10 Fastest Organizational Leadership Degrees

Several colleges across the U.S. offer accelerated programs with short, condensed courses, summer terms, or by accepting transfer or prior learning credits.

Organizational leadership bachelor's degrees provide students with valuable, real-world leadership skills like critical thinking, decision-making, interpersonal communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution. These degrees can lead to career paths in numerous industries, including business, health services, public relations, and more.

Many students want to find an affordable online organizational leadership degree and get started in the field as quickly as they can. It's possible to finish your higher education quickly if you choose the right program. Keep reading to discover some of the fastest organizational leadership programs.

Fastest Organizational Leadership Degree Programs

While accelerated programs don't reduce the number of overall credits you need to take, they do offer ways for students to get through those credits faster. This includes offering short, condensed classes, classes in the summer, and credit for prior learning.

Learn more: What Is an Accelerated Degree Program?

Below, we've listed ten fast-paced online organizational leadership degrees. All programs listed hold regional accreditation.

1. Arizona State University

Arizona State University is a public research university in Tempe, AZ. It offers an online Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership that includes coursework on:

  • communication skills
  • diversity in organizations
  • organizational development
  • project management

ASU allows students to finish their online degrees more quickly by offering accelerated courses, which are seven and a half weeks long, and summer terms. Students are also able to bring in up to 64 transfer credits.

2. Central Michigan University

Central Michigan University is a public research university in Mount Pleasant, MI. It offers a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership online that covers topics like:

  • business administration
  • communication
  • decision-making
  • marketing

CMU not only accepts transfer credits but also offers college credit for military training and other types of prior learning. Courses are flexible, allowing students to complete courses on their own time.

3. Charter Oak State College

Charter Oak State College is a public online college based in New Britain, CT. It offers a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership with an optional concentration in healthcare administration. It covers leadership skills and topics like:

  • human resources management
  • organizational behavior
  • team building
  • training and development

Charter Oak offers six start dates each year, so students can start right when they're ready. It also accepts transfer credits and offers credit for prior learning, including credit for exams, training, credentials, and more.

4. Colorado State University Global

Colorado State University Global is the online campus of the public Colorado State University system. It offers a bachelor's in organizational leadership program that helps students develop competencies in areas such as:

  • conflict resolution
  • leadership theory
  • organizational behavior
  • organizational change

Students can transfer up to 90 credit hours, but CSU Global also offers credit for military experience and other alternative credit options. Students complete the program through fast-paced, eight-week courses.

5. Columbia College

Columbia College is a private, nonprofit college based in Columbia, MO. It offers a bachelor's online program in organizational leadership that covers topics like:

  • conflict management
  • effective communication
  • leadership theory
  • operations management

The online campus of Columbia College offers accelerated eight-week courses across six terms each year. Additionally, the college accepts transfer credits and offers credit for military and work experience.

6. Maryville University

Maryville University is a private research university near St. Louis, MO. It offers an online organizational leadership bachelor's degree with coursework on:

  • conflict management
  • human resource management
  • organizational behavior
  • organizational change

This program offers flexible online courses with start dates in the fall, spring, and summer. Students can use transfer credits or get college credit for exams and military experience.

7. National University

National University is a private, nonprofit university in San Diego. It offers a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership online that covers topics like:

  • conflict resolution
  • decision making
  • leadership theory
  • team building

National University is very military-friendly and offers credit for military learning and experience; it also allows students to bring in transfer credits. Courses at the university are offered in an accelerated four-week format and have multiple start dates each year.

8. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit university in Manchester, NH. It offers a Bachelor of Science in business administration with a concentration in organizational leadership online. Coursework focuses on:

  • effective leadership
  • leadership theory
  • organizational change
  • quality management

Courses at SNHU are offered through eight-week terms and multiple start dates are available each year. Students can transfer up to 90 college credits.

9. UMass Global

UMass Global is a private, nonprofit, online affiliate of the public University of Massachusetts system. It offers an online Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership that covers topics like:

  • effective communication
  • leadership skills
  • organizational behavior
  • team building

UMass Global develops its programs for working adults, so programs are flexible and offered multiple times a year. Additionally, students can transfer in credits or get credit for military experience and other types of prior learning.

10. University of West Georgia

The University of West Georgia is a public university in Carrollton, GA. It offers a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership online that includes coursework on:

  • financial management
  • organizational development
  • project management
  • public administration

UWG accepts up to 90 transfer credits. It also offers multiple ways for students to earn college credit for prior learning, including credit for exams and credit by portfolio.

How Fast Can I Earn My Organizational Leadership Degree?

On average, it takes four years for a student to earn a bachelor's degree. However, the amount of time it takes you to earn your degree depends on several factors, including:

  • whether you're doing on-campus or online learning
  • the number of credits you already have
  • whether you study full-time or part-time
  • how many terms your school offers each year
  • what level of degree you're earning (a master's in organizational leadership takes less time than a bachelor's)

With the right program and strategic planning, you may be able to finish your degree in organizational leadership faster than four years.

How To Earn Your Organizational Leadership Degree Quickly

While your organizational leadership degree will still require the same number of credits, even if it's accelerated, there are ways that programs allow students to complete a program faster, including:

  • Accelerated degree path: Accelerated degree paths offer faster courses and often include summer courses as well. While you'll still take the same number of college credits, you'll finish the degree faster.
  • Transfer credit policies: Most colleges and universities accept transfer credits from regionally accredited institutions. This allows you to utilize the credits you've already earned, reducing the amount left in your program. If you've already earned an associate degree, you'll be pursuing a bachelor's degree completion program, meaning you'll focus specifically on core major courses and electives.
  • Prior learning assessments (PLA): Prior learning assessments are exams that gauge how much you know about a topic. If you test well, you can earn credit for that topic and bypass the course.
  • Intensive study options: Intensive study options are short, intense courses. These can often have a heavier workload but allow you to take multiple short courses each term.
  • Summer classes: Most students take courses in the fall and spring, then take summers off. By taking courses in the summer, you can reduce the time it takes to earn your degree.

Earn Your Online Bachelor's Degree Today

If you're ready to earn your degree and jump into leadership roles, check out the accredited online schools featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools today to learn more about admissions requirements, enrollment, financial aid, and more.