What do you learn in a bachelor's in organizational leadership?

If you love to inspire others, then a bachelor's in organizational leadership could be the perfect choice. You'll learn how to lead teams, foster collaboration, and push for organizational success in your new role.

Learn about the curriculum and specializations in a bachelor's in organizational leadership program, and find out what requirements you'll need to meet to graduate.

What to expect from a bachelor's in organizational leadership program

With a bachelor's in organizational leadership program, you'll develop a range of skills that will help you manage teams, push for strategic goals, and implement organizational changes.

You'll learn how to focus on developing leadership skills, communication techniques, and problem-solving abilities in a variety of workplace settings. Your goal will be to inspire others, manage conflict where it arises, and innovate where necessary.

Most programs can be completed in roughly four years, or eight semesters, with about 120 to 130 credit hours.

Some programs may require you to complete a capstone project or take on an internship, which will give you practical experience in the field. Common courses include conflict resolution, change management, and leadership theory.

Bachelor's in organizational leadership program curriculum

The typical curriculum for a bachelor's in organizational leadership program will blend principles of business, leadership strategies, and psychology to prepare you for a management role in numerous industries. Here are three common courses you may find in your program:

• Leadership theories and practices: This course looks at historical and modern leadership theories, such as transformational or servant leadership. You'll be able to identify leadership styles and be ready to adapt your strategies to the context at hand. Expect to develop decision-making and strategic thinking skills, as well as the ability to inspire others.
• Conflict resolution and negotiation: The techniques here will help you manage conflicts in the workplace and negotiate successful outcomes. You'll be able to resolve disputes, encourage collaboration, or build consensus. By mediating, you'll learn how to problem-solve under pressure.
• Change management: This course explores strategies to lead organizational change. This will include planning, communication, evaluation, and implementation, and you'll also be able to deal with employee resistance.

Specializations and concentrations

Once you've learned the core principles, you can include specializations to help you align with your career goals. For example, you can focus on nonprofit leadership to develop fundraising, program development, and volunteer management skills.

Alternatively, you can concentrate on human resource management, with an emphasis on employee relations and recruitment. Or you can consider project management, which focuses on complex projects, scheduling, budgeting, and stakeholder communication.

Graduation requirements for a bachelor's in organizational leadership

To graduate with this qualification, you may need to complete a capstone project. This calls for you to develop a comprehensive leadership plan or manage an organizational issue in the real world.

You may also need to become an intern and work in a leadership or support role, and you'll typically need around 120 to 130 credit hours, including core leadership courses and general education.

These requirements can help you graduate with both practical skills and theoretical knowledge.

Explore bachelor's degrees in organizational leadership

Are you ready to begin your journey toward becoming an effective and inspiring leader? Then check out edX's various courses and degree programs in leadership and get started today.