Earn an Online Leadership Degree
- $320/credit (120 credits)
- Transfer up to 90 credits
- Curriculum designed to explore authentic leadership situations
- Program accredited by ACBSP
- Transition seamlessly to advanced degrees
- Gain leadership knowledge from faculty with industry experience
Online Organizational Leadership Degree Concentration Overview
Prepare to lead an organization toward a common goal with the online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Business Administration with a concentration in Organizational Leadership. The organizational leadership degree concentration was developed with input from industry experts and can help you apply management theory to real-world situations.
Organizational leaders help businesses big and small navigate through change with data-driven decision-making. With a leadership degree, you can set strategic goals and learn to motivate individuals to achieve those goals, preparing an organization for an uncertain future that looks very different from the present.
In the organizational leadership degree online, you can explore change management, organizational behavior and other management principles. The leadership skills taught are essential to the success of any business, and are in high demand across many industries.
Learn how to:
- Align management approaches with organizational philosophies
- Use data to make strategic and creative business decisions
- Communicate effectively to diverse audiences
- Recommend solutions to achieve organizational objectives
- Manage change with ethical, legal and socially responsible practices
Career Outlook
Want to lead an organization through an evolving business landscape? A bachelor's in organizational leadership can help you do just that.
“Leaders are solution architects," said Dr. Linda Ellington, faculty lead for organizational leadership at SNHU.
“Leadership skills are needed in all organizational structures to understand inter-group dynamics and change management from a global perspective. The functions of leadership include creating vision and movement toward a common goal. This comes through encouragement and motivation of peers and is needed at all organizational levels,” she said.
The business world is shifting rapidly. The growth of remote work, an increasingly diverse workforce and evolving technology are changing the way people and organizations get things done.1 As organizations navigate these changes, they’ll need future-thinking leaders with the business acumen and interpersonal skills to move groups forward.
Jobs for workers with an organizational leadership degree are available across many industries. These industries include:
- Public and private businesses
- Nonprofit organizations
- Government agencies
Opportunities for skilled leaders are significant. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that employment opportunities for management occupations could increase 7% – totaling 706,900 new jobs – through 2028.2
“There is always going to be a need for skilled organizational leaders – today, tomorrow, and afterward,” said Deborah Gogliettino, faculty lead for human resources at SNHU. “Organizations will always embrace someone who can bring a vision, especially one of growth and sustainability. That’s a trend I don’t ever see going away."
With an organizational leadership degree, you could lead a group – or an entire organization – toward a common goal. Job growth and earning potential vary depending on your specific organizational leadership career.
Possible jobs include:
- Sales manager: Direct an organization’s sales teams. Set sales goals, analyze data and develop training programs for sales representatives. Sales managers earned a median annual salary of $126,640 in 2019.2 Jobs for sales managers are projected to grow 5% through 2028.2
- Marketing manager: Coordinate marketing policies and programs for an organization or brand. Determine the demand for products and services and identify potential customers. Marketing managers earned a median annual salary of $136,850 in 2019.2 Marketing manager jobs are projected to grow 8% through 2028.2
- Public relations manager: Oversee communications for a company, enhancing the public image of their employer or client. Prepare press releases, media reports and marketing materials. Public relations managers earned a median annual salary of $116,180 in 2019.2 Jobs in the field are projected to grow 8% through 2028.2
- Financial manager: Develop plans for the long-term financial goals of an organization. Create financial reports and direct investment activities. Financial managers earned a median annual salary of $129,890 in 2019.2 Jobs for financial managers are projected to grow 16% through 2028.2
- Fundraising manager: Oversee campaigns and events to bring in donations for an organization. Determine which fundraising methods to use and connect with potential donors to spread an organization’s message. Fundraising managers earned a median annual salary of $116,180 in 2019.2 Jobs in this field are projected to grow 8% through 2028.2
- Human resources manager: Plan and coordinate the administrative functions of an organization. Oversee the recruiting, interviewing and hiring of new staff, and consulting with top executives on strategic planning. Human resources managers earned a median annual salary of $116,720 in 2019.2 Jobs for HR managers are projected to grow 7% through 2028.2
- Administrative services managers: Plan, direct, and coordinate initiatives that help an organization run efficiently. Administrative services managers earned a median annual salary of $96,940 in 2019.2 Administrative management jobs are projected to grow 7% through 2028.2
- Operations manager: Direct the operations of public or private sector organizations. Create policies, manage daily operations, and plan the use of materials and human resources. Operations managers earned a median annual salary of $100,780 in 2019.2
- Compensation and benefits manager: Coordinate and supervise an organization’s pay and benefits programs. Monitor competitive wage rates and ensure programs align with laws and regulations. Compensation and benefits managers earned a median salary of $122,270 in 2019.2
- Industrial production managers: Oversee daily operations of manufacturing and related plants. Decide how to best use resources to meet production goals and ensure production stays on schedule. Production managers earned a median salary of $122,270 in 2019.2
- Training and development manager: Work with organization leaders to identify workforce training needs. Oversee training programs, staff and budgets. Training managers earned a median salary of $113,350 in 2019.2 Jobs in training and development are projected to grow 8% through 2028 – slightly faster than the national average for all occupations.2
- Supply chain manager: Oversee the movement of goods at every stage of the production flow, from purchasing the raw materials to the delivery of the final product. Logisticians, who analyze and coordinate an organization’s supply chain, earned a median salary of $74,750 in 2019.2 These jobs are projected to grow 5% through 2028.2
If you want to start a new career in leadership, an organizational leadership degree online can help. Already a leader? You can apply your coursework to grow in your current position.
An organizational leadership degree helped Matthew Seawright '19 make a major career shift. After working in banking for a decade, Seawright took a job managing a high-end retail store. But he didn't feel prepared for the leadership challenges he faced in the new role.
After Seawright lost his manager job during a layoff, he decided it was time to finish his college degree. He earned an organizational leadership degree online and learned the skills he needed to succeed in a leadership role. Today, Seawright oversees more than 50 employees in a Fortune 100 company's online retail warehousing facility.
With the diverse business skills gained in the organizational leadership degree, Seawright knows his future is wide open. One day, he hopes to apply these skills toward founding his own human resources consulting company.
“By going back to school, it put me in the know and on a level playing field with my peers,” he said. “It taught more about the business world, especially today’s business world.”
Journey to an Organizational Leadership Degree
Want to watch Seawright's journey to earning his organizational leadership degree? Check out the video to learn how completing an online bachelor’s degree changed Seawright's life and inspired him to be “not only a game-changer, but a world-changer.”
Start Your Journey Toward an Online Organization Leadership Degree Concentration
Why SNHU For Your Organizational Leadership Degree Concentration
Flexible
With no set class meeting times, you can learn on your schedule and access online course materials 24/7.
Affordable
Take advantage of some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation, plus financial aid for those who qualify. We also make it easy to transfer to SNHU by accepting up to 90 credits for a bachelor's degree from your previous institution.
Respected
Founded in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution with over 100,000 graduates across the country. SNHU is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), which advocates for institutional improvement and public assurance of quality.
Recently, SNHU has been nationally recognized for leading the way toward more innovative, affordable and achievable education:
- “Most Innovative” regional university honors from U.S. News & World Report each year since 2015
- A $1 million grant from Google.org to explore soft skills assessments for high-need youth
- Recognition as a 2017 Digital Learning Innovator by the Online Learning Consortium
Network
At Southern New Hampshire University, you'll have access to a powerful network of more than 200,000 students, alumni and staff that can help support you long after graduation. Our instructors offer relevant, real-world expertise to help you understand and navigate the field. Plus, with our growing, nationwide alumni network, you'll have the potential to tap into a number of internship and career opportunities.
Opportunities
Online business clubs and professional organizations for students offer valuable hands-on learning opportunities - virtually.
96.5% of students would recommend SNHU.3 Discover why SNHU may be right for you.
Admission Requirements
Part of our mission to expand access to quality higher education means removing the barriers that may stand between you and your degree. That’s why you can apply at any time and get a decision within days of submitting all required materials.
Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our 6 (8-week) undergraduate terms.
How to Apply
Simply work with an admission counselor, who can help you explore financial options, answer all your questions and walk you through the application process. Start by:
- Completing a free undergraduate application
- Providing previous institutions attended – so we can retrieve transcripts for you at no cost
- Test scores are not required as part of your application.
Courses & Curriculum
SNHU’s organizational leadership degree concentration provides effective leadership techniques you can use to guide a team toward achieving organizational objectives.
The online business degree starts with a foundation in business administration. You'll also take general education courses designed to teach critical thinking and communication. Your degree explores topics like:
- Accounting
- Business law
- Business systems analysis
- Finance
- Human relations
- Marketing
- Operations management
- Strategic management
Core business learning is supplemented with organizational leadership courses online. Hands-on learning throughout the degree can help you apply your coursework in the real world.
“The [organizational leadership] concentration in business administration provides opportunity to enhance leadership skills and recommend solutions related to achieving organizational goals, developing individuals and teams, change management and supporting quality initiatives,” said Dr. Linda Ellington, faculty lead for organizational leadership at SNHU.
Your organizational leadership courses can help you gain a global perspective. You'll explore organizational structure, group dynamics and other management theories that impact leadership roles.
You'll also develop an understanding of management, planning and decision-making in organizations. You'll learn how change management is used to boost productivity, manage conflicts and grow an organization in today’s evolving business world.
Leadership courses online also examine the role of leaders within an organization. You'll dig deeper into the leadership development process, and explore leadership styles and theories and add new leadership skills to your management toolbox.
Hands-on learning opportunities are important parts of the online leadership degree program. Simulations and team exercises help you apply your coursework to real world situations.
Internships are not required but can provide valuable hands-on learning experience and help you develop important career skills. These skills include:
- Analysis: Gather and review organizational data to set strategic goals. Lead individuals toward that goal and monitor an initiative’s progress.
- Communication: Effectively share ideas within an organization, department or leadership team. Target your message to a variety of audiences.
- Critical thinking: Evaluate problems objectively. Apply ethical, legal and socially responsible practices to make strategic decisions.
- Problem solving: Connect classroom learning and practical experience to solve real-world leadership problems.
As an online student, you’ll also have access to a variety of virtual learning help. These include online tutoring and writing services. Online business clubs and professional groups are also available. These can help you make connections and start building your network.
You’ll also benefit from a full range of career services – even after you graduate. Services include networking opportunities with our vast alumni network, resume and cover letter review and mock interviews.
If you’ve already completed some college coursework, you may be able to graduate with your organizational leadership degree sooner. SNHU's generous transfer policy allows students to transfer a maximum of 90 credits toward an undergraduate degree. With a maximum transfer load, you could graduate in as few as 5 terms, or 10 courses.
Want to continue your management training after graduating? A master’s degree in organizational leadership could be a good fit.
SNHU's Master of Science in Organizational Leadership can help you apply business values to improve organizational performance. You can learn how to evaluate business and societal trends. And you'll also explore how to establish an ethical and socially responsible work environment.
Our Master of Business Administration in Leadership program can also advance a management career. You can develop the business and management skills needed to lead organizational change in a complex business landscape.
Curriculum Requirements & Resources
- Business core: Revised for fall 2020, our undergraduate business programs contain 10 cutting-edge business courses. These core courses are designed to help prepare you for success wherever you go.
- General education courses: All online bachelor's degree students are required to take general education classes, if not obtained in prior coursework. Through these foundation, exploration and integration courses, students learn to think critically, creatively and collaboratively, giving you the edge employers are looking for.
- Technology resources: We provide cloud-based virtual environments in some courses to give you access to the technology you need for your degree – and your career. Learn more about our virtual environments.
- Earn math credits for what you already know: Save time and tuition with our Pathways to Math Success assessments. Depending on your scores, you could earn up to 12 math credits – the equivalent of 4 courses – toward your degree for less than $50 per assessment.
View Full Curriculum in the Catalog |
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BS in Business Administration - Organizational Leadership |
Courses May Include | ||
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BS in Business Administration Organizational Leadership Online | ||
BUS 307 | Business Law II | The study begun in Business Law I continues as the topics of commercial paper, real and personal property, creditors' rights and bankruptcy, agency, business organizations, estate planning and government regulation of business are explored. |
OL 215 | Principles of Management | This course is designed to examine the fundamentals and principles of management in order to develop an understanding of management in any formal organization. Special attention is paid to planning and decision-making. International management is also covered. Writing Intensive Course. |
OL 322 | Managing Organizational Change | This course focuses on the effective management of human resources during the process of change. It emphasizes change management as a tool for survival, growth, increased productivity and conflict management in the complex and volatile business environment of today and the future. Change in an international environment also is discussed. Team intensive course. |
OL 328 | Leadership | This course examines leadership as an inter-personal and intra-organizational phenomenon with an emphasis on student leadership development. It includes leadership assessment, leadership development, the leadership process, the contagious nature of leadership, leadership and productivity, motivation, and effective leadership styles and theories. An international perspective is included. Current readings, research, simulations and exercises are used. Team intensive course. |
Total Credits: 120 |
Tuition & Fees
Tuition rates for SNHU's online degree programs are among the lowest in the nation. We offer financial aid packages to those who qualify, plus a 30% tuition discount for U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty.
Online Undergraduate Programs | Per Course | Per Credit Hour | Annual Cost for 30 credits |
---|---|---|---|
Degree/Certificates | $960 | $320 | $9,600 |
Degree/Certificates (U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty) |
$675 | $225 | $6,750 |
Tuition Rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.
Additional Costs
No Application Fee, $150 Graduation Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is organizational leadership?
Organizational leadership is a management approach. In this approach, leaders set strategic goals for an organization and work with individuals to carry out assignments that work toward those goals.
With a career in organizational leadership, you’ll do more than lead the day-to-day operations of a team or department. You can act as a change-agent to help influence the future of an organization.
Organizational leadership combines an understanding of the business world with an understanding of people. You'll learn how to motivate people to work toward a common goal.
“You have to be people-oriented,” said Dr. Lowell (Chris) Matthews, associate professor of organizational leadership at SNHU. “Organizational leadership is about leading and managing individuals toward achieving a strategic organizational goal. So, an OL is a change-agent, someone who sees the big picture but also understands the processes or steps to making change happen.”
The business landscape is shifting rapidly. Organizations are looking for leaders who can help them respond to industry and workforce changes. With a job in organizational leadership, you could find work across many fields. These fields include corporate environments, nonprofit organizations and government agencies.
What is an organizational leadership degree?
An organizational leadership degree offers a unique combination of business knowledge and management skills. It can help you prepare to lead an organization through a changing business landscape.
“If your goal is to influence people and impact the organization at the highest level possible, then you want to learn about organizational leadership,” said Deborah Gogliettino, faculty lead for human resources at SNHU.
At SNHU, organizational leadership is a concentration of the business administration bachelor’s degree. It offers a foundation of general education and business courses. This learning is supplemented by management and leadership classes online.
Core business courses explore topics, including:
- Accounting
- Business law
- Finance
- Marketing
- Human relations
- Strategic management
- Operations management
General education courses can help you develop key career skills. These include critical thinking, problem solving, analysis and communication.
Organizational leadership courses online will explore leadership skills, group dynamics, organizational structure, change management and more. You'll learn how to think strategically, identify future innovations and opportunities and develop leadership potential in others.
Is a degree in organizational leadership worth it?
If you dream of making a significant impact on the future of an organization, this degree could be a great fit for you. You can apply your management skills to help groups of people work toward a common goal.
Your leadership skills can be applied to a wide variety of jobs. And these skills are in high demand across many industries.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs for management occupations are projected to grow 7% between 2018 and 2028.2
Training and development managers, who play a key role in the growth and retention of an organization’s workforce, will see 8% job growth over the same time period.2 Administrative services managers, who oversee the overall function and success of a department or organization, are projected to see 7% job growth by 2028.2
How much do organizational leadership majors make?
Organizational leadership jobs are available across many industries. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, management occupations saw a median salary of $105,660 in May 2019.2 Depending on your specific role, salary potential can vary.2
In 2019, for example, marketing managers earned a median salary of $136,850 and public relations managers earned a median salary of $116,180.2 That same year, human resources managers earned a median salary of $116,720 and training and development managers earned a median salary of $113,350.2 Operations managers earned a median annual salary of $100,780 and administrative services managers earned a median salary of $96,940 in 2019.2
Salaries can also depend on your education and experience. Many organizational leadership jobs require only a bachelor of science in organizational leadership or a related field. But some top leadership positions may require a master’s degree.
An organizational leadership master’s degree could bring more career opportunities and higher pay. In 2019, workers with master’s degrees earned 20% more than workers with bachelor’s degrees.2
At SNHU, there are two graduate level leadership degree options that can help advance a management career and boost earning potential.
The Master of Science in Organizational Leadership can help you evaluate business values and societal trends to improve organizational performance. Our Master of Business Administration in Leadership program can help you develop the business and management skills needed to lead organizational change in an evolving business landscape.
What can you do with a degree in leadership?
A leadership degree is a versatile credential. It can be applied to just about any field. The business landscape continues to evolve. And companies across many industries are looking for leaders with experience in organizational change management.
Organizational leaders are in high demand across many industries, including:
- Public and private sectors
- For-profit and not-for-profit realms
- Centralized and decentralized institutions
- New startups and global conglomerates
An organizational leadership bachelor's degree offers a unique combination of business and leadership skills. With these skills, you can work in many management positions.
Jobs could include:
- Administrative services manager
- Advertising, promotions and marketing manager
- Compensation and benefits manager
- Financial manager
- Human resources manager
- Industrial production manager
- Operations and supply chain manager
- Public relations and fundraising manager
- Training and development manager
- General and operations manager
No matter what your interests, you can use your leadership skills to help move a team of people or an entire organization forward toward a common goal.
University Accreditation
Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) as well as several other accrediting bodies.
Related Articles
References
Sources & Citations (1, 2, 3)
1 Inc., 8 Ways the Workforce Will Change in 2020, on the internet, at: https://www.inc.com/young-entrepreneur-council/8-ways-workforce-will-change-in-2020-according-to-business-leaders.html (viewed June 8, 2020)
2Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at:
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/ (viewed June 8, 2020)
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/sales-managers.htm (viewed June 17, 2020)
- https://www.bls.gov/OOH/management/advertising-promotions-and-marketing-managers.htm (viewed June 17, 2020)
- https://www.bls.gov/OOH/management/public-relations-managers.htm (viewed June 17, 2020)
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/financial-managers.htm (viewed June 17, 2020)
- https://www.bls.gov/OOH/management/human-resources-managers.htm (viewed June 17, 2020)
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/administrative-services-managers.htm (viewed June 8, 2020)
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/training-and-development-managers.htm (viewed June 8, 2020)
- https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes111021.htm (viewed June 17, 2020)
- https://www.bls.gov/OOH/management/compensation-and-benefits-managers.htm (viewed June 17, 2020)
- https://www.bls.gov/OOH/management/industrial-production-managers.htm (viewed June 17, 2020)
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/training-and-development-managers.htm (viewed June 17, 2020)
- https://www.bls.gov/OOH/business-and-financial/logisticians.htm#:~:text=Job%20Outlook,goods%20in%20a%20global%20economy. (viewed June 17, 2020)
- https://www.bls.gov/emp/chart-unemployment-earnings-education.htm (viewed June 17, 2020)
Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
3According to more than 9,200 SNHU online students in survey responses from the fall of 2019.