Best online organizational leadership degrees 2022: Top picks

Organized leadership emphasizes management skills alongside business and communication fundamentals. An organizational leadership degree also trains you to lead people and teams toward organizational goals. 

Organizational managers enjoy working with others to foster talent and improve performance.

Well-rounded organizational leadership graduates may land management positions in business, education, and government settings. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects more than 900,000 new positions in management occupations by 2030, a 9% increase.

To find out more about the best online leadership degrees available, browse our top picks below.

The best online organizational leadership degrees

ZDNet’s ranking methodology uses a proprietary formula to assess academic programs. By taking data from federally institutions and insights from industry experts, ZDNet provides an objective look at the best online organizational leadership degrees available.

Unless otherwise indicated, data is drawn from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Scorecard.

What to expect in an online organizational leadership degree program

An online organizational leadership degree integrates lecture courses and practical requirements. Business, management, communication, and social science classes incorporate exams, writing assignments, case studies, and lectures. 

Elective coursework provides opportunities to apply your knowledge through group projects and collaborative activities. Seniors often participate in a comprehensive assessment, a capstone requirement, or both.

Full-time online programs move quickly, while part-time degrees offer a slower pace and lower daily time commitment.

Organizational leadership courses

In most organizational leadership programs, introductory classes in organizational behavior, management principles, and business strategy accompany foundational courses in accounting, human resources, and project management.

Here are a few courses you’ll likely encounter.

Organizational behavior

This course introduces and compares organizational behavior theories. You also study challenges of communication; ethical issues; organizational culture, structure, and design; and components of power, leadership, and management.

Principles of management

This class covers managerial functions such as planning, organizing, and leading. Additional topics include negotiating, managerial ethics, and managing in a global environment.

Introduction to human resource management

Introductory coursework in HR management focuses on programs and services offered by HR professionals within organizations. Topics include job analysis and design, workforce planning, compensation and benefits, and performance management.

Foundations of business strategy

Coursework builds analytical-thinking skills so graduates can remain competitive in the business world. Students explore business analytics, industry structure, strategic planning, and ethical and social implications related to business decisions.

Organizational leadership degree levels

Undergraduate programs in organizational management lead to entry- or mid-level roles, while graduate programs may qualify graduates for upper management positions.

Choose the organizational leadership degree level that best fits your education, experience, and professional goals.

Certificate in organizational leadership

Length: One year or less

Cost: $2,000-$10,000

Post-grad careers: Human resource manager, leadership coach, project manager

A graduate certificate in organizational leadership builds upon existing knowledge and skills in anticipation of rising to a management or leadership position. An undergraduate certificate may provide the necessary knowledge for entry-level roles. 

These non-degree credentials emphasize optimizing individual and group performance. The curriculum covers business functions like marketing, accounting, and finance. Additional classes may include organizational behavior, leadership strategy, and sustaining organizational change. 

Associate in organizational leadership

Length: Two years

Cost: $6,000-$20,000

Post-grad careers: Human resource specialist, assistant management, development coordinator

An associate degree in organizational leadership focuses on interpersonal communication, business essentials, and information technology in management. Reading assignments combine with case studies to build problem-solving and analytical skills. 

With an organizational management associate degree, you may find entry-level positions across the workforce. However, many associate degrees in organizational management are designed to serve as transfer degrees covering the first two years of requirements for a bachelor’s.

Bachelor’s in organizational leadership

Length: Four years

Cost: $12,000-$80,000

Post-grad careers: Operations manager, program coordinator, human resources specialist

Through four years of general education, major, and elective classes, a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership builds comprehensive mastery of the field. 

Classes in leadership concepts, human resources, training and development, and business ethics provide a foundation for elective courses. Through your electives, you may develop a specialty like nonprofit, healthcare, or education management. 

Master’s in organizational leadership

Length: Two years

Cost: $8,000-$40,000

Post-grad careers: Business management consultant, health service manager, leadership coach

This degree prepares you to be a leader in the modern economy by developing communication, planning, and leadership skills. Classes include ethical leadership, organizational behavior, and talent development and retention.

You might specialize in change leadership, global leadership, or strategic and organizational communication. An organizational leadership master’s may be a stand-alone degree or a specialization option within a master of business administration program. 

Doctorate in organizational leadership

Length: Three to five years

Cost: $10,000-$100,000

Post-grad careers: Professor, business management consultant, chief operations officer

A doctorate in organizational leadership emphasizes research and builds understanding of leadership in diverse organizational contexts. 

There are two main variations on this degree. A doctorate of business administration with an emphasis on organizational leadership focuses on business settings, while a doctorate of education in organizational leadership concentrates on education environments.

During an organizational leadership doctorate, students take foundational classes in leadership theory and practice, models of organizational leadership, and strategic leadership. Then they prepare for comprehensive exams and choose a dissertation topic.

In conclusion

Earning an organizational leadership degree prepares you to lead people and processes by building communication skills, business knowledge, and managerial acumen. 

The workforce needs leaders, and an organizational leadership degree can help you meet that demand. One of our ranked programs might be your first step.