What Can You Do With a Master’s in Organizational Leadership?

As technology advances and society changes, organizations need to keep up to stay relevant. With the right approach, executives and high-level managers can navigate shifts in the workplace and turn potential obstacles into new opportunities.

“Leadership by the few is not going to help solve the problems ahead,” said Dr. Michelle Caron, associate dean of business at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). Rather than emphasizing the perspectives of leaders, workplaces need to be harmonious to address future changes in the workplace, like implementing artificial intelligence and adapting to social change.

Organizational leadership is a management approach wherein leaders set goals for an organization and guide the group toward these common objectives in concert. As an organizational leader, you’ll be the conductor of the orchestra, both setting the tone and ensuring all moving parts within the collective are working together to create harmony.

“We need to consider diverse perspectives towards achieving common goals,” Caron said. “This requires leaders to know how to create a strong vision for the future, inspire others to reach their greatest potential and develop empowered, high-performing teams. Always leading in an ethical manner and promoting transparency in decision-making.”

Effective leaders set a good example, build trust, inspire and generate a sense of purpose, according to Caron. She said earning a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MS OL) can help you develop these skills and prepare you to become an effective leader with the ability to foster a company culture, champion change and drive for excellence.

What Jobs Can You Get With a Master’s in Organizational Leadership?

If you're seeking a role near the top of an institutional ladder, an MS OL can prepare you for various upper-level management positions. Here are 4 potential roles for graduates:

Human Resources (HR) Manager

As a human resources manager, you’d be in charge of the administrative functions of an organization like coordinating employee benefits, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) noted, and the median annual salary for HR managers was $140,030 in 2024.* BLS reports that jobs for HR managers have a 5% projected growth rate through 2034, which is faster than the average 3% projected growth rate for all occupations.*

Keep reading: How to Become a Human Resources Manager

Management Analyst

According to BLS, management analysts, also called management consultants, suggest methods to improve an organization’s efficiency, and the median annual salary for management analysts was $101,190 in 2024, with a faster-than-average 9% growth rate projected through 2034.*

Learn more: What is Business Analytics?

Operations Manager

General and operations managers coordinate, direct and plan the operations of public or private organizations, and the median annual salary for this position was $102,950 in 2024, according to BLS.*

Read more: What Does an Operations Manager Do?

Training and Development Manager

Training and development managers plan, coordinate and direct programs to enhance the skills and knowledge of an organization’s employees, BLS reports, and these professionals made a median salary of $127,090 in 2024.* These roles are expected to grow 6% by 2034, according to BLS.*

Other Management and Leadership Roles

If you want to become a manager or leader at any level, you'll need the right background. According to BLS, all the above positions require at least a bachelor’s degree plus several years of relevant work experience on the job, except operations managers who have more varied backgrounds. If you already have a bachelor’s degree and a foundation of experience in your field, a master’s degree could take your understanding of business concepts to the next level and further prepare you for a variety of management and leadership roles.

Although many organizational leaders are managers in high-level positions, anyone can benefit from improving their leadership skills, according to Caron. "You don’t have to be in a supervisory role or have ‘president’ or ‘director’ in your title to be a leader within your organization," she said. "When employees realize they don't have to be the boss to inspire and influence others, they can make a positive difference in their company and truly enjoy their work."

Dr. Linda Ellington, a business leadership faculty lead at SNHU, also emphasized the importance of collaboration through all levels of an organization. She said the MS OL program teaches leaders to define an organization's next horizon and seek out a variety of perspectives before making decisions.

"In your academic work and conversations, you will chart a course to innovation and competitive advantage," said Ellington. "We get greater ownership through the early involvement of people like stakeholders and customers, avoiding that classic show-and-tell, one-way conversation."

Is It Worth Getting a Master’s in Organizational Leadership?

A master’s degree can prove your advanced knowledge of management concepts and demonstrate your commitment to developing the qualities of a good leader. As hiring managers look to fill leadership positions, those with graduate degrees might stand out among applicants with similar skills and experience who only have an undergraduate education.

Christopher McGinnis '23G said his wife inspired him to earn his master's degree from SNHU after finishing her own graduate degree.

"I decided to get my master's in organizational leadership to help boost my resume and potential," he said.

While earning an MS OL, you’ll take courses related to both the practical side and the human side of leadership to fully prepare you to work in the field, developing both your technical knowledge and your soft skills like communication and critical thinking.

Some courses you might take include:

• Human behavior in organizations
• Leading change
• Responsible corporate leadership
• Strategic human resource management

“Being able to compare successful organizational leadership against both my current and previous organizations helped put the lessons in a real and connected manner for me,” said McGinnis. “There were a great deal of real life and directly applicable lessons, the lessons focused on practical application as opposed to just theoretical.”

Read more: What is Organizational Leadership?

What Are the Benefits of Earning a Master’s in Organizational Leadership Online?

Earning a master’s online allows you to study anywhere with an internet connection. If you travel frequently, live in a rural area or have a busy schedule, an online degree could be the difference in allowing you to advance your education.

With an asynchronous learning model, there are no set class times, which promotes flexibility for students. Ten-week terms are designed to let you earn your degree at a pace that works best around your life and schedule.

In fact, many students in online graduate programs work full-time and take classes alongside their studies. That’s what McGinnis did when he earned his master’s in organizational leadership from SNHU.

“I work from home and have a family of four with a very active schedule, and being able to study and earn my degree online made it possible,” he said. “I was able to get support from both professors and staff whenever it was needed or necessary, I never felt disconnected or distanced from everything which can be a concern with online or remote learning.”

McGinnis said his academic advisor and professors supported him through his program and were there to answer questions whenever he needed.

Which is Better: an MBA or a Master’s in Leadership?

There are several degrees to consider if you're interested in becoming a leader, but your decision between an MBA vs. an MS should depend entirely on your interests and goals.

Beyond the MS OL, here are a few other graduate degree options you might consider if you're interested in leading:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA): As opposed to more specialized master's degree options, an MBA teaches you about a number of business functions with a wider lens. At SNHU, you could also opt for an MBA with a concentration in Leadership.
• Master of Science (MS) in Human Resource Management: If you’re looking to become a human resources manager in particular, this devoted degree can prepare you for the position.
• Master of Science (MS) in Management: This program focuses on management as a whole rather than adhering to a specific approach. Concentration options include construction management, emergency management and healthcare.
• Master of Science (MS) in Psychology with a concentration in Organizational Psychology: With a master’s in organizational psychology, you can study the mind and behavior within the business landscape.

No matter which degree you choose, advancing your education can introduce you to new ideas and opportunities to grow as a leader — and help others grow, too.

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

Mars Girolimon '21 '23G is a staff writer at Southern New Hampshire University where they earned their bachelor’s and master’s, both in English and creative writing. In addition to their work in higher education, Girolimon’s short fiction is published in the North American Review, So It Goes by The Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library, X-R-A-Y and more. Connect with them on LinkedIn.