Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership

Organizational leadership is an interdisciplinary academic field of study that is focused on individual and team success. The field includes the many factors that are part of the daily life of a leader. Common skills include: the ability to establish goals, develop strategic plans, recruit teams, communicate effectively, manage conflict, execute plans, develop individuals and teams, and evaluate organizational effectiveness. Organizational leadership is an ideal field of study for individuals who care deeply about people and systems and have a sincere desire to use their leadership abilities to make life better for others.

An organizational leadership professional is likely to possess expertise in talent recruitment, learning and development, teambuilding, conflict resolution, strategy, and leadership. The skillset of an organizational leadership professional often includes the ability to understand complex systems, the skill needed to communicate clearly, and the grit required to guide individuals and organizations through organizational change.

How can I use this degree?

The concepts learned through the programs we offer can be applied to numerous roles. Typical roles for those with a background in organizational leadership include: executives, entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, ministry leaders, educators, and human resource managers. Organizational leadership experts develop leaders and assist organizations as consultants, trainers and leadership coaches. The Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership can be used to help you grow in your current career or it can provide a path to open new doors of opportunity. Earning your academic credentials signals to others that you are committed to your craft.

Center for Leadership & Development

This degree is part of the Center for Leadership & Development. Learn more about our other offerings, including three certificates and resources such as the Leadership Listen podcast.

Why Harding?

Choosing the right graduate program is a personal decision. There are several highly reputable institutions nationwide that offer quality graduate programs in organizational leadership. As you consider which option is the best fit for you, we would like to highlight a handful of factors that we believe make our program unique.

• Focus: Our faculty and staff use a “student first” mindset. We strive to create the optimal educational experience, seek to better understand your unique needs and create a positive environment in which you can be challenged and supported.
• Curriculum: The real-world expertise of our faculty allows us to provide a curriculum that balances theory and practice. Our curriculum is continually reviewed to ensure course content is relevant, current and focused. Each course is designed from scratch by practitioner scholars with the goal of equipping you to address real-world challenges with clearly defined competencies that you can instantly apply in your personal and professional life.
• Team: Each member of our faculty and staff was recruited for this program due to their academic and professional achievements. They have a deep commitment to their faith, families, communities and students. For us, teaching is an act of service and an opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
• Format: We are committed to maintaining a high-quality learning experience while offering courses in a format that aligns with your needs. Classes are eight weeks long and offered 100% online. There are two blocks of courses per semester. Students are able to take two courses per block, allowing you to earn up to 12 credit hours each semester. MAOL students who take the maximum number of credit hours will complete the program in less than one year.
• Pricing: The per-credit hour cost for academic programs is $599 per hour. The pricing reflects a sincere commitment to providing you access to top-tier faculty and competency-based curriculum from a reputable institution at a reasonable price.
• Faith: Although the majority of people are likely to consider faith to be an important component in life, the topic is routinely minimized or omitted in many institutions of higher learning. As a faith-based institution, Harding respectfully invites discussions of faith into the classroom.

Accreditation

Harding University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org; 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604; 800-621-7440).