MA in Organizational Leadership (MyPath)

A Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership equips you with a versatile skill set valued across various industries. Potential career paths include:

• Leadership roles: Leading teams, departments, or entire organizations.
• Human Resources: Managing employee relations, talent acquisition, and development.
• Change management: Implementing organizational transformations and improvements.
• Consulting: Providing leadership and organizational development advice to clients.
• Non-profit management: Leading and managing non-profit organizations.
• Entrepreneurship: Starting and growing your own business.

Organizational leadership master’s graduates can work in various sectors including business, healthcare, education, government, and non-profits, focusing on improving organizational effectiveness, leading change, and enhancing employee performance.

Typically, a master’s degree translates to two years of full-time study for most students. But at UMass Global, we’ve created options for completing your competency-based MAOL more quickly!

• Generous credit transfer policy — We have a flexible transfer policy where most students can bring in 9 transfer credits. Those with military schooling of rank E7 and above may receive 15 transfer credits toward their MAOL, meaning they are only 7 courses from their degree.

• Work as fast as you choose — UMass Global MyPath competency-based degrees allow students flexibility, not only in their scheduling, but in their completion. You can start any week you’re ready, and then you pay a single fee for a six-month period. In that time, you can work through as many competencies as you are comfortable with. This allows you to work faster and finish faster.

These transfer policies, along with the ability to work more quickly, allow motivated students to earn their UMass Global MyPath MA in Organizational Leadership in less than one year.

Credit Hour MAOL: This is the traditional approach where students earn credits by completing specific courses, as directed by the instructor. The number of credits required for a degree is predetermined, and students must meet specific requirements for each course.

Competency-Based MAOL: In this model (known as MyPath at UMass Global), students progress by demonstrating mastery of specific skills/competencies, rather than completing a fixed number of courses. The focus is on what the student knows and can do, not on the amount of time spent in class.

Key Differences:

In essence, a credit hour MAOL focuses on benchmarks set by the instructor and course completion, while a competency-based MAOL focuses on student achievement and mastery.

Competency-based formats are not for every student, however. To be successful in this format, students need to be self-motivated and disciplined, since there aren’t any specific deadlines set, such as homework due dates, quizzes, and the like. Some students need the structure (and corresponding set timelines) of a traditional instructor-led approach. 

That is one reason UMass Global offers its Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership in both traditional and competency-based formats. 

Students in the MyPath MAOL will select one of three tracks: Standard Track, Military Track, or Project Management Track. Here’s a brief explanation of each.

• Standard Track —  This is the track chosen by most MAOL students. The four courses cover a breadth of leadership and business areas: Leadership and Business Operations, Strategic Project Management, Conflict and Negotiation, and Leadership and Innovation.

• Military Track — This is only available members of the military, whether active duty, reserve, or veterans. The following ranks are eligible: Commissioned Officers (any rank), Senior NCO (E7 or above) or CW2 or above. The four courses are Career Management, Training and Development, Leadership in Military Communication, and Military Operations Leadership.

• Project Management Track — This track is only available to students who have completed the UC Irvine Extension Project Management Certificate. 

Although not one of the “standard” tracks for most students, an Elective Transfer Track may be possible using a 12-credit transfer of select elective competencies in disciplines related to leadership, administration, and/or management. As you would assume, these are approved on a case-by-case business by the School of Business and Professional Studies.