Enhance Your Leadership Skills on Your Schedule

The UMass Global MyPath MA in Organizational Leadership measures your understanding and mastery as you move through three “domains.” Completely self-paced and online, you’ll progress from leadership foundations to leadership practices. Then you’ll finish on one of three tracks — Standard, Military, or Project Management — for your final domain. Perfect for self-motivated learners, you advance as you demonstrate “competency,” not through hours spent in a classroom. Because of the unique aspect of this self-paced master’s degree, you can complete your MA in Organizational Leadership in less than one year, saving time and money.

  • Three Tracks: Standard Track (Most students), Military Track (Military and veterans only), Project Management Track (Students who have completed UC, Irvine Project Management Certificate).
  • Work at Your Pace for One Fee: With this MyPath MAOL degree, you pay a single fee for six months, regardless of how many competencies you work through.
  • Your Military Schooling Counts: Eligible active duty, reserve, and veteran military members can be awarded mastery of five competencies for comparable military course work as a block transfer.
  • Competencies = 36 Credits: The CBE competencies in this MAOL are equivalent to 36 credit hours (24 core credits and 12 individualized elective credits).

At a Glance

Competency Based
48 Credits
$3800/6 month access
Help me estimate my cost
Next Start Date
Continuous Starts

Program Benefits that Benefit You

Diploma

Practical Curriculum

The MyPath Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership employs theory-to-practice-oriented curriculum for maximum career relevance.

Fast Track

Finish Faster

With transfer credits and the ability to work as quickly as you acquire competency, this MAOL can be earned more quickly and more affordably.

Certificate credit

Leverage Your Prior Experience

Most students can transfer up to nine credits toward their master’s. Service members can apply their training toward their degree, transferring up to 15 units of military coursework.

Career Outlook for MA in Organizational Leadership (Standard) *self-paced

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

Data source: Lightcast™ 2025 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

OLCC 501

Data-Driven Decision-Making/Pl

3 Credits
OLCC 615

Change Management

3 Credits
OLCC 613

Org. Theory and Behavior

3 Credits
OLCC 632

Leadership and Innovation

3 Credits
BUSC 600

Leadership & Bus. Operations

3 Credits
OLCC 614

Team Lead. & Collaboration

3 Credits

Career Outlook for MA in Project Mgmt

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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
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
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™ 2025 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

What it’s like going to UMass Global?

Competency-Based, Self-Paced

This program is offered through UMass Global MyPath, a competency-based education (CBE) format designed for maximum flexibility. Courses are entirely self-paced, allowing you to progress as you complete each section—no set deadlines. This structure is ideal for students balancing work and life commitments. With a flat tuition rate per CBE academic year, you can take unlimited courses within each 24-week billing period. All books and materials are included electronically.

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.

Woman shaking hands with man

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.

Competency-Based, Self-Paced

This program is offered through UMass Global MyPath, a competency-based education (CBE) format designed for maximum flexibility. Courses are entirely self-paced, allowing you to progress as you complete each section—no set deadlines. This structure is ideal for students balancing work and life commitments. With a flat tuition rate per CBE academic year, you can take unlimited courses within each 24-week billing period. All books and materials are included electronically.

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.

Woman shaking hands with man

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.

Our Faculty

All Faculty
Laura Galloway
Dr. Laura Galloway, PhD
Associate Dean, School of Business and Professional Studies, Associate Professor of Organizational Leadership and Human Resources
Dr. Laura Galloway PhD
Portrait of Dr. Felix Kalinski
Dr. Felix Kalinski, EdD
Competency Based Tutorial Associate Professor of Business Administration and Leadership
Dr. Felix Kalinski EdD

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 all regionally accredited institutions where baccalaureate and/or post-baccalaureate coursework was completed or attempted

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.

Accredited Quality

WASC Senior College and University Commission

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

Competency-Based Education Network

UMass Global is a member of C-BEN. C-BEN recognizes that today, competency-based education is still an emerging field with a small number of people and institutions understanding enough to describe it or implement it. C-BEN’s efforts focus on three main priorities: growing demand, building capacity, and removing barriers.

Demo

Take control of your career with an online 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.

Typically, a master’s degree translates to two years of full-time study for most students. But at UMass Global, we’ve created options for completing your competency-based 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.
  • Work as fast as you choose — UMass Global MyPath competency-based degrees allow students flexibility, not only in their scheduling, but in their completion. You can start any week you’re ready, and then you pay a single fee for a six-month period. In that time, you can work through as many competencies as you are comfortable with. This allows you to work faster and finish faster.

These transfer policies, along with the ability to work more quickly, allow motivated students to earn their UMass Global MyPath MA in Organizational Leadership in less than one year.

Credit Hour MAOL: This is the traditional approach where students earn credits by completing specific courses, as directed by the instructor. The number of credits required for a degree is predetermined, and students must meet specific requirements for each course.

Competency-Based MAOL: In this model (known as MyPath at UMass Global), students progress by demonstrating mastery of specific skills/competencies, rather than completing a fixed number of courses. The focus is on what the student knows and can do, not on the amount of time spent in class.

Key Differences:

Feature
 		 Credit Hour MAOL Competency-Based MAOL
Progression Based on completing courses and earning credits Based on demonstrating mastery of competencies
Flexibility Limited flexibility in terms of pacing and course selection Greater flexibility, allowing students to learn at their own pace and choose relevant courses
Assessment Primarily based on exams and assignments Based on a variety of assessments, including performance tasks, projects, and portfolios

In essence, a credit hour MAOL focuses on benchmarks set by the instructor and course completion, while a competency-based MAOL focuses on student achievement and mastery.

Competency-based formats are not for every student, however. To be successful in this format, students need to be self-motivated and disciplined, since there aren’t any specific deadlines set, such as homework due dates, quizzes, and the like. Some students need the structure (and corresponding set timelines) of a traditional instructor-led approach. 

That is one reason UMass Global offers its Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership in both traditional and competency-based formats. 

Testimonials

rennettachristian.jpg

As a transfer student through a former employer, I earned my BA in Applied Communications at UMass Global. The accessible, understanding professors and academic structure inspired me to reapply for grad school. UMass Global is my 'One Stop' university, and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Rennetta C.
Organizational Leadership (MyPath), MA

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

 

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