Online Master's Degree in Organizational Leadership

Take Your Career to the Next Level as a Confident Leader.

Organizational leaders are necessary in nearly every industry. Typically, these professionals work in an office setting, while some may travel to main offices, regional offices, or training facilities. As an organizational leader, your job responsibilities could include the following:

Creatively implement new programs as the main decision maker.

Maintain budgets while seeking cost cutting reductions.

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Establish training guidelines and policies for new employees.

Evaluate business research and organizational innovation.

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What will I learn in this degree?

As an organizational leadership student, your coursework prepares you to lead dynamic organizations through complex global changes. Gain the strategic knowledge you need to meet organizational needs by developing people and processes, as well as comprehensive initiatives. Specific curriculum topics are applied to the business needs of today, and tomorrow, and include…

Organizational structure
Culture
Leadership of diverse teams
Decision making
Communication

M.S. in Organizational Leadership students have the opportunity to synthesize the knowledge gained with established theories and research in a capstone project. In doing so, you will analyze and evaluate a current organizational challenge, while proposing solutions for increased effectiveness.

This real-world capstone project will prove useful as you assert and demonstrate evidence of your decision making skills in leadership. Join a successful organization at the top, move up in your current position, or start your own business as “the boss.”

COURSES IN THIS DEGREE

Core Degree Courses (24 Credits)

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
ORG579 Capstone — Organizational Leadership
In this course, students will integrate and synthesize their learning from the core courses in the organizational leadership program. Students will reflect on the 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. Course not eligible for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) credit.
ORG595** Leadership and Social Responsibility
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.

Degree Specialization (12 Credits)

When you earn your master's degree through CSU Global, you will customize it with a graduate specialization in a subject that matches your professional goals or personal interests.

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

Students who begin in either the M.S. in Management or the M.S. in Organizational Leadership program in 2013 or later may be eligible to participate in the dual degree program. Upon completion of an additional 18-credit hours (54 credit hours total), students who enter this program may be eligible to receive both the M.S. in Management and the M.S. in Organizational Leadership degree. Students must enroll in the Dual Degree Program prior to conferral of their first degree.

For students who initially enrolled in the M.S. in Organizational Leadership program, the following additional courses (three credits each) are required for a dual degree:

ACT500*: Managerial Accounting
ECN500: Global Economics
FIN520: Financial Reporting and Analysis
MGT545: Strategic Planning and Innovation
MGT575: Critical Evaluation of Research and Theory
MGT579: Capstone - Management

* Students with a background in accounting may substitute HRM515.

How much will my degree cost?

Tuition Rates

Your education should increase your earning potential, not your monthly bills.

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Employer Discount

Your employer may be one of 2,200+ we partner with to offer a 10% discount on tuition.

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Financial Aid

You may be eligible to receive financial aid to help cover the cost of your education.

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REGIONALLY ACCREDITED

Regional accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) means your degree comes from a top quality, trusted university.

#3 & Best Leadership Faculty

CSU Global's Master's in Organizational Leadership was ranked #3 and noted to have Best Leadership Faculty by Online Masters.

#10 BEST MASTER'S IN ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP DEGREE PROGRAMS

The Best Schools has ranked CSU Global's Master's in Organizational Leadership degree program.

SHRM ALIGNED

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) has acknowledged that the M.S. in Organizational Leadership program is aligned with their HR Curriculum Guidebook and Template.

“GOLD SCHOOL” OF DISTINCTION

In Best Colleges’ Schools of Distinction standings, CSU Global earns one of only 15 gold rankings, out of more than 2,000 online degree programs.

TOP MILITARY-FRIENDLY ONLINE COLLEGE

Guide to Online Schools identifies CSU Global as one of the top military-friendly online institutions.

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“This university does not treat their students as numbers, but as individual people. The entire staff and professors go above and beyond their jobs to make CSU Global students feel like part of a great organization. I know they care about the students and our futures.”

CHARLES BELOTE

M.S. in Organizational Leadership Student

Why You Should Earn Your Online Master’s Degree

Earning your online master’s degree through CSU Global provides you with more than just the diploma you need to get noticed. With an emphasis on real world concepts and career-relevant skills, you get training and experience along with your credit hours. Additionally, CSU Global strives to make your education as affordable as possible. With our Tuition Guarantee, your tuition rate won’t increase over time! Instead, you’ll enjoy the same low rate for the duration of your enrollment at CSU Global.

ONLINE ACCREDITED DEGREES

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ACCELERATED COURSES

Learn Valuable Skills

Organizational leadership combines an understanding of human behavior, with effective strategy development, among historical and current contexts. Specifically, students in the M.S. in Organizational Leadership program can expect to achieve the following learning outcomes:

Understand effective leadership, organizational communication, ethical practices, and decision-making principles.
Develop strategies that support stakeholders and enhance organizational capacity while addressing challenges.
Analyze and integrate theories of leadership within personal and professional context.
Demonstrate skills for effective strategy development within an organization by completing a capstone project.
Create and sustain lifelong learning to promote a cohesive culture within an organization.

Career Outlook

93% of Alumni Working in Their Field

Master’s of Organizational Leadership alumni from CSU Global report extremely high rates of working in leadership after completing the program.

$99,152 Estimated Starting Salary

According to the BLS, the average annual salary for directors, analysts, executives, and department supervisors is nearly $100k.

Human Resources Manager, Project Manager, and Operations Manager

Top three titles as reported by Master’s of Organizational Leadership alumni from CSU Global. Download the M.S. in Organizational Leadership career ladder.

Online Master of Science Degree in Organizational Leadership

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Take Your Career to the Next Level as a Confident Leader.