Lead the Way for Change, Innovation, and Growth
Become an effective and strategic leader with the 100% online Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL) degree program at National University. You’ll learn how to lead diverse teams, manage conflict, and create a positive culture of continuous improvement. Enhance your personal leadership abilities and apply your skills to lead people and teams.
Want to earn your MSOL sooner than 18 months? NU offers an Accelerated MSOL scheduling track for those who want an intense, fast-paced, and highly challenging graduate course structure. By choosing the Accelerated MSOL you can graduate in just 12 months!
NU’s online MSOL program will help prepare you for leadership positions within a range of organizations, including government agencies, nonprofits, and the general business sector. You can tailor your program to match your interests with one of these 6 specializations:
- Criminal Justice
- Health Services
- Human Resources Management
- Management of Virtual Organizations
- Nonprofit Management
- Project Management
Program Outcomes
At Northcentral University, you can earn your Master of Science in Organizational Leadership degree online, when it’s convenient for you. And although you attend class online, you still receive the personal support and guidance you deserve thanks to our one-to-one learning model. We also have no residency requirements, no GRE/GMAT requirements, and no group projects. This offers the flexibility you need to fit higher education into your busy schedule.
Program at a Glance
Total Credit Hours: 30
Courses: 10
Recommended Completion Time: 18 Months
Next Start Date: Every Monday
Classroom Size: One
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of Northcentral University’s Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (MSOL) program, you’ll be able to:
- Assess the current state of leadership practice within a given profession
- Evaluate the components of leadership that contribute to the health of an organization
- Apply best leadership practices within a given organization
- Evaluate yourself as a leader
The Master of Science in Organizational Leadership offers 6 specializations. You can choose from the following:
- Criminal Justice
- Health Services
- Human Resources Management
- Management of Virtual Organizations
- Nonprofit Management
- Project Management
Criminal Justice Specialization
The Criminal Justice specialization explores the dynamic nature of law enforcement, the courts, corrections, and the juvenile justice system in the United States, and examines the nature of crime both domestically and internationally. This specialization focuses on developing advanced competencies and analytical capabilities for those seeking management and leadership positions in corrections, law enforcement, and the court system.
Specialization Courses – 9 Credit Hours Total. Each course is 3 semester credits and runs 8 weeks.
- CJ-5101 - Introduction to Criminal Justice
- CJ-5004 - Organized Crime
- CJ-5007 - Current Issues in Law Enforcement
Health Services Specialization
Graduates of health services management programs are in demand in hospitals, health maintenance organizations, health insurance companies, government and public health agencies, and social service agencies. The focus of this health services specialization is to develop essential knowledge and skills necessary for effective healthcare management, including legal and ethical issues and the examination of the development of health policies.
Specialization Courses – 9 Credit Hours Total. Each course is 3 semester credits and runs 8 weeks.
- MHA-5000 - Introduction to Healthcare Management
- MHA-5004 - Health Policy & Analysis
- MHA-5010 - Health Law and Ethics
Human Resources Management Specialization
This graduate-level specialization focuses on the interrelationships between human resource capital, leadership, and the business organization. Students will explore all aspects of human resource management and address the increasing human resource issues in the global economy.
Specialization Courses – 9 Credit Hours Total. Each course is 3 semester credits and runs 8 weeks.
- HRM-5000 - Human Resource Management in the 21st Century
- HRM-5008 - Legal Issues in Human Resources Management
- HRM-5011 - Global Talent Development and Management
Human Resources Management Specialization
This graduate-level specialization focuses on the interrelationships between human resource capital, leadership, and the business organization. Students will explore all aspects of human resource management and address the increasing human resource issues in the global economy.
Specialization Courses – 9 Credit Hours Total. Each course is 3 semester credits and runs 8 weeks.
- HRM-5000 - Human Resource Management in the 21st Century
- HRM-5008 - Legal Issues in Human Resources Management
- HRM-5011 - Global Talent Development and Management
Management of Virtual Organizations Specialization
This specialization focuses on acquiring knowledge and skills to support the management of virtual organizations. Students focus on a wide range of topics relevant to the manager overseeing virtual organizations. From theory to tactics, experienced professionals and entry-level candidates will build expertise in such diverse areas as virtual leadership, building trust in virtual teams, and legal and other implications that may arise in virtual organizations.
Specialization Courses – 9 Credit Hours Total. Each course is 3 semester credits and runs 8 weeks.
- MVO-5001 - Virtual Leadership and Team Management
- MVO-5002 - Building Virtual Teams and Trust
- MVO-5003 - Legal and Other Implications in a Virtual Organization
Nonprofit Management Specialization
In this specialization, students learn the fundamental principles of nonprofit management by exploring the roles and responsibilities of the management team and their efforts to maximize fundraising opportunities and maintain healthy budgets. Other areas that are covered include revenue generation, legal foundations, recruitment and management of volunteers, and promotion and marketing. Contemporary topics including diversity and ethics are also examined.
Specialization Courses – 9 Credit Hours Total. Each course is 3 semester credits and runs 8 weeks.
- MSOL-5801 - The Nonprofit Sector: History, Trends, and Theories
- MSOL-5802 - Nonprofit Strategic Management and Leadership
- MSOL-5803 - Philanthropy and Fundraising in Nonprofits
Project Management Specialization
This specialization explores principles, concepts, tools, and techniques to improve project performance and organizational effectiveness. Project management is one of the fastest-growing professional disciplines. The field requires detail-oriented workers who can manage all aspects of company projects, including cost estimates, budget management, cost control, risk assessment, bid negotiation and contracts, and performance reporting. This specialization prepares students to explore the principles, concepts, tools, and techniques critical to any organization's success.
Specialization Courses – 9 Credit Hours Total. Each course is 3 semester credits and runs 8 weeks.
- PM-6000 - Project Procurement Management
- PM-6004 - Project Risk Management
- PM-6020 - Management, Leadership and Team Building in the Project and Program Environment
- MSOL-5000 - Leadership Development and Practice
- SKS-5001 - Comprehensive Strategic Knowledge Studies — for students without a business degree
- MSOL-5102 - Ethics and Decision Making
- MSOL-5103 - People, Processes, and Organizational Health
- MSOL-5104 - Leadership: Change, Crises, and Communication
- MSOL-5105 - Leadership and Organization Strategy
- MSOL-5106 - Understanding Data
- Specialization Course 1
- Specialization Course 2
- Specialization Course 3
- MSOL-5110 - Capstone Professional Project
Depending upon your specialization, the MSOL degree prepares you for leadership positions within a wide range of organizations, including medium-to-large businesses, government agencies, and nonprofits. The skills you’ll acquire to lead teams, manage projects, and create a culture of continuous improvement will qualify you to pursue occupations that include:
- Executives and Operations Manager
- Finance, Marketing, and Sales Manager
- Human Resources and Diversity Director
- Program and Project Manager
- Computer and IT Manager
- Management Analysts/Consultant
- Educational Administrator and Adjunct Faculty
Organizational Leadership is required in a wide range of industries, and can be applied in a variety of professional settings, including:
- Healthcare Systems and Providers
- Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Finance and Insurance
- Manufacturing
- Colleges and Universities
*Positions may require additional experience, training, and other factors beyond successfully completing this degree program. Depending on where you reside, many positions may also require state licensure, and it is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all licensure requirements are met. We encourage you to also review program-specific requirements with an NU advisor. Any data provided on this page is for informational purposes only and does not guarantee that completion of any degree program will achieve the underlying occupation or commensurate salary.
SOURCE: Emsi Labor Analyst- Report. Emsi research company homepage at https://www.economicmodeling.com/company/ (Report viewed: 4/13/2022). DISCLAIMER: The data provided is for informational purposes only. Emsi data and analysis utilizes government sources to provide insights on industries, demographics, employers, in-demand skills, and more to align academic programs with labor market opportunities. Cited projections may not reflect local or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Current and prospective students should use this data with other available economic data to inform their educational decisions.
The Master of Science in Organizational Leadership program can be completed with a minimum of 30 credit hours, but may require additional credit hours, depending on the entry track. If needed, additional courses will be added to the student degree program in alignment with the SAP and Academic Maximum Time to Completion policies. Students who do not complete their program in accordance with these policies may be dismissed.
Students who complete at least 9 semester credit hours in a single area of specialization at NU (not counting foundational courses) may elect to have the specialization recorded on their transcript and diploma.
All MSOL programs require the foundation courses to be completed prior to enrolling in specialization courses. The program capstone will be completed as the last course in the degree program.
In some cases, specialization courses listed on the initial degree plan can be changed upon the student’s request. Please contact your Academic and Finance Advisor for more information.
The Admissions and Evaluation team will schedule any additional courses needed to satisfy entry track requirements.
As a leading accreditation association for business education, the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) "develops, promotes, and recognizes best practices that contribute to continuous improvement of business education." The Association emphasizes the importance of "learning how to learn," balancing teaching and research activities to enhance the quality of classroom instruction and contribute to student learning. To learn more about the ACBSP, visit their website.