Online Bachelor’s in Organizational Leadership CurriculumOnline Bachelor’s in Organizational Leadership CurriculumOnline Bachelor’s in Organizational Leadership Curriculum

Organizational leadership is a field that involves setting goals for individuals and groups of employees to achieve the objectives of an organization. To be successful in this field, leaders must be able to see both the small and big picture while capitalizing on strengths and managing weaknesses.

In addition to enabling students to develop their own potential leadership styles, online organizational leadership courses can educate them in organizational behavior and effective human resource management. Programs typically also include courses in conflict resolution and the influence of microeconomics on the achievement of an organization’s goals.

Maryville University Online Organizational Leadership Curriculum

Students interested in exploring an organizational leadership career will find the online Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership program at Maryville University can provide them with the necessary skills needed to pursue professional success.

Coursework is designed to teach students how to apply the science of psychology and business, using evidence-based practices, to innovate, drive results, and manage change.

The 128-credit curriculum includes general education courses (45 credits), organizational leadership foundations (21 credits), a social science research sequence (15 credits), human resource management elective (3 credits), business acumen elective (3 credits), and general electives (41 credits).

Learn more about Maryville’s online organizational leadership courses here:

Organizational Leadership Foundations

Learn to develop strategies for leading and inspiring others as you explore topics in change leadership, conflict management, team dynamics and development and evidence-based decision making. 

  • This course explores the nature of leadership from a multidisciplinary perspective. Emphasis is placed on helping students gain a better understanding of what makes for good leadership. Students will study classic and contemporary leadership theories, and then explore options to develop their personal leadership potential.

  • This course explores the importance of scientific critical thinking and ethics as they relate to advancing scientific knowledge, understanding, and application of knowledge in the Social Sciences. Students will develop a firm theoretical and scientific background related to scientific critical thinking and values in the Social Sciences to become critical thinkers within their disciplines.

  • This course is intended to introduce and familiarize students with the concept of multicultural psychology. The course will address issues of human diversity theory and research that are emphasized by the American Psychological Association, including age, gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, language, and SES. The course will also encompass issues related to identity, oppression, bias, acculturation, and workplace diversity, as well as research methodologies utilized to promote greater understanding.

  • This course will explore social science theory and practice as it relates to social conflict and negotiation in a variety of situations. Students will gain an understanding of the theoretical frameworks for social conflict and negotiation, and learn to apply theory to not only minimize the dysfunctions of conflict but also facilitate the constructive functions of conflict in their everyday lives.

  • Students in this course will study the behavior of people in work situations and learn major theories and concepts pertaining to organizational behavior, applying these theories and concepts to organizational problems and change management. The enhancement of the effectiveness of an organization’s human resources is the primary focus of the course.

  • This course focuses on the scientific study of social psychological processes in groups. We will explore the theoretical explanations for group processes and the practical application of theory to groups. Topics include but are not limited to theory on group dynamics, group formation and development, structure of groups, group processes, and team effectiveness.

  • In this course, students will learn the science of facilitating planned organization change for the purpose of improving an organization’s effectiveness and supporting the development and well-being of individuals and teams within the organization. Students will have practice opportunities to apply the concepts, models, and specific interventions for organization development and change. Emphasis will be placed on developing an understanding of the science of change processes, OD knowledge and practice, and the development of the thinking skills necessary to enable effective design and communication of organization change.

Social Science Research Sequence

The social science research sequence includes a series of courses designed to help students emerge with an inter-connected understanding of how to craft research, analyze results and present findings.

  • This course examines the process of scientific research in the social and behavioral sciences and the fundamental role research methodology plays in our understanding of human behavior and social affairs. Students explore the principles, ethics, and methods of social science research (correlational research, observational and survey methods, experimental and quasi-experimental design, variable control, secondary data analysis, and interpretation of results). Students formulate an original research question, develop hypotheses related to that question, and create a proper and detailed methodological strategy for investigation. Students learn how to synthesize existing research literature into a research proposal and develop an understanding of the formal writing processes used by social science researchers.

  • This course introduces students to both descriptive and inferential statistics. The following concepts and techniques are included: measures of central tendency and variability; sampling distributions; interval estimation; hypothesis testing (t-test, ANOVA); correlation and regression; chi square tests. Statistical software projects are required. Prerequisite: MATH 102 or 115 or higher

  • This course is the culminating, capstone experience in the social science curriculum. Students will review and discuss their course of study and its application beyond graduation. Students will work with a social science faculty member conducting and completing a research project exploring an area of interest in the student’s field of study. This will include data collection, analysis, a written paper adhering to APA standards, and a presentation. Note: A passing grade cannot be achieved without completion of the research project. Note: This course replaces SOSC-481 and SOSC-482 (no longer offered).

Human Resource Management Elective

Choose 1 course in human resource management from the below options.

  • This course provides an overview of the activities related to human resource administration and the role of human resource professionals in organizations. Topics include employment law, equal employment, job design, human resource planning, staffing (recruitment, selection, and placement), training and development, performance management, employee retention, employee relations, and compensation and benefits.

  • This course explores the discipline of industrial and organizational psychology, the scientific study of psychology applied to work. Topics include but are not limited to selection, recruitment, psychological assessment, performance management, learning and development, organization assessment, organization attitudes and behavior, and workplace psychological health. Cross-listed: PSYC 351 Prerequisite: PSYC 101, or PSYC 202H

  • This course examines the application of psychological research and theory to effective human resource management in organizations. Particular emphasis is given to recruitment, selection, performance management, learning and development, and the social and legal context of personnel psychology. General Education Area: Social Science Cross-listed: ORGL 455 Prerequisite: PSYC 101 or PSYC 202H

Business Acumen Elective

Choose 1 course focused in business acumen from the below options.

  • This course introduces the economic perspective on decisions currently faced by individuals, businesses, and society. Basic economic principles and methods are used to address both microeconomic and macroeconomic topics, with a focus on the modern market economy. Essential content includes the laws of supply and demand; the behavior of consumers and firms; the function of resource markets; macroeconomic measures of economic growth, unemployment, and inflation; the use of fiscal and monetary policy to achieve macroeconomic goals; and an overview of international trade.

  • This course focuses on how business events affect financial statements by acquiring a working knowledge of basic accounting theory and concepts. Topics include the role of accounting in decision making; the recording procedures that accountants use to organize information for financial statement preparation; and analytical tools and accounting principles to aid in reading and interpreting financial statements.

  • This course examines legal rights and ethics, crimes, torts, contracts, personal property, bailments and sales.

To ensure the best possible educational experience for our students, we may update our curriculum to reflect emerging and changing employer and industry trends. Undergraduate programs and certificates are designed to be taken at a part-time pace. Please speak to your advisor for more details.

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Skills, Concepts, or Opportunities Gained With a Bachelor’s in Organizational Leadership

Organizational leadership courses typically include education in the following areas:

  • Contemporary leadership theories. Contemporary thinking has changed the mainstream approach to leadership by including theories on transformational leadership, leader-member exchange, servant leadership, and authentic leadership. Transformational leadership attempts to align employee goals with those of the business. Its classic counterpart, transactional leadership, ensures leaders provide resources to enable employees to demonstrate required behaviors. Contemporary theory believes in allowing people to develop their own leadership styles to achieve the goals of an organization.
  • Organizational behavior. Students may study the way people interact individually and in groups to discover how more efficient business organizations can be created. Organizational behavior studies are often used by human resources to maximize the performance of individual employees. Study areas may include job performance and job satisfaction to promote innovation and encourage effective leadership.
  • Microeconomics. This area examines the factors that affect the economic choices made by individuals and the implications for the utilization and distribution of scarce resources. Students may learn how individuals can make more productive and efficient decisions to further the collective goals of an organization. It also covers the laws of supply and demand.
  • Effective human resource management. Organizational goals may be achieved by improving performance, developing organizational cultures, and fostering innovation and flexibility. All human resource activities should align employee recruitment, selection, training, and management with a company’s goals.
  • Social conflict and negotiation. Negative conflict can be destructive and compromise decision-making; however, conflict can also have a positive influence by creating a catalyst for change or identifying a source of creativity. Whether the conflict is positive or negative, students can learn how to employ effective negotiation techniques for conflict resolution.

Common Courses for a BA in Organizational Leadership

Here is a sample of some of the most common organizational leadership courses:

Introduction to Leadership. Students may gain an understanding of what constitutes good leadership. It also enables them to study both classic and contemporary leadership theories, and develop their own leadership potential.

Social Conflict and Negotiation. This course typically explores social science theory and practice and how social science relates to conflict and negotiation. Students may learn the practical application of theory to minimize the negative effects of conflict on an organization.

Understanding Organizational Behavior. Organizational behavior is the study of how people think, feel, and behave in an organization. Students can learn to apply the foundational theories of organizational behavior to improve individual well-being and the overall effectiveness of an organization.

Human Resource Management. This course educates students on the role of human resource professionals in an organization. Topics covered include recruitment, selection, training, job design, retention, termination, and compensation. It also provides students with an overview of typical company policies and procedures.

Microeconomics. Students can learn the intricacies of price theory and how it relates to the laws of supply and demand. This course also covers the economics of consumer and company behavior, market structures, and business regulation by government.

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