MA in Organizational Leadership

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.

Typically, a master’s degree translates to two years of full-time study for most students. At UMass Global, we believe our adult students bring valuable college credits to the table. That’s why we’ve created options to complete your MAOL more quickly.

• Generous credit transfer policy — We have a flexible transfer policy where most students can bring in 9 transfer credits. Those with military schooling of rank E7 and above may receive 15 transfer credits toward their MAOL, meaning they are only 7 courses from their degree. These transfer policies enable some students to complete their organizational leadership master’s in just one year.
• Multiple starts per year — UMass Global offers six start dates annually, so you can begin your studies whenever it works best for you. This flexibility also helps when scheduling required courses.

At UMass Global, your Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership could be closer than you think!

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.