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Organizational Leadership Degree Online BS in Business Administration Concentration

Sultan Ahktar, who earned his degree from SNHU in 2019, standing on a quiet street holding his framed diploma.

Cost per credit $330

Total courses 40

Term length 8 weeks

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Program Overview Why get an organizational leadership degree?

Organizational leaders help businesses big and small navigate through change with data-driven decision-making. In the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Business Administration with a concentration in Organizational Leadership degree program, you can learn how to set strategic goals and motivate individuals to achieve those goals, preparing an organization for an uncertain future that looks very different from the present.

Skills you'll learn:

  • Change management
  • Management principles
  • Leadership approaches
  • Data-based decision-making
  • Communication techniques
  • Development of business solutions
Sultan Ahktar, who earned his degree from SNHU in 2019, standing in front of two women in a classroom.

Courses & Curriculum Online business degree classes that prepare you for your career

In the online leadership degree concentration, you'll develop an understanding of management, planning and decision-making in organizations. As you study how change management is used to boost productivity, you'll learn to manage conflicts and grow an organization in today’s evolving business world.

All undergraduate business degrees at SNHU are made up of business core courses, general education classes and free electives.

Degree Courses

Online business degree courses

Designed by subject-matter experts, our organization leadership degree concentration was designed to teach you how to apply management theory to real-world situations. You'll explore organizational structure, group dynamics and other management theories that impact leadership roles while gaining a global perspective.

Leadership courses online also examine the role of leaders within an organization. You'll dig deeper into the leadership development process and explore leadership styles and theories and add new leadership skills to your management toolbox.

Courses may include:

Course ID: BUS 307
The study begun in Business Law I continues as the topics of commercial paper, real and personal property, creditors' rights and bankruptcy, agency, business organizations, estate planning and government regulation of business are explored.
Course ID: OL 215
This course is designed to examine the fundamentals and principles of management in order to develop an understanding of management in any formal organization. Special attention is paid to planning and decision-making. International management is also covered. Writing Intensive Course.
Course ID: OL 322
This course focuses on the effective management of human resources during the process of change. It emphasizes change management as a tool for survival, growth, increased productivity and conflict management in the complex and volatile business environment of today and the future. Change in an international environment also is discussed. Team intensive course.
Course ID: OL 328
This course examines leadership as an inter-personal and intra-organizational phenomenon with an emphasis on student leadership development. It includes leadership assessment, leadership development, the leadership process, the contagious nature of leadership, leadership and productivity, motivation, and effective leadership styles and theories. An international perspective is included. Current readings, research, simulations and exercises are used. Team intensive course.

Visit the course catalog to view the full BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Organizational Leadership curriculum.

Apply for free in minutes

Our no-commitment application can help you decide if SNHU is the right college for you and your career goals. Apply up until 2 days before the term starts!

Upcoming term starts: March 3, 2025 | May 5, 2025

Next term starts:
Jan. 6, 2025

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Online Student Experience What’s it like going to SNHU?

Attending college online at SNHU can be a life-changing experience. In fact, 93.2% of online students would recommend SNHU according to a 2023 survey with 21,000+ respondents.

What to expect:

8-week terms

Learn around your schedule

24/7 online support

Online Classroom

What does an online course look like?

You’ll take your courses within SNHU’s Brightspace platform. This is where you’ll find your:

  • Schedule of weekly assignments
  • Discussion boards
  • Grades
  • Instructor announcements
How to Take an Online Class at SNHU
5 ways SNHU makes the admission process "easy-peasy" #shorts

Admission Applying to SNHU is fast and free

No application fee. No test scores. And no college essay. Just a simple form with basic information. It’s another way SNHU helps you reach your goals sooner.

All it takes is 3 simple steps

It's easy, fast and free.

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Whether you're applying for an undergraduate or graduate degree, you’ll fill out a form to verify your previous education experience. As part of our admissions process, we'll help you request transcripts from your previous school(s) to see if you can transfer any credits into your SNHU program! (Also for free!)

After reviewing your official evaluation, you can decide if SNHU is right for you! If you choose to enroll, just pick your start date and get ready for classes to begin.

Talk to an admission counselor: 888.327.SNHU | enroll@snhu.edu

Accreditations

SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The university also carries specialized accreditations for some programs.

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Tuition Cost & Savings College can be more affordable than you think

As a nonprofit university, SNHU offers some of the lowest online tuition rates in the country. And when you work with our Financial Services team, we'll explore ways to help you save even more on your education – and customize a payment plan that works for you.

Online undergraduate tuition

Student
Cost per credit
Cost per course
Cost for 120-credit degree*
Full- and part-time students
$330
$990
$39,600
Active-duty military and spouses | Full- and part-time students**
$231
$693
$27,720

*before previously earned credits are applied

Tuition rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.

**Note: Students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.

Additional costs: Course materials vary by course.

Transfer credits and lower your cost by:

$9,900 $14,850 $19,800 $24,750 $29,700
Transfer credits and lower your cost by:

If 30 of your prior learning credits ($330/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $29,700

If 45 of your prior learning credits ($330/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $24,750

If 60 of your prior learning credits ($330/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $19,800

If 75 of your prior learning credits ($330/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $14,850

If 90 of your prior learning credits ($330/credit) are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree.

Your remaining tuition cost: $9,900

How we estimate your tuition cost:

We look at the cost per credit multiplied by the number of credits you need to earn for a bachelor's degree. Most bachelor's degrees require 120 credits. SNHU allows you to transfer in up to 90 credits, requiring a minimum of 30 credits to be taken at SNHU. This is only a tuition estimator, and doesn't account for other fees that may be associated with your program of choice.

Career Outlook What can I do with an online business degree?

Leadership skills are essential to the success of any business and are in high demand across many industries. If you want to start a new career in leadership, an organizational leadership degree online can help. Already a leader? You can apply your coursework to grow in your current position.

The business world is shifting rapidly. The growth of remote work, an increasingly diverse workforce and evolving technology are changing the way people and organizations get things done. As organizations navigate these changes, they’ll need future-thinking leaders with the business acumen and interpersonal skills to move groups forward.

Occupations

Opportunities for skilled leaders are significant. With an organizational leadership degree, you could lead a group – or an entire organization – toward a common goal. Some potential occupations for graduates with a business degree are:

Direct an organization’s sales teams. Set sales goals, analyze data and develop training programs for sales representatives.

Oversee communications for a company to enhance their public image. Prepare press releases, media reports and marketing materials.

Plan and coordinate an organization's administrative functions. Oversee the hiring of new staff and consult with executives on strategic planning.

Drive initiatives that help an organization run efficiently, like supervising staff, coordinating activities and monitoring facilities.

Oversee daily operations of manufacturing and related plants. Decide how to best use resources to meet production timelines and goals.

Assess the training needs of employees, then plan and administer lessons that help improve the skills and knowledge of those who participate.

6%

Expected growth for training and development managers through 2032, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). 1

$125,040

Median annual wage of training and development managers in 2023, according to the BLS. 1

Understanding the numbers
When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors—like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.

What SNHU students are saying

Christie Newell '21
Christie Newell '21

It is very important for online professors to encourage their students. My professors did not disappoint! My favorite professors were encouraging, respectful and knowledgeable.

Christie Newell '21

Frequently Asked Questions

Organizational leadership is a management approach. In this approach, leaders set strategic goals for an organization and work with individuals to carry out assignments that work toward those goals.

With a career in organizational leadership, you’ll do more than lead the day-to-day operations of a team or department. You can act as a change agent to help influence the future of an organization.

Organizational leadership combines an understanding of the business world with an understanding of people. You'll learn how to motivate people to work toward a common goal.

The business landscape is shifting rapidly. Organizations are looking for leaders who can help them respond to industry and workforce changes. With a job in organizational leadership, you could find work across many fields. These fields include corporate environments, nonprofit organizations and government agencies.

An organizational leadership degree offers a unique combination of business knowledge and management skills. It can help you prepare to lead an organization through a changing business landscape.

“If your goal is to influence people and impact the organization at the highest level possible, then you want to learn about organizational leadership,” said Deborah Gogliettino, faculty lead for human resources at SNHU.

At SNHU, organizational leadership is a concentration of the business administration bachelor’s degree. It offers a foundation of general education and business courses. This learning is supplemented by management and leadership classes online.

Core business courses explore topics, including:

  • Accounting
  • Business law
  • Finance
  • Marketing
  • Human relations
  • Strategic management
  • Operations management

General education courses can help you develop key career skills. These include critical thinking, problem-solving, analysis and communication.

Organizational leadership courses online will explore leadership skills, group dynamics, organizational structure, change management and more. You'll learn how to think strategically, identify future innovations and opportunities and develop leadership potential in others.

As you advance your career, you may even want to consider investing in your education again, as well. SNHU offers an MS in Organizational Leadership and an MBA in Leadership – among many other career-focused graduate degrees that can help take you further.

If you dream of making a significant impact on the future of an organization, this degree could be a great fit for you. You can apply your management skills to help groups of people work toward a common goal.

Your leadership skills can be applied to a wide variety of jobs. And these skills are in high demand across many industries.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs for management occupations are projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2032.1 Training and development specialists, who play a key role in the growth and retention of an organization’s workforce, will see 6% job growth over the same time period.1 Administrative services and facilities managers, who oversee the overall function and success of a department or organization, are projected to see 5% job growth by 2032.1

For someone like Christie Newell '21, who had already built up a career, she absolutely felt that it was worth it.

"I have accomplished my goal to have my education match my work experience in my portfolio," she said.

And for Rachel McCulloch '19 '21, studying OL at SNHU gave her the gift of balance in her life.

"I felt that I was able to go to college and still lead a fulfilling personal life," she said. "The program challenges you and fully prepares you to succeed in your career."

Organizational leadership jobs are available across many industries. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, management occupations saw a median salary of $116,880 in May 2023.1 Depending on your specific role, salary potential can vary.

In 2023, for example, marketing managers earned a median salary of $157,620 and public relations/fundraising managers earned a median salary of $130,480.1 That same year, human resources managers earned a median salary of $136,350 and training and development managers earned a median salary of $125,040.1

Salaries can also depend on your education and experience. Many organizational leadership jobs require only a bachelor of science in organizational leadership or a related field. But some top leadership positions may require a master’s degree.

An organizational leadership master’s degree could bring more career opportunities and higher pay. In 2023, the median weekly earnings of workers with master's degrees were over 16% higher than workers with bachelor’s degrees.1

At SNHU, there are two graduate-level leadership degrees among other online business school options that can help advance a management career and boost earning potential

The Master of Science in Organizational Leadership can help you evaluate business values and societal trends to improve organizational performance. Our Master of Business Administration in Leadership program can help you develop the business and management skills needed to lead organizational change in an evolving business landscape.

A leadership degree is a versatile credential. It can be applied to just about any field. The business landscape continues to evolve and companies across many industries are looking for leaders with experience in organizational change management.

Organizational leaders are in high demand across many industries, including:

  • Public and private sectors
  • For-profit and not-for-profit realms
  • Centralized and decentralized institutions
  • New startups and global conglomerates

An organizational leadership bachelor's degree offers a unique combination of business and leadership skills. With these skills, you can work in many management positions.

Jobs could include:

  • Administrative services manager
  • Advertising, promotions and marketing manager
  • Compensation and benefits manager
  • Financial manager
  • Human resources manager
  • Industrial production manager
  • Operations and supply chain manager
  • Public relations and fundraising manager
  • Training and development manager
  • General and operations manager

Christie Newell '21 wants to use her degree to move up in her career.

"It has been my goal to become the leader of the workforce management group that I belong to," she said. "The program focusing on organizational leadership was a perfect fit for my long-term goals. It combined courses that focused on various types of leadership skills, such as operations management, to the financial portion of leadership (accounting and finance) to running a business globally. This experience has been a great way to take another step toward my goal."

No matter what your interests, you can use your leadership skills to help move a team of people or an entire organization forward toward a common goal.

Related Articles

Sources & Citations

1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at:

  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/ (viewed April 22, 2024)
  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/administrative-services-managers.htm (viewed April 22, 2024)
  • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/training-and-development-managers.htm (viewed April 22, 2024)
  • https://www.bls.gov/emp/chart-unemployment-earnings-education.htm (viewed April 22, 2024)

Cited projections may not reflect local or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.