Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership
Graduate Degree Program
The master’s in organizational leadership provides the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively lead people in an ever-changing work environment and can be completed in as few as 1.5 years. The coursework is designed to prepare professionals for a range of leadership positions and is available fully online.
Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership
Become an Agile Leader
Propel your career forward with a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from BVU. With a strong emphasis on strategic and critical thinking, creative and ethical decision-making, skills assessments, and application of learning, our program develops graduates prepared to lead with character. No matter what industry you currently work in — or where you aspire to be — this master's degree will prepare you to be an agile leader.
Our program offers four concentrations:
- Organizational Leadership- Generalist
- Human Resources Leadership
- Healthcare Leadership
- Sport Leadership
Program Details
No GRE required. Save time and money.
30 credit hours | Cost/credit: $565 | Completed in 18 months
Created for working professionals
- 100% online program
- 7.5-week terms
- One course per term, making it easy to do alongside your career.
Through Canvas, our online learning platform, you can view assignments and grades, set up appointments with specialized tutors around the clock, access the student lounge, engage in group discussions, or contact professors.
Get the supportive BVU experience on your schedule, wherever you are.
Learn More About Our Concentrations
- Organizational Leadership- Generalist
Our Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively lead people in an ever-changing work environment. No matter what industry you currently work in — or where you aspire to be — this program will equip you to be an agile leader.
- Human Resources Leadership
Our Human Resources Leadership concentration provides students with the valuable insights and practical skills needed to excel in leadership roles within the field. From navigating topics like diversity and legal compliance to exploring emerging trends, this concentration equips HR professionals with the tools needed to effectively lead in today's dynamic workplace.
- Healthcare Leadership
Our Healthcare Leadership concentration provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to take on the ever-evolving challenges of organizational leadership and management within the health sector. By diving into topics like legal and ethical issues, technology, and innovation, graduates will be ready for a variety of career opportunities in healthcare leadership and administration.
- Sport Leadership
Our Sport Leadership concentration equips students with the knowledge, skills, and insights needed to become effective leaders within the sports industry. Students will examine relevant social and business issues while gaining the insights and skills needed to maximize customer engagement. Graduates with this concentration will be prepared to excel in a variety of sports-related leadership roles.
Virtual Information Session
Join us for a Virtual Information Session to learn more about Buena Vista University’s Organizational Leadership program. Discover the benefits of our program, including the flexibility to choose from specialized concentrations in Human Resource Leadership, Healthcare Leadership, or Sport Leadership. Our fully online courses, offered in 7.5-week sessions, make it possible to complete your degree in as little as 1.5 years. Plus, learn about our Strategic Partnership discounts that can help make your education more affordable. Bring your questions—there will be time at the end of the session for discussion!
Join a Welcoming Community.
Share Remarkable Experiences.
Matthew Brostad '04 M.A. '24
BVU's strong reputation, coupled with the format of this program, made it my top choice. As a senior leader at United Community Health Center, I use many of the research-based methods taught in this program daily.
Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership Courses & Application Requirements
- Courses
Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership Core Courses
(15 credit hours)
-
GRAD
500
Essentials of Graduate Study
-
ORGL
504
History and Theory of Leadership Studies
-
ORGL
510
Leading with a Systems Thinking Mindset
-
ORGL
530
Financial Fluency for Leaders
-
ORGL
550
Consulting Capstone in Leadership or ORGL 555 Executive Leadership Mentorship
Professional Electives
Concentration students select 2 courses for 6 hours; generalist students select 5 courses for 15 hours.
-
ORGL
506
Managing Team Leadership
-
ORGL
508
Leading Across Boundaries
-
ORGL
514
Decision Making for Leadership Development
-
ORGL
520
Maximizing Ethical Leadership
-
ORGL
522
Leadership in Social Contexts
-
ORGL
540
Leading Organizational Change
Human Resources Leadership Concentration
(9 credit hours)
-
ORGL
511
Contemporary Issues in Human Resources
-
ORGL
513
Legal Issues in Human Resources
-
ORGL
515
Human Resource Systems Development
Healthcare Leadership Concentration
(9 credit hours)
-
ORGL
521
Contemporary Issues in Healthcare Leadership
-
ORGL
523
Legal and Ethical Issues in Healthcare
-
ORGL
525
Technology and Innovation in Healthcare
Sport Leadership Concentration
(9 credit hours)
-
ORGL
531
Contemporary Issues in Sport Leadership
-
ORGL
533
Legal and Ethical Issues in Sport Leadership
-
ORGL
535
Customer Engagement in Sport
- Application Requirements
- Apply
- Two (2) letters of recommendation from a professional or academic source equipped to speak to the candidate’s preparation for graduate study.
- Submission of an autobiographical essay answering the following: In a response of no more than 400 words, detail the importance of the Master of Arts in organizational leadership to your career, professional, and/or personal growth path. The autobiographies or essays will be submitted to grad@bvu.edu.
- Official transcripts, from any institution attended as well as any graduate transcripts, sent directly to:
Graduate Programs
Buena Vista University
610 W. 4th Street
Storm Lake, IA 50588
Financial Aid
We’ll help you figure out your options for receiving financial assistance while pursuing your master of organizational leadership degree.
Learn More No GRE Required
BVU does not require students to take the GRE for admission — saving you time and money.
Are you employed by one of our Strategic Partner organizations? Learn how you can lower your overall tuition costs!
Strategic Partnerships
Your Support Team
Kelli Cameron
Assistant Director of Graduate Programs
Meet Kelli
Delaney Ehn
Student Success Specialist - Graduate Programs
Meet Delaney
Deb Lenhart
Director of Graduate Programs
Meet Deb
Jordan Mikkelsen
Financial Specialist - Graduate Programs
Meet Jordan
Earn a Master’s Degree Faster with Our Accelerated Program
With BVU's Plus One program, you can earn your teaching English as a second language or organizational leadership master's within one year of graduating with your bachelor’s degree.
