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What is Organizational Leadership?

Organizational Leadership is a multidisciplinary field of study in business focused on leadership within an organizational context.  Organizational Leadership studies have roots in psychology, anthropology, sociology, history, philosophy, education, leadership, neuroscience, organizational design, and business to name a few disciplines.  As an academic practice, Organizational Leadership has been a study of keen interest from a wide variety of professionals in every sector of the job market.   Leadership studies has been noted as one of the fastest growing areas of study within higher education from the undergraduate level to doctoral studies.  As the study of Organizational Leadership grows, it has migrated from a unidisciplinary academic arena to a multidisciplinary specialty to help expound on current leadership philosophies, definitions, styles, theories, competencies, functions, and training methodologies around the globe.

Career Summary

MEDIAN SALARY

$93,160

PERCENT ABOVE NATIONAL
INCOME AVERAGE

60.21%

TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

464,070

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Organizational Leadership Degree

Columbia University in the City of New York (New York, NY) is a private research university and an Ivy League member. The school is known as one of the top universities in the world. The university boasts a comprehensive range of academic fields for both undergraduate and graduate levels. The university’s Teachers College manages the Department of Organization and Leadership. The department offers a range of graduate level programs on leadership, psychology, and education. These programs are designed to equally value research and practice.  

Acceptance Rate

5.45

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Averett University (Danville, VA) is a private Baptist college that was originally founded as a women’s college. In 1969, the university became a 4-year, coeducational institution. The university is focused on providing undergraduate programs but provides several graduate level programs. It offers online programs focused on leadership. These programs lead to a Masters of Business Administration or a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Science. Both programs are designed to develop students’ management and leadership skills. A separate undergraduate minor program on Leadership Studies is offered in the university. Interested students are expected to learn the theoretical side of leadership with practical applications.

Acceptance Rate

23.64

Student to Faculty Ratio

5:1

University of Virginia - Main Campus (Charlottesville, VA) is a public research university considered as one of the top 25 best universities in the U.S. and one of the original public Ivy Colleges. Founder Thomas Jefferson’s goal for the university was to develop leaders and foster leadership through many fields of studies. Hence, the university offers a Public Policy & Leadership minor program for the undergraduate level. UVA also grants Certificate in Organizational Leadership. This could be earned by professionals who take four Executive Education classes in the Leadership category over a four-year period. These classes will turn professionals to be executives in their sectors or industries. 

Acceptance Rate

23.94

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD) is a premier public university that provides a quality academic curriculum particularly in education, research, and medical healthcare. The school offers accessible education across the Baltimore-Washington area and internationally. JHU also manages campuses in China and Italy. The Organizational Leadership degree is offered on the graduate level and leads to a master’s degree. The program is designed to train new-breed of modern leaders across different organizational settings. This is a two-year program delivered online. 

Acceptance Rate

11.17

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

Boston College (Chestnut Hill, MA) boasts an undergraduate curriculum that ranks among the best in the United States. The school maintains a tradition of excellence in education, which traces its mandate to its Jesuit origins. Master of Science in Leadership & Administration is offered in BC. The program is designed to train professionals into leaders across diverse and complex environments. The curriculum requires 10 courses for this program including two courses open for transfer credit.

Acceptance Rate

27.22

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

Villanova University (Villanova, PA) is a private Catholic higher education institution that offers a wide range of academic disciplines. It is considered the oldest Catholic university in the state. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs as well as non-credit programs granting certificates. It has an online degree in Organizational Leadership program for interested professionals. The program focuses on teaching management and leadership tactics that can contribute to the improvement of the organization. Students are required to take Strategic Organizational Leadership and Maximizing Team Effectiveness courses plus an elective course of their choice. 

Acceptance Rate

28.24

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

University of Miami (Coral Gables, FL) is a private research university providing programs that are designed to teach students new knowledge that can be beneficial for their future careers. UM has opportunities for continuing and international education and a program in executive education as part of its school of business administration. Organizational Leadership Certificate program is designed for professionals that aims to develop skills for career advancement. The program teaches professionals to lead and manage across different organizational environments. The program will run for eight weeks and be delivered fully online. 

Acceptance Rate

27.13

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

Pepperdine University (Malibu, CA) is a private university that offers undergraduate and graduate programs. Courses offered in Pepperdine are accessible in several parts of the United States and across the world. Most of its students experience studying abroad. The Organizational Leadership degree is offered on the graduate level. The university has a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and Learning which is a 20-month program offering both theoretical and immersion opportunities to professionals who aim to be leaders in their careers. The Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership fosters a practitioner-scholar model on educating students. This model combines academics, clinical training, and research activities. 

Acceptance Rate

31.72

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

University of Maryland - College Park (College Park, MA) is a public institution and Maryland’s flagship university. The school is said to be one of the “Public Ivies”. The school offers competitive academic programs that are consistently ranking among the best in the country. The University of Maryland also offers summer and winter short-term programs which include study abroad opportunities. The university manages a Center for Leadership & Organizational Change. It provides assistance, and coaching to interested groups and individuals. The university offers a graduate program on Leadership in Diverse Organizations. The program prepares professionals to assume leadership roles across organizations and businesses. Students are required to get aPost-Baccalaureate Certificate for Leadership in Diverse Organizations. 

Acceptance Rate

44.18

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

University of Georgia (Athens, GA) is the flagship public university of the state. It is also recognized as one of the oldest public universities in the United States. The university offers a wide range of programs offered from humanities, communications, sciences, education, law, up to health and medicine. UGA has a large number of continuing education students focused on public service and technology transfer related programs. The university offers a Master of Education in Learning, Leadership and Organization Development. This two-year program is designed to train professionals to maximize their potential across the related disciplines and gain career advancement. This program is delivered online.  

Acceptance Rate

45.3

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

George Washington University (Washington, DC) provides opportunities for students to work alongside leaders of politics, science, law and many other disciplines. The university is divided into three campuses. Each campus offers a wide range of academic programs students can choose from. The Organizational Leadership & Learning program can be taken on-campus or through online. This program is designed to innovate and enhance students’ skills through rigorous academic courses. Successful students will be granted with a master’s degree within two years.  

Acceptance Rate

40.84

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

Bentley College (Waltham, MA) is a private university recognized for its business-focused education. Other programs in the university are journalism and communications, computer and information science, and liberal arts. Bentley is open for both undergraduate and graduate studies. Professionals can also pursue certification programs. The university offers a specialized undergraduate program on Women's Leadership. It is a four-year program open to students who identify themselves as female. Students are expected to develop skills and strategies for self-advocacy and leadership advancement. Bentley College also offers programs leading to a Management & Leadership graduate certificate. 

Acceptance Rate

46.72

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

SUNY at Binghamton (Vestal, NY) is one of the four university centers in the State University of New York (SUNY) system. The university fosters a liberal arts curriculum allowing students to explore more areas of study. It has comprehensive academic programs and it is also active in research works. The School of Management and Organizational Leadership is within the Bernard M. and Ruth R. Bass Center for Leadership Studies. It was created to house innovative leadership research. The school offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs that are designed to train students to be competent professionals across the business environment.   

Acceptance Rate

40.53

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

Providence College (Providence, RI) is a private Catholic college focused on providing undergraduate education. Popular majors in the university are liberal arts and business. The college offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Organizational Leadership. The program is designed to train students who aim to be leaders across the business sector. The School of Continuing Education offers a Bachelor's Degree in Leadership Development. This program trains professionals to develop strong leadership skills for career advancement across every industry. 

Acceptance Rate

47.46

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

Syracuse University (Syracuse, NY) is a public research university offering a range of high-ranking degree programs for both undergraduate and graduate levels. The university offers several organizational and leadership degree programs. Students can also access several online programs including Executive Education programs and certificate programs. A large percentage of the student population experience study abroad programs. Middle East and Florence, Italy are just two of the many locations for the school’s study abroad programs. 

Acceptance Rate

44.38

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

Fordham University (Bronx, NY) is a private Catholic university. The university still fosters a curriculum that follows the Jesuit educational principles. The university emphasizes the liberal arts as a basis of education. Organizational Leadership is an undergraduate program under the Fordham School of Professional and Continuing Studies. Students will be trained with essential organizational skills and functions. Several courses on business and finance are offered under the program. 

Acceptance Rate

45.88

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

Clemson University (Clemson, SC) is a public university established to be a scientific agricultural and mechanical arts institution. Clemson University offers undergraduate programs and manages a graduate school with several academic and interdisciplinary programs. The university is consistently ranking among the best for its service, and academic and research performance. The Department of Educational and Organizational Leadership Development offers programs that prepares students to be leaders across educational and organizational environments. The program gives emphasis on research and experiential learning. 

Acceptance Rate

51.26

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

Ohio State University-Main Campus (Columbus, OH) is a public university and is considered the largest single-campus university in the United States. The university is the top university in academics and research in the state. It is recognized as one of the Public Ivies of some publications. The university offers several leadership-related programs from undergraduate majors to graduate programs. Community Leadership major is an undergraduate major that leads to either an associate or bachelor’s degree. The program prepares students to take on leadership roles in various organizations and communities. Organizational leadership is one of the required courses for this program. 

Acceptance Rate

53.74

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

University of Minnesota- Twin Cities (Minneapolis, MN) is a public university divided into two campuses, St. Paul and Twin Cities. The university offers both graduate and undergraduate courses. The Twin Cities campus has been ranked as the second largest university in the Midwest. The Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development offers a wide range of related programs for students to choose from. Programs are designed to prepare leaders and researchers to be game changers in both educational and organizational sectors. 

Acceptance Rate

56.74

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

University of La Verne (La Verne, CA) is a private nonprofit university offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees. The university expands into four colleges, an online school for adults, military centers, and regional campus administrations. Classes are often taught at campuses across the greater Los Angeles area. The university grants a Certificate in Organizational Leadership and a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership. The graduate program trains professionals to apply leadership theories into practice. The program is designed and delivered with flexibility through in-person and technology-based learning. A large number of graduates of the program gain career advancement upon graduation. 

Acceptance Rate

54.82

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

Purdue University- Main Campus (West Lafayette, IN) is one of the best public research universities in the country. Purdue University also has a top-notch research program that is getting support and research grants from federal offices and NASA. The university has a wide range of academic programs for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. The degree in Organizational Leadership is an undergraduate major. The program is focused on providing education that combines technology, innovation, and leadership. Students are exposed to business intelligence, organizational design and transformation, and project management.  

Acceptance Rate

59.83

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

Geneva College (Beaver Falls, PA) is a Christian liberal arts college offering a wide range of undergraduate majors and several master’s programs. The core curriculum of the undergraduate program is centered on humanities and the formation of a Reformed Christian worldview. The college offers a Bachelor of Professional Studies in Organizational Leadership. It is an online program that prepares students to be valuable and sought-after employees or leaders. Graduates can assume roles across various sectors and industries. 

Acceptance Rate

53.23

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

Gonzaga University (Spokane, WA) is a private Catholic university that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. The university integrates liberal arts as its core curriculum. The major in Organizational Leadership is a graduate level program that leads to a master’s degree. Students are trained to be critical thinkers and skilled leaders in a fast-paced professional environment. Students can also choose a concentration for this program. The university also provides experiential learning opportunities for interested students. 

Acceptance Rate

61.7

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

Saint Louis University (Saint Louis, MO) offers a wide variety of academic programs. It has a Roman Catholic affiliation and it is evident in its history, educational approach, and mission as an institution. The university extends its academic programs to a campus located in Madrid, Spain. The School for Professional Studies offers a Master of Arts in Leadership and Organizational Development. The program aims to develop its students to be effective leaders across a variety of organizational settings. Students develop their skills and critical thinking through assessments, reflections and project-based learning. 

Acceptance Rate

58.28

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Union University (Jackson, TN) is a private evangelical Christian university that offers undergraduate and graduate programs. The university is recognized as a top tier university, ranking consistently among the best. The Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership program is designed for working adults. The program can be completed within 18 months through online education. Programs under the School of Adult and Professional Studies are created to allow working adults to finish or get a degree. The school also offers an Associate of Science in Professional Studies. 

Acceptance Rate

52.72

Student to Faculty Ratio

10:1

What are the Five Pillars of Leadership?

It also provides an understanding that each individual within any level of an organization can be empowered to lead. The five pillars of organizational leadership include the following:

1) Leadership Leaders add value to an organization in relation to their ability to understand, articulate, and inspire others. It is important to understand that management and leadership are not the same. Leaders understand the strategic emphasis of an organization and help carry out that vision through effective and often customized communication. Theories of leadership include a variety of approaches including Douglas McGregors Theory X & Theory Y, Clawsons Three Level Leadership, Trait, Continencies, Encouraging, Situational, Transactional, Empowering, Relational, Influence, and Behavioral.

2) Communication Verbal and nonverbal communication is a basic human interface used to convey an idea, thought, and information. Communication can be one-to-one, with a small group, or large groups of people. Methods of communication can include face-to-face, text, email, phone, fax, etc. Conveying information is much different than effectively communicating. Effective communication requires an understanding of the audience in terms of their expectations, beliefs, values, and assumptions.

3) Perspective Understanding your own worldview and the perspective of others is key for any leader. Perspective-taking involves a composite understanding of your audiences lens. From tangible to intangible beliefs, a persons perspective can include an interplay between beliefs, attitudes, and beliefs coupled with external forces on each lens. Organizational leadership requires an accurate representation of the companys worldview and mapping that with an audience in an effective means.

4) Ethics Effective leadership requires telling the truth, being fair, keeping promises, and respecting others. Ethics is the guiding light that allows leaders to balance various forces such as: individual and organizational, justice and mercy, loyalty and truth, & long-term and short-term. Ethics is a lens that can be employed to look at any issue or problem to seek a viable solution.

5) Understanding Leadership in any organization requires leaders to look at the company and its individuals carefully. Creating a SWOT analysis (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threat) will help leaders understand others within the context of an organization and capitalize on individual & collective strengths. Building blocks of any strength can be attributed to a set of knowledge, skills, and talent. Understanding these components and enhancing them to get the best out of each member helps leaders in any organization get the most out of its collective resources.

Top Leadership Degrees

Degree and certificate programs in organizational leadership can span from undergraduate to graduate.  Accredited universities across the country offer a number of rigorous leadership programs to consider.  To determine which program is best for you, invest the time to review the degree summaries below in relationship to your personal priorities and career goals.  Our guide will help you create a set of priorities that will help streamline your decision-making process along the way.

Organizational Leadership Certificate Programs

Certificates in leadership will be offered online or in class by colleges for either undergraduates or graduates.  Undergraduate certificate programs will emphasize the foundational elements of leadership such as effective communication, vision planning, setting expectations, and human psychology.  Earning an undergraduate certificate in leadership may help students land their first job or set them up to earn a bachelor’s degree in the field.  Graduate certificates in leadership move beyond the basics to teach specific, actionable skills via case studies, lectures, and real-world learning opportunities.   A certificate at the graduate level will generally be used by students and working professionals to gain greater competence, upskill, prepare for a job change, or remain competitive within a given industry.

Organizational Leadership Bachelor Degrees

Online bachelor degrees in leadership and the traditional classroom equivalent degree can be earned from many schools around the country.  Bachelor degrees in organization leadership can be conferred as either a Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) depending on the design of the program.  Students can expect to take a combination of liberal arts classes in addition to core courses.  General education classes may include creative writing, psychology, philosophy, English composition, communications, and sociology.  The intent of blending liberal arts with core leadership classes is to provide a well-rounded education with a developed set of holistic thinking skills.

Core classes that may be found in an organizational leadership program will not be identical from school to school.  That being said, many core aspects of the program will be similar regardless of the institution.  You may find the following classes in an OL degree program:

  • Leadership and Followership
  • Personal and Interpersonal Leadership Skills
  • New Product Development
  • Leading Innovation in Companies
  • Global Technology Leadership
  • Organizational Design
  • Leadership and Communication
  • Diversity and Multicultural Organizations
  • Ethics and Leadership
  • Collaboration and Teams
  • Sustainability and Leadership
  • Leading Virtual Teams
  • Design Thinking
  • Technology Strategy
  • Business Principles for Organizational Leadership
  • Leading Change in Organizations
  • Leadership as a Competitive Advantage

Organizational Leadership Master Degrees

Master degree programs in organizational leadership provide students with the opportunity to perform deep analysis of people, businesses, and individuals within the nexus of the business.  Qualified student will have successfully completed all lower-level courses and all other academic requirements.  Graduate students will learn how institutions are managed, how to manage others within the context of an organization or industry, and help companies meet their overall goals.  Leaders of all levels are required to understand business variables along with individual variations.  In other words, becoming an expert at accounting, taxation, economics, and finance are not enough to lead.  Leaders must take their knowledge of an industry or business and effectively work with people.  Individual differences to consider include team member’s education, political views, culture, religion, family constructs, community involvement, and similar factors.  By understanding your team and your business, a leadership stratagem can be employed and communicated more effectively.

Graduate students will typically follow one of two master degree paths.  The first is a degree path that allows students to customize their classes through a variety of core classes and electives.  By selecting courses that are most relevant, student engagement and retention can be heightened.  Alternatively, students may choose to enroll in a graduate program that provides a clear set of courses in the degree program.  In either case, students will learn strategies and theories to help tackle conflict resolution, critical thinking, ethics, negotiation, analyzing human behavior, managing technology, and various aspects of leadership.

Skills & Abilities Required in Organizational Leadership

  1. Reading Comprehension
  2. Active Listening
  3. Writing
  4. Speech Clarity
  5. Speaking
  6. Instructing
  7. Oral Expression
  8. Oral Comprehension
  9. Speech Recognition
  10. Written Comprehension
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Employment Information & Leadership Specializations

For students that earn a college degree in Organizational Leadership, there are several fields of specialization that one can pursue.  The options range from managers, leaders, directors, project specialists, human resources, teachers, and business administration in the public or private domain to name a few possible career tracks.

Organizational Leadership Career Options

Careers in the organizational leadership domain can span virtually any sector of the economy in any size of a company.   A sampling of job title that may be found in this area of study include:  supervisor, training manager, adult instructor, retail manager, safety director, career counselor, communications officer, community outreach coordinator, consultant, office manager, operations manager, corporate trainer, customer service manager, employee relations representative, program manager, marketing assistant, organizational behavior specialist, project leader, employment counselor, events coordinator, health care administrator, human resource manager, job coach, personnel manager, recruiter, analyst, sales manager, training specialist, vocational counselor, or professor.

Job Growth & Career Outlook for Leaders

The job growth in the greater Organizational Leadership domain are well above average. For example, the rate of job growth for administrative service managers is expected to rise 8% through 2024 and for development managers a 7% growth rate is expected during the same period. Given the broad nature of the Organizational Leadership degree, compensation after graduation can vary greatly from career field to career field given prior experience and geographic location. Related fields include teaching, investing, managing, leading, directing, writing, and producing.

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