School of: Business
Degree Type: Master's Degree
Format: Hybrid | Online
Student Type: Graduate

Program at a Glance

$910
per credit hour
36
total credits
3.0
undergraduate GPA preferred
99%
of all students receive financial aid

Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership Degree Overview

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.

Students sitting in a classroom on campus.

What Skills Will You Learn in the MAOL Degree Program?

WPU’s 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. 

Our faculty members work in the field themselves and often incorporate their experiences into their lessons. Students will graduate with skills to support their career advancement, including effective communication, decision-making, team building, change management, 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 BLS, overall employment in management occupations is projected to grow at the faster-than-average rate of 6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1.1 million openings projected each year. 

Individuals with an MBA can qualify for roles such as operations manager and project manager. Take a look at some common roles and responsibilities for master’s in organizational leadership graduates:

Community Service Manager

  • Oversee programs benefiting the public, such as education and housing assistance programs
  • Manage budgets, staff, and stakeholders
  • Assess the impact and effectiveness of programs
  • Demonstrate strong interpersonal and organizational skills
 Healthcare Manager

  • Ensure the smooth operation of a medical facility (a hospital, clinic, etc.)
  • Manage budgets, develop policies, and coordinate medical staff responsibilities
  • Focus on delivering high-quality patient care
  • Demonstrate decision-making skills and adaptability in dynamic environments
Human Resources Manager

  • Lead recruitment, employee relations, and training
  • Administer benefits and ensure compliance with labor laws
  • Resolve conflicts and promote a positive workplace culture
  • Demonstrate emotional intelligence and strong conflict resolution skills
 Management Consultant

  • Advise organizations on solving complex challenges
  • Develop and implement growth and efficiency strategies
  • Collaborate with senior leadership to drive innovation
  • Focus on improving overall organizational performance

Master of Arts 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.

Students in the MAOL degree program complete a total of 36 credits, 30 of which must be completed at WPU. 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.

Course Requirements (36 Credits)

  • 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 (Thesis) | 2 credits

Students who need more time to complete their final project may request one additional six-week extension from their MOL 612A instructor. The extension request must be approved before MOL 612A ends. Appropriate fees apply.

All academic work in the MAOL program must be completed within six years of a student’s start date.

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.

Insight From a WPU Graduate
Kathy Nguyen, WPU Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership graduate. “This program has expanded my confidence to think critically and be resourceful with materials that I am learning as it relates to today’s trends in business and the workplace. …

“Through Dr. Ulf Spears, I learned quality skills that prepared me for my future, and most importantly, for accomplishing the goals that I set for myself. Dr. Spears graciously set me up for success and had a job lined up for me immediately after graduation.” 

—Kathy Nguyen, Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership graduate

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership take?

By taking advantage of flexible online coursework with start dates every six weeks, WPU students can typically finish the master’s in organizational leadership program in less than two years (roughly 18 months).

What do the master’s in organizational leadership online and hybrid formats entail?

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. 

With flexible rolling 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. 

When working online, students can access weekly assignments, lectures, and forum discussions that allow them to connect with their classmates and receive personalized attention from their instructors. All in-person class sessions for this organizational leadership program are held at WPU’s Mt. Tabor campus in southeast Portland.

What are the admissions requirements for this program?

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?

WPU offers open enrollment and flexible rolling start dates for its graduate business programs.

Learn more about our admissions requirements and start dates in our course catalog.

What are the tuition and financial aid details for this program?

WPU strives to provide students with a valuable education at an affordable cost, with tuition rates that are more than 40% lower than the average private university tuition in the Pacific Northwest. Additionally, most WPU students receive some form of financial aid. To explore your financial aid options, please visit our Financial Aid page.

Graduate Programs

Academic Year Per-Credit Tuition
2025-2026  $910
2026-2027 $910

For a full list of fees, please visit our Tuition and Fees page.

Does the MAOL degree program have any professional partnerships?

WPU’s graduate program partners include the following organizations:

• Avis Budget Group

• Central City Concern

• Farmer’s Insurance

• FedEx

• Intel

• Kaiser Permanente

• Multnomah County

• Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center

 • Port of Portland

• Portland Public Schools

• Providence Health Systems

• State of Oregon

• Self Enhancement, Inc.

• U.S. Bank

• Wells Fargo

Is the Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership accredited?

Warner Pacific University is accredited by The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). WPU is also an educational member of the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE), located at 11960 Quivira Rd. in Overland Park, Kansas. Educational members have not yet undergone accreditation reviews and do not have business programs that are accredited by the IACBE.

Discover Your Purpose With a Master’s in Organizational Leadership Degree

Rooted in the university’s Christian values, the WPU Online master’s in organizational leadership degree program provides students with a supportive, faith-based learning environment that integrates Christian values into the teaching of business ethics, preparing you for a lifetime of impact.

Ready to make a difference in your organization? For questions about this program or its format options, contact the admissions team at 800-804-1510, or fill out the form below.

Explore Related Programs

Master of Business Administration (MBA) 4+1 Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration Master of Business Administration (MBA)

See All Business Programs

Questions?

Our School of Business faculty would love to hear from you.

Image of Dr. Ulf Spears, DSL, CAGS, M.Sc., BS

Dr. Ulf Spears, DSL, CAGS, M.Sc., BS

Dean of Business

Faculty
School of: Business
Phone: 503-517-1324
View Bio

Connect Today

Loading...