Why This Matters

  • DEMAND FOR HR MANAGERS IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE BY 6%

    As companies expand their operations, human resources managers are needed to manage workplace concerns such as equal employment opportunity, health care, and retirement plans.

  • TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT MANAGERS MAKE 2X THE AVERAGE WORKER

    The median annual salary for all U.S. occupations is $39,810. Training and development managers make more than twice that, at $113,350 per year.

  • 10,400 HR MANAGERS ARE NEEDED BY 2029

    Skilled organizational managers are needed to plan and coordinate the administrative needs of businesses across all industries.

Our Research

This list covers graduate programs in organizational management that offer curricula in workplace innovation, decision-making, and strategic thinking. Degrees include Master of Science in Organization Development, Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership, Master of Education in Education and Human Resource Studies, Master of Science in Community and Organizational Leadership, and Master of Arts in Strategic Leadership. Programs on this list offer on-campus, online, and hybrid learning formats.

National and regional accreditation organizations recognize higher education organizations that meet certain academic standards. Programs with accreditation prepare graduates with the skills necessary to enter the global workforce. National accreditors include the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). Schools on this list also receive accreditation from organizations such as the New England Commission on Higher Education and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

We evaluated each program on the basis of flexibility, faculty, course strength, cost, and reputation. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score for each program on a scale from 0 to 100. For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology.

  • 64 hours to write this article
  • 161 universities and colleges we assessed
  • 320 education programs we compared

The Top 50 Master’s in Organizational Management Degree Programs

Best Master's in Organizational Management Degree Programs
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What You Should Know About This Degree

When preparing for a career in a senior leadership role, you should also consider pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA). MBA programs teach students ways to make businesses more profitable and strategies for effective leadership. Graduate programs in business administration offer critical thinking, decision-making, operational management, and business law courses. While organizational management programs also cover some of these topics, they also prepare graduates for other business factors, such as media, human resources, and supply chain management. Both master’s programs take two years of full-time study to complete. Students who are interested in developing business-specific skills should contemplate pursuing an MBA. Those interested in operations and organizational change should consider a master’s in organizational leadership.

The Institute of Organizational Development, ATD, Linkage, and the NTL Institute all offer organizational development certification. Certifications can help validate your skills and provide a competitive edge when you’re applying for senior-level positions.

Graduates in organizational management can expect a positive job market, as companies need skilled employees to manage, plan, and direct administrative goals. Demand for human resources managers is expected to grow by 6 percent over the next decade. The need for training and development managers is expected to increase by 7 percent.

What’s Next?

When researching Master of Organizational Management degree programs, ask yourself these questions:

  • Am I eligible for this program? Graduate programs in organizational management accept students from all educational backgrounds who hold a bachelor’s degree. Some programs might require one to three years of relevant professional experience, as well as a minimum GPA.
  • How long does it take to complete this online degree? Students can expect to complete a master’s in organizational management in 18 months to two years of full-time study. Programs on this list require between 30 and 54 credits to graduate.

Every program has specific entry requirements and application deadlines. Be sure to submit all application materials by their due dates. Visit the school website or contact the program directly for the most recent application information.

Consider how you will cover the financial costs of your graduate studies. Scholarships and grants are available to help reduce academic-related fees, as are loans and other financial aid. Your employer also might reimburse you for part or all of your tuition.