Online Master's Degree inORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP

Prepare yourself for upper-level management or to lead your own company with a solid understanding of the dynamics of organizations, teams, and today’s ever-changing business landscape.

Overview

Download the Program Sheet

Many businesses depend on organizational leaders to make decisions regarding creatively implementing new programs, cutting costs, and training employees in an effort to make the company more efficient, effective, and successful.

If you’re pursuing your master’s degree so you can progress in your career, Organizational Leadership may just be the discipline you're looking for.

Some job titles within the organizational leadership field include:

• Development Manager
• Director of Education
• Training Manager
• Human Resources Manager
• Benefits Administrator
• Executive Manager

Organizational leaders are able to work in nearly every industry. Typically, these professionals work in an office setting, and some may travel from main offices to regional offices or training facilities. They also need to have strong interpersonal skills, a focused attention to detail, and a strong sense of initiative.

Does this sound like you? If it does, fill out the form to the right. An Enrollment Counselor will help you get started on an organizational leadership master's degree program.

Earn Your Master's Degree In Organizational Leadership

CSU-Global’s online master’s degree in organizational leadership program will provide you with the knowledge necessary for upper-level management positions.

Throughout the program you will develop expertise in evaluating business research, organizational innovation, decision making, communication, organizational psychology, business ethics, and team leadership. You’ll also gain experience in applying these skills to real-world business situations.

---

Description

The Master of Science in Organizational Leadership prepares students to lead dynamic organizations through complex changes in today's global society. Students gain the ability to meet organizational needs by developing people and processes, as well as implementing strategic initiatives in order to maintain a competitive advantage. Specific topics include organizational structure, culture, leadership of diverse teams, decision making, and communication as each apply to the business needs of today. Students also have the opportunity to synthesize the knowledge they gain along with established theories and research in order to analyze and evaluate a current organizational challenge and to propose solutions for increased effectiveness. The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) has acknowledged that this program is aligned with their HR Curriculum Guidebook and Template when combined with a Specialization in Human Resource Management or Human Resource Performance.

Learning Outcomes

• Analyze how individuals and groups interact within organizations.
• Develop knowledge of strategies that support stakeholders and enhance organizational capacity.
• Evaluate human behavior within organizations to understand effective leadership, organizational communication, ethical practices, and cogent decision-making principles.
• Demonstrate the ability to create and sustain lifelong learning to promote a cohesive culture within an organization.
• Assess current challenges of organizational leadership in historical and current contexts.
• Analyze and integrate theories of leadership within personal and professional contexts.
• Demonstrate skills for effective strategy development within an organization by completing a capstone project.

Click here to view our learning outcomes assessment data.

Faculty

All courses are taught by qualified instructors with current industry experience. Our instructors hold advanced degrees in their fields, and are specially trained to teach online, so you and your fellow students can think more critically about how the subject matter applies to real-world situations.

See Our Full Faculty List 

 

Career Outlook

The organizational leadership field is projected to grow at the same rate as the all-occupation average of 11%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That means there will competition in this field, and earning your master's degree and gaining hands-on experience will place you among the top candidates.

Job duties as an organizational leader include:

• Assessing employee training needs
• Developing training programs
• Teaching training methods to supervisors
• Evaluating the effectiveness of the training programs
• Creating and maintaining a budget
• Creating and presenting reports

A graduate degree in organizational leadership may be the way forward. Get in touch today if this sounds like the career for you.

Degree Optimization

We provide students with career-relevant resources to help them succeed outside of the classroom. That's why we created Awards of Completion and Skills Endorsements, specific to our programs of study, spotlighting the knowledge, skills, and abilities that hiring managers find essential to success in the field. Research and Decision Making and Strategic Global Organizational Leadership are two of the awards you can receive as part of our organizational leadership program. 

+ Learn More

Courses - Practitioner Track

CSU-Global’s accredited online master’s degree in organizational leadership is designed to provide you with a practical knowledge of the field. The program consists of 8 three-credit core courses as part of a full 36-credit master’s degree. (Some M.S. in Organizational Leadership students may be required to take RES501 as part of their program if they have an undergraduate GPA below 3.00. In this case, the degree program is 39 credits.) 

• ORG502: Effective Organizations—Theory and Practice

  In this course, students gain an understanding of leading operational and strategic issues in public and private organizations facing accelerated social, economic, and technological changes. Students will examine organizational theory, strategic thinking, and theories guiding decision making, leadership, organizational culture, and change management.

• ORG530: Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility

  In this course, students explore the ethical considerations that guide and inform business decisions and strategies. Students learn the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to understand and apply ethics from social, economic, and environmental perspectives.

• ORG555: Leading Diverse Teams

  In this course, students gain a comprehensive understanding of diversity as it applies to strategic planning, cultural change, and team dynamics. Students learn to identify the realities of developing and implementing diversity initiatives for the organization and the workforce, as well as explore emerging issues in organizational leadership.

• ORG561: Examination of Modern Leadership

  In this course, students learn the skills and insights to be effective leaders and contributors in the creation and evolution of successful organizations. Students examine relevant readings, case studies, and research to analyze today’s successful companies. Additionally, students determine key factors involved in sustaining organizations.

• ORG525: Decision Theory in a Global Marketplace

  In this course, students will analyze the roles of leaders and managers in decision making. In the context of organizational theories of behavior and leadership, students consider how decision and choice theory are applied in global organizational settings. Students also learn to apply practical problem solving and conflict management skills through decision-making tools and leadership approaches.

• ORG536: Contemporary Business Writing and Communication

  This course is designed for the practicing professional and focuses on internal and external communications practices and strategies within and beyond organizational settings. Audience is considered and includes employees, executives, first-line supervisors, community, customers, and board members. Students consider communication styles, interpersonal skills, business and professional writing, reports, and presentations based on substantive and credible data, and various modes of communication, including virtual communication.

• ORG576: Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods

  In this course, students learn to evaluate research and theory in an applied business setting. Students gain a comprehensive knowledge of research related to the leading and managing of business organizations from both a consumer and a creator perspective. Topics include the research process, theoretical frameworks, qualitative and quantitative approaches, and applied research design within an organizational context.

• ORG579: Capstone — Organizational Leadership

  In this course, students will integrate and synthesize their learning from the core courses in the organizational leader- ship program. Students will analyze selected case studies to demonstrate skills needed to be an effective organizational leader in today's global workplace. Through the course activities, students will also demonstrate their knowledge and skills in how to lead organizations through complex changes in a global society. Prerequisite: All Core and Specialization courses

• ORG595: Organizational Leadership Internship

  The internship provides students with practical experience in organizations specific to their fields. Each student will work under the direct supervision of a senior-level professional at an approved organization or company. The purpose of the internship is for students to apply and integrate what they have learned during the core courses of their programs.
  *ORG595 is an optional course that provides students with practical organizational leadership experience. See the academic catalog for course restrictions.

*Master's Plus - Some M.S. in Organizational Leadership Students may be required to take RES501 as part of their program if they have an undergraduate GPA below 3.00. In this case, the degree program is 39 credits.

** ORG595 is an optional course that provides students with practical management experience. This course may not be available in all states; see the State Specific Authorization Policy Under Admissions Policies.

Courses - Research Track

• RES501: Fundamentals of Research and Writing

  This course is only required for students who are accepted into this program with an undergraduate GPA below 3.00.
  
  The primary purpose of this course is to help students entering graduate level programs at CSU-Global develop awareness of current and effective research and writing practices with the goal of implementing such practices into their writing and research projects. Students will learn what constitutes graduate level writing and research as well as how to communicate with colleagues in online professional forums. Students will also learn to effectively integrate writing and research skills into the writing projects they will pursue throughout their graduate level programs.

• ORG502: Effective Organizations—Theory and Practice

  In this course, students gain an understanding of leading operational and strategic issues in public and private organizations facing accelerated social, economic, and technological changes. Students will examine organizational theory, strategic thinking, and theories guiding decision making, leadership, organizational culture, and change management.

• ORG530: Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility

  In this course, students explore the ethical considerations that guide and inform business decisions and strategies. Students learn the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to understand and apply ethics from social, economic, and environmental perspectives.

• ORG555: Leading Diverse Teams

  In this course, students gain a comprehensive understanding of diversity as it applies to strategic planning, cultural change, and team dynamics. Students learn to identify the realities of developing and implementing diversity initiatives for the organization and the workforce, as well as explore emerging issues in organizational leadership.

• ORG561: Examination of Modern Leadership

  In this course, students learn the skills and insights to be effective leaders and contributors in the creation and evolution of successful organizations. Students examine relevant readings, case studies, and research to analyze today’s successful companies. Additionally, students determine key factors involved in sustaining organizations.

• ORG525: Decision Theory in a Global Marketplace

  In this course, students will analyze the roles of leaders and managers in decision making. In the context of organizational theories of behavior and leadership, students consider how decision and choice theory are applied in global organizational settings. Students also learn to apply practical problem solving and conflict management skills through decision-making tools and leadership approaches.

• ORG536: Contemporary Business Writing and Communication

  This course is designed for the practicing professional and focuses on internal and external communications practices and strategies within and beyond organizational settings. Audience is considered and includes employees, executives, first-line supervisors, community, customers, and board members. Students consider communication styles, interpersonal skills, business and professional writing, reports, and presentations based on substantive and credible data, and various modes of communication, including virtual communication.

• ORG575: Critical Evaluation of Research and Theory

  In this course, students learn to apply scholarly research, methods, and theory related to organizational leadership. Students gain a comprehensive knowledge of scholarly research through developing a research topic, problem and purpose statements, and an extensive review of current literature. Students choosing this path may wish to continue towards a terminal degree or a post graduate program. Students electing this path should contact an advisor early in the program. Prerequisite: All Core and Specialization courses except for Capstone

• ORG581: Organizational Leadership: Strategy and Execution

  In this course, students learn to define and research a practical business problem or entrepreneurial opportunity. The research project provides the opportunity for students to utilize strategy, research skills, and analytical tools and models. Through the use of decision making, students create a culminating business project. Credit will not be granted for both ORG580 and ORG581. Prerequisite: All core and specialization courses

• ORG595: Organizational Leadership Internship

  The internship provides students with practical experience in organizations specific to their fields. Each student will work under the direct supervision of a senior-level professional at an approved organization or company. The purpose of the internship is for students to apply and integrate what they have learned during the core courses of their programs.
  *ORG595 is an optional course that provides students with practical organizational leadership experience. See the academic catalog for course restrictions.

*Master's Plus - Some M.S. in Organizational Leadership Students may be required to take RES501 as part of their program if they have an undergraduate GPA below 3.00. In this case, the degree program is 39 credits.

** ORG595 is an optional course that provides students with practical management experience. This course may not be available in all states; see the State Specific Authorization Policy Under Admissions Policies.

M.S. in Organizational Leadership and M.S. in Management Dual Degree

If you're enrolled in either the M.S. in Organizational Leadership or the M.S. in Management program you may be eligible to participate in the dual degree program. Upon completion of an additional 18 credit hours (54 credit hours total), if you then decide to enter this program you may be eligible to receive both the M.S. in Management and the M.S. in Organizational Leadership degree. You must enroll in the Dual Degree Program prior to conferral of your first degree.

If you've initially enrolled in the Organizational Leadership master's degree program, the following additional 3-credit courses are required for a dual degree:

Practitioner Track:

• ACT500: Managerial Accounting

  Understand and apply accounting information for effective financial decision making in the strategic planning process.

• ECN500: Global Economics

  This course applies and examines classical economic knowledge of international trade and finance to inform decision making in the areas of business, management, and policy. Topics such as classical trade theory, barriers to trade, regulatory policies, gross domestic product, and international banking are explored.

• FIN500: Principles of Finance

  Understand the principles and theories of finance to analyze statements and fiscal information for effective decision-making in today’s competitive environment.

• MGT545: Strategic Planning and Innovation

  This course is an exploration of the essentials of business strategy development, with a focus on innovation and inherent challenges associated with strategy creation and implementation. The course focuses on setting strategy, developing market opportunity analysis, and establishing organizational goals with consideration of internal and external resources, market opportunities, and return on investment. Topics include strategy, market opportunity analysis, market research, the use of new technologies, and tactics for achieving competitive advantage.

• MGT576: Qualitative and Quantitative Analyses and Decision Making

  This course examines systematic critical thinking through related topics of qualitative analyses, quantitative analyses, and decision making. Students apply quantitative and qualitative research methods focused on strategic decision models with potential topics including ethics, innovation, change management, organization behavior, e-business and technology, collaboration, diversity, or operations management. Students may also select a specific topic based on their own area of interest related to the field of management.

• MGT579: Capstone — Management

  This course provides students with the opportunity to integrate and synthesize their learning from core management courses, such as MGT576. Students analyze selected case studies to demonstrate critical thinking abilities and skills needed to be effective decision makers using both quantitative and qualitative data. Students analyze quantitative and qualitative data, and make recommendations for sustainable success in today’s global workplace. Through the course activities, students demonstrate their knowledge and skills in how to lead organizations through complex changes in a global society. Prerequisite: All core and specialization courses

* Students with a background in accounting may substitute HRM515 for ACT500.

Research Track:

• ACT500: Managerial Accounting

  Understand and apply accounting information for effective financial decision making in the strategic planning process.

• ECN500: Global Economics

  This course applies and examines classical economic knowledge of international trade and finance to inform decision making in the areas of business, management, and policy. Topics such as classical trade theory, barriers to trade, regulatory policies, gross domestic product, and international banking are explored.

• FIN500: Principles of Finance

  Understand the principles and theories of finance to analyze statements and fiscal information for effective decision-making in today’s competitive environment.

• MGT545: Strategic Planning and Innovation

  This course is an exploration of the essentials of business strategy development, with a focus on innovation and inherent challenges associated with strategy creation and implementation. The course focuses on setting strategy, developing market opportunity analysis, and establishing organizational goals with consideration of internal and external resources, market opportunities, and return on investment. Topics include strategy, market opportunity analysis, market research, the use of new technologies, and tactics for achieving competitive advantage.

• MGT575: Critical Evaluation of Research and Theory

  This course emphasizes the critical evaluation of research and theory in an applied management setting and focuses on the comprehension and evaluation of research related to managing organizations. Topics include the research process, including qualitative and quantitative approaches, and applied research design. The research project begun in this course is completed in MGT581. Emphasis is placed on identifying the research problem, purpose, research questions, audience, and theoretical framework of an applied research project.

• MGT581: Management: Strategy and Execution

  This capstone course brings together the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in the global market place. The focus of the course is on defining and researching a practical business problem or entrepreneurial opportunity. The research project provides the opportunity to utilize strategy, research skills, analytical tools and models, as well as decision sciences culminating in a business project of strategic benefit to the student and/or a current organization. Prerequisite: All core and specialization courses

* Students with a background in accounting may substitute HRM515 for ACT500.

Specializations

• Accounting

  The accounting program is ideal for students interested in pursuing advanced business opportunities in financial planning, bookkeeping, or accounting fields.

  Learn More
• Applied Business Management

  Gain a competitive advantage and increase career prospects through this specialization or certificate of completion with a focus on practical business and management skills in accounting, financing, strategic development, organizational change, and more.

  Learn More
• Business Intelligence

  This program focused on utilizing data and interpreting trends in information to accomplish company objectives and goals.

  Learn More
• Criminal Justice Leadership

  The criminal justice field includes careers in security, courts, corrections, and forensics, as well as local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. The graduate level Criminal Justice Leadership program provides advanced management skills to further your professional development.

  Learn More
• Finance

  In this program, students are prepared for careers as financial managers and leaders in the corporate world. Advanced financial areas of study include economics, decision making, risk and return, global market analysis, strategic planning, reporting, and more. With a master’s degree from CSU-Global featuring a specialization in finance, students are prepared for careers as financial managers and leaders in the corporate world.

  Learn More
• Fraud Management

  The Fraud Management program is ideal for financial specialists focused on the prevention of deceitful practices and activity through the effective management and protection of sensitive information.

  Learn More
• Global Management

  The Global Management program facilitates student’s awareness of topics present in global business, including communications, international accounting and finance, and economic aspects related to business decisions.

  Learn More
• Healthcare Administration

  Professionals interested in the management of healthcare facilities and departments should consider CSU-Global's online Healthcare Administration program in order to acquire knowledge and best practices for effective supervision and decision making in the healthcare field.

  Learn More
• Human Resource Management

  Students interested in furthering their careers in the field of human resources should consider this program, which provides organizational management skills with an emphasis on personnel, staff training and development, policy and procedures, and more. This program is designed as an HRCI certification prep course.

  Learn More
• Human Resource Performance

  Students who aim to improve an organization’s effectiveness through human resources should consider the Human Resource Performance program. Emphasis is on the successful management of organized labor employees in dynamic environments.

  Learn More
• Information Technology

  Managers, directors, and senior executives in information technology can gain vital knowledge to increase an organization’s efficiency and effectiveness in the marketplace through the advanced IT strategies and implementation training provided by this program.

  Learn More
• International Management

  In today’s global marketplace, effective leadership in any industry requires special skills. Students interested in pursuing a career with multi-national strategic vision benefit from the skills and application of knowledge obtained in the International Management program.

  Learn More
• Online Learning Innovation and Design

  Students of the Online Learning program gain the knowledge and skills necessary to create a powerful and engaging learning experience. Areas of study include the practical application of innovative and original instructional delivery, virtual learning environments, and evaluation of learning outcome achievement.

  Learn More
• Organizational Learning and Performance

  Organizational Learning and PerformanceLearn to apply essential learning strategies and instructional design techniques in order to increase performance and accomplish organizational goals. Key topics include performance and delivery systems, assessment and evaluation, the use of learning technologies, and strategic planning and leadership.

  Learn More
• Project Management

  This graduate level program in project management offers extensive leadership and skill development regarding improved organizational efficiency and performance. These courses include topic areas, practical skills, and knowledge aligned to professional certifications associated with the Project Management Institute (PMI) including the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® and the Project Management Professional (PMP)®.

  Learn More
• Strategic Innovation and Change Management

  This program focuses on enhancing one’s ability to efficiently manage through the strategic implementation of change and evolution within a business or organization. Managers who effectively adapt to meet the needs of their environment are more likely to succeed.

  Learn More

Cost and Schedule