Online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Organizational Leadership

With theory-to-practice-oriented curriculum that applies to diverse career paths, the UMass Global bachelor’s in organizational leadership will prepare you for entry and mid-level supervisory roles.

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Learn to become a dynamic, adaptable leader with this online Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership. Core foundation courses delve into organizational behavior and leadership, while core competencies focus on skills such as team building and organizational communication. You’ll choose from two emphasis options and add four electives from diverse areas such as human resource management, legal studies, psychology, and business to broaden your knowledge.

Fewer Core Requirements = Faster Completion
This bachelor’s in organizational leadership features a streamlined core with 42 required credits, allowing you to maximize the use of electives and transfer credits to speed your degree completion.
Excellent Option for Transitions
This BA in Organizational Leadership is an excellent degree for active-duty military members, transitioning military members, and civilians as well.
100% Online Coursework
UMass Global’s 100% online Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership works for working adults.

Next Session

Spring I (Jan 6, 2025)

Estimated Tuition

$500/Credit

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Ways to Learn

Online

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True leadership starts from within, but business leadership starts with their company values and mission statement. Learn how to stay true to your leadership style and on-brand with your company.

Customize your degree by choosing an area of emphasis in supply chain systems or organizational administration.

You don’t have to finish your degree to start making a difference in your organization. The BAOL was designed so that you can apply what you learn today on the job tomorrow.

Accreditation

University of Massachusetts Global is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

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Data source: Lightcast™ 2022 www.lightcast.io

The pathway information provided through this website is based partly on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data licensed by the University of Massachusetts Global from Lightcast. While the University of Massachusetts Global believes this data to be reliable, some of the data is based on estimates made by Lightcast when actual data is unavailable. Those estimates and the corresponding data may need to be corrected.

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3. The University of Massachusetts Global does not guarantee a job to graduates upon completion of any program

Each instructor led me to believe, by providing knowledge and resources, that I was capable of making positive impacts in the lives of people.

Angelo C.
BA, Organizational Leadership

I’m over the moon that their staff made it so easy, and I learned so much that I could apply to my work right now. I improved myself in leadership competencies and it’s made me a much better leader for the Department of the Navy.

Michele R.
BA, Organizational Leadership

Applicants for this program must complete the formal application process and submit required documents. Documents required vary based on the number of transferable credits and include:

0 - 11 TRANSFERABLE CREDITS

High school diploma or GED equivalent
Official high school transcript indicating the date of graduation

12 OR MORE TRANSFERABLE CREDITS

A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
Provide official transcripts from ALL colleges and universities attended

active military?

Admissibility and minimum transfer credit awarded will be determined based on the Community College of the Air Force, SMART, AARTS or JST transcripts.

Transcripts

Only credits from regionally accredited institutions may be accepted in transfer. Failure to report any previous academic work at another college or university may be considered a violation of academic integrity.

HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT UNDERGRADUATE REQUIREMENTS? Request more information>

General Education Requirements

Bachelor degrees require students to complete a minimum of 120 semester units which include a combination of General Education requirements and program specific requirements. In the absence of sufficient transfer credit, students may need to take additional general electives to satisfy the 120 total units for the degree which a UMass Global Academic Advisor will help you evaluate.

Code	Course Name	Credits
Basic Skills		12
ENGU103	Writing Communication I: Writing and Rhetoric	3
ENGU 104	Written Communication II: Writing About Literature	3
MATU 103	Applied Mathematics	3
COMU 101	Public Speaking 1	3
	Quantitative reasoning	3
	Oral communication	3
Breadth Requirements		24
Humanities	Select from 3 different areas: Communications, English, Fine Arts, Foreign Languages, Humanities, Liberal Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies	9
Natural Sciences	Select 6 credits	6
Social Sciences	Select from 3 different areas: Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Economics, History, Marketing, Organizational Leadership, Political Science/Legal Studies, Psychology, Social Sciences, Social Work, Sociology	9
Liberal Education Foundations		6
LBSU 302	Information Fluency and Academic Integrity	3
LBSU 304	Liberal Arts Core Foundations	3
Total Credits		42

Core Requirements

Course List
Code	Course Name	Credits
COMU 410	Organizational Communication	3
MGTU 301	Principles of Management	3
OLCU 300	Organizational Behavior	3
OLCU 303	Organizational Development and Change	3
OLCU 325	Leadership Skills Development Lab	3
OLCU 350	Leadership and Professional Ethics	3
OLCU 380	Research and Analytical Thinking	3
OLCU 400	Theory and Practice of Leadership	3
OLCU 414	Team Building	3
OLCU 425	Leadership in Diverse and Multicultural Organizations	3
Core Requirements		30
Electives
BAOL students have the opportunity to select an individualized set of electives from the following areas of study: Business Administration, Communications, Healthcare Administration, Human Resource Management, Information Technology, Legal Studies, Management, Organizational Leadership, and Psychology.		12
Total Credits		42

Minor

Course List
Code	Course Name	Credits
Foundation Courses
OLCU 300	Organizational Behavior	3
OLCU 350	Leadership and Professional Ethics	3
OLCU 400	Theory and Practice of Leadership	3
OLCU 425	Leadership in Diverse and Multicultural Organizations	3
or COMU 315	Intercultural Communication
Foundation Courses Subtotal		12
Electives
Select two of the following:		6
CSCU 315	Organizational Information Systems
ECNU 201	Principles of Macroeconomics
ENTU 401	Introduction to Entrepreneurship
MGTU 301	Principles of Management
MKTU 301	Principles of Marketing
OLCU 325	Leadership Skills Development Lab
OLCU 380	Research and Analytical Thinking
OLCU 414	Team Building
Electives Subtotal		6
Total Credits		18

business

David Gonzalez, Jr., B.S., M.A., D.P.A.

Associate Professor of Organizational Leadership and Public Administration

Specialty

Public Administration

Organizational Leadership

business

Evelina Atanassova, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Business Administration, Human Resources

Specialty

Business

Human Resources

Organizational Leadership

business

Laura Galloway, Ph.D.

Associate Dean, Curriculum Instruction and Academic Administration; Associate Professor, Organizational Leadership and Human Resources

Specialty

Organizational Leadership

Human Resources

Non Profit Leadership

Business Analytics

Diversity Equity and Inclusion

Executive Coaching

All business & professional studies faculty

Explore professional pathways that span industries from business to education and learn about degree options that fit your future.

Leadership Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re interested in returning to school to earn your Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership with UMass Global, here are a few frequently asked questions.

What are the career prospects with a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership?

Different from a business degree with a leadership emphasis, the UMass Global Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership builds a strong foundation in leadership, management, and organizational dynamics. These qualities make the BA in Organizational Leadership a versatile degree that can fit into various industries. Some of these roles would be more accessible if the person added an MAOL, but these are possible career options.

Human Resources: HR managers, talent acquisition specialists, organizational development consultants
Management: Operations managers, project managers, general managers
Nonprofit and Government: Program managers, development directors, executive directors
Healthcare: Healthcare administrators, patient care coordinators, quality improvement managers
Consulting: Organizational consultants, management consultants

How is Organizational Leadership different from Management?

Organizational Leadership and Manager are related, yet they are also distinct concepts. The focus of each, while there is some overlap, are different. Here’s how.

Organizational Leadership is primarily about setting a vision, inspiring others, and guiding an organization or team towards achieving long-term goals. Organizational Leadership emphasizes motivation, influence, and the ability to drive change. Organizational Leadership will lead the necessary changes when organizations need to adapt and evolve. Those in these positions play a key role in setting strategic goals and help shape and maintain an organization’s culture and values.

Management is focused on day-to-day operations, ensuring the organization runs smoothly and efficiently. Management helps drive the organization forward toward the strategic goals set by leadership, but managers do this on a more granular level. Managers control resources, and handle planning and organizing to achieve short-term and long-term goals. You could think of managers as being responsible for the day-to-day workings of the organization as it strives to achieve the strategies set by leadership.

Students in the Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership address this question directly, as everyone who has come across a manager who is far from being a leader. Management degrees are focused on the granular day-to-day business environment, while Organizational Leadership considers bigger issues when leading people. Bottom line? The best managers have extensive training in leadership.

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BA in Organizational Leadership