Hone skills that can be applied in a variety of organizations, including for-profit, nonprofit, and government.
The online M.A. Organizational Leadership program is designed for anyone interested in making a difference in organizations through ethical leadership, informed by an evidence-based psychological perspective.
The curriculum offers the knowledge and skills drawn from psychological research and is aligned with an established contemporary taxonomy of leadership competencies based on social psychological theories. It includes coursework in leadership, research, ethics, interpersonal dynamics, and a variety of electives to support your unique career goals.
You will be prepared to excel as an ethical leader and manager, to be sensitive to and understand diverse populations, and contribute to education, research, and policy-making in a variety of organizational environments.
As a student in the online Master's in Organizational Leadership program, you may also earn a Certificate in Organizational Leadership following the successful completion of required coursework and specific program requirements.
Gain comprehensive preparation to advance into doctoral-level programs in Organizational Leadership or Business Psychology.
Michael Stowers, Psy.D.
Admissions Requirements
- Application - Apply Online
- Application fee: $50
- The general guideline for admission is a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale.
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited university
- Official college/university transcripts
- Work experience recommended
- Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 are required to submit additional documentation
- Resume or curriculum Vitae
- Personal statement/essay
Accreditation & Licensure
Accreditation
To learn more about The Chicago School's institutional and programmatic accreditations, visit our Accreditation page.
Licensure
For information on whether a program at The Chicago School meets or does not meet licensure eligibility requirements for the state in which you wish to be licensed, please visit our licensure disclosures page.
Fieldwork Opportunities
Capstone Project
The online M.A. Organizational Leadership program culminates in a capstone project that is a critical analysis of a best-selling popular management nonfiction book selected from the list provided. This analysis intends to identify the evidence-based theories that would support the assertions made by the author. Based on theory and its supporting literature, the student will identify strengths and shortcomings of the author’s approach, explaining (based on theory) why the approach would succeed or fail, and under what conditions. This project focuses on developing critical thinking, expanding awareness of diversity and ethics, applying theory to practice, and developing information literacy skills.
Additionally, this capstone project forms the summative assessment of the program and is designed to satisfy the requirements of the competencies of the online M.A. Organizational Leadership program for a culminating experience.
Sample Courses
Organizational Behavior
This course explores organizations at the individual and team level, examining the relationship between employees and managers, and employees and teams. It examines the factors that drive productivity and success in organizations including motivation, diversity, work stress, conflict and negotiation, decision making, personality, and attitudes.
Statistics and Lab
The course presents the descriptive and inferential statistical techniques used in decision making. This course also examines problem-solving research methods currently used in organizational and industrial psychology. Students will apply univariate and multivariate statistics using computer programs designed to fulfill the needs of practitioners to address real organizational problems using research methods. This course is delivered in a blended format, where students complete the “lecture” portion of the class online and the lab portion either in a classroom for campus based students in webinar format for distance learning students.
Organizational Leadership
Prerequisite(s): IO 510 and IO 511. This course reviews the principal theories of leadership and how leadership is developed. It examines leadership in the context of managing continuous change emphasizing the challenges of multinational corporations working across cultures. It supports self-assessment as students gain knowledge in the key theories and principles of the management/leadership continuum. Finally, it reviews practices that I/O psychologists are using to develop organizational leaders.
The Online M.A. Organizational Leadership Experience
The online master’s in organizational leadership program is ideal for working professionals looking to expand their knowledge and expertise while also maintaining other life responsibilities. As an online organizational leadership master’s student at The Chicago School, you will benefit from an innovative learning environment in the digital space. You can enjoy the convenience of online didactic learning while still receiving in-person networking opportunities and practice-based field experiences.
The online learning platform, Canvas, holds all of the components you will need to successfully complete your online organizational leadership M.A. program. There, you can find your coursework and assignments, interact with fellow students, and ask questions of your instructor.
Organizational Leadership Career Pathways
This Organizational Leadership online master's degree produces managers and leaders ready to pursue career opportunities as mid- to senior-level leaders in a variety of corporate, governmental, or nonprofit settings.
Career Outcomes
The Chicago School prepares you to make an impact in a variety of high-demand careers. Below, you will find possible career options and salaries associated with this degree.
Data is pulled by a third-party tool called Lightcast, which includes data from sources including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Census Bureau, online job postings, and other government databases. The information below represents a regional and national career outlook related to this degree program*. The Chicago School is dedicated to assisting you in achieving your career goals.
*Many degree programs are intended to fulfill licensure requirements in specific states. The data shown here may not represent the state where you currently reside. For more information on how this program is applicable to the requirements of your state, please speak with your admissions representative.
Financing Your Education
The Chicago School is dedicated to keep our professional degree programs accessible to anyone regardless of financial status. In addition to the scholarships that may be available, our Financial Aid Department will provide you with information to determine what financial arrangements are right for you.
