Build Your Leadership Skills with an Online Degree

Develop managerial skills, lead more effectively, and broaden your professional horizons with the Penn State World Campus bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership. Focusing on complex social, cultural, and organizational issues, this program can help you acquire the knowledge and skills to become a leader in business, retail, or consulting fields.

A Multidisciplinary Approach

Diverse curriculum — If you want a highly practical bachelor's degree program that explores current issues of leadership and organizational dynamics, this program can help you meet your goals. Using a multidisciplinary approach that includes courses in psychology, sociology, communication, economics, labor, and industrial relations, this program can prepare you for leadership positions in multiple fields.

Applicable skills — The strong liberal arts education in this program can help you develop the skills most sought after by employers, including leadership, complex problem solving, teamwork, critical thinking, judgment and decision making, listening, conflict management, and organizational psychology.

Lead effectively — Through this curriculum, you will review the management and supervision behavior principles of successful leaders. You can gain insight into the complex nature of organizational leadership; become knowledgeable about personal, social, and contextual influences in organizations; and understand how to exercise leadership in organizational settings. And you can acquire the tools you need to understand the interrelated interests of management, workers, unions, and the public.

Who Should Apply?

The Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership is available only to adult learner students, as defined by The Penn State Commission for Adult Learners. The program is specifically designed to meet your needs as a working adult, particularly if you:

• are currently employed in a professional or preprofessional position and want to expand your employment opportunities
• occupy a managerial/leadership position but must obtain a degree for further professional advancement
• have faced challenges starting or completing your college education due to life circumstances or geographical constraints 
• are a military active-duty soldier or veteran looking to advance within the military ranks or transition into civilian life

Career Opportunities for Graduates

According to the NACE Research: Job Outlook Report for 2012, leadership is one of the top qualities employers look for when making hiring decisions. With a bachelor's degree in organizational leadership, you can work in a range of fields, including:

• real estate management
• financial services
• hospital and health care facilities
• manufacturing
• services

Online Education at Penn State

Penn State has a history of 100+ years of distance education and more than a decade of experience in online learning. We strive to create an online learning environment that brings you as close to the face-to-face experience as possible. Learn more about Penn State World Campus.