Best Online Organizational Leadership Bachelor's Degrees

Study.com researched various institutions to find the best online bachelor's degree programs in organizational leadership programs with positive student experiences and outcomes. With a focus on the program's price, value, and attainability, coupled with U.S. Department of Education data, Study.com found these 23 programs to offer the best online bachelor's in organizational leadership. These programs offer various specializations that enable students to match their education with their career goals as well as flexible schedules and transfer credit policies that work for nontraditional students.

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*Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

Online Associate Degrees in Organizational Leadership

Students can pursue an online associate degree program in organizational leadership or other closely related areas, like organizational management, human resources and organizational leadership, and professional studies with a concentration in organizational leadership. These online degree programs are available as Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), and Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees. Some of these programs can be completed in as little as 18 months and may require between 60 and 65 credits of coursework. Usually, these degrees are designed to be transferred to a 4-year institution to allow students to easily continue their studies. Students typically take general education courses and some introductory courses in organizational leadership.

Online Bachelor's Degrees in Organizational Leadership

Generally offered as a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Organizational Leadership, Bachelor of Science (BS) in Organizational Leadership, or Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with a concentration in organizational leadership, these online degrees typically require around 120 credits of coursework. Some programs may offer additional areas of concentration to help students focus their studies and/or may conclude with a final research project of some kind. Coursework for these programs focuses on further developing students' leadership skills, ethical decision-making, and critical-thinking skills to help prepare them for a wide range of careers after graduation. Typically, these programs can be completed fully online and may offer early access to graduate programs in the field for interested students.

Online Master's Degrees in Organizational Leadership

Online master's degree programs in organizational leadership are usually offered as Master of Science (MS) or Master of Organizational Leadership degrees. Some of these programs may follow a cohort model and several offer additional tracks or specializations to help students focus their studies and prepare for careers in specific areas of organizational leadership. Depending on the program, students may be able to finish their degree in as little as 15 months, and some programs may offer additional certification options through the program, such as an HR certificate. A final capstone experience may be required. Students wondering what you can do with a master's in organizational leadership or if an organizational leadership master's degree is worth it should know that these programs are designed to further advance students' careers and prepare them to take on more managerial and leadership positions.

Online Doctoral Degrees in Organizational Leadership

Online doctoral programs in organizational leadership are most commonly offered as a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), but some online Doctor of Education (EdD) degrees in the field are available as well. Some of these online programs may require on-campus residencies and students can usually earn their degree in 3 to 4 years. Students may be required to take around 60 credits of coursework and typically need to complete a dissertation. Some programs may also offer additional areas of concentration, and the coursework usually has some flexibility for students to take courses about their research and/or career interests.

Online Certificates in Organizational Leadership

Undergraduate and graduate certificates in organizational leadership are available in online formats. Some of these programs may offer multiple levels, such as a 12-credit Professional Certificate or an 18-credit Advanced Certificate. These programs can usually be completed in about 1 year and some may be open to students of any educational background who want to further develop their leadership skills. Depending on the program, students may follow a cohort model and/or participate in virtual classrooms and podcasts. Some graduate certificates may require students to have a couple of years of professional work experience before applying.

Concentrations for organizational leadership degree programs are available at undergraduate and graduate levels. At the bachelor's level, there are some degree programs, such as a bachelor's in business administration, that may also offer organizational leadership as its own concentration. However, several online bachelor's degree programs in organizational leadership have additional concentration areas available to help train students in specific skills and/or prepare them for particular types of careers. Students who choose a concentration are generally required to take additional courses within their chosen area. Some online concentration areas for organizational leadership programs may include:

• Project management
• Leadership communication
• Healthcare administration
• Public service
• Diversity and inclusion
• Office administration and technology
• Global leadership
• Occupational safety and health
• Criminal justice
• Information systems

Like most bachelor's degree programs, online bachelor's programs in organizational leadership require students to take general education courses in addition to core courses in the field. Students also usually have room to take some electives and/or courses in a given area of concentration. Some programs may conclude with a final capstone experience of some sort, such as a final research project where students apply what they have learned throughout the program to a real-world scenario. Core coursework for organizational leadership may pull topics from multiple subject areas, including business, psychology, and communication. Although course titles vary by school and program, some common courses for these online organizational leadership bachelor's degree programs may include:

• Organization diversity
• Leadership
• Team building
• Negotiation
• Management
• Managing organizational change
• Ethics
• Resource allocation
• Behavioral dynamics
• Social processes in organizations

Online bachelor's degree programs in organizational leadership are typically designed to be completed in the same 4 years that a traditional, on-campus degree takes. However, there are several online bachelor's programs in the field available that are set up as degree completion programs. These programs are designed for students who already have college credit. This credit may be from earning an associate's degree, taking college credits, or earning credit on a Prior Learning Assessment for work experience and other applicable life experiences. Some of these degree completion programs can be completed in as little as 3 semesters. They often offer multiple start dates for flexibility. Students may also want to consider programs that offer early access to master's programs if they want to continue their education to help earn their master's more quickly.

Students should look for organizational leadership degree programs at accredited institutions for several reasons. In general, accreditation helps indicate that an institution has met a set of academic standards for all of the academic programs to ensure quality. Degrees from accredited institutions are often preferred by employers and/or allow students to transfer credits to other accredited institutions more easily. Financial aid is also usually only available to students who attend accredited schools. Organizations that offer this high level of accreditation include groups like the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) or the Higher Learning Commission.

There are some programs that an additional level of accreditation that pertains to its subject area. Organizational leadership degree programs do not typically have this additional level of accreditation unless it is offered as a business degree. For example, some online BSBA programs with a concentration in organizational leadership may be accredited by a business-related organization, like the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Program-specific accreditation helps ensure that these degrees are of high quality for that specific subject area.

Some organizations offer organizational leadership certifications, like the Management and Strategy Institute (MSI) with its Strategic Organizational Leadership Certified (SOLC) designation. The SOLC designation requires students to complete a training course and pass an exam. However, most certifications in the field of organizational leadership are specific to the position. For instance, some graduates with their degrees in organizational leadership may go on to work as human resources managers. These managers may pursue a range of optional and/or required certifications offered from organizations like the HR Certification Institute (HRCI) or the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). Other students may rise to various top executive positions within their organization that may require various types of licensure or certifications based on the type of management being conducted.

There are many different career options available to graduates with a degree in organizational leadership. However, organizational leadership job duties, requirements, and salaries vary based by position. For example, the salary for a PhD in Organizational Leadership is likely to be higher than the salary for a bachelor's degree in the field and organizational management job requirements may differ between a financial manager and a general operations manager.

In general, graduates with a degree in organizational leadership are prepared to take on more advanced, leadership, and big-picture positions within an organization. They are often ready to lead staff members, set goals, and help their organization succeed. A few examples of possible job titles for graduates with a bachelor's degree in organizational leadership include:

• Human resources manager
• Quality control manager
• Sales manager
• CEO
• Office manager
• Management analyst
• Organizational development consultant
• Public relations manager
• Training and development manager

How to Become a Human Resources Manager

Most human resources managers only need to have a bachelor's degree and some work experience in the field. However, some positions may require a master's degree. Usually, students can hold a degree in human resources or another related area, such as business administration or organizational leadership. To gain work experience, some of these managers may begin their careers in labor relations or as human resources specialists. Managers may also need to have knowledge and/or be trained in HR programs and current laws in the field. Certification for human resources managers is usually voluntary, but some positions may require it.

Human resources managers usually serve as the bridge between an organization's workers and top executives. They are responsible for overseeing HR staff, managing the recruiting and hiring process, coordinating benefit programs, and mediating conflicts as needed. As of 2019, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that these managers made a median annual salary of $116,720. The job outlook for human resources managers was 6% from 2019 to 2029.

How to Become a Top Executive

Top executives include positions like chief executive officers (CEOs), general and operations managers, and chief human resources officers. Most of these positions require at least a bachelor's degree and some work experience. However, some of these professionals hold a master's degree. Typically, professionals work their way up to these top leadership positions by working in lower management positions. They may advance with work experience and/or further education. Certification and licensure usually depends on the specific area of management.

The job duties for top executives vary by position, but usually, these professionals are responsible for managing the work activities of an organization to help the organization reach its goals. They may be involved in policymaking, financial analysis, developing improvement programs, and/or negotiating contracts. Top executives as a whole made a median annual salary of $104,690, as of 2019, according to the BLS. The BLS also stated that these executives had a job outlook of 4% from 2019 to 2029.

Students who need assistance paying for their education have several different options in the form of loans, grants, and scholarships. Qualification for federal loans and grants is commonly determined through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students are also free to apply to as many different scholarships that they may qualify for, including those at the local, regional, national, or even international levels. Some of these scholarships may be based on specific skills/talents, academic merit, demographics, and more.

Those who are studying organizational leadership may qualify to apply for a wide range of leadership-based scholarships. Some schools that offer organizational leadership programs may also offer scholarships specific to the major. A couple of examples of institution-based scholarships include:

• Elizabeth E. Wyngaard Memorial Scholarship- This scholarship is available to students majoring in organizational leadership or integrative leadership studies at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay and requires an essay and letter of recommendation.
• David P. Swinehart Memorial Scholarship- Undergraduate organizational leadership majors can compete for this scholarship at Purdue Global Fort Wayne. Applicants have to have completed 60 hours towards their degree and must meet a minimum GPA requirement.

Choosing an online bachelor's degree program in organizational leadership that is right for you can seem difficult, but students should try and consider a few different factors. Students may want to begin by deciding what type of degree they want to earn. For example, a degree in business administration with a concentration in organizational leadership is likely to have more business-focused courses than a BA or BS in Organizational Leadership. A BA degree in the field may contain more liberal arts courses, while a BS degree may be more technical in nature and include more math- and science-related courses. After determining what type of degree to earn, students may want to compare any available concentration areas and see which ones best align with their particular career goals.

In addition to organizational leadership-specific factors, students may also need to consider factors that fall into personal needs and/or preferences. For example, some students may need to compare tuition rates, available discounts, and/or see what scholarships they receive. Other students may need to find an online degree with a flexible format for their busy schedule and/or ensure that the program is fully online.

Organizational leadership is a unique field because its professionals can work in a wide range of positions, which in turn provides the availability of a wide range of leadership-based professional organizations for participation. Some of these organizations may be more general in nature and designed for various types of leaders and managers, while others may be more specific to an industry, such as human resources. These professional organizations work to provide professionals with numerous resources, professional development opportunities, and more. A few examples of professional organizations for those with a background in organizational leadership include:

• Association of Change Management Professionals- The ACMP offers membership to professionals working in/with change management and provides various ways for these professionals to network, including conferences and trainings. The group also provides professional certifications in the field of change management, webinars, and professional development courses.
• Association for Talent Development- The ATD provides membership for those working in training and development. The organization offers courses and certifications, access to publications, an online resource center, and various conferences and events, including those at an international level.
• Society for Human Resource Management- The SHRM is one of the most well-known organizations for human resource managers. Professionals can become members of the group and can benefit from the organization's professional certifications in the field, online learning and legal resources, regional and global events, and different communities, including an executive network and HR young professionals group.