Cleveland Organizational Leadership Graduate Programs | Organizational Leadership Degree Programs

Organizational leadership graduate programs focus on effective leadership at all levels. Students study how to manage teams and make strategic decisions that could impact the organization as a whole. To reflect the ever changing world of leadership, programs cover a wide range of topics and may even be available with an area of focus.

Some programs are tailored to specific industries or careers. Others offer a general overview so that students could prepare to lead in any setting. Courses might discuss the psychology behind how people work together. Or they might examine conflict resolution and project management. All this could come together to support you on the job and become the leader you want to be.

What Is Organizational Leadership?

Organizational leadership is a style of management that aims to balance the needs of team members with the success of the whole. Using organizational leadership theories, you could make strategic decisions to lead a company to success. Or you could work to create a positive office environment and empower the individual.

With your new knowledge, you could impact an organization's culture, the productivity of a company, and the strength of a team as a whole. This could enhance a career at any level, even if you don’t currently hold a formal leadership position. By studying effective teamwork, developing empathy for others, and learning new strategies to make decisions, you might hone the skills you need to be a better team player.

What is Risk Management?

Risk management is a subset of organization leadership that focuses on identifying current and future risk to an organization. This then leads to the creation of strategies to manage these risks. This could occur in a variety of industries and at many levels of an organization. Risk managers might guide financial decisions, oversee accounting procedures, or be involved with legal departments, insurance, or governance. And those are only a few options.

Risk management uses statistics, processes, and standards to make and guide decisions. As such, in a risk management graduate program, you might learn things like data analysis and assessment techniques. You could also study frameworks for analysis, compliance, and general decision-making. Learn more about Risk Management Graudate Programs.

What is an Organizational Leadership Degree?

Leadership degree programs may take a variety of approaches to topics such as HR, strategic decision-making, and the psychology of the workplace. Some might study management in specific industries like healthcare, education, or non-profit organizations. Others may focus on certain roles, such as within a human resources department or as a project manager. However most do share a common goal: to prepare students to lead teams to success.

Example topics covered in organizational leadership courses may include the following.

Conflict Management

Conflict is an inescapable part of people working together. Here, you may study the psychology behind conflict and develop strategies to manage it in a healthy and effective way.

Business Ethics

Workplace leaders could be responsible for making decisions that guide the company as a whole. As such, leadership programs may examine ethics and business law to guide that process.

Project Management

Teams often include members with a variety of unique skill sets and responsibilities. These courses look at managing these disparate groups. That way, students might prepare to ensure cooperation to achieve a result, on time and on budget.

Organizational Behavior

You might be in charge of leading your team, but do you know why your teams members act the way they do? Organizational leadership courses might study the psychology behind how individuals and groups function. Courses may also look at strategies to encourage a productive workplace.

Change Management

Study how to guide your team through change, both large scale and small. You could explore theories, research, and processes to help teams adjust.

Potential Additional Factors to Consider

Of course, this list is not exhaustive. Your specific courses may vary, influenced by a variety of factors. This could include whether your program includes a specialization, the types of students it is designed for, your preference, and other details. Follow up with programs directly for more information.

There is one important note to remember when choosing organizational leadership graduate programs. Programs may be designed to accommodate working professionals or otherwise emphasize professional experience. As such, you may find that some include a capstone requirement in place of a thesis. Depending on your goals—i.e. whether you’re professionally focused, or want to continue your education further—this might impact your preference of schools.

Organizational Leadership Degree Levels & Types

Organizational leadership graduate programs could support many objectives and be found at several different levels. Programs may be available whether you’re new to graduate education or have some experience in that arena. A variety of degree types might also be offered, potentially giving you plenty of choices.

Here are some typical organizational leadership graduate program options.

• Organizational Leadership Masters Programs – Notable degree types in masters in organizational leadership programs include a Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS) and Master of Business Administration (MBA). While programs vary by school, MBA programs tend to be more focused on business concepts. A MA or MS in Organizational Leadership might focus on other aspects of leadership, beyond business.
• Organizational Leadership Doctoral Programs – Doctorate in organizational leadership programs typically award either a PhD and DBA in Organizational Leadership. As with masters programs, DBA programs might focus more on being a leader in business contexts. However, some programs may offer alternate doctorate degree types, especially related to leadership roles within a specific field.
• Organizational Leadership Graduate Certificate Programs – Potentially offered at both masters and post-masters levels, many organizational leadership graduate certificate programs focus on leading in specific contexts. This could include data and infrastructure management, nonprofit management, risk management, and a variety of other focal points. Certificate programs might be a great choice for those looking to learn about a specific topic, in a shorter period of time.

Remember, each program may vary from these descriptions, so make sure you follow up with any schools you might want to attend for more information.

Organizational Leadership Graduate Programs Learning Formats

Balancing your career with your education? Or do you prefer to focus 100% on your studies? Do you learn better in a classroom? Or prefer the comfort of your home? Either way, programs could be available in a format to fit your needs.

Organizational leadership graduate programs come in three main categories.

• On Campus Organizational Leadership Graduate Schools – Earn your degree with the support and resources of a graduate school campus! Some programs may offer flexible scheduling to accommodate your leadership on the job every day.
• Online Graduate Programs in Leadership – Need a more flexible solution to accommodate your busy schedule? Online organizational leadership programs may allow you to access your coursework from your own computer, when and where you need it.
• Hybrid Organizational Leadership Graduate Programs – Partially online or blended organizational leadership programs could be a great option if you want to combine the convenience of online education with the resources and stability of a local graduate school experience.

Start Your Search for Organizational Leadership Graduate Programs Today

Take that first step toward earning your leadership degree by searching programs here. Narrow down your choices by selecting a filter from the menu. This could include your degree level, format, specialty, or even location. Then read up on the sponsored listings. Reach out to the ones you’re interested in for more information by clicking on the program name!