Best Online Master’s in Organizational Leadership Programs of 2025

Why Gonzaga Made Our List

Gonzaga's online MA in organizational leadership program lets you choose one of four concentrations: change leadership, servant leadership, global leadership, or strategic and organizational communication. Your classes will include organizational development and transforming leadership. Leading change, foresight and planning, and conflict resolution are just a few of the skills you'll gain from this program.

Why Attend Gonzaga

• Asynchronous Coursework: Since all courses are asynchronous, you can study whenever is most convenient for you.
• Plenty of Electives: With Gonzaga's organizational leadership program, you can choose five out of over two dozen electives like global citizenship, contemporary strategies to counter hate, and reading in social systems.
• Ample Student Support: You'll benefit from Gonzaga's student services team, which can help you navigate higher education, from class registration to technical support. This team can even help you create a progression plan.

Know Before You Go

• Not Self-Paced: While this program takes place online and asynchronously, you'll still have to meet deadlines and participate with your instructors and classmates.
• Private University: Keep in mind that Gonzaga is a Jesuit Catholic university, so religion and spirituality can influence the overall learning environment.
• Immersion Component: This program requires a three-credit immersion course (imagine, create, lead) that entails either a three-day on-campus visit or three days of synchronous online sessions.

Why Pepperdine Made Our List

Pepperdine's online MS in education program offers a concentration in organizational leadership and learning. Unlike other organizational leadership programs, which are often housed in business schools, Pepperdine's takes a unique education-focused approach. You'll take classes like critical thinking and communication and applied analytics and data visualization before completing a final capstone project.

Why Attend Pepperdine

• 15-Month Program: Pepperdine's online program takes fewer than two years to complete — the typical length for a master's degree — potentially saving you time and money.
• Transfer Credits: Some of the credits you earn in this program can be applied toward a doctoral program should you decide to continue your education.
• Additional Concentrations: If you decide organizational leadership isn't the right fit for you, you can choose a different concentration, such as leadership in higher education, leadership in learning design and technology, and leadership in pre-k to 12 education.

Know Before You Go

• Admissions Interview: After submitting your application and all required materials, you may need to undergo a personal interview as part of your secondary review.
• Cost of Tuition: You can expect to pay around $13,000 per term (or $1,605 per unit) to study in this program.
• Limited Collaboration Opportunities: As an online graduate student at Pepperdine, you may find there are limited opportunities for collaboration and networking, especially compared to the school's in-person programs.

Why CU Boulder Made Our List

CU Boulder's online MS in organizational leadership program combines the social sciences with business communication. You can choose between an independent or cohort model. Designed for busy adults, this program is asynchronous, meaning you won't have to attend live courses at a set time.

Why Attend CU Boulder

• Designed for Busy Adults: This program encourages students to continue their careers and family obligations while they study.
• One Class at a Time: What makes this program extra convenient is that you can focus on just one class at a time, permitting greater focus and flexibility.
• Finish in 19 Months: CU Boulder lets you earn your master's in organizational leadership degree online in fewer than two years so you can enter the workforce sooner.

Know Before You Go

• Varying Tuition Rates: In-state students pay $772 per credit, while out-of-state students pay $844 per credit.
• Weekly Deadlines: While this is an asynchronous online program, you'll still need focus and self-motivation to meet your weekly assignment deadlines. These assignments include readings and responses, short videos, and written responses to an online discussion forum.
• Time Commitment: Students in the program report spending roughly 15 hours or more on coursework each week, so be prepared to dedicate ample time to your studies.

Why St. Kate's Made Our List

St. Kate's online MA in organizational leadership program offers eight specialized certificate options and one foundational certificate. You can also customize a certificate, combining specialized coursework with core leadership education. The program takes 20 months to complete and includes courses in topics like organizational strategies and foundations of leadership and ethics.

Why Attend St. Kate's

• Robust Certificate Options: Change leadership, healthcare leadership, library leadership, and strategic management are just some of the certificate options available to you in this program.
• Complete in 20 Months: Study full time and you can earn your master's in organizational leadership degree in fewer than two years.
• Ample Student Support: St. Kate's offers a rich collection of student support services. These services include student accessibility and accommodations, tutoring and academic support, financial counseling, mental health counseling, and military and veteran support.

Know Before You Go

• Costs: Current tuition costs run at $715 per credit, or around $26,000 for the entire program. Make sure you apply for financial aid to help you afford your education.
• Minimum Work Experience: This program requires students to have a minimum of two years of professional work experience in order to apply. 
• Potential for Delayed Feedback: You may experience delayed feedback from your instructors compared with on-campus programs. You may also feel less of a community than you would in an online program due to the limited peer interaction.

Why Juniata Made Our List

Juniata's interdisciplinary master of organizational leadership (MOL) program allows you to study not just business but also math, ethics, psychology, communication, and peace and conflict. Core courses include organizational psychology, conflict and change, entrepreneurial management, and strategic marketing management. You'll also complete a capstone course.

Why Attend Juniata

• Conflict Resolution Expertise: Since Juniata's expertise lies in conflict resolution, you can earn a master's degree that emphasizes conflict and change, collaboration, and social entrepreneurship. You'll learn how to lead in both public and private sectors.
• Interdisciplinary Studies: You can gain an array of employable skills thanks to this program's broad focus on math, psychology, ethics, and conflict studies.
• Low Entry Barrier: You can get into Juniata's online MOL program without submitting standardized test scores or letters of recommendation. Plus, there's no application fee for U.S. students (international students pay $50 to apply).

Know Before You Go

• Cost: Juniata charges graduate students just under $25,000 for the entire program.
• Rigorous Academics: This is a rigorous program that requires deep critical thinking, analysis, and independent work. Make sure you enter with a driven, self-motivated attitude.
• Limited Brand Recognition: Juniata may offer a great master's in organizational leadership program — but the college isn't as well known as many larger universities with the same degree option. This lack of brand recognition may impact employment opportunities in certain industries.

Why SLU Made Our List

SLU's MA in leadership and organizational development program combines assessments and reflections with project-based learning. The 100% online program lets you earn a graduate certificate without having to take additional courses and lets you tailor the program to your interests. Core courses include organizational dynamics, team leadership, and future-focused leadership.

Why Attend SLU

• Funding Available: You can apply for graduate scholarships, fellowships, assistantships, and other awards to reduce the cost of tuition and fees.
• Project-Based Learning: The program's emphasis on assessments, reflections, and project-based learning allows you to apply leadership concepts to real-world settings, such as your current role.
• Additional Credential: You'll get the opportunity to earn a graduate certificate along with your master's degree without needing to take extra courses or earn extra credits. In this way, you can tailor your education to suit your academic interests and career goals.

Know Before You Go

• Charges by Credit: You can expect to pay $810 per credit for SLU's online program.
• Capstone Requirement: Your 30-credit master's program will end with a capstone project. The time and energy required to complete this project can be challenging for students trying to balance work and family responsibilities.
• Not Specialized: This program's interdisciplinary approach, while beneficial, won't provide deep specializations in areas like analytics or finance or for a specific industry. 

Why Mercer Made Our List

Mercer's online MS in leadership studies is a highly customizable program, with three concentrations available: leadership for the healthcare professional, leadership for organizational development, and leadership for the nonprofit organization. You'll take courses like theories of organizational leadership, ethical challenges in organizations, leading in global organizations, and research strategies for leaders.

Why Attend Mercer

• Short Completion Time: You can earn your master's in organizational leadership in just 12-18 months at Mercer.
• Specialized Concentrations: You can tailor your studies by choosing one of three concentrations, including leadership for the nonprofit organization.
• Small Class Sizes: Even though you'll be an online student, you'll still benefit from Mercer's small class sizes, which provide close interactions with peers and professors.

Know Before You Go

• Private Institution: Take note that Mercer is a private institution founded by Baptists.
• Multiple Per-Credit Fees: Mercer charges $724 plus a $17 faculty and technology fee per credit.
• Practice vs. Theory: The school's emphasis on theoretical knowledge may not always directly translate to actual challenges leaders face. This can be especially limiting for early-career professionals.

Why WKU Made Our List

WKU's online MA in organizational leadership program lets you apply what you've learned to real-world workplace situations. You'll take courses in effective leadership studies, leading organizations, leadership ethics, leading teams, and research methods. You'll also complete a capstone leadership experience and take electives that count toward a graduate certificate.

Why Attend WKU

• Emphasis on Application: The program emphasizes practical leadership skills that can be immediately applied to a variety of organizational settings in both the public and private sectors.
• Customizable Curriculum: You can tailor your studies by choosing electives that count toward your graduate certificate — an additional credential that can help you stand out when you eventually apply for jobs.
• Personalized Student Support: Student support services for online students include an online writing lab, online tutoring, a WKU Library tutorial, and career services. You'll also receive a student support specialist who will assist you for the duration of your program.

Know Before You Go

• Rolling Admission: This program admits students on a rolling basis, so you won’t necessarily have to wait until the start of the next academic year to enroll.
• Limited Networking Opportunities: The program's fully online format may mean limited networking, mentorship, and hands-on opportunities compared to traditional on-campus organizational leadership master's programs.
• No Direct Job Placement: While this program teaches vital leadership skills that are valuable across many industries, the degree doesn't have the same recognition within the business world as an MBA — and doesn't guarantee job placement. Your career advancement will ultimately depend on how you leverage your prior experience and newly gained skills.

Rider's online MA in organizational leadership program lets you customize your studies by choosing one of four concentrations: life and career coaching, talent and organizational development, counseling-related services, or higher education leadership. In Rider's cohort model, you'll develop deep learning relationships with your classmates and instructors.

Why Attend Rider

• Customizable Education: You can customize your program to match your interests by choosing one of four exciting concentrations, including higher education leadership.
• Finish Within Two Years: This 30-credit program offers a clear path that allows you to earn your degree in two years or less.
• Cohort Model: You can benefit from the cohort's model of peer-to-peer learning and develop mutually beneficial relationships with your peers and professors.

Know Before You Go

• Tuition Costs: Rider charges $1,070 per credit for this program.
• Flexible Term Start Dates: Students are given flexibility with when they can start their academic terms.
• Generalist Focus: Although this program offers three concentrations, it has a broad focus. In other words, you'll take a more generalist approach to organizational leadership rather than gaining deep specializations that certain industries may require.

Why WNE Made Our List

WNE's MS in organizational leadership program positions you to lead change in a managerial or leadership role. You'll take classes like foundations of leadership practice, ethical leadership practice, leading change, leadership and the human experience, and contemporary issues in leadership. You'll also get to choose three major electives.

Why Attend WNE

• Graduate Scholarships Available: As a WNE graduate student, you can apply for scholarships to earn an award between $4,000 and $8,000 toward tuition.
• Connection Opportunities: Even as an online student, you'll have plenty of opportunities to collaborate with classmates.
• AACSB Accredited: Accreditation signals a quality education and can help increase job prospects. According to WNE, the university is the only AACSB-accredited private school in Western Massachusetts.

Know Before You Go

• Earn a Degree in a Year: You can earn your degree in as little as one year studying full time or as few as 21 months studying part time.
• Various Ways to Pay: You can pay $1,000 per credit, $3,000 per course, or $30,000 for the whole program.
• Less Brand Recognition: WNE, a smaller institution with fewer than 500 graduate students, doesn't offer the same level of national recognition or as robust an alumni network as larger universities.