The Top Organizational Leadership MBA
Online Programs

An online Master of Business Administration in Organizational Leadership program is a multidisciplinary field that involves business, leadership and social and behavioral science. Organizational leadership MBA online programs are based on the idea that people can work more productively when they are considered as individuals rather than just pieces of a company. Therefore, many top organizational leadership MBA schools online focus on managing employee performance as well as bolstering employee morale.

Students enrolled in an online MBA in organizational development program will learn how to manage diverse teams, negotiate conflict resolution, create incentives for employees and provide professional development for staff. Top online MBA programs also teach methods of organizational structure, leadership assessment and motivation. Online Master of Business Administration in Organizational Leadership graduates will be able to transform a mundane workplace into a challenging and positive one.

How can I tell if an online MBA organizational leadership degree is right for me?

Students who are thinking of attending an MBA online organizational leadership program should have an interest in leadership, interpersonal communication and psychology.

Additional common traits amongst many online MBA organizational leadership students include:

• A capability for provide consultation and advice to others
• A propensity for resolving conflicts and negotiating with others
• A proclivity for training and teaching others
• A propensity for communicating with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• A proclivity for organizing, planning, and prioritizing work

How long does it take to earn an MBA online organizational leadership degree?

The time it takes to earn an organizational leadership MBA degree online is comparable to the time it takes to earn other MBAs online. Two years of full time study is on average required to finish this degree. But, part-time or accelerated programs are offered by some institutions to allow students to complete the program at their own pace.

What are the prerequisites and admission requirements for MBA organizational leadership schools online?

Prior to gaining admission in online MBA organizational leadership programs, business schools typically require students to have an undergraduate degree. Some schools that have an MBA organizational leadership online program favor applicants who have degrees in subjects including business administration, human resources, human resource management, and organizational psychology.

The following criteria are also used by many online MBA in organizational leadership programs in making admissions decisions including:

• Academic transcripts
• Work experience
• Essays
• Graduate Management Admission Test scores (GMAT)

What courses will I take in organizational leadership MBA programs online?

The first-year coursework for students attending online MBA organizational leadership programs is consistent with other administrative MBA programs. Classes typically include finance, accounting, business strategy, ethics and marketing, among others. Schools with the best online organizational leadership MBA rankings have students spend their first year learning and reviewing case studies in business fundamentals in order to build a comprehensive understanding of how businesses function.

Second-year coursework for students in accredited online organizational leadership MBA schools often includes leadership theory, organizational behavior, labor management relations, administrative law, group process and facilitation, gender issues in leadership and organizational transformation. Some of the organizational leadership MBA online schools also offer internship programs.

Often students enrolled in online organizational leadership MBA programs do an internship during the course of their education. Internships are helpful. Through them, students not only make beneficial business contacts, but they also get a chance to apply what they are learning in their classes.

What are the best online MBA in organizational leadership books I should consider reading?

For students interested in organizational leadership MBA careers, some on point books are:

1. Salsa, Soul, and Spirit: Leadership for a Multicultural Age (Juana Bordas) – In this book, the author examines the idea of community in the workplace and describes a multicultural model based on Native American, African-American and Latino cultures.

2. Credibility: How Leaders Gain It and Lose It, Why People Demand It (James Kouzes) – A great read for organizational leadership students, this book looks at how business leaders can develop credibility and use it to gain trust from employees.

3. Women and Men at Work (Barbara Reskin) – This text examines the inequalities between men and women in a rapidly changing workplace.

4. Transforming Leadership (James MacGregor Burns) – The author provides several historical case studies to show the reader how leadership has evolved over the last few centuries.

5. Leading Change (John P. Kotter) – In this book, the author examines successes and failures in more than 100 organizations, offering a range of ideas for leaders of all kinds.

What are my future job prospects if I pursue organizational leadership MBA jobs?

MBA organizational leadership online programs prepare students for careers in administrative and management positions. Job opportunities in organizational leadership are very competitive. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 71,800 human resource manager positions and 29,800 training and development manager positions in 2010. The following is a list of common positions in organizational leadership along with average organizational leadership MBA salary information:

• Human Resources Manager – $99,180
• Training and Development Manager – $89,160
• Administrative Service Manager – $77,890
• Top Executives – $101,250

The expected job growth for both administrative services and training and development managers is 15% over the next ten years.  Although the salaries for top executives are well above average, the projected job growth over the next decade is only 5% because top executive jobs are often lost as companies merge and consolidate leadership positions.

Many employers favor graduates who have earned their degrees from a program that has been accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. AACSB accredited organizational leadership MBA programs are believed to provide students with a quality education.

What are the top online schools to pursue an online Organizational Leadership MBA degree?

• Ashford University
• Norwich University
• Brandman University