Develop Advanced Organizational Leadership Skills to Advance Your Career

Through 100% online coursework designed for adult learners, the UMass Global Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership focuses on the development of the people and conceptual skills essential to success at all levels of administration.

UMass Global’s organizational leadership master’s program employs a hands-on approach and focuses on practical learning. Subject matter explores leadership, critical analysis, collaboration, managing change, globalization and diversity, and ethics to provide a broad-based foundation for career development.

  • Real Experience: Theory-to-practice-oriented curriculum provides real-world context to the courses in your degree. 
  • Start Sooner, No GMAT or GRE Required: Designed for working professionals, benefit from rolling starts and flexible entry - no GMAT or GRE required for admission.

At a Glance

Online
30 Credits
$750/Credit
Help me estimate my cost
Next Start Date
Summer II (Jun 29, 2026)

Program Benefits that Benefit You.

Customizable Degrees

Choose from electives such as accounting, computer science, entrepreneurship, healthcare administration, human resources, and more.

Finish Faster

Complete your MAOL in as few as 6 months full-time or 12 months part-time with the maximum transfer credits.

Leverage Your Prior Experience

Students may transfer up to 12 credits. Military service members can leverage up to 6 credits for prior military schooling.

Career Outlook for MA in Organizational Leadership

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Results for:
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Median Salary2
Job openings (in the last 12 months)
Top Companies Hiring
Median Salary2
Job openings (in the last 12 months)
Top Companies Hiring
Median Salary2
Job openings (in the last 12 months)
Top Companies Hiring
Median Salary2
Job openings (in the last 12 months)
Top Companies Hiring
Median Salary2
Job openings (in the last 12 months)
Top Companies Hiring
Median Salary2
Job openings (in the last 12 months)
Top Companies Hiring

Data source: Lightcast™ 2026 www.lightcast.io

The pathway information provided through this website is based partly on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data licensed by the University of Massachusetts Global from Lightcast. While the University of Massachusetts Global believes this data to be reliable, some of the data is based on estimates made by Lightcast when actual data is unavailable. Those estimates and the corresponding data may need to be corrected.

  1. Change in employment projections 2022 - 2032
  2. Based on BLS Occupational Employment Statistics and updated quarterly
  3. The University of Massachusetts Global does not guarantee a job to graduates upon completion of any program

Courses You Might Take

OLCU 501

Organizational Research

3 Credits
OLCU 601

Democracy, Ethics and Leadership

3 Credits
OLCU 600

Foundations of Organizational Leadership

3 Credits
OLCU 613

Seminar in Organizational Dynamics

3 Credits
OLCU 614

Leadership & Team Development

3 Credits
OLCU 615

Leading Organizational Change

3 Credits

What is it like going to UMass Global?

Instructor-Led, Session-Based

This program is delivered in an instructor-led format, with eight-week sessions and multiple start dates per year for flexibility. In each class, you'll focus on one topic at a time and can take a session off if needed — no penalty. Courses include structured assignments with set deadlines. This format offers clear milestones and coach interaction, making it ideal for one-on-one coaching support.

Personalized Support Services

UMass Global meets you wherever you are in life, with dedicated support at every step. From enrollment coaching and financial aid to academic advising and career services, we're committed to your success. Access personalized guidance, flexible resources, and a supportive community, empowering you to achieve your educational goals, no matter your starting point.

Office meeting

Employer-Aligned Curriculum

At UMass Global, our employer-aligned curriculum ensures that coursework is directly relevant to today’s workplace. Designed with input from industry experts and faculty who are also working professionals, our programs focus on practical, career-advancing skills. Using a “backwards course design,” we tailor coursework to meet current job market needs. Our diverse faculty provides real-world insights and mentorship, ensuring that the skills you learn are immediately applicable to your career or future career changes.

Office meeting

Instructor-Led, Session-Based

This program is delivered in an instructor-led format, with eight-week sessions and multiple start dates per year for flexibility. In each class, you'll focus on one topic at a time and can take a session off if needed — no penalty. Courses include structured assignments with set deadlines. This format offers clear milestones and coach interaction, making it ideal for one-on-one coaching support.

Personalized Support Services

UMass Global meets you wherever you are in life, with dedicated support at every step. From enrollment coaching and financial aid to academic advising and career services, we're committed to your success. Access personalized guidance, flexible resources, and a supportive community, empowering you to achieve your educational goals, no matter your starting point.

Office meeting

Employer-Aligned Curriculum

At UMass Global, our employer-aligned curriculum ensures that coursework is directly relevant to today’s workplace. Designed with input from industry experts and faculty who are also working professionals, our programs focus on practical, career-advancing skills. Using a “backwards course design,” we tailor coursework to meet current job market needs. Our diverse faculty provides real-world insights and mentorship, ensuring that the skills you learn are immediately applicable to your career or future career changes.

Office meeting

Our Faculty

All Faculty
Evelina Atanassova, PhD
Associate Professor of Business Administration, Human Resources and Leadership
Evelina Atanassova PhD

Admission Requirements

Applicants for this master's degree program must complete the formal application process with all required documents, which include:

  • Completed application
  • 2.75 grade point average (GPA)
  • Official transcripts from the accredited institution where you earned your highest degree

Graduate Level Exams

This Master’s degree program does not require applicants to take costly exams like the GRE/GMAT. Why? Because we value your professional and life experience. You should get credit for what you already know.

We support our
Military Veterans!

  •  Yellow Ribbon School
  •  Recognized Military Friendly School
  •  Founded to Serve Military Personnel

Check out our Military and Veterans pages and discover how we can support you in your educational journey.

Learn How

WASC Senior College and University Commission

University of Massachusetts Global is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

Calculate Time and Cost

Take control of your career with a leadership master's degree at UMass Global

Frequently Asked Questions

A Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership equips you with a versatile skill set valued across various industries. Potential career paths include:

  • Leadership roles: Leading teams, departments, or entire organizations.
  • Human Resources: Managing employee relations, talent acquisition, and development.
  • Change management: Implementing organizational transformations and improvements.
  • Consulting: Providing leadership and organizational development advice to clients.
  • Non-profit management: Leading and managing non-profit organizations.
  • Entrepreneurship: Starting and growing your own business.

Organizational leadership master’s graduates can work in various sectors including business, healthcare, education, government, and non-profits, focusing on improving organizational effectiveness, leading change, and enhancing employee performance.

Thanks to UMass Global’s flexible transfer policy and six annual start dates, the MAOL program can be completed in as little as 6 months (taking two classes per session) or in 12 months (taking one class per session) if you transfer in the maximum credits.

A Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership can be worth it for those seeking to advance their careers in leadership and management. The degree equips students with critical skills in leadership, strategic thinking, and organizational development, which are highly valued in various industries. It can lead to career advancement, higher earning potential, and the ability to drive meaningful change within organizations.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, management roles are projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations from 2022 to 2032. This graduate degree would position students for those expanding job possibilities.

The main differences between an MBA and a master’s degree in organizational leadership (MAOL) are their focus and coursework:

1. Focus

  • MBA (Master of Business Administration): Emphasizes broad business skills across various functions such as finance, marketing, operations, and management. It prepares students for a wide range of managerial and executive roles.
  • MAOL (Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership): Concentrates on leadership, organizational behavior, and strategic management, focusing on developing leadership skills to effectively lead and manage teams and organizations.

2. Coursework

  • MBA: Includes courses in accounting, finance, marketing, operations, and strategic management. It's a generalist degree covering multiple aspects of business.
  • MAOL: Focuses on leadership theory, organizational behavior, ethics, change management, and conflict resolution. It emphasizes the human aspects of leading organizations.

3. Career Paths

  • MBA: Graduates often pursue roles in various business functions such as finance, marketing, operations, and general management.
  • MAOL: Graduates typically seek roles specifically related to leadership and management, such as human resources, training and development, organizational development, and executive leadership.

Choosing between the two depends on career goals and interests. An MBA is suitable for those seeking a comprehensive business education, while an MAOL is ideal for those focused on leadership and organizational development.

Testimonials

Laquita Roscoe

My fellow military folks, I don't see a better option. They support you financially. They support you as far as your life goes, all the chaotic deployments, everything that came with it. UMass Global supported me in those endeavors.

Laquita R.
Organizational Leadership, MA
feliciano p

UMass Global made this chaos a little more manageable. The flexible learning format meant I could squeeze in coursework between work shifts, bedtime stories, and emergencies about APA citations. The faculty understood the juggling act of career, family, and education, and their willingness to work with us made all the difference.

Feliciano P.
MA in Organizational Leadership
delwin l

The educational structure is very friendly to not just working professionals but to anyone who is in public service including the military. Attending UMass Global gave me a more structured foundation where I could not only learn more about leadership theories, communication, problem solving and human resource strategies but as the program specifically promotes, the wealth of knowledge learned helped me move my company forward in marketing and client growth.

Delwin L.
MA in Organizational Leadership
Deputy Sheriff Advanced Training Officer, Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department
La Habra City Councilmember
heidi r

Their flexible program allowed me to accelerate my education without sacrificing my career or family life. That degree became my launchpad into the defense aviation industry, leading to an incredible job offer I never would have imagined a year ago.

Heidi R.
MA in Organizational Leadership
victoria v

I gained more than just knowledge at UMass Global; I learned a new way to navigate life with even more resilience and purpose. The flexibility of this program and the support of faculty turned what could have been overwhelming obstacles into challenges I could overcome.

Victoria V.
MA in Organizational Leadership

The MAOL program expanded my understanding of how people interact, revealed shortfalls within those interactions and allowed me to use newly developed skills to fill needed areas in communication and leadership.

Angelo C.
Organizational Leadership, MA

From the very first phone call to UMass Global, I felt supported. Even when I missed appointments or had to reschedule - life happens - the staff never made me feel like an inconvenience. They just kept showing up. Thank you, UMass Global.

Ammie Dawn J.
Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership

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