Unveiling the Power of Organizational Leadership Degrees

If you are reading this article, you are obviously interested in the potential of college education to drive a career as a leader. No matter what kind of group or organization you want to direct and shape, the right college degree can help you build the skills you need to lead. This degree will also serve as a mark of capability and credibility to employers, demonstrating that you have what it takes to successfully lead others.

Understanding Organizational Leadership Degrees

What is an organizational leadership degree? Simply put, this educational path prepares students to become leaders of organizations, the projects they complete, and the people they both employ and serve. Unlike a business administration program focusing on training for success in the for-profit business world, an organizational leadership program will have a significantly broader purview. Although most of the knowledge and skills that students garner on their way to an organizational leadership degree apply directly to business leadership, organizational leadership degree-holders are also highly prepared for careers in the nonprofit, educational, and government sectors.

What Organizational Leadership Entails

Different leaders in different organizations have different responsibilities and must master different practices. However, effective organizational leadership generally requires setting objectives following a clear mission and developing strategic plans to reach those objectives. To accomplish this, organizational leaders must perform a broad spectrum of functions that range from team-building and performance evaluation to asset allocation and change management.

Significance of an Organizational Leadership Degree

Rather than asking yourself “what can I do with a degree in organizational leadership?”, you might want to ask “what can’t I do with a degree in organizational leadership?”. The Organizational Leadership Program at the University of Memphis (U of M) educates and trains students to better understand all types of bureaucratic organizations and how to lead them to success. In addition to imparting the fundamentals of administrative leadership, the U of M program allows students to reflect upon national and international organizational contexts, including significant social and cultural issues raised in those contexts. The U of M program promotes formal and interpersonal communication skills, including sensitivity to personal problems that impact the quality of work.

Insights Into the Course Structure of Organizational Leadership Degrees

As part of the University of Memphis College of Professional and Liberal Studies, the U of M Organizational Leadership Program requires students to take several interdisciplinary courses on social, political, and religious history topics. But the Organizational Leadership Program core areas of study are designed to:

• “Promote understanding of the nature of organizations and the fundamentals of administrative leadership.”
• “Allow students to reflect upon national and international organizational context and upon significant social and cultural issues raised in those contexts.”
• “Promote skills in formal and interpersonal communication, including sensitivity to personal issues having an impact upon the quality of accomplishment in the workplace.”

Key Modules in Organizational Leadership Courses

Common academic tracks and modules within organizational leadership programs might include “Organizational Behavior in Business,” “Management of Human Resources,” and “Strategy/Crisis Intervention.” The organizational leadership catalog at U of M allows students to customize their degree courses to work with their interests and desired career paths.

Specializations Within the Field

Because leadership is required in all areas of organizational administration and management, the opportunities to specialize as an organizational leadership student are varied and extensive. From financial oversight to human resources, organizations need leaders with a variety of specialized professional concentrations.

How Can an Organizational Leadership Degree Transform Your Life?

While an organizational leadership degree will certainly serve you well in the office, its value extends far beyond simple professional proficiency. There is virtually no end to the functions and applications of an organizational leadership degree and the diverse leadership skills you will acquire as you earn it.

Personal Growth and Skill Development

From increased confidence to better analytical skills, organizational leadership graduates benefit from their education and training in many ways. A current buzzword in the world of administration and management is self-awareness. Many higher learning institutions emphasize this characteristic in their organizational leadership programs. Drawing upon a range of research, the Harvard Business Review reports that “when we see ourselves clearly, we are more confident and more creative. We make sounder decisions, build stronger relationships, and communicate more effectively. We’re less likely to lie, cheat, and steal.”

Leadership and Influence in Organizations

By giving you the tools that you need to lead effectively, a good organizational leadership program can give you the power to motivate and instruct others, guide the strategic development of large organizations, and make an impact that resonates throughout the local community and society at large.

Advancing Your Degree: Higher Studies Options in Organizational Leadership

In addition to opening doors and driving advancement in the professional sphere, an undergraduate degree in organizational management can serve as a stepping stone to specialized continuing education and any number of graduate degrees. Popular paths of higher education in organizational leadership include enrolling in a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL) program or a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership (MAOL program. Individuals with an organizational leadership degree also commonly pursue various advanced business degrees including the Master of Business Administration (MBA).

The Power of an Organizational Leadership Degree to Shape Careers

With or without continued study, a degree in organizational leadership can positively transform your professional future. Read on for more information about the various career benefits of an organizational leadership degree.

Career Paths: Where Can an Organizational Leadership Degree Take You?

The independent higher education authority Coursera reports that organizational leadership program graduates find widespread employment with public and private companies, nonprofit organizations and government agencies. It also confirms the value of specialization within this field: “A health care manager with an organizational leadership degree, for example, might oversee a hospital facility by laying out its goals, managing its budget, and supervising its hiring process.”

Job Profiles: Positions That Require Organizational Leadership Skills

Coursera goes on to identify several district positions that are commonly available to individuals with an organizational leadership degree, including:

• Business or organizational executive
• Project manager or coordinator
• Human resources manager
• Sales or marketing manager
• Medical or health service manager
• Non-profit administrator
• Business or management consultant
• Leadership or development coach

Of course, these are only a few of the many jobs you can get with a degree in organizational leadership.

Career Growth and Salary Projections

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a particularly sunny outlook for graduates of organizational leadership programs. While there are few trustworthy statistics that track the precise employment outcomes and earning power of organizational leadership program graduates, the BLS has reliable figures on the biggest employment category for these graduates: management.

According to the BLS, overall US employment in management occupations will grow significantly faster than the average for all domestic positions through 2032. This translates to a growth rate of roughly 1.1 million new job openings year over year. The pay rates associated with management occupations are also quite attractive. According to the latest BLS statistics, management professionals have a median annual wage of $107,360, more than double the median annual wage for all occupations, which is $46,310.

How Can an Organizational Leadership Degree Benefit Those Around You?

We have already briefly investigated the power of a degree in organizational leadership to reap rewards in your professional and private life. Read on for more information about how this degree can benefit the people around you.

Creating a Positive Impact in the Workplace

If you doubt the importance of effective leadership in any organization, just take a good look at a workplace that lacks it. Most of us have had terrible bosses, and those bosses have almost universally presided over workplaces that were inefficient, unproductive and generally unpleasant to be a part of. With the education and training that an organizational leadership degree program provides, you can create a work environment that is healthy, efficient, productive and pleasant.

Leadership Roles in Community and Society

No matter where you choose to apply your skills in organizational leadership, you can make an impact that goes far beyond the organization that employs you. Certain employment sectors for organizational leadership program graduates – such as the education, medical, and nonprofit sectors – connect you directly with members of your community and society who stand to benefit most from what you offer.

Choosing an Organizational Leadership Degree: Factors to Consider

Is a degree in organizational leadership right for you? Before you make a final determination, you should think about some of the most important practical factors that go into choosing and gaining admission to an organizational leadership degree program.

Evaluating Program Quality: Faculty Expertise and Accreditation

Of course, a college program is only as good as the professors it hires. Before choosing an organizational leadership degree program, take a close look at the credentials and experience levels of its faculty. Another important factor to consider is accreditation. A degree from an unaccredited institution of higher learning often isn’t worth the paper on which it is printed. The University of Memphis is fully accredited through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and a great option when considering program quality.

Admission Process and Requirements

After examining your options, you will hopefully arrive at one or more programs that meet your needs. You must closely examine each program's admission processes and requirements. If you are unable or unwilling to complete those processes or meet those requirements, you will have to seek an academic or professional path elsewhere. While different schools can have radically different admission processes and requirements, undergraduate students who meet the basic admission standards of the University of Memphis College of Professional and Liberal Studies can pursue a degree in organizational leadership by completing a simple Declaration of Major form or reaching out to their academic advisor.

Tips for Success in an Organizational Leadership Degree Program

If you want to make the very most out of your organizational leadership studies, you will want to pursue coursework and accrue skills in the areas most compatible with your areas of interest and ability.

Essential Skills for Aspiring Organizational Leaders

People on different educational paths searching for different professional goals will want to garner different skills. However, the Insights Blog of the Harvard Business School has identified four essential skills that apply to most, if not all, organizational leaders: understanding the inner workings of organizations, managing change and innovation, communicating with emotional intelligence, and building self-awareness. A wise student will emphasize developing these skills while completing a quality organizational leadership degree program.

Making the Most of Your Degree

In addition to honing the above skills while studying, you should consider specializing to make the absolute most out of your degree. You should also pay careful attention to practical concerns, such as choosing a program that meets your specific wants and needs. Depending on your existing commitments and life situation, these wants and needs might include flexible class scheduling and online learning options.

How Does an Organizational Leadership Degree Prepare You for the Dynamic Business Environment?

Unlike a business degree, which is firmly rooted in long-established business traditions, an organizational leadership degree has an extraordinarily wide purview with a broad spectrum of general applications. We live in a highly dynamic era that comes with constant changes in business, economics, politics, and society in general. A springboard to many career options and specialization areas, a degree in organizational leadership is a highly versatile educational choice that allows you to evolve with the times.

Is Investing in an Organizational Leadership Degree Worth It?

An important thing to consider when thinking about a degree in organizational leadership is the return on investment (ROI). This means your organizational leadership degree must ultimately pay for itself through the salary you earn as a working professional. Beyond your financial investment in your education, you should consider the considerable time and effort you will invest as you complete your organizational leadership program.

Fortunately, the University of Memphis offers its Organizational Leadership Program both on campus and entirely online. While many students appreciate the face-to-face interactions that make on-campus courses compelling, others enjoy the flexible scheduling and reduced costs of online programs. For more information about the Organizational Leadership Program and other educational paths at U of M, contact a representative of its College of Professional and Liberal Studies today.