyond your current role or leverage your experience to enhance your upward career mobility.
Enjoy convenience and flexibility
Studying online can give you more control over your learning experience. Flexible scheduling and virtual classes can make it easier to balance schoolwork with other commitments.
Master's programs in organizational leadership examine the principles that drive results in the 21st-century workplace. Familiarize yourself with the unique learning opportunities these programs can offer as you build toward higher levels of personal and professional success.
Explore related leadership master's programs
What can you do with an organizational leadership degree?
As a standalone degree, a master's in organizational leadership can lead to roles in human resources, business administration, operations management, and consulting. You can also pair a master's with your existing education and experience to advance in your current professional field.
Some of the you can pursue include:
- Human resources specialist or manager
- Management analyst
- Operations manager
- Training and development manager
Salary expectations for master's in organizational leadership graduates
A master's in organizational leadership can help you pursue management-track positions. It may also qualify you to perform organizational analysis as an organizational development consultant.
The following table highlights salary data for five career paths you can pursue with a master's in organizational development. Note that your location, experience, and academic qualifications may impact your personal earning potential, which could exceed or fall below these ranges.
| Job | Median annual salary (May 2023) |
|---|---|
| Human resources specialist | $67,650 |
| Human resources manager | $136,350 |
| Management analyst | $99,410 |
| Operations manager | $101,280 |
| Training and development manager | $125,040 |
Career outlook for master's in organizational leadership graduates
Employers are becoming more engaged with delivering a positive employment experience, and professionals with advanced leadership training can help them achieve that goal. As such, common career paths that master's in organizational leadership graduates pursue show faster-than-average job growth.
| Job | Projected job growth, [number of annual openings] (2023-33) |
|---|---|
| Human resources specialist | +8%, [86,200] |
| Human resources manager | +6%, [17,400] |
| Management analyst | +11%, [95,700] |
| Operations manager | +6%, [320,800] |
| Training and development manager | +7%, [3,600] |
What do you learn in an organizational leadership program?
Master's in organizational leadership programs usually cover about 30-36 credits. If you study full-time, you could graduate in about two academic years.
Academic content focuses on effective leadership techniques, especially topics like organizational change, professional development, and employee motivation. You will learn actionable and creative strategies for guiding organizations to positive outcomes in these and other key operational areas.
Some schools offer specialized concentrations within their degree plans. Your options may include:
- Change leadership
- Conflict resolution
- Global leadership
- Nonprofit leadership
- Organizational development
You may also have the opportunity to use your electives to design a custom specialization.
Curriculum for online master's in organizational leadership degrees
Master's in organizational leadership curricula typically include required courses, electives, and a culminating experience such as a capstone project or thesis.
Course offerings vary among schools and concentration tracks. Your curriculum may feature courses like:
- Leadership theory: Compare various leadership styles and strategies. This course can familiarize you with essential leadership concepts.
- Organizational behavior: Examine organizational structures and their internal dynamics. This course uses an applied interdisciplinary perspective to study organizational culture and its impacts on productivity and output.
- Conflict resolution and negotiation: Engage with theories and strategies for resolving conflicts and leading productive negotiations.
- Leadership in diverse organizations: Explore the benefits of integrating diverse perspectives into business decisions. As many organizations place an increased emphasis on equity and inclusion, this course can prepare you to understand the most up-to-date organizational practices and expectations.
- Ethics in leadership: Discover the complex ethical dilemmas that organizational leaders may encounter. This course prepares you with practical tools for navigating these situations.
Admissions for master's in organizational leadership programs
Master's in organizational leadership programs typically welcome applicants from various academic backgrounds. However, coursework or an undergraduate degree in a relevant field, such as business, human resources, or psychology, may improve your application's outcome.
Schools often include a résumé or CV in their application requirements. Admissions officials may consider your professional background and trajectory when evaluating your candidacy.
Other commonly requested materials include:
- Academic transcripts
- Personal essay or statement of purpose
- Letters of recommendation
Some schools also interview candidates in the later stages of the admissions process. For deadlines and other specifics, consult the host institution.