Master of Science in Organizational Leadership – Online
The Master of Science in Organizational Leadership is dedicated to developing thoughtful, strategic leaders. You’ll be ready to face today’s ever-changing global workplace while making a lasting, positive impact on your organization.
Take a Quick Look
We’re committed to creating an education as unique as your career path. So, whether your goal is a new career or moving up in your field, our innovative programs will get you going your way.
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Customize your plan
We work with you to map your path to your goal.
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Learn from experience
From real-world case studies to employer-based projects, we prepare you to manage what comes next.
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Choose your focus
Whatever you’re passionate about, you’ll find the classes to sharpen your specialty.
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Study anywhere, on your time
Part-time or full-time, we move at your speed, to get you where you’re going.
Overview
Our Master of Science in Organizational Leadership prepares you to meet the evolving challenges of today's world by helping you cultivate a personal leadership philosophy.
As the workforce continues to diversify, leadership tasks and responsibilities have become more complex. Leveraging students' interdisciplinary backgrounds, this program combines real-world lessons with an experience-driven learning approach to build and strengthen your leadership capabilities to cultivate, lead, manage, and inspire teams.
You can focus your studies through one of seven concentrations, including our new coaching concentration. In your classrooms, you’ll learn from faculty experts who bring a wide array of experiences from careers in business consulting, executive coaching, the U.S. military, and more. And you’ll join an alumni network of more than 1,900 leadership professionals who work at renowned organizations such as Massachusetts General Hospital, Bank of America, the Mayo Clinic, and national universities.
More Details
Unique Features
- Strengthen your skills in our learning laboratory model through role playing, interactive simulations, and consulting for a real-world organization.
- Available 100% online.
- Specialize your focus by choosing from seven different concentrations.
- Participate in a Capstone project.
Career Outlook
Our graduates work in a wide array of industries, including:
- Healthcare
- Construction/utilities
- Information technology
- Financial services
- Engineering
- Government
They serve in prominent leadership roles, such as
- Executive coaching
- Human resources management
- Project management
- Nonprofit campaign management
- Strategic operations
- Startup CEO
Program Objectives
- Develop and bolster your leadership competencies.
- Explore key leadership areas such as management, ethics, strategic thinking, team building, and organizational culture.
- Prepare for the challenges and opportunities associated with leading globally.
- Exercise leadership skills through action-learning and research projects.
- Understand what it means to drive change and be a force multiplier within your organization.
- Learn to navigate complex business structures, nurture organizational creativity, and instill action to achieve real results.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Master of Science in Organizational Leadership is to develop leaders who will:
- Recognize the value of continually enhancing their personal and professional effectiveness.
- Mentor and coach others to achieve their potential and who can build learning organizations.
- Deal with complex systems, grasp the big picture, and achieve results.
- Demonstrate ethical values and the courage to instill those values in their organizations and in their civic engagement.
- Actively anticipate the forces driving change, nurture organizational creativity, and engage others through innovation.
Unique Transfer Credit Opportunities
Start with your Certification. Leave with your Graduate Credential.
HR Professionals with SHRM or HRCI certifications can be awarded advanced standing transfer credit toward a Graduate Certificate in Human Resources Management, the MS in Human Resources Management, or the MS in Corporate and Organizational Communication and the MS in Leadership – both of which have concentrations in Human Resources Management.
About the SHRM and HRCI Certification Transfer Credit Opportunities:
Why consider a graduate degree from Northeastern University? We recognize the knowledge and HR competencies demonstrated by those who have earned their SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, or SPHR certifications. As a result, credential-holders have the unique opportunity to accelerate through a Northeastern University Graduate Program by applying this credential in exchange for transfer credit.
Successful applicants for the Graduate Certificate in Human Resources Management:
Will receive 3 quarter hours of transfer credit - a 17% savings in tuition - for HRM 6015 Introduction to Human Resources Management.
Successful applicants for a master's degree program with their SHRM-CP or PHR:
- Will receive 3 quarter hours of transfer credit - a 6% savings in tuition.
- Will be able to earn a master’s degree by completing 14 courses, rather than 15.
- Transfer credit is awarded for the following courses: HRM 6015 Introduction to Human Resources Management.
Successful applicants for a master's degree program with their SHRM-SCP or SPHR:
- Will receive 6 quarter hours of transfer credit - a 13% savings in tuition.
- Will be able to earn a master’s degree by completing 13 courses, rather than 15.
- Transfer credit is awarded for the following courses: HRM 6015 Introduction to Human Resources Management and HRM 6005 Creating a High-Performance Organization.
Contact us today for more information by completing the form on our page.
Accreditation
Accreditation Description
The Master of Science in Organizational Leadership is accredited by the PMI Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC). The GAC Accredited Program seal is a mark of Project Management Institute, Inc.
In October of 2016, the Master of Science in Leadership with a concentration in Project Management accreditation was re-affirmed for the maximum five-year accreditation cycle (originally accredited in 2009) by the PMI Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC), the world's leading association for project management professionals. Accreditation is achieved by meeting the GAC’s rigorous standards, which include an assessment of program objectives and outcomes, a review of onsite and online resources, evaluations of faculty and students, and proof of continuous improvements in the area of project management.
Graduates of our GAC-accredited program are granted a substantial 12-month reduction credit toward the experience requirement when they complete an application for any PMI certification. This means that those applying for the PMI certification will only need 24 months of project management experience, instead of 36 months as outlined by GAC. This new benefit applies retroactively to our program’s initial accreditation date of 2009.
| Enrollment Data | |||||
| Annual Enrollments | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
| MS in Organizational Leadership. Project Management Concentration | 134 | 124 | 90 | 67 | 64 |
| Degrees Conferred | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
| MS in Organizational Leadership. Project Management Concentration | 51 | 46 | 43 | 20 | 20 |
Experiential / Co-op Opportunities
Northeastern's signature experience-powered learning model has been at the heart of the university for more than a century. It combines world-class academics with professional practice, allowing you to acquire relevant, real-world skills you can immediately put into action in your current workplace.
This makes a Northeastern education a dynamic, transformative experience, giving you countless opportunities to grow as a professional and person.
Get Set With a Custom Course Plan
Please note: The following is a sample curriculum and is subject to change. Enrolled students should reference the academic catalog for current program requirements.
General Requirements
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 4.00 |
The remaining quarter hours may be completed by a combination of completing a concentration and additional electives or selecting any courses listed in the concentrations and elective list.
Electives
Complete courses from the 6000 level. Below is a list of courses regularly offered as electives within the Organizational Leadership program.
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| 3.00 | ||
| 1.00 | ||
| 2.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 4.00 | ||
| 1.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 1.00 | 4.00 |
Concentrations
Concentration in Coaching
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 |
Complete three of the following:
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 |
Concentration in Health Management
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 |
Concentration in Human Resources Management
Required Courses
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 |
Complete three of the following (students waived out of HRM 6015, complete four of the following):
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 |
Concentration in Leading and Managing Technical Projects
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 |
Concentration in Organizational Communication
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 1.00 |
Concentration in Project Management
Required Courses
Note: Students with project management experience are not required to take PJM 5900:
| 4.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 |
Complete one of the following (note: students who are not required to take PJM 5900, complete two of the following):
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 | ||
| 3.00 |
Now Let's Talk Admissions
You know where you are headed and you've seen how our program will lead you there. So let's get going. Here's what you need to know before you enroll.
Application Requirements
- Online application
- Statement of purpose (500–1000 words): Identify your educational goals and expectations of the program. Please be aware that Northeastern University's academic policy on plagiarism applies to your statement of purpose.
- Professional resumé
- Unofficial undergraduate transcripts; official transcripts required at the time of admission
- Two letters of recommendation from individuals who have either academic or professional knowledge of your capabilities such as a faculty member, colleague, or mentor, preferably one from your current employer
- English language proficiency proof. Students for whom English is not their primary language must submit one of the following:
- Official associate or bachelor's degree transcript from an accredited college or university in the U.S., stating degree conferral and date
- TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Duolingo, or NU Global Exam scores
International Requirements
Are You an International Student? Find out what additional documents are required to apply.
Admissions Details Learn more about the College of Professional Studies admissions process, policies, and required materials.
Financing Requirements
Finance Your Education We offer a variety of resources, including scholarships and assistantships.
How to Apply Learn more about the application process and requirements.
Cost and Tuition
Estimated Total Tuition
This is an estimate based on the tuition rates for Academic Year 2024-2025 and does not include any fees or other expenses. Some courses and labs have tuition rates that may increase or decrease total tuition. Tuition and fees are subject to revision by the president and Board of Trustees at any time. Select programs at select campuses offer additional scholarships of up to 25% off the listed price for domestic students studying on campus. For more detailed information, please visit Student Financial Services.
For students interested in pursuing financial assistance or educational loans, additional educational costs, known as Cost of Attendance (COA) components, can be included in the calculation of aid and loan eligibility. Components may include food, housing, books, course materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, personal expenses, and the cost of obtaining a first professional licensure. You can find comprehensive details on the Student Financial Services website. Please keep in mind that COA can vary significantly depending on academic program, enrollment intensity, and individual circumstances.
Application Deadlines
Our admissions process operates on a rolling basis; however, we do recommend the application guidelines below to ensure you can begin during your desired start term:
Domestic Application Guidelines
International Application Guidelines*
*International deadlines are only applicable if the program is F1 compliant.
Student Body Profile
Below is a look at where our Leadership alumni work, the positions they hold, and the skills they bring to their organization.
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Where They Work
- Boston Public Schools
- State Street
- Raytheon
- United States Air Force
- Massachusetts General Hospital
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What They Do
- Education
- Business Development
- Community and Social Services
- Operations
- Human Resources
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What They're Skilled At
- Leadership
- Public Speaking
- Management
- Teaching
- Strategic Planning
Learn more about Northeastern Alumni on Linkedin.