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Same Diploma. On Your Time.
Earning your Organizational Leadership degree from the University of Memphis prepares you to lead people, manage organizational change, and improve workplace performance across a wide range of industries. Designed for working professionals and future leaders, this program develops the communication, management, and leadership skills needed to pursue careers in business, government, healthcare, nonprofit organizations, education, and other organizational settings.
Offered through UofM Global, the Organizational Leadership program combines leadership theory with practical application to help students understand organizational behavior, human resource management, performance improvement, and effective communication. Graduates are prepared to lead teams, support organizational growth, and navigate the complex challenges facing today's workplaces.
Quick Facts
Degree Type: Bachelor's in Organizational Leadership
Format: Fully online through UofM Global
Credit Hours: Minimum of 120 credit hours
Focus Areas: Organizational leadership, organizational behavior, human resources, performance management, communication, and workplace leadership
Ideal For: Working professionals, adult learners, and students seeking leadership and management roles across diverse industries
Career Paths: Human resources, operations management, project coordination, organizational development, team leadership, nonprofit management, and business administration
The Bachelor of Professional Studies in Organizational Leadership at the University of Memphis combines university general education requirements, interdisciplinary leadership coursework, organizational studies, communication, and professional electives to prepare students for leadership roles across a variety of industries. Students develop practical skills in organizational behavior, human resources, leadership, communication, supervision, and workplace problem-solving while completing a flexible curriculum designed to support adult learners and working professionals.
University General Education Requirements (35–41 credit hours)
Students complete the University General Education Program, building a strong academic foundation in communication, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities.
Coordinated Study Requirements (33 credit hours)
The Organizational Leadership curriculum emphasizes leadership development, organizational effectiveness, communication, and applied management through interdisciplinary coursework. Students complete coursework across several professional focus areas while selecting courses that align with their career interests.
Administration and Supervision
Students develop the management and supervisory skills needed to lead employees, oversee organizational operations, and support effective decision-making.
Courses include:
- MGMT 3110 – Principles of Management
- PADM 3601 – Public Administration
- TECH 4381 – Principles of Supervision
Organizational Systems
Coursework explores how organizations function while introducing students to organizational behavior, human resource management, and nonprofit administration.
Courses include:
- MGMT 3215 – Management of Human Resources
- MGMT 4420 – Organizational Behavior in Business
- PADM 4226 – Introduction to Nonprofit Organizations
Statistical and Research Methods
Students learn to interpret data, evaluate research, and apply analytical methods that support organizational decision-making.
Course options include:
- EDPR 4541 – Fundamental Applied Statistical Methods
- MATH 1530 – Probability and Statistics for Non-Calculus
- PADM 4101 – Political Statistics
- SOCI 3311 – Social Statistics
Professional Communication
Effective leaders must communicate clearly across diverse professional settings. Students strengthen written communication skills for organizational and business environments.
Course options include:
- ENGL 3601 – Technical and Professional Writing
- ENGL 3604 – Persuasive Writing
- PBRL 3421 – Introduction to Strategic Writing
Team and Organizational Relations
Students examine interpersonal communication, teamwork, conflict resolution, and workplace collaboration within organizational settings.
Course options include:
- COMM 4011 – Communication in Organizations
- COMM 4341 – Interpersonal Communication
- COMM 4342 – Small Group Communication
- COMM 4373 – Interracial Communication
- COMM 4375 – Intercultural Communication
- COMM 4380 – Communication and Conflict
- COUN 4621 – Human Interactions
Political and Global Perspectives
Leadership often requires understanding the legal, political, social, and international environments that influence organizations. Students select coursework that provides broader organizational context.
Course options include:
- ACCT 3130 – Legal, Social, and Political Environment
- ACCT 3011 – Business Law
- POLS 3213 – Introduction to Public Policy
- POLS 3509 – Contemporary Problems in International Relations
- HIST 3302 – Modern Europe
- Additional approved history and political science electives
Organizational Leadership Concentration (15 credit hours)
The Organizational Leadership concentration allows students to customize their degree based on their professional goals while strengthening leadership, organizational development, human behavior, and workplace management skills.
Students may select from courses such as:
- LEAD 3350 – The Adult Learner
- MGMT 3110 – Principles of Management
- PADM 3601 – Public Administration
- PADM 4226 – Introduction to Nonprofit Organizations
- TECH 4381 – Principles of Supervision
- COUN 4611 – Introduction to Counseling
- COUN 4621 – Human Interactions
- COUN 4781 – Strategy and Crisis Intervention
- PSYC 3101 – Psychology of Personality
- PSYC 3106 – Social Psychology
- SOCI 3422 – Racial and Ethnic Minorities
- SOCI 3432 – Gender and Society
- UNIV 4110 – Internship
Students may complete no more than three courses from any one academic area, allowing for a well-rounded and interdisciplinary leadership education.
College Requirements (9 credit hours)
Thematic Studies (6 credit hours)
Students complete thematic studies courses designed to broaden their understanding of significant historical, social, political, and cultural issues while strengthening critical thinking and interdisciplinary perspectives.
Senior Project (3 credit hours)
During the final semester, students complete a Senior Project (UNIV 4995) that serves as the program's capstone experience. The project integrates knowledge gained throughout the degree and allows students to apply leadership concepts to an academically relevant research, applied, or professional project.
General Electives (37–43 credit hours)
Students complete elective coursework to reach the minimum 120 credit hours required for graduation while satisfying the university's upper-division credit requirements. Electives provide additional flexibility for students transferring previous coursework or pursuing academic interests that complement their leadership and career goals.
For additional information about degree requirements, approved electives, transfer credit opportunities, academic policies, or graduation requirements, explore the University of Memphis course catalog. If you would like to learn more about the Organizational Leadership program, career opportunities, transfer pathways, or the admissions process, request more information to connect with an admissions representative or academic advisor.
Start or Advance Your Leadership Career
The Organizational Leadership program at the University of Memphis prepares you to lead teams, improve organizational performance, and navigate today's evolving workplace. Whether you're seeking your first leadership role or looking to advance into management, the curriculum develops practical skills in leadership, organizational behavior, human resources, communication, and workplace management that employers value across industries.
Designed for working professionals and future leaders alike, the program equips graduates to pursue opportunities in business, healthcare, government, nonprofit organizations, education, manufacturing, and other sectors where effective leadership and organizational success go hand in hand.
See Full Outlook From The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics
Employment Outlook
Organizational Leadership graduates are prepared for management and supervisory careers across industries including business, healthcare, government, nonprofit organizations, education, and operations management. These roles emphasize leading teams, improving organizational performance, and managing people and processes effectively.
Many common career paths align with management occupations such as human resources managers, training and development managers, financial managers, medical and health services managers, sales managers, and top executives, all of which rely on strong leadership, communication, and organizational management skills developed in this program.
Management occupations overall are expected to see steady demand as organizations continue to invest in leadership, workforce development, and operational efficiency, with additional openings created by retirements and workforce transitions.
Most roles in this field require at least a bachelor’s degree and relevant leadership experience. The Organizational Leadership program builds foundational skills in organizational behavior, supervision, communication, and human resource management to support advancement into these careers.
Earning Potential
Management and leadership roles commonly pursued by Organizational Leadership graduates offer strong earning potential, particularly in fields such as human resources, operations, healthcare administration, financial management, and organizational leadership. Salaries vary based on industry, experience, and level of responsibility.
According to national wage data for management occupations, many of these roles earn median salaries ranging from approximately $100,000 to $170,000+ annually, with higher earnings typically found in industries such as finance, healthcare, and corporate management. Senior leadership positions such as executives and specialized managers can exceed these ranges significantly.
Compensation also varies by sector. Higher-paying industries often include finance and insurance, healthcare administration, manufacturing, and corporate enterprise management, where leadership responsibilities are closely tied to organizational performance and strategic decision-making.
Most management professionals work full time, and senior roles may involve extended responsibilities beyond standard business hours due to the nature of organizational leadership and operational oversight.
Roles related to this degree
- Human Resources Manager
- Operations Manager
- Training and Development Manager
- Project Manager / Project Coordinator
- Organizational Development Specialist
- Sales Manager
- Administrative Services Manager
- Nonprofit Manager