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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Master's Degree in Organizational Leadership PDF

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Take Your Career to the Next Level with an Online Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership

You’re already an effective employee who colleagues rely on to make difficult decisions while carefully considering the goals and values of your organization. But, if you’re ready to assume more advanced leadership roles, you should consider completing CSU Global’s online Master’s Degree Program in Organizational Leadership. 

Organizational leaders are necessary in most industries, and whether you work in a traditional office setting, or you travel to main offices, regional offices, or training facilities, earning your master’s in organizational leadership is one of the best ways to acquire the skills necessary for leading dynamic organizations through complicated challenges. 

As an organizational leader, your job responsibilities could include tasks like creatively implementing new programs, maintaining budgets while making cost-cutting maneuvers, establishing training guidelines and policies for new employees, and evaluating business research and organizational innovation.

CSU Global’s online Organizational Leadership Master’s Degree program is designed to enhance your abilities and skills in improving organizational structure, setting organizational culture, leading diverse teams, making better decisions, and clearly communicating with both organizational stakeholders and employees, each of which are important areas that will help prepare you to overcome the challenges you may face in organizational leadership roles.

 

Career Outlook

93% OF ALUMNI WORKING IN THEIR FIELD Alumni from CSU Global’s online Master’s in Organizational Leadership report extremely high rates of working in the field after graduation.

$104,690 ESTIMATED STARTING SALARY According to the BLS, the average annual salary for Top Executives is more than $100k.

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER, PROJECT MANAGER, AND OPERATIONS MANAGER Top three titles as reported by CSU Global’s Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership alumni.

Organizational Leadership Responsibilities

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CREATIVELY IMPLEMENT NEW PROGRAMS AS THE MAIN DECISION MAKER.

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MAINTAIN BUDGETS WHILE SEEKING COST CUTTING REDUCTIONS.

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ESTABLISH TRAINING GUIDELINES AND POLICIES FOR NEW EMPLOYEES.

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EVALUATE BUSINESS RESEARCH AND ORGANIZATIONAL INNOVATION.

Watch a Quick 2-Minute Overview

This quick video covers a variety of topics, including:

  • What you’ll learn in CSU Global’s M.S. in Organizational Leadership.
  • How organizational leadership differs from organizational management.
  • Why you should complete your Master’s Degree in Leadership with CSU Global.

What Will You Learn From Our M.S. in Organizational Leadership Program?

As an organizational leadership student, your coursework will prepare you to lead dynamic organizations through complex global changes. Gain the strategic knowledge you need to exceed organizational needs by learning how to develop people and processes, as well as how to design and implement comprehensive organizational initiatives. 

CSU Global’s online Master’s of Science in Organizational Leadership will prepare you for business needs organizations face today, and those anticipated to be needed in the future, and include specific emphasis on: 

  • Organizational structure
  • Culture
  • Leadership of diverse teams
  • Decision making
  • Communication

Our organizational leadership students have the opportunity to synthesize the knowledge they’ve gained from traditional coursework with established theories and research in a capstone project. 

In completing your capstone project, you will develop relevant experience in the field by analyzing and evaluating a current organizational challenge, while proposing solutions for increasing effectiveness. Your capstone project will allow you to demonstrate your decision-making skills in leadership. 

Completing an organizational leadership program may help you join a successful organization at the top, move up in your current position, or start your own business.

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Skills You'll Develop in Our Online Organizational Leadership Program

Organizational leadership combines an understanding of human behavior with effective strategy development. Alumni from our online Master’s in Organizational Leadership can expect to develop the following skills:

  • Analyze how individuals and groups interact within organizations.
  • Develop strategies that support stakeholders and enhance organizational capacity.
  • Evaluate how human behavior within organizations affects leadership, communication, ethics, and decision-making.
  • Evaluate lifelong learning to advance a cohesive culture within an organization.
  • Assess the current challenges of organizational leadership in historical and current contexts.
  • Analyze theories of leadership within personal and professional contexts.
  • Justify leadership competencies through organizational leadership theory and practice.
  • Anticipate technological needs within socially responsible organizations.

SHRM Curriculum Alignment

CSU Global’s Master Degree Program in Organziational Leadership curriculum is aligned with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates. SHRM is the world's largest HR professional society, representing 285,000 members in more than 165 countries.

CSU Global students are eligible to be a student member of SHRM at a discounted cost. CSUG’s alignment with SHRM potentially allows a CSUG student to apply for the SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) exam. Contact your student success counselor or the SHRM advisor (shrm.advisor@csuglobal.edu) to learn more.

What Organizational Leadership Courses Will You Take?

CSU Global’s online Organizational Leadership program requires the completion of 36 total credits, including a mix of Core Degree Courses and Degree Specialization Courses.

Classes Start Jul 19th

Get Started Today →

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 course provides evolving leaders with an opportunity to become more active in their communities and nonprofit organizations, building networks with leaders of organizations throughout the communities. Each cohort member is required to engage with leaders of the community and/or nonprofit organizations within the community for a total of 80 hours during the EEP to learn more about how they stimulate and carry out social change. The purpose of the course is for cohort members to learn how to become leaders of social change through community involvement and to network with other socially responsible leaders within the community.

*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. 

Most Popular Specializations:

 

Additional Available Specializations for this Program:

Download the Specializations Chart
View a list of all CSU Global specializations and the degree programs they can be paired with.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Should You Consider a Master’s in Organizational Leadership?

Getting your Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership may help you climb the career ladder, making you eligible for better, more leadership-oriented roles at organizations of all types, including private companies, public corporations, nonprofit organizations, and state and federal government agencies.

Organizational Leadership master’s programs prepare you to become the person whom organizations and businesses rely on to make important decisions, including spearheading vital initiatives like:

  • Implementing new programs.
  • Budgeting and cutting costs.
  • Training employees and developing internal policies.
  • Conducting business research and organizational innovation. 

Whether you already have experience in leadership roles, or you’re looking to enhance your resume to improve the chances of landing one, getting your M.S. in organizational leadership may be an excellent way to improve your marketability with potential employers.

What Can You Do With a Master’s in Organizational Leadership?

Getting a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership will prepare you for a variety of leadership and management roles, ensuring you’ll bring value to any organization from day one.

The courses you complete will provide you with all the skills and abilities needed to take on the daily job duties required of professional organizational leaders, including:

  • Maintaining and optimizing organizational structure.
  • Building and improving organizational culture.
  • Leading diverse teams of people.
  • Making difficult, but important decisions.
  • Communicating clearly with employees at every level of an organization, including stakeholders, executives and employees.

What Jobs Can You Get With a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership?

Completing an organizational leadership master’s degree will help open up a variety of leadership and managerial roles from a variety of different industries, with options for career advancement into positions like:

Can You Get an Accredited Organizational Leadership Master’s Degree Online?

Yes. CSU Global’s online Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and it’s curriculum is aligned with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates.

Our program was designed to be completed entirely online, with no set times or locations, monthly class starts, and accelerated courses to make it the perfect option for those who are attempting to juggle education, with work and family responsibilities.

Is a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership Really Worth It?

Yes. Completing a Master’s Program in Organizational Leadership is a valuable investment in your career, and could play a significant role in helping contribute to your overall career advancement.

Organizational Leadership master’s programs serve as preparation for leadership opportunities in a variety of different types of organizations, and earning your M.S. in Organizational Leadership may help you continue to climb the career ladder.

Why Should You Choose CSU Global’s Online Master’s in Organizational Leadership?

Why should you consider getting your Master’s in Organizational Leadership online with CSU Global?

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 3,000+ 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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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.

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ONLINE ACCREDITED DEGREES

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NO SET TIMES OR LOCATIONS

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MONTHLY CLASS START

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ACCELERATED COURSES

REGIONALLY ACCREDITED

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

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.

#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.

“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

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