Master’s Certificate Programs in Organizational Leadership Overview
Majors Overview June 1, 2015Get information about master’s certificate programs in organizational leadership and their education requirements, coursework, career choices, job and wage outlook, and continuing education choices.
Information on Organizational Leadership Programs
In a master’s certificate program in organizational leadership, graduate-level management classes are collected into a program of shorter duration than that of a master’s degree. Students enrolled in the certificate courses can expect to gain the expertise in advanced leadership and management skills necessary for running organizations or businesses. Students are taught about the challenges that business leaders and managers face; they also learn about new and emerging management styles and theories. Students enrolled in most organizational leadership graduate certificate programs complete them within 1-2 semesters comprising 12-15 credit hours.
Schools may allow transfer of credits earned in a certificate course to an MBA. Some schools offer master’s certificate programs in organizational leadership as part of an accelerated baccalaureate program and allow students to apply credits to a master’s degree in liberal studies, management, or human resources. Online classes are available through other master’s certificate programs for working professionals to boost their managerial skills.
Education Requirements
Admission criteria in some master’s certificate programs in organizational leadership require incoming students to hold a bachelor’s degree in business or a similar field. In other programs, applicants are required to have completed certain college-level courses. Students entering some master’s certificate programs are required to possess minimum prior professional experience in a business setting of two years.
Coursework
Management principles augmented by practical applications of those principles are in the coursework of a master’s certificate program in organizational leadership. Coursework covers topic areas such as leadership theory, motivational tactics, group dynamics, power and politics, communication, stress management, and organizational culture. Core coursework may include subject areas such as:
•Managerial accounting
•Human resources management
•Economic issues in organizations
•Law and public policy
•Organizational research
•Management in the 21st century
•Leadership skills
•Gender roles in leadership
•Organizational ethics
•Finance
Career Choices
Program graduates may seek occupations in leadership roles. They may choose from possible positions such as:
•Financial manager
•Supply chain manager
•Entrepreneur
•General manager
•Marketing manager
•Human resources manager
•Business manager
•Non-profit organization manager
Job and Wage outlook
Over the 2012 – 2022 decade, a slower-than-average job growth rate of eleven percent has been predicted for top executives, including general and operations managers (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In May 2012, these professionals brought in an average annual wage of $101,650.
Continuing Education Choices
Program graduates may pursue continued education by transferring credits earned in some organizational leadership master’s certificate programs to master’s degree programs in business management or human resources management. Students take two years to complete such programs wherein they gain an advanced grasp of management theory and practice.
