Master's in Organizational Leadership

Anchor: Stats

By the Numbers

100%

Accredited

Anchor: Programs & Requirements

Programs & Requirements

Executive Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (EMSOL)

The executive master’s in organizational leadership degree program at University of the Cumberlands is designed to equip professionals to advance in – or take on the new challenges of – a leadership role within their organization.

This executive MS degree curriculum enhances foundational organizational leadership theory and methodology by exploring specialized areas of leadership, as well as a deep understanding of approaches to leadership in different organizational settings – private, public, for-profit, and non-profit.

Course Requirements

Core Courses (25 hours)

Electives (6 hours)

Choose 2 of the following courses:

Capstone (1 hour)

LEAD 699 - Applied Practical Learning* or INTR 599 ** (1 credit hour)

*All online students who are seeking to earn this degree must take this course in lieu of INTR 599, in addition to meeting all program degree requirements. Executive format students can substitute the required INTR 599 course in lieu of LEAD 699 as part of their program degree requirements.

** Executive format programs have an applied learning component (internship or practicum) that is an integral and essential part of the established curriculum. Due to the applied learning component required for the degree program, Executive format students must enroll in INTR every term of enrollment.

Anchor: Executive Student Resources

Executive students walking toward graduation ceremony

Executive Student Resources

UC's Department of International Graduate Services enjoys providing support resources for our international students. Find tutorials and information regarding offices and policies for the International Graduate Students and programs.

View Executive Student Resources

Executive Program Format

Our Executive Programs include hybrid course days designed for international graduate students studying in the U.S., or domestic students seeking a hybrid-format program. We strive to incorporate professional experience and real-world application of course curriculum into our programs to enhance the learning experience. Practical Training is an integral part of program coursework and available to all students. At the University of the Cumberlands our degree programs focus on quality education at an affordable price.

Executive Program students take three (3) courses per semester. The program semester is based on the existing UC semester calendar, with three (3) annual semesters: fall, spring, and summer. Two of the courses each semester focus on the specific program content. Additionally, students will be required to attend an intensive residency weekend as part of their course enrollment each term. The third class includes an Applied Learning Practicum, in which students apply what they are learning in their other two courses to the real world via work or internship experiences.

Residency FAQs

What are the residency weekend dates?

Residency Session dates are determined by the course that you are registered for. It is very important that you make note of the class you registered for, as well as the designated residency weekend for that course as each course will only meet one weekend for the duration of the semester.

Will I attend residency sessions for the same amount of time?

Even though we will only be meeting one weekend per semester, we will have the same number of contact hours with you. This will enable the instructors to make residency weekends much more valuable. This change will allow us to have meaningful projects on residency weekends.

How do I know which residency to go to?

You can view your semester schedule in your self-service portal in your Student Profile. Once you log into your MyUC account, click on Academics, then click on Current Schedule. Your schedule details will indicate the date and location of your residency weekend.

You can find information on the residency site locations on our website.

Are all three days mandatory?

Yes, all three days are mandatory, and requests to arrive late or leave early will not be approved. Should you not be in attendance for the full session, you will be counted absent for the entire session. Please plan travel accordingly!

What is UC's residency attendance policy?

Attendance to each executive residency class session is mandatory. Students may make up no more than one (1) residency session throughout the duration of their academic program. Missing a second residency will result in the student being dismissed from the university.

A missed session will result in the student attending a make-up session, and paying a $300 residency make-up fee. In addition, the student may be asked for documentation from the program department providing an explanation as to why the scheduled residency session was missed. Make-up sessions must be completed prior to the end of the term. Noncompliance with this policy will result in dismissal from the executive program.

Make-up residency sessions – where are they?

Make-up residency sessions will be held at our campus in Williamsburg, KY. You will be contacted with the time and dates after your absence is reported. There will only be one (1) residency make-up session offered each semester. Failure to attend all days of the makeup session will result in receiving a failing grade for the course, as well as potential dismissal from the University, and SEVIS termination.

What if I can't be there all three days?

If you cannot be in attendance for all three days then you will be counted absent for the entire residency weekend and be required to attend the make-up residency and pay the $300 make-up fee.

When can I register for the next semester?

The Department of International Graduate Services will contact you via your UC student email as registration for the next term approaches. Please remember that you are required to register for (one) main class, (one) online class, and Applied Learning Practicum each semester in order to maintain your F1 status – late registration will not be accepted and can result in the termination of your student status.

Once you register for a class you will want to make note of the residency weekend that your class is scheduled, as that is the only session for that class that will be scheduled for the semester. You will need to be sure to plan your travel accordingly to ensure that you are in attendance for the full residency session.

Registration is done on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once a course is full, there will not be additional seats added, as we cannot exceed classroom seating capacity; therefore, it is advised that you register for classes as much in advance as possible. As a reminder, students cannot register for future semesters until their current tuition balance is paid in full.

When will facilities be available to me on residency weekends?

*Please note all times are in local time zone*

Friday

Facility will open at 4:00 p.m.

Saturday

Facility will open at 7:00 a.m.

Sunday

Facility will open at 7:00 a.m.

We ask that you please take note of the above-mentioned times and schedule your travel accordingly.

When will residency sessions be in the future?

*These dates have been set; however, if any changes are made, they will be made prior to registration for that semester. Not all dates are available at each residency location.

Fall 2024 (August 26th – December 13th)

Spring 2025 (January 6th – April 30th)

Anchor: Mission & Goals

Mission & Goals

Evaluate information, solve problems, and make sound ethical decisions in the different areas of organizational leadership.

Examine the major theories and concepts in organizational leadership.

Integrate their findings from the major theories and concepts in leadership to inform organizational decision-making.

Demonstrate advanced research, analytical, and communication skills necessary for professional organizational decision-making.

Demonstrate public service and ethical leadership in professional and community settings.

Anchor: Career Outcomes

Organizational Leadership Careers & Outcomes

Management Analyst: $95,290

Management analysts recommend ways to improve an organization’s efficiency.

Human Resource Specialist: $64,240

Human resources specialists recruit, screen, and interview job applicants and place newly hired workers in jobs. They also may handle compensation and benefits, training, and employee relations.

Project Management Specialist: $95,370

Project management specialists coordinate the budget, schedule, staffing, and other details of a project.

Training and Development Specialist: $63,080

Training and development specialists plan and administer programs that improve the skills and knowledge of their employees.

Marketing Manager: $138,730

Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers plan programs to generate interest in products or services.

Top Executive: $100,090

Top executives plan strategies and policies to ensure that an organization meets its goals.

Anchor: FAQs

Common Questions

What is an executive master's in organizational leadership?

The executive master’s in organizational leadership program at University of the Cumberlands is designed to equip professionals to advance in or take on the challenges of a leadership role within their organization.

Offered in an executive format program blending online and onsite study, students can develop organizational leadership approaches for public, private, for-profit, and non-profit settings. Classroom theory is enhanced through applied opportunities, including an Organizational Leadership Capstone course and an Applied Learning Practicum.

How will this executive master's program benefit me?

As the organizational leadership landscape continues to grow in new directions, a master’s program could help you grow along with it. If you want to be a successful and effective leader in your organization, you need to be able to:

Exhibit advanced analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
Demonstrate an ethical leadership approach
Apply an advanced understanding of organizational leadership theory in the field
Effectively navigate leadership within a variety of organizational settings

With this hybrid program, you’ll develop advanced skills in all of that and more.

What can I do with an executive master's in organizational leadership?

With an executive MS in Organizational Leadership, you can have a meaningful impact on the daily operations and long-range initiatives and goals of your organization in a variety of job roles. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, more than 189,200 new top executives will be added over the next decade. Additionally, this job field offers a lucrative median salary of $98,980.

The organizational leadership career path offers great flexibility, whether you aspire to general leadership or a more specialized role. An executive MS degree in organizational leadership can equip you to serve in a number of areas, including sustainability, social responsibility, operations, diversity, and much more!

Can you explain more about the hybrid format?

Sure! The hybrid format executive master’s in organizational leadership is a variation of our fully online program that includes a mandatory three-day weekend residency session each semester. It’s ideal for working professionals who want a program that works with their busy schedule but isn't completely online. The executive organizational leadership master’s program would also work for an international student with an F1 visa and a CPT/OPT component to their degree.

The 31-credit program requires 25 credit hours in core subjects such as Foundations of Organizational Leadership, Research Methods and Analysis, and Strategic Leadership, and six credit hours for both elective theory and practicum Capstone courses.

Classes are scheduled in two 8-week sessions and 16-week sessions during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Full-time degree candidates typically take one or two classes per bi-term, a total of 6-9 hours per semester. With the recommended course rotation, a full-time student could complete the program in 12 months (three semesters).

How affordable is this program?

All programs at University of the Cumberlands are offered at some of the lowest rates in the nation – and we even include free textbooks through our One Price Promise! For more information on how affordable this program would be for you, visit our Financial Aid page.