30 Best Online Master’s in Organizational Leadership

Looking for a top-ranked university that is one of the best at serving its students? Look no further than Western Governors University. More than 97% of graduates recommend WGU, claiming that the school did a great job of delivering on its promises. 

The degree in organizational leadership at Western Governors University prepares learners who have the managerial and leadership skills necessary to promote organizational change and to encourage strategic initiatives. A terminal degree, the Master of Science can be completed in as few as 18 months. 

Tuition for this program is highly affordable, starting at just $4180 for the full term. Since tuition is charged by the term instead of by the credit hour, students—instead of credit hour—control the final costs of their degrees. Many students receive course credit for previous life experiences, including coursework, job experience, and military service, too.

Colorado State University, or CSU, offers more than 150 degrees in eight colleges. As one of the country’s top research universities, there are plenty of ways for students to get involved on campus (dozens of research labs and more than 350 campus organizations!) and off. 

The organizational leadership program at Colorado State not only teaches students how to evaluate and implement business research and techniques, but also how to establish training guidelines, maintain budgets, and develop new programs. It consists of 24 core courses like Leading Diverse Teams and Decision Theory in a Global Marketplace. It culminates in a final comprehensive capstone project, too. 

The degree comes with dozens of potential specializations. Popular areas of customization include business intelligence, finance, criminal justice leadership, and popular health. These specializations consist of 12 credits each. 

Not interested in studying in a traditional campus format? No worries. Southern New Hampshire University has you covered with more than 100 different programs for students to choose from, and SNHU is known for its flexible course scheduling options, with classes offered during the evenings, on weekends, and even online. 

With the master’s in organizational leadership at SNHU, you can acquire the skills necessary to motivate and manage teams and individuals. The degree is offered at a university with a history of graduating successful professionals since 1932 and features an early application process that requires no GRE or GMAT for admissions. 

Students in this program are taught by expert faculty and benefit from a worldwide network of experienced and engaged alumni. The curriculum consists of six core leadership courses along with three leadership electives and three business electives so you can select classes in your area of interest.

George Washington University is located in downtown Washington, D.C., throughout the historic Foggy Bottom neighborhood. While freshmen studying on-campus are required to live on campus to benefit from this idyllic location, online learners aren’t restricted by geography—and can study from anywhere in the country.

The Master of Arts in education and human development at George Washington University comes with an exceptional concentration in organizational leadership and learning. This program is innovative and rigorous, providing learners with a practical, hands-on curriculum that covers every aspect of leadership. 

This 30-credit master’s program can be completed in as little as two years, allowing learners to work at their studies on a part-time basis. It includes courses such as Consulting Skills and Organizational Learning and culminates with an optional internship in organizational leadership and learning. 

With more than 300 programs for students to choose from, the sheer variety of course offerings at Arizona State University-Tempe can seem downright overwhelming. Luckily, studying online can help you stay focused on your ultimate career goals.

At Arizona State, the master’s in applied leadership and management is taught by the Thunderbird School of Global Management’s dedicated and talented world-class faculty. The curriculum explores all styles of leadership and management, combining cutting-edge technology with a prestigious tradition of high-quality graduate education.

Upon graduation, all students, including those studying on campus, benefit from global connections with the Thunderbird alumni network. The program is ranked a top master’s by the Times Higher Education and the Wall Street Journal, too.

The University of Alabama is home to a highly-ranked School of Law and School of Medicine. However, this university is also home to several top-ranked business programs, including a respectable online master’s in organizational leadership. 

The Master of Arts in Communication Studies at the University of Alabama has a specialization in organizational leadership. This unique program consists of 30 credit hours and has low tuition rates of just $420 per credit hour. 

This incredibly hands-on curriculum includes unique classes like Conflict and Negotiation and Group Leadership. In addition, all students are required to complete a professional project and capstone portfolio or complete a comprehensive examination before graduation.

Study at the University of Oklahoma-Norman, and you will probably never call it by its full name again. Instead, you’ll refer to it as all of its faculty, current students, and graduates do—simply as OU. That may sound simple, but trust us— there’s nothing simple about the out-of-this-world programs offered at this state university.

Requiring 33 credit hours for degree completion, the Master of Arts in organizational leadership at OU offers an applied approach to the practice and study of leadership. The curriculum is designed to meet the unique needs of working adults, yet maintains a commitment to providing high-quality education that is affordable and enjoyable. 

Each graduate course is roughly sixteen weeks long, with shorter courses available during the summer semester. Students will learn how to drive organizational change and apply research methods as they align people with new organizational strategies.

Class sizes at Charter Oak State College are small. In fact, nearly 89% of them have fewer than 20 students, with an average student-to-faculty ratio of just 12:1. The online master’s in organizational effectiveness and leadership here is one of the best. 

Consisting of 33 credit hours, this program contains eleven classes, eight of which are in the core area. An additional three courses are designed to be taken in a concentration area. There are two concentrations available: business and nonprofit. 

To apply, you will need to have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. Your GPA should be a minimum of a 3.0, with three years of relevant work experience required. You will also need to submit a personal essay detailing your career goals along with a professional resume. No entrance examinations are required. 

With tuition starting at just $315 per credit hour, Columbia Southern University has one of the most affordable master’s degrees in organizational leadership. This program acquaints students with everything they need to know about strategic decision-making, business policy, motivation, communication, and more. 

Columbia Southern has a unique admissions process that allows learners to start their studies at any time with LifePace Learning. Core classes include Strategic Management And Business Policy and Training and Development. 30 semester hours are required, with a variety of flexible online learning options available for all students as well. 

In addition to LifePace Learning, which requires no specific login times and allows learners to progress through their coursework in as little as four weeks, the university offers Term Enrollment and Veterans Flexible ENrollment. Term Enrollment enables candidates to complete assignments at their own pace as long as they work within set start and end dates. Veterans Flexible Enrollment offers this benefit as well but adds the ability to use VA educational benefits.

Hoping to score a job as soon as you graduate? You’ve come to the right place. At Fort Hays State University, more than 95% of graduates find a job or graduate school placement after graduation. 

Offered both online and on-campus, the Master of Professional Studies in organizational leadership at Fort Hays consists of 30 credit-hours of study. Through this program, students have access to a unique, innovative curriculum that encourages the study of leadership through the lens of the modern organization. 

To apply, you will need to have completed a bachelor’s degree with an average of 3.0. There are two potential start dates each year—in the spring and in the fall. You will also need to submit supplementary materials with your application like your transcript, an application fee, entrance examination scores, and letters of recommendation. 

With campuses in Washington, D.C., Italy, and even China, Johns Hopkins University is perhaps best known for its diverse learning opportunities in the school of medicine. John Hopkins Hospital, after all, has consistently been at the forefront of medical innovation. However, this school isn’t only a top choice for aspiring leaders in the medical field—it’s also a great choice for aspiring organizational leaders. 

The master’s in organizational leadership at Johns Hopkins provides learners with the skills they need to be successful in any field. A 12-course degree, it can be completed 100% online on a part-time basis. Core courses include Ethics, Integrity, and Responsibility of Leaders and Crisis Mitigation. 

As the second-largest private, nonprofit university in California, National University prides itself on offering high-quality, accelerated, and accessible programs to distance learners all over the country.

Home to more than 170,000 alumni all over the world, the Master of Science in organizational leadership at National includes classes that last only four weeks each. The school is ranked the largest private nonprofit university in the city of San Diego and allows students to complete their degrees in as little as 12 months.

The organizational leadership program comes with an optional specialization in community development. This specialization is perfect for students who wish to work in some aspect of social transformation. All students will take at least 54 quarter units of graduate study, including major classes like Leadership in the 21st Century and Ethics and Classic Theories. 

Boulder, CO is best known for it’s many miles of hiking, biking, and jogging trails, along with it’s close access to exceptional ski areas. However, it’s also home to the University of Colorado-Boulder, one of the country’s top public research institutions.

The Master of Science in organizational leadership at the University of Colorado-Boulder is an asynchronous online program that prepares working professionals with the skills they need to take on roles as skilled, dynamic leaders. Coursework combines key elements from communication, business, and the social sciences. 

Five tracks are available, including those in human resources, strategic leadership, leading innovation, and organizational communication. A general, broad-based organizational leadership option is also available. 

With a student-to-faculty ratio of just 18:1, Western Kentucky University might be a relatively large university, but it’s far from crowded. All students enjoy a hands-on approach to teaching and learning and benefit from dedicated attention from qualified faculty members.

Western Kentucky University’s Master of Arts in organizational leadership meets the needs of a diverse body of students. It combines coursework in business, communication, economics, and more to position graduates to rise to the top of their careers. Students can develop their own programs of study depending upon their goals and interests. Each learner can focus on an area of specialization and earn a graduate certificate in addition to a master’s degree. 

To apply, you will need to have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of a 2.75 GPA. You may also need to submit a personal essay or letter of recommendation. The GMAT or GRE is not required for admission. 

With numerous study abroad and volunteer opportunities as far away as New Orleans and Brazil, Central Michigan University has plenty of immersive learning opportunities for students to partake in. You don’t have to study on campus to benefit from this interdisciplinary environment, either. The university offers many programs completely online. 

The Master of Science in administration at Central Michigan University comes with a unique concentration in leadership. This program is highly interdisciplinary, preparing students who are interested in receiving training in some aspect of administration. Graduate assistantships and other methods of financial aid are available for most students. 

To apply, you must submit a transcript from a bachelor’s degree evidencing a minimum GPA of 2.7. You will also need to supply a statement of purpose. 

The University of Kansas is regarded as one of the Best Colleges for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report, but you don’t have to have a military background in order to benefit from this school’s many dynamic programs. You don’t even have to step foot on campus, for that matter!

The Master of Science in organizational leadership at the University of Kansas School of Business helps to develop the leadership skills that all students need to excel in today’s complicated business world. With 30 credit hours required, students are able to leverage a uniquely hybrid curriculum that requires 12 credits in a classroom setting and 12 in an online environment. 

The degree can be completed in as little as ten months of work. Core courses include Managing Strategic Direction and Change, and Managing People. The program culminates with a final capstone that allows students to showcase the knowledge they have acquired. 

The University of South Dakota is ranked as one of the Top Public Schools in America, according to U.S. News & World Report. Located in Vermillion, SD, this school has a low student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1, allowing all students to interact closely with faculty mentors and other learners. 

The Master of Science in administration at the University of South Dakota comes with a unique specialization in organizational leadership. It focuses on the practical application of administrative theory and helps students gain a leg up as they seek employment at nonprofit organizations, educational organizations, and more. 

To apply, you will need to submit evidence of a baccalaureate degree earned from a regionally accredited university. A GPA of 2.7 is required, as is a statement of purpose, three years of work experience, and three letters of recommendation.

Brandman University originally opened its doors with the goal of providing high-quality, highly accessible education to students at the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station. Originally known and founded as Chapman University College, this school currently serves more than 13,000 students (military and non-military alike) and is ranked as one the top Yellow Ribbon schools.

The Master of Arts in organizational leadership at Brandman is designed for professionals who want to explore their own unique leadership styles while strengthening their own professional competencies. It can be personalized with a variety of specialization areas, including education, human resources, and business administration.

At just $660 per credit hour, this degree is highly affordable and is offered in a hybrid as well as a fully-online format. You can apply past military experience toward your degree, allowing you to earn your master’s degree sooner. In fact, full-time students can earn their degrees in just over one year!

A school rooted in the Catholic and Jesuit traditions, Regis University is ranked as one of the Best National Universities by U.S. News & World Report. This school, which receives top marks for it’s undergraduate teaching and efforts toward social mobility, also offers some of the best graduate programs around.

Regis offers a dynamic program in project leadership and management that is uniquely focused on the Project Management Institute’s “talent triangle” of technical skills, strategic management, and leadership. The program is one of only 1,600 schools in the world to be designated as a registered education provider for the institute, too. 

Offered entirely online, the program can also be completed on campus via evening classes. It requires just 30 credit hours of study, with classes offered in an eight-week accelerated format.

With educational centers in Rancho Cucamonga, Temecula, Brea, and Riverside, California Baptist University is easily considered one of the top private Chrisitan universities in southern California. With a main campus located near the historic Magnolia Avenue district, there is plenty to do and see when you choose to study on campus here. 

However, you don’t need to study on campus in order to benefit from the university’s high-quality programs. Many are offered entirely online, including the Master of Arts in organizational leadership. This program provides learners with the specific training in decision-making, conflict resolution, strategic management, and leadership that they need to be successful managers.

The program includes 30 total credit hours of study and takes most students just one year to complete. Tuition starts at $625 per credit hour, making this one of the most affordable master’s in organizational leadership you will find. 

With more than 50 graduate degrees for you to choose from, Winona State University has many academic programs that are supported and approved by professional societies and national agencies. All of these programs are exceptionally high-quality and offered at a reasonable price to boot.

The organizational leadership program at Winona State is offered both as a certificate option and as a master’s degree option. Courses are offered entirely online as well as in a hybrid of face-to-face and online courses. Face-to-face classes are offered using state-of-the-art video conferencing technology and are scheduled during the evening hours. 

With 33 credit hours required, this program combines core leadership education classes with those that are specific to organizational leadership. All students are required to complete a final comprehensive examination and a capstone project as well. 

One of the 13 reputable universities in the University of Wisconsin System, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville is the oldest public university in the entire state of Wisconsin. It’s also considered one of the safest schools in the country, as well as one of the most accessible. This university offers a variety of fully online master’s programs. 

In the organizational change leadership program, you can cultivate your skills in change leadership to encourage potential change. The program comes with multiple areas of emphasis. Choosing an emphasis is optional, but recommended for students who know that they want to work in specific fields, such as healthcare, human resources, project management, and safety risk control.

Most students can earn a degree from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in as little as two years. The program is highly affordable, with total program costs starting at just $20,850. 

At just $600 per credit hour, the Master of Arts in leadership and organizational studies at Los Angeles Pacific University is without a doubt one of the most affordable on our list. 33 credit hours are required, leading to a total program cost of $19800. Now that’s worth it!

This program is formatted in a highly detailed, sequenced nature that requires students to move through their courses in a  specific manner. Core courses include Research in Organizations, Human Resource Management, and Conflict and Negotiation in Organizations. You’ll only need to take one course at a time, gradually completing two courses per semester as you move through eleven classes total. 

There are plenty of ways for you to get involved when you enroll at Creighton University. The school is home to various opportunities like student media outlets, nearly a dozen fraternities and sororities, and various ministry opportunities, too. You should try to make time for at least one of these pursuits outside of the classroom—even if you’re studying online!

The Master of Science in organizational leadership at Creighton University is available entirely online.  Faculty in this program teach in a variety of disciplines, including education, business, health, law, and the arts. As a result, students are immersed daily in a highly collaborative and unique learning environment. Core classes include Approaches to Human Capital and Writing for Graduate Students.

Students can earn a concentration in either healthcare leadership or business leadership by taking 12 credit hours in one of these specific areas. In addition, students can choose to complete classes toward an additional graduate certificate in a related field, like lifestyle medicine or negotiation and conflict resolution.

With programs designed specifically for adult learners—namely those seeking an untraditional education—Lewis University offers a variety of facilities for its students. In addition to a LEED-certified science center and the first fully digital college radio station, Lewis also offers a wide array of completely-online graduate degrees. 

The curriculum of the organizational leadership program at Lewis is centered around five major domains: organizational management, nonprofit management, training and development, higher education and student services, and professional and executive coaching. Offered as a graduate degree as well as a stand-alone certificate, it is available online as well as in two physical Lewis campuses.

With all courses offered in a flexible format, this program also allows learners to complete a separate certificate program in conjunction with or separate from their graduate coursework. Certificate areas of interest include higher education leadership, professional and executive coaching, and organizational leadership.

Northcentral University is home to some of the best business degrees, offering learners more than 18 unique specializations that are all accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business School And Programs. As a result, this school also offers some of the best graduate-level classes in organizational leadership.

The Master of Science in organizational leadership at Northcentral consists of 30 credit hours broken down into ten separate courses. Most students take just 16 months to complete their degrees, with start dates offered each and every Monday for maximum flexibility. There is even an accelerated scheduling option.

What’s truly unique about this program is that you will study in a class size of one, benefitting from close faculty attention as you complete your degree. Six professionally-oriented specializations are available, with options including health services, criminal justice, nonprofit management, human resources management, project management, and public administration.

Ranked one of the country’s Best Value Schools by U.S. News & World Report, Concordia University-Chicago is a comprehensive university of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod tradition. With a curriculum grounded in the liberal arts, Concordia equips students with the skills they need to succeed and thrive.

The organizational leadership program at Concordia encourages the development of students who are able to improve their strategic planning, do thoughtful research, and enact purposeful reform. The degree consists of 33 credit hours and takes most students 24 months to complete. Core classes include Strategic Leadership and Planning and Ethics and Social Leadership.

This degree is extremely valuable when it comes to postgraduate career success. With an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio, the university boasts a job success rate of 90%. In other words, within six months of graduation, 90% of all Concordia Chicago students are either employed or enrolled in graduate programs. Not too shabby!

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1, Lincoln Christian University offers small class sizes on a campus that contains a perfectly even split of male and female students. With popular majors including theological and ministerial studies and psychology, this school is also home to one of the country’s best organizational leadership programs.

The Master of Arts in organizational leadership at Lincoln Christian University develops leaders who are equipped with the skills necessary to serve as guides and role models. The student body is incredibly diverse, with current students representing small businesses, Fortune 500 companies, youth organizations, camps, and more. Most students can complete their studies in just 21 months, taking just a single class at one time. 

Core classes include Foundations for Organizational Leadership and Legal and Ethical Issues in Organizational Leadership. All students are also required to complete final capstone projects in organizational leadership before they receive their diplomas, too.

The Saint Louis Billikens are fierce competitors in the NCAA Division I Atlantic 10 Conference, possessing one of the country’s strangest mascots—a gnome figure that is widely considered to be a good luck charm. Yet there’s nothing about Saint Louis University, home of the Billikens, that indicates anything but good luck, anyway. This university is home to some of the best faculty, programs, and support services in the entire country.

The Master of Arts in leadership and organizational development is offered by the School for Professional Studies. A 36-credit online program, it is incredibly flexible with multiple start times each year. Each course is offered in terms of just eight weeks each, making earning a degree more accessible than ever for working professionals. 

The degree includes core classes such as Organizational Dynamics and Leading a Healthy Organization. Scholarships and financial aid are available to students who qualify. To apply to the program, you will need to have a GPA of at least 3.00 and two years of work experience. 

One of the fastest-growing universities in the nation, Regent University is best-known for its quality majors in unique areas such as Theological and Ministerial Studies, and Communication and Media Studies. However, this school, located in Virginia Beach, VA, also has a dynamic master’s in organizational leadership. 

The master’s in organizational leadership comes with numerous concentrations, including those in global business leadership and communication, healthcare management, not-for-profit management, and servant leadership. It’s offered exclusively online with zero on-campus residency requirements. 

A highly collaborative degree, it consists of 33 credit hours. It trains students on key organizational leadership elements like motivation, vision, teamwork, group development, and more.