Master’s in Organizational Leadership Online Master of Science (MS) Degree

Organizational leadership is a management approach in which leaders help set strategic goals for the organization while motivating staff to successfully achieve those goals. Think of organizational leadership as having two fundamental components – the organization and the leader.

What makes an organizational leader different from, say, a department manager?

Organizational leaders understand the business, for one.

Organizational leaders know business and their unique role. Dr. Linda Ellington, an associate dean of SNHU's online business programs, said they need to look ahead and be able to envision the organization’s future. They need to have integrity and ethics. They also need to be able to lead large initiatives.

Deborah Gogliettino, an associate dean at SNHU, believes that organizational leadership is a must for anyone whose goal is to help shape an organization’s future.

That describes Nathalie Ojeda '21G well.

"I have always been passionate about helping others," she said. "I challenge myself to make sure I create a positive change in anything I do or create support for someone else. ... (This program) allows students to focus on creating leaders in today’s world by focusing on communication and growth while teaching how to overcome change and adversity in a fast-paced environment."

Organizational leaders bring a lot to a business. Some of the skills they contribute include:

• Maintaining organizational structure
• Creating clear roles and responsibilities
• Fostering leadership within their teams
• Setting a high bar for performance and promoting organizational best practices
• Using their vision and problem-solving skills to tackle short-term and long-term strategic challenges

Dr. Linda Ellington, an associate dean of SNHU's online business programs, describes the importance of organizational leadership this way: “An OL has the ability to look wider and deeper and to bring an advanced skill set to a company’s decision-making and strategic thinking.”

Deborah Gogliettino, another associate dean at SNHU, points out that organizational leaders can take the form of everything from an HR manager to a small business owner. Essentially, she said, it all boils down to one fundamental question: “Does this job or position help the organization move forward?”

That's all Willie Wingfield '21G wants to do with his career.

"My MS degree has prepared me to understand and drive change in my current role, as well as appreciate the steps necessary to gain support to create momentum for change," he said. "The degree has created opportunities for me to achieve my current role that supports change and talent development."

It’s a great degree! It’s not only practical and versatile, but it also builds a skill set every organization needs.

"The organizational leadership focus has greatly benefited my role as a leader in the field of behavioral health, therapy and education," said Chase Thomas '21G. "Also, one of my goals long term is to have my own business, so this program has helped me with that."

As organizations in every industry try to navigate turbulent times, the need for effective leaders at every level continues to grow. Experts in organizational leadership can play a pivotal role in managing change. They can also help implement internal leadership development programs. The skills and insights you’ll acquire through the master’s in leadership will help you take on these critical roles.

“We live in a world that is constantly changing," said Jeff Warner, SNHU adjunct faculty member and organizational leadership instructor. "My advice to students is to be curious, listen, observe, keep an open mind and never stop loving to learn something new."

Those are just a few of the hallmarks of great leaders that the master’s in organizational leadership helps cultivate.

The MBA and the MS Organizational Leadership are both great degrees, and which one is better depends on your goals.

The MBA offers a holistic business degree. If you want to sharpen your acumen in areas like business analytics, finance, marketing, operations or entrepreneurship, the MBA is a good choice.

On the other hand, the master's in organizational leadership focuses on strategic organizational leadership practices. You'll explore topics like human behavior, change management and responsible corporate leadership, all while developing your skills in communication, problem-solving and management. That said, if you're looking to build your leadership skills in order to manage a team, department or even an entire organization, the MS Organizational Leadership might be a better choice for you.

Learn more about the advantages of an online master's in organizational leadership.

Definitely! The master’s in leadership is a highly versatile degree. It’s also adaptable to your specific areas of interest, whether that’s in human resources, nonprofit administration or another specialty.

What’s more, demand for strong, effective leadership remains steady across every industry, especially for those with a master’s degree. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 6% job growth for training and development managers through 2032, with a median annual salary of $125,040 in 2023.¹ Similarly, BLS projects 5% growth for human resources managers, with a median wage of $136,350 in 2023.¹

Deborah Gogliettino, an associate dean at SNHU, believes skilled organizational leaders will always be in demand. “Organizations will always embrace someone who can bring a vision, especially one of growth and sustainability," she said.

Melissa Tilton '14 '21G knows earning her OL degree was worth it.

"The program has me looking at things differently, critically thinking about actions I take before I take them, and also giving me the confidence to do things differently," she said. "As a leader, I know I have more tools in my toolbox to support my team… I can do better for them because of my SNHU education."

Organizational leaders are HR professionals, educators, technologists, leaders in industries such as health care and manufacturing — the list goes on and on.

"What is great about the MS in Organizational Leadership program is its versatility," said Dr. Christina Dumeng, associate dean at Southern New Hampshire University. "For example, whether you want to be in a leadership position, are new to leadership or have extensive leadership experience, this program is designed to serve all levels of one’s profession."

Whether you work in healthcare, technology, education, construction, manufacturing, retail or any other industry, organizational leaders are vital to an organization’s performance. These are just a few of an organizational leader’s main responsibilities:

• Plan, direct and coordinate critical organizational functions and staff
• Develop and oversee essential programs and teams
• Review and recommend programs from outside vendors
• Train or consult with other managers, specialists and support staff
• Align programs with the organization’s strategic goals

Debra Crombie '21G said the knowledge she gained in her courses helped her take a leap in her career.

"During the pandemic, my role as VP of Talent Development was eliminated," she said. "Because of my degree, I had the confidence to start my own training company and used the tools I learned in my Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management class to write a business plan to get that ball rolling."

The master’s in organizational leadership prepares you for a wide variety of roles, including:

• Operations manager
• Human resources manager
• Training and development manager
• Consultant

If you’re looking to move up to a management role, this degree can help build a valuable set of skills and knowledge. The same goes for mid-management employees seeking to advance to senior leadership levels.

Read more: 10 Qualities of a Good Leader