10 Online Organizational Leadership Courses & Certificate Programs

Organizational leadership bachelor's degree programs prepare students to become effective leaders. However, you can also open the door to various career opportunities by taking a course or earning a certificate in organizational leadership.

Many colleges, universities, and learning platforms offer organizational leadership certificate programs. Keep reading to discover some of the top online organizational leadership courses and certificates.

What Is Organizational Leadership?

Organizational leadership refers to those in leadership roles within corporations, government agencies, or nonprofit organizations. An organizational leadership program teaches the core foundations of effective leadership, organizational behavior, and organizational development.

These programs also teach soft and interpersonal skills like:

• conflict resolution
• critical thinking
• decision-making
• problem-solving

Some students choose to earn a degree in a career path like business or healthcare, and then pursue further study in organizational leadership. This can be done through degree programs, but also through online courses or certificate programs.

Top Online Courses for Organizational Leadership

There are several online courses in organizational leadership available to students, which are similar to classes taught in an organizational leadership curriculum. Some cover an overview of organizational leadership, while others focus on a specific aspect of organizational leadership or becoming an effective leader within a specific industry. We've listed some top online courses for organizational leadership below.

Best Practices for Project Management Success

Through the online learning platform edX, the Rochester Institute of Technology offers the Best Practices for Project Management Success online course. It covers topics like:

• organizational behavior
• portfolio management
• Six Sigma
• strategic project management

This program is completely self-paced and takes an average of 11 weeks to finish. The course is free to audit and a paid upgrade is available.

Introduction to Organizational Leadership

Harvard University offers the Introduction to Organizational Leadership through its Harvard Business School Online. This course includes seven modules that help students elevate their leadership skills.

While the format is self-paced, it still includes regular deadlines. The course is seven weeks long, and you'll receive a Certificate of Completion from HBS online when you finish.

Leadership & Organization Design

Illinois Tech offers the Leadership & Organization Design course through Coursera, an online learning platform. It includes eight models that cover topics like:

• change management
• conflict resolution
• decision-making processes
• understanding your workforce

The program is self-paced, and most students take about 112 hours to finish. It's an intermediate-level course, meaning a few years of industry experience is recommended.

Leading Diverse Teams & Organizations

Another option on Coursera is Leading Diverse Teams & Organizations, offered through the University of Michigan. It's a beginner-level course with four modules:

• Diversity and Our Mindset
• Personal Diverseity Challenges
• Organization Equity
• Team Inclusion

The program is self-paced, with most students finishing within 22 hours. Students can enroll for free or upgrade to the paid version, and financial aid is available.

Leadership for Contemporary Organizations

The University of Canterbury offers the Leadership for Contemporary Organizations course online through edX. This course highlights the complexity of leadership processes and shows that leader effectiveness is best understood by considering workplace dynamics and the organization's external environment.

The self-paced program takes about six weeks to finish. It's recommended that students have some background in management, psychology, or human resources.

Top Online Certificates for Organizational Leadership

Organizational leadership certificates usually offer two to four courses within the program. This can be a great way to develop leadership skills without completing a full degree program. Below, we've listed some top online certificates for organizational leadership.

Arizona State University

Arizona State University is a public research university in Tempe, AZ. It offers an online graduate certificate in organizational leadership with coursework that covers topics like:

• emotional intelligence
• leadership theory
• conflict management
• training and development

This certificate program requires 15 credit hours and five total courses: two core courses and three electives. Students can transfer credits from this program into the university's Master of Science in organizational leadership degree program, if they choose.

Colorado State University

Colorado State University is a public research university in Fort Collins, CO. It offers an online organizational leadership graduate certificate that business leaders face in almost every industry and how to use strategic planning and problem-solving to meet those challenges.

The program requires nine credits in total and allows students to choose from a list of eleven courses. Students can use their credits towards CSU's Master of Business Administration program.

Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University is a private research university in Baltimore. It offers an online executive certificate in organizational leadership.

This program includes one core course, Foundations of Leadership and Management, and a capstone project. Students also choose one elective course, with topics including project management, strategic leadership, and data visualization.

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a public research university in Dartmouth, MA. It offers an online organizational leadership graduate certificate that covers topics like:

• effective leadership across cultures
• motivational leadership styles
• organizational behavior
• organizational change management

The program requires 12 credits, or four total courses, and takes about a year to finish. Students can transfer credits into UMass Dartmouth's master's degree in business administration.

Villanova University

Villanova University is a private Catholic research university in Villanova, PA. It offers an online certificate in organizational leadership that includes courses in:

• human resource management
• project management
• strategic leadership
• team effectiveness

The program lasts 20-28 weeks depending on the courses you choose. Upon successful completion of the program, students receive a digital badge that they can display on career platforms like LinkedIn or add to their resumes.

Should I Earn My Bachelor's Degree in Organizational Leadership?

Bachelor's degree programs usually require about 120 credit hours and take roughly four years. A bachelor's degree in organizational leadership can help you develop the skills necessary to be an effective leader.

Many organizational leadership academic programs offer specializations, allowing you to tailor your coursework to the industry you want to work in. Other times, students choose to earn their bachelor's degree in that field and then return to school for a certificate or master's degree in organizational leadership.

Admissions Requirements for Graduate Certificate Programs

Admissions requirements for graduate certificate programs can vary, but you'll usually need to fill out an online application, pay the application fee, and send your official transcripts.

Some programs may require you to have a certain GPA or to score a certain amount on exams like the GRE or GMAT. Others may require you to have earned a bachelor's in a specific field, like a business degree or healthcare administration degree.

Start Your Online Program Today

If you're ready to develop your organizational leadership skills, explore the programs featured on Learn.org today. Reach out to individual programs to learn more about things like admissions requirements and financial aid options.