Online Master's in Organizational Leadership
Improve the Performance of Individuals, Teams, & Organizations
YOUR FUTURE STARTS HERE
Complete the form below to learn more about our online programs and how to get started.
At a Glance
Visionary leaders do more than make decisions—they spark transformation that drives lasting impact across entire organizations.
The Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership at OU Online empowers working professionals to become these transformational leaders through hands-on, real-world learning. With a flexible, customizable format, you can master organizational influence and accelerate your career in as few as 20 months.
100% Online
Time to Complete:
12-20 months
Credit Hours:
30
Time Commitment:
20 to 25 hours weekly
start dates
Fall, Spring & Summer
cost
The Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership delivers a strong return on investment. The skills and insights you gain can be applied immediately to drive meaningful results and long-term success within your organization.
Tuition and fees for the program total $25,350 based on a rate of $845 per credit hour. Books and additional materials are not included.
YOUR FUTURE STARTS HERE
Complete the form below to learn more about our online programs and how to get started.
About the Master's in Organizational Leadership
The online Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership is a 30-credit-hour program designed to elevate your leadership potential and drive meaningful change across organizations. This dynamic degree empowers you to lead with confidence, strengthen team performance, and cultivate leadership in others. You will sharpen your self-awareness, master strategies to enhance organizational effectiveness, and gain the tools to inspire individuals and teams to thrive.
What Can I Do with an MA in Organizational Leadership?
Earning your online master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of Oklahoma prepares you to lead across industries and sectors. This versatile degree opens doors to high-impact roles where strategic thinking and leadership are essential.
- Consulting – Prepare for roles such as management analyst, executive coach, or organizational development consultant
- Nonprofit Management – Lead as a program manager, director of development, or executive director
- Military Leadership – Advance your military career or transition into strategic roles in defense and think tanks
- Corporate Leadership – Step into positions like HR director, talent manager, or training and development director
- Government Administration – Pursue careers as a budget director, agency leader, or project manager in public service
- Public Safety – Lead in law enforcement or emergency services as a police officer, sheriff, or fire department leader
Industry Insights
- Median Pay: $122,190
- Job Outlook: Employment for management occupations is expected to grow faster than average by 2033
- Job Openings: 1.2 million openings for management positions are projected each year, on average, over the next decade
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
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Program Outcomes: What You’ll Learn
OU’s online Organizational Leadership program develops forward-thinking leaders who understand how their decisions shape every part of an organization—and who are ready to lead with vision and purpose.
- Build adaptable thinking strategies and leadership theories that apply across industries and organizational types
- Advance your career in complex environments such as government, healthcare, technology, human resources, and more
- Learn from expert faculty who blend academic excellence with real-world leadership experience
- Shape your education around your professional ambitions with courses that reflect real-time leadership challenges and needs
Course Details
The online Organizational Leadership curriculum equips you to think strategically, build strong relationships, and lead with creativity. You will learn to develop high-performing teams, foster a purpose-driven culture, and align mission, strategy, and vision across every level of an organization.
Course Structure
You’ll complete 30 credit hours across 10 courses in a flexible, fully online format designed to fit your life. Courses are 100% asynchronous, with no required live lectures, so you can engage with coursework on your schedule. Each semester is divided into two modules, giving you a clear rhythm and consistent momentum throughout the program.
Students can choose the pace that works best for them. The accelerated path allows you to take two courses per module, while the two-year track spreads the workload with one course per module. Courses run for 8 weeks, allowing you to make steady progress year-round. For planning purposes, students taking two courses at a time can expect an average weekly commitment of 20 to 25 hours.
Theories of Management and Leadership
Credit Hours: 3
This course explores and analyzes the concept of leadership including such topics as leadership theory, changing leadership roles, power, decision-making, empowerment, vision, communication, diversity, and ethics
Financial Leadership
Credit Hours: 3
Introduces foundational accounting principles and financial concepts for non-financial managers. Topics include analysis of financial reports, communication of financial data to organizational leaders and stakeholders, and financial planning.
Creating, Leading, and Managing Change
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines the effective leadership skills needed to create and manage change in a variety of organizational settings. Topics include leadership styles in change management, organizational change strategies, models, frameworks, and the potential barriers to change in organizations.
Professional Development & Coaching
Credit Hours: 3
An examination of best practices for using assessment results to conduct data-driven leadership and executive coaching and to maximize coaching effectiveness.
Building Positive Workplace Relationships
3 Credit Hours
This course develops positive communication skills for professionals and leaders. Students will explore workplace culture, apply a practical communication model, and analyze case studies. Through reflection and strategic planning, they will enhance their skills to foster positive relationships and lead workplace change effectively.
Project Management
Credit Hours: 3
Introduces students to core concepts, skills, and practices for guiding projects from initial idea to successful completion. The course explores each phase of the project lifecycle—including scoping, planning, designing, executing, monitoring, and closing—while emphasizing practical, adaptable approaches.
Building High Performance Teams
Credit Hours: 3
Provides students with the knowledge needed to identify a group's current functioning and build the necessary conditions to create a high-performance team. Explores components of teams and examines the qualities of one who is capable of leading groups of people effectively.
Evidence-Based Leadership in Organizations
Credit Hours: 3
Theories, techniques, and application of research designed to prepare leadership students to understand and respond to applied research involving organizational leadership and organizational settings.
Leadership Communication
Credit Hours: 3
An interdisciplinary inquiry in the role information and knowledge management play in making decisions in organizations, fundamental issues in the management of information, how people in organizations exchange information, and ultimately how effective sharing of information leads to effective problem solving.
Graduate Capstone in Organizational Leadership
Credit Hours: 3
Experiential application of leadership development skills, abilities, and strategies to enhance individual leadership performance, build productive teams and organizations through effective strategic planning, employee selection, succession planning, talent management, and training and development.
Strategic and Crisis Communication for Leaders
3 Credit Hours
This course explores leadership through strategic and crisis communication. Students will learn key theories, analyze real cases, and develop a crisis communication plan. Beyond crisis response, they will examine other strategic communication needs, practicing essential leadership skills to navigate organizational challenges effectively.
Cultures of Organizations
Credit Hours: 3
Introduces students to major theories of organizational culture and teaches them how culture influences communication, leadership, and decision‑making. Through case studies, students learn to diagnose cultural dynamics and identify strengths and challenges within real organizations.
Why Choose OU Online for a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership
Organizational Leadership offers unmatched career flexibility. You’ll gain practical skills you can apply immediately to lead your organization forward and drive meaningful results.
Faculty Expertise
Once admitted, you’ll be connected with a dedicated MAOL program advisor to support you throughout your journey. As you begin your coursework, you’ll engage in dynamic online discussions with peers from across the country and around the world. You’ll also learn from expert faculty who bring a powerful blend of academic excellence and real-world leadership experience—and who are deeply invested in your success.
Robust Student Support
OU Online provides comprehensive student support services, including academic assistance, online tutoring, mental health counseling, and access to a virtual career development center. The program is designed to meet the needs of working professionals, allowing you to grow your leadership skills while maintaining full-time employment.
Global Alumni Network
With a global network of more than 250,000 alumni, becoming a Sooner connects you to a powerful community of leaders. As part of this network, you’ll gain lifelong access to valuable connections that can accelerate your career and expand your professional reach.
Flexible Format
The online MA in Organizational Leadership is built for working professionals who need flexibility without compromising quality. This affordable, high-impact program delivers a supportive and engaging learning experience through a 100% online, asynchronous format—so you can advance your education on your schedule, from anywhere.
Tailored Experience
The online Organizational Leadership program takes an applied, real-world approach to leadership development. The curriculum is designed to help you connect theory to practice as you strengthen skills in communication, collaboration, and strategic decision-making. You’ll graduate prepared to lead effectively across organizations and industries, with a versatile foundation that supports a wide range of professional goals.
The flexibility of an asynchronous program is amazing; the curriculum and instruction are top notch too. I am actively job searching and this degree has helped me better understand myself as a leader, organizational culture of prospective employees, and has complemented my on the job experience and education wonderfully.
Lucy Hale,
Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership
Cost & Financial Aid
Earning your MA in Organizational Leadership is a powerful investment in your career—and OU Online is committed to making that investment clear, affordable, and accessible.
Students pay $845 per credit hour*, bringing the total program cost to $$25,350. This does not include books or additional course materials.
Financial aid, scholarships, and employer tuition assistance may be available to help reduce your out-of-pocket costs. For questions about financial aid for your online program, contact the Online Aid office at onlineaid@ou.edu or call 405-325-2929.
A nonrefundable deposit of $350 is required upon admission to secure your place in the program. This deposit guarantees your spot in your first semester of courses and will be applied toward your first semester’s tuition.
* Please be aware that tuition and fees may change, as determined by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
Transfer Credit
This program accepts a maximum of 6 credit hours of graduate-level transfer credit per Graduate College policy, with approval of the department.
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YOUR FUTURE STARTS HERE
Complete the form below to learn more about our online programs and how to get started.
