A master’s in organizational leadership is a graduate program that focuses on the leadership component of management with passing attention to the core business courses that are integral to an MBA program. It takes a dual approach to optimizing organizational strengths to foster long-term growth in line with the company’s mission. This field of study is concerned with empowering individuals to encourage personal growth while simultaneously supporting overall organizational growth.
Scope of an Organizational Leadership Graduate Program
The focus of a master’s in organizational leadership program centers on team building, studying how individual strengths and motivations can be channeled to support organizational growth. While curriculum content varies, depending on the degree-granting university, courses would include the study of leadership theories, business ethics, communication strategies and managerial studies. Psychology is an essential component of understanding individual worldviews including your own. The study of leadership involves examining your own goals and strengths to determine your leadership style and how your own worldview impacts the organization.
Curriculum Style
In an MBA program, the curriculum is predicated on the case study method whereas the approach to organizational leadership graduate courses is more introspective. Collaboration with peers is encouraged whether you are enrolled in an on-campus course or online. Collaborative efforts provide a preview of what it’s like to work with, influence and direct people who have different backgrounds and motivations to reach a common goal. Conflict management and crisis resolution require collaborative strategies, so working with your peers in the graduate program will help hone these skills.
Fields of Specialization
Organizational leadership is a body of knowledge and skill set that finds wide application in many sectors and diverse industries. You can choose to specialize in the following fields:
– Human resource management
– Nonprofit leadership
– Project management
– Health care organizations management
– Leadership coaching
– Innovation and change strategies in organizations
Duration of Studies
A candidate for a master’s in this program may complete the academic and graduate thesis requirements in a year. This assumes that you are a full-time student who can devote all of your time on working on your course requirements. With online programs, you may have the option to start your courses when it is convenient for you, and you may be given some leeway when it comes to completion deadlines.
Benefits of an Organizational Leadership Graduate Degree
If you aspire to reach a top-level position in the private or public sector, a master’s degree in organizational leadership will enhance your credentials. It is a program of study where you get to know more about yourself and your management potential. You gain a better understanding of group dynamics and what it takes to bring people of diverse backgrounds together to enhance organizational strengths. This graduate degree is valuable to any business or organization regardless of whether they are startups, expanding or mature companies.
Every organization is the sum of its parts. Effective organizational leadership is the force that guides these disparate components toward common goals. An advance degree in this field of study will strengthen your analytical and decision-making skills especially as they relate to interactions with others. A master’s in organizational leadership will help you develop the vision, formulate appropriate strategies and encourage the team to buy into your proposed direction.
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