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Online Organizational Leadership Degrees

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Organizational leadership is one of the newer degree options in the business world. Organizational leadership degree programs train students to understand how organizations function (and how individuals function in their roles within organizations) in order to improve productivity or efficiency. Students will learn to perform tasks as managers, project managers, marketing professionals, and financiers, and their education is intended to prepare them to handle this myriad of different tasks. Having a degree that is specifically in organizational leadership is not always required to work successfully in the industry, but because it is becoming more popular, job prospects will likely be better for those who have dedicated themselves to organizational leadership specifically.

Some organizational leadership graduates are contracted to work specifically with a major corporation or other organization, and can obtain full-time salaries and benefits. Other organizational leadership professionals work for consulting firms or work individually as independent contractors. Because the field of organizational leadership is relatively new, those entering the profession right now may have the unique opportunity to define their own roles.

The day-to-day life of an organizational leadership expert will vary depending on what kind of setting they work in, but it can generally be expected that they will work with many different people to accomplish many different jobs. The typical responsibilities will also change, as different companies utilize people with organizational leadership backgrounds for different purposes. Having a clear and marketable specialty can help prospective organizational leaders find the best employment opportunities. Some organizational leadership firms help train new employees, others help put together business models, and still others help revamp businesses that are struggling economically. 

  • All
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctorate
  • Certification

What are some of the specializations within this degree program?

  • Criminal Justice Administration: Organizational leadership degrees in criminal justice administration are designed to prepare students for careers as law enforcement leaders. These programs address the specific needs of law enforcement officials, including training and decision-making skills.
  • Hospitality: Hospitality is the arena that includes casinos, hotels, resorts, and restaurants, with special attention to luxury. Organizational leadership degrees with a specialization in hospitality are designed specifically to prepare students for management careers in these areas. 
  • Education: Schools are now beginning to offer master's in education programs in organizational leadership that train students to define education policy and work as school and school district leaders. 
  • Health Care: Leadership positions in healthcare are in high demand. Therefore, a degree in organizational leadership with a specialization in healthcare can lead to excellent job opportunities as program developers and managers at hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and other healthcare facilities. 

What degree levels are available?

  • Bachelor's Degree in Organizational Leadership: 4 years to complete
  • Bachelor's Degree in Business, Organizational Leadership: 4 years to complete
  • Master's Degree in Organizational Leadership: 2-3 years to complete
  • Master's Degree in Business, Organizational Leadership: 2-3 years to complete
  • Master's Degree in Education, Organizational Leadership: 2-3 years to complete
  • PhD in Organizational Leadership: 4-7 years to complete

What are the educational and certification requirements?

Most people who work in organizational leadership positions in the business world have bachelor's degrees in some area related to business, whether it be organizational leadership itself, project management, management, entrepreneurship, accounting, economics, finance, or marketing. These accredited bachelor's degrees are relatively comprehensive in the education they provide regarding the business world, and most graduates of business schools are qualified to work in entry-level leadership positions. Students will take courses in business writing, business law, leadership, management, budgeting, macro and microeconomics, marketing, and project management. 

MBAs in organizational leadership are quickly growing in popularity. Business is now one of the most popular undergraduate majors available; as such, careers in business are growing more and more competitive, and ambitious undergraduates are preparing for the tough career market by going on to earn graduate degrees in organizational leadership. These programs are comparable to bachelor's degree programs, and usually require many of the same classes, though on a more personalized and in-depth level. Internships and personal research and thesis writing are major components of the best MBA in organizational leadership degree programs. 

Unless one works in a medical or educational setting, organizational leadership professionals are not required to have certification. 

What kinds of classes will I be expected to take?

Degree programs in organizational leadership include courses such as Change Management, which discusses changes within the workplace/business and how to deal with such instances of change.  The main focal point is the process of change within a company and what can be done to work with it, through it, and around it. Human Relations in Organizations will help students understand the inner workings of human interaction and its impact on the overall organization. Courses in Conflict Management will include negotiation, mediation, and arbitration, and students will learn the fundamentals in handling situations that may arise during the stress of the work day. Leadership courses will help students understand the fundamentals of leadership and discuss concepts such as team development, philosophy of leadership, and much more.

Is on-site training required if I pursue this degree online?

Many of the schools offering organizational leadership degree programs offer a fully online course of study.  Unlike many other majors that include a true hands-on approach to learning, the organizational leadership degree fits perfectly into the online world of education and can be done completely from the student's home.  

What are some other degrees that are related to this program?

Many business degrees are quite similar to organizational leadership degrees, requiring similar courses and providing graduates with many of the same skills. For example, a management degree is amongst the most similar to organizational leadership. Managers are responsible for hiring, firing, training, and handling employees, budgets, and many other aspects of businesses. In fact, those with degrees in organizational leadership often find their place in management positions. 

Project management is also often compared to a degree in organizational leadership. Organizational leadership is founded in the principle of creating the most effective and efficient business models, and project management is quite similar. Project managers design and carry out business models and plans to help business optimize profits. 

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What is the cheapest possible cost to obtain a masters in organizational leadership online?
Submitted on: March 3, 2012

Here is a list of schools that offer organizational leadership master's degrees for less than $10k. You can use the filter on the left to narrow down your choices based on your other personal preferences like tuition costs, graduation rate, or student population.

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