10 Best Organizational Leadership Colleges in the U.S.
Many colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in organizational leadership, which teach valuable management skills and organizational concepts.
Organizational leadership degrees prepare students for leadership roles within a variety of organizational settings and fields. These degrees cover the foundations of business organization and leadership theory and also help students develop key management skills.
Typically, colleges offer organizational leadership bachelor's degrees or master's degrees. Keep reading to discover some of the best colleges for organizational leadership in the U.S.
Best Colleges for Organizational Leadership in the U.S.
Several colleges and universities across the United States offer bachelor's degrees in organizational leadership. Most of these programs are on campus, but a few are online. We've listed our top picks for organizational leadership colleges for undergraduate students below.
1. Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university in Tempe, AZ. It offers a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Science in organizational leadership.
Students in these programs develop the skills and knowledge that leaders need in order to solve problems, communicate effectively, assess programs, manage resources, and use emerging technologies in organizations. Both programs are available in person and online.
2. Charter Oak State College
Charter Oak State College is a public online college out of New Britain, CT. It offers a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in organizational leadership that helps students learn effective leadership skills.
The BS degree offers a concentration in healthcare administration, while the master's degree offers concentrations in business leadership and nonprofit leadership. Students can also opt for the accelerated bachelor's-to-master's degree program if they are interested in earning both.
3. National University
National University is a private university in San Diego, CA. It offers in-person and affordable online organizational leadership degrees at the associate, bachelor's, and master's level.
The bachelor's program lays the foundation in topics like team building, organizational change, conflict resolution, and diversity in a multicultural society. The master's program offers multiple concentrations, including human resources management, nonprofit management, and project management.
4. Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania State University is a public research university based in University Park, PA. It offers an on-campus bachelor's in project management as well as an online program through its World Campus.
Both programs help students develop management skills like:
- conflict resolution
- decision-making
- problem-solving
- strategic planning
While there is not a master's degree specifically in organizational leadership, Penn State does offer an in-person and online master's in organization development and change.
5. Southern New Hampshire University
Southern New Hampshire University is a private university in Manchester, NH. It offers an online Bachelor of Science in business administration with a concentration in organizational leadership.
This specialization covers concepts such as:
- communication techniques
- data-based decision-making
- leadership theory
- organizational management
6. University of Charleston
The University of Charleston is a private university in Charleston, WV. It offers a bachelor's in organizational leadership that can be done as a completely online program or as a hybrid program, with some on-campus and some online courses.
The program prepares students for leadership roles by training them to inspire teams, drive change, and foster a culture of continuous improvement within diverse professional settings. While there is no master's program in organizational leadership at the university, it does offer a doctoral degree in executive leadership.
7. University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a public research university in Cincinnati, OH. It offers a Bachelor of Arts in organizational leadership that focuses on understanding theoretical and practical approaches to leadership.
The program includes courses on organizational behavior, organizational development, and organizational assessment. Students conclude the program by completing a capstone project.
8. University of Miami
The University of Miami is a private research university in Coral Gables, FL. It offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in organizational leadership.
This program provides students with an understanding of the skills necessary to motivate, influence, and work effectively with others in organizational settings through coursework and hands-on experiences. A master's degree in leadership is also available.
9. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university in Chapel Hill, NC. It offers a Bachelor of Arts in human and organizational leadership development.
In the program, students will focus on developing leadership skills for educational and nonprofit settings. The curriculum includes electives so you can tailor the program to your career goals, as well as a capstone project to conclude the program.
10. University of Wisconsin�Green Bay
The University of Wisconsin�Green Bay is a public university in Green Bay, WI. It offers a flexible online bachelor's degree in organizational leadership.
The program offers nine specializations in areas like business administration, emergency management, planning, and administration, and public and nonprofit management. This allows you to choose an option that most aligns with your desired career path.
FAQs About Earning Your Degree in Organizational Leadership
Below, we've answered a few frequently asked questions about earning a degree in organizational leadership.
What Can You Do With an Organizational Leadership Degree?
A degree in organizational leadership can lead to many leadership roles in for-profit, nonprofit, or public organizations. These include:
- health services manager
- human resources manager
- project manager
- training and development manager
Note that some roles may require master's degrees.
What Is the Coursework of an Organizational Leadership Program?
Coursework for organizational leadership programs can vary depending on your school. However, all degrees in organizational leadership are designed to help you develop the core competencies of leadership, including critical-thinking skills, conflict-resolution skills, decision-making skills, and overall management skills.
Usually, you'll have core organizational leadership courses as well as courses for specialization or elective courses. You may also be required to participate in an internship to help you gain real-world experience or complete a capstone project.
Should I Earn My Master's in Organizational Leadership?
While a master's degree in organizational leadership isn't a requirement, some employers prefer to hire candidates with a master's degree. According to U.S. News, master's degrees are usually between 30 to 40 credit hours and take about two years of full-time study to complete, although some take less time.
Find an Organizational Leadership Degree Program Near You
If you're ready to take charge and lead organizations, visit the organizational leadership programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual programs to learn more about the enrollment process, course requirements, and financial aid options.
To find a program near you, see the list of states below: