What Is a Master’s in Organizational Leadership Degree?
Warner Pacific University’s Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership (MAOL) degree is geared toward working adults with a few years of business experience who are ready to rise into management or executive roles.
Available in an online and a hybrid format, the flexible master’s in organizational leadership degree program offers a unique blend of collaborative education and real-world learning to support your success in the workplace, all while preparing you with the skills you need to become an effective negotiator, problem-solver, and communicator in your current role as well as in future roles.
Offered through WPU’s Professional and Graduate Studies (PGS) division, the MAOL degree program is designed to meet the unique needs of today’s adult learners, many of whom are balancing work and family responsibilities. If you’re seeking a space to realize your full potential in business without disrupting your life, we invite you to join us at WPU.
What Do the Master’s in Organizational Leadership Online and Hybrid Formats Entail?
With rolling monthly start dates throughout the year, the MAOL degree program allows students to earn their master’s in organizational leadership online, through an asynchronous learning experience, or in a hybrid flexible (HyFlex) learning model, with one synchronous class per course that can be attended in person or remotely.
The MAOL degree program allows you to build your skill set incrementally, with just one accelerated course every six weeks. Our faculty members work in the field themselves and often incorporate their experiences into their lessons.
When working online, students can access weekly assignments, lectures, and forum discussions that allow them to connect with classmates and receive personalized attention from instructors. All in-person class sessions for this organizational leadership degree are held at WPU’s Mt. Tabor campus in southeast Portland.
What Can You Do With an MAOL Degree?
The MA in Organizational Leadership degree program takes a holistic approach to developing your own unique leadership style, teaching established models and best practices while examining the behavioral, cognitive, strategic, spiritual, and interpersonal aspects of leadership theories. Students will graduate with skills to support their career advancement, including effective communication, decision-making, team building, and emotional intelligence competencies.
Upon successful completion of the MAOL degree program, WPU graduates demonstrate:
- Executive-level skills needed to manage employees, business processes, projects, and initiatives
- An in-depth understanding of today’s global business environment, including expertise in leadership trends and current issues
- A firm grasp of practical applications for business theories, including proficiency in organizational dynamics in relation to business systems, cultures, and environments
- Ethical perspectives and personal integrity within the context of Christian moral principles
Master’s in Organizational Leadership Careers
Organizational leaders are in high demand across a range of environments, including at government agencies, small businesses, nonprofit organizations, schools, and large corporations. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), overall employment in management occupations is projected to grow faster than average from 2023 to 2033, with about 1.2 million openings projected each year.
Take a look at some common roles and responsibilities for organizational leadership graduates:
Community Service Manager
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Healthcare Manager
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Human Resources Manager
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Management Consultant
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MA in Organizational Leadership Salary
An organizational leadership degree program can help you develop next-level leadership skills that can prepare you to increase your impact in your current role, pursue a promotion in your organization, or transition to an executive or management role in another company.
Here are the median annual salaries for some common management roles as of May 2024, according to the BLS:
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Administrative Services and Facility Manager $106,880 |
Advertising, Promotions, or Marketing Manager
$159,660 |
Compensation and Benefits Manager
$140,360 |
| Human Resources Manager
$140,030 |
Medical and Health Services Manager
$117,960 |
Public Relations and Fundraising Manager $132,870 |
Master’s in Organizational Leadership Online Program Curriculum
The MA in Organizational Leadership curriculum provides a traditional management foundation while exploring topics in the social and behavioral sciences, leadership behaviors, and the role of technology in the workplace.
Course Requirements (36 Credits)
The MAOL degree program includes 13 courses for a total of 36 credits. The program culminates in a thesis project that requires students to solve an organizational problem with skills and concepts introduced in the program. Courses are six weeks in length.
- BUS 500A | Foundations for Successful Graduate Studies | 3 credits
- BUS 501A | Leading Diverse, High-Performing Teams | 3 credits
- BUS 502A | Technology Trends in Business Culture | 3 credits
- BUS 505A | Managing Change | 3 credits
- BUS 600A | Business Ethics | 3 credits
- BUS 613A | Research Methods Workshop | 1 credit
- MOL 503A | Financial Environments of Organizations | 3 credits
- MOL 508A | Project Management | 3 credits
- MOL 509A | Social Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Business | 3 credits
- MOL 604A | Legal and Regulatory Environment of Business | 3 credits
- MOL 610A | Coaching, Mentoring, and Conflict Resolution | 3 credits
- MOL 611A | Problem-Solving and Decision-Making | 3 credits
- MOL 612A | Integrated Organizational Leadership Project | 2 credits
Course Credit Transfer Options
Students may transfer credits for up to two courses toward the MA in Organizational Leadership degree, provided the course was taken within the past five years. Students must submit a written request to transfer credits before beginning the program.
The individual student’s schedule and financial aid package will be factored into the approval process for substituted coursework. Students must complete BUS 500A and MOL 612A in residence at Warner Pacific.
All academic work must be completed within six years of a student’s start date.
Admission Requirements for an Online MA in Organizational Leadership
Candidates interested in applying to the MAOL degree program at WPU must:
- Complete an application for admission
- Have earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- Supply all official transcripts from all higher education institutions attended to date
- Have earned a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA for all undergraduate coursework (or, if below a 3.0, write a brief explanation regarding the reasons for the GPA)
- Include a writing sample (no longer than one page) answering the following questions:
- Why do you want to earn an MAOL degree?
- What experiences have you had that led you to this degree?
Learn more about our admissions requirements in our course catalog.
Learn More About the Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership Online Program at WPU
Rooted in the university’s Christian values, the WPU Online master’s in organizational leadership degree program provides a supportive, faith-based learning environment that integrates Christian values into business ethics, preparing you for a lifetime of impact.
Our graduate program partners include the following organizations:
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Ready to make a difference in your organization? For questions about this degree program or the formats, contact PGS Admissions at 800-804-1510 or request additional information online today.
Questions?
Our Business Department faculty would love to hear from you.