Is an Organizational Leadership Degree Right for Me?

Organizational leadership degrees can be right for people who want to gain leadership and managerial skills for their careers. Roles in organizational leadership generally involve directing, motivating, and guiding people. These degrees can help individuals with management experience to move into higher positions.

Undergraduate and graduate organizational leadership programs help to prepare students for entry-level or advanced leadership positions. If you like mentoring and coaching others, an organizational leadership degree could be helpful for your career.

What Is an Organizational Leadership Degree?

An organizational leadership degree is a credential that is often necessary for becoming an effective leader in organizational development and organizational change. It is a type of business degree that prepares you for real-world situations in leadership roles.

Organizational leadership degrees may be in the form of a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Business Administration, and or a Bachelor of Science degree. There are also programs to earn a master's degree or doctoral degree in organizational leadership. It is important to choose a program based on your educational and professional experiences.

What To Expect From an Organizational Leadership Degree

Students can expect to obtain leadership skills and management skills from a bachelor's degree program in organizational leadership and to prepare for leadership positions. Examples of courses in an online bachelor's organizational leadership degree program include:

• introduction to organizational leadership
• organizational behavior
• organizational ethics
• industrial and organizational psychology

Organizational leadership programs help students develop communication, critical thinking, and management skills. They may also discover leadership styles that promote personal growth and team building.

Internship opportunities give students professional, hands-on experience in organizational leadership and the chance to speak with professional leaders. Gaining practical experience is essential for transferring educational instruction into professional duties.

Organizational leadership graduates can expect to meet the educational requirements for professional employment and educational advancement. Graduates can also demonstrate the ability to fulfill missions and goals related to business success.

Common Organizational Leadership Degree Programs

Bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs are available in organizational leadership. There are also degree programs closely related to an organizational leadership degree program. Common majors for organizational leadership include:

• business administration
• business management
• human resource management

Closely related programs typically offer a concentration option in organizational leadership that allows students to focus their coursework on leadership studies.

How To Decide if an Organizational Leadership Degree Is Right for You

Decide if an organizational leadership degree is right for you by determining your career and life goals, examining your skill set, and considering your financial situation.

Determine Your Career and Life Goals

An organizational leadership degree may suit you if your career goals align with leading a corporation or nonprofit organization. Organizational leadership degrees are beneficial for owning, developing, and leading a business.

Examine Your Skill Set

Individuals interested in an organizational leadership degree should have an organic passion for motivating, inspiring, and encouraging others. Prospective organizational leadership students may have interpersonal skills and a niche for decision-making.

Consider Your Financial Situation

Considering your financial situation is important when deciding if an organizational leadership degree is right for you. Accredited institutions make it possible to earn a degree by offering tuition savings.

There are federal and state financial aid options as well as internal and external scholarship opportunities for financial savings. Other tuition assistance opportunities include:

• employer tuition reimbursement program
• tuition discounts
• tuition waivers

Speak With Professionals in Organizational Leadership

Speak with organizational leaders to gain a better understanding of working in organizational leadership. Opportunities to speak with a working professional in organizational leadership are available through:

• internships
• seminars
• family or friends in organizational leadership
• professors

FAQs About Organizational Leadership Degrees

The FAQs below provide more information about the time it takes to complete a program, career paths, and career advancement for organizational leadership degrees.

How Long Does it Take To Complete an Organizational Leadership Degree?

It takes four years to complete an undergraduate organizational leadership program based on full-time enrollment with no college background. Transfer credits and the learning format of a program may help a student complete an organizational degree faster.

Is an Organizational Leadership Degree Worth It?

Yes, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a projected increase in employment for leadership roles in upcoming years. An organizational leadership degree is worth it for personal and professional reasons. The benefits of an organizational leadership degree can include:

• skills in problem-solving, communication, and delegation
• promising career outlook and salary expectations
• personal improvement

What Are the Possible Career Paths for Organizational Leadership?

Lots of career paths are available for students who earn an undergraduate organizational leadership degree. Organizational leadership degrees are ideal for becoming:

• training and development managers
• project managers
• healthcare managers

Other possible career paths involve leadership roles in social work, human resources, and sales.

Would a Master's Degree in Organizational Leadership Advance My Career?

Graduate degrees in organizational leadership demonstrate that a candidate qualifies for advanced leadership positions. Students gain advanced skills in conflict resolution, strategic planning, budgeting, and more in a master's program.