Organizational leadership a management technique that takes into consideration the needs and well-being of individual employees, while simultaneously considering the needs and well-being of a group of employees. The field considers both psychology and management techniques, and students enrolled in organizational leadership programs are encouraged to develop and hone their leadership skills.

Why Study Organizational Leadership?

An organizational leadership degree program can help you to prepare for a career in business management. This career path is a good choice for students who want to work with and manage people. Graduates are trained to understand the qualities of an effective leader or business manager. They should also graduate with a comprehensive understanding of factors influencing workplace productivity, such as motivation and innovation. People with organizational leadership backgrounds can work in a variety of settings and roles. Thought they are more likely to seek employment in business settings, they may also seek management roles within government or non-profit sectors.

Career Paths in Organizational Leadership

The skills, knowledge, and expertise that students who study organizational leadership gain make them ideal candidates in the following fields:

  • Organization Management. Understanding how to manage people is a foundation of organizational leadership. As such, graduates of organizational leadership programs can apply their knowledge and skills to work in organizations in the private, public, and nonprofit sector. Consulting firms may also seek out their expertise and hire them to lead a business through an organizational change. In this way, organizational management graduates may gather experience and move up to executive levels.
  • Human Resources. Organizational leadership training is valuable within the field of human resources. Students may take courses in career development, employee motivation, human resource management, and communications. Knowledge gained can be applied to a wide variety of leadership roles within human resources.
  • Higher Education. Some organizational leadership graduates may choose a career path working with adult or mature students in higher education. This can involve developing college-level programs or providing leadership in administrative roles. Teaching college- or university-level classes in fields such as leadership or personal development is another option.

Online Organizational Leadership Degree

Some organizational leadership degrees are offered online. These include associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in organizational leadership, as well as certificates. Online associate’s degrees in this field cover subjects such as training methods, applied leadership, principles of management, and ethics. Graduates might choose to work in customer service, hospitality, or junior administrative positions.

Online bachelor’s degrees in organizational leadership consist of four years of study at an accredited institution. Compared to an associate’s degree, bachelor’s degrees in this field cover a wider range of concepts, including basic business concepts such as micro and macroeconomics.

Master’s degrees in organizational leadership are commonly offered in an online format. These interdisciplinary degrees accept students who have experience in the field and a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Applicants may be required to submit an entrance essay describing some aspect of their personality or their approach to management. Online courses cover topics such as conflict management, decision-making, and how to build an effective team. Students may be required to complete a research paper or other project to earn their degree.