Students who complete an online master’s in organizational leadership will master all the skills necessary to become a leader uniquely suited for 21st-century challenges. Whether graduates want to strike out independently or lead other organizations to success, completing graduate coursework won’t take long. With degree programs ranging between 30 and 36 credit hours, it’s possible to earn this master’s degree in as little as one year.
According to U.S. News, a master’s in organizational leadership will cost somewhere between $13,000 to $32,000, depending on where students go to school, which means this degree could be more or less expensive than an undergraduate one (the average cost is around $26,000). Graduates will then be qualified to work as project management specialists, and they can expect an average salary of $94,000 per year.
How to Choose an Online Master’s in Organizational Leadership Program
Choose your area of study
While many online master’s in organizational leadership degrees focus more on management and leadership, some offer students concentrations like healthcare management, nonprofit management, global business, and leadership coaching.
These concentrations can help students learn more about leadership concepts, but it’s best if students first consider their future career plans before choosing a concentration. That way, they can better ensure their graduate education will help provide them with the precise knowledge and practice necessary to become a leader in their chosen field.
Research schools and programs
Students will likely discover more than one online master’s in organizational leadership program that seems promising, so narrowing down the list using criteria is essential.
For example, to avoid graduating with lots of debt, they should only consider reasonably priced schools (this may include most private schools and out-of-state schools, depending on the budget). Students should also immediately rule out schools that aren’t appropriately accredited, as these degrees won’t be relevant or valuable in the workplace. Finally, students who anticipate needing extra help with their studies should rule out any schools that don’t offer a robust support system for remote students.
Prepare for tests and applications
Most online master’s in organizational leadership programs do not require students to submit GRE scores as part of their application, which can help save time when applying.
The application for each prospective school will specify all the additional paperwork that may be required, typically including undergraduate transcripts and a cover letter. Students may also need to provide letters of recommendation from previous instructors or employers and application essays tailored to specific prompts. Application requirements vary dramatically from program to program, so pay close attention to each set of requirements.
Select your program
After narrowing down the initial list of prospective schools, students must ultimately select the program(s) they will apply for.
There are several ways to decide on a program, and students should weigh factors like the overall program cost and schedule flexibility, which are very important for remote students. It’s also helpful to review what the coursework will look like, as this can help students discover whether the school has the courses and possibly a specific concentration they are interested in. Finally, since these programs are designed to train the leaders of tomorrow, it may be helpful to research the professors teaching the class and their experience in management and leadership.
Determine how you’ll pay for your degree
Students who need financial assistance to pay for their graduate education should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year.
At a minimum, completing the FAFSA qualifies students for federal student loans and may be a prerequisite for any available special grants or scholarships. While such grants and scholarships are rarer for graduate students, contacting the Financial Aid office for prospective schools is always helpful. Those offices may have information on special aid available through the school or through the state that would otherwise be very difficult to learn about.
Best 50 Accredited Online Master’s in Organizational Leadership Programs
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How We Rank Schools
We reviewed programs delivered online, on-campus, and hybrid formats to provide various options for all lifestyles and budgets.
Students can earn a Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science (MS) degree in organizational leadership. Each degree type has a different approach. For example, MS degrees are typically more research-focused and may include a thesis requirement.
We only included programs with regional accreditation to ensure that they meet the highest quality standards for education. Many programs are also accredited by business-specific organizations, like the Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) or the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). These additional accreditations provide an extra guarantee of quality specific to business education.
We evaluated each program’s course strength, cost, faculty, flexibility, and reputation. Then, we calculated an Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. For a more extensive explanation, check out our ranking methodology.
What Can You Expect from an Online Master’s in Organizational Leadership Program?
Students who enter an online master’s in organizational leadership course typically have demonstrated previous skills in leadership and management regardless of their undergraduate degree. This master’s program helps build upon existing skills by offering coursework primarily on organization and communication skills.
Communication skills are critical because even if students have mastered the art of institutional organization (which is complex enough), they must fully convey their vision and instructions to a diverse group of employees. By learning organizational and communication skills, the leaders of tomorrow can ensure that any teams they lead will work as a cohesive unit toward a unified goal.
Full-time students can complete most of these online programs in two years. In some cases, accelerated programs may be available, allowing students to complete everything online in one year. And unlike some graduate programs, students pursuing an online master’s in organizational leadership won’t have to worry about on-campus labs or other residency requirements.
Potential courses you’ll take in an online master’s in organizational leadership degree program
- Organizational Leadership: Social Psychological Perspectives. This course focuses on social psychology to help future leaders understand more about how the feelings and beliefs of others influence how they approach tasks and interact with management. By learning more about the minds and motivations of those they may one day be in charge of, students can learn how to become more effective in their individual and institutional leadership.
- Critical Perspectives in Leadership Theory. This course helps students discover the truth about many of the assumptions most people make about leadership. Students will review the historical evolution of leadership theories, including the uncomfortable relationship between leadership and oppression. Ultimately, the goal is to help students balance effective leadership and management of human resources.
- Evidence-Based Inquiry in Organizational Leadership. The most important quality in any professional leader is the ability to solve problems, and this class focuses on using an evidence-based approach to investigating and overcoming different professional obstacles. Students will learn how to apply deductive, inductive, and abductive reasoning skills using a variety of hands-on exercises.
- Quantitative Data Analysis in Leadership Research. Because so much about modern leadership is data-driven, this course focuses on teaching students methodological and theoretical data analysis methods. Using statistical software, students will learn the basics of quantitative research methods and how properly studying the data can help them guide institutions to success as thought leaders.
Online Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to an online master’s in organizational leadership degree program?
To apply to an online master’s in organizational leadership degree program, students must visit the university website and pull up the application. The application will specify what students must do to apply, typically consisting of submitting undergraduate transcripts and a cover letter. The application will also specify whether or not students need to include extra paperwork, including application essays or letters of recommendation.
At this stage, contacting the admissions office for prospective schools is always helpful. This office can answer any questions about the application, school, or program, which can help the student save plenty of time.
How much does an online master’s in organizational leadership degree cost?
U.S. News reports that a master’s in organizational leadership will cost between $13,000 to $32,000. Private and out-of-state schools will cost more, and public and in-state schools will cost less. Additionally, programs requiring more credit hours will likely cost more, and students who take longer to graduate will probably pay more than students who graduate on time.
No matter the cost of the grad program, students will ultimately pay less to take it online than offline because they won’t have to relocate to a new town and pay assorted fees associated with being an on-campus student.
How long does it take to earn an online master’s in organizational leadership degree?
For the most part, online master’s in organizational leadership programs are designed to be completed in two years by full-time students, which is the same amount of time it would take to earn such a degree on campus.
In some cases, students may find accelerated programs that allow them to complete all required coursework in as little as one year. Fortunately, most of these graduate programs are very accommodating to nontraditional students. They can work around the schedule of those who can only take classes as part-time students.
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