<a href="https://www.onlinemasterscolleges.com/masters-in-leadership-online/">Leadership</a>

College Name & Address	Tuition	Graduation Rate
#1 Pepperdine University 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, California 90263	$37,300	83%
#2 Averett University 420 W Main St, Danville, Virginia 24541	$11,790	42%
#3 Gonzaga University E 502 Boone Ave, Spokane, Washington 99258	$14,499	85%
#4 Saint Louis University One North Grand Blvd, Saint Louis, Missouri 63103	$21,960	80%
#5 Crown College 8700 College View Drive, Saint Bonifacius, Minnesota 55375	$10,350	61%
#6 Fort Hays State University 600 Park St, Hays, Kansas 67601	$3,726	50%
#7 American Public University System 111 W Congress St, Charles Town, West Virginia 25414	$6,660	49%
#8 Southeast Missouri State University One University Plaza, MS2025, Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701	$5,858	54%
#9 Charleston Southern University 9200 University Blvd, Charleston, South Carolina 29406	$5,085	49%
#10 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 1 Aerospace Blvd., Daytona Beach, Florida 32114	$18,756	62%
#11 Lincoln Christian University 100 Campus View Drive, Lincoln, Illinois 62656	$8,712	46%
#12 Minot State University 500 University Ave W, Minot, North Dakota 58707	$8,992	46%
#13 Trine University 1 University Ave, Angola, Indiana 46703	$43,508	64%
#14 Baker University 615 Dearborn Street, Baldwin City, Kansas 66006-0065	$11,466	62%
#15 University of Northwestern-St Paul 3003 Snelling Ave N, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55113	$8,982	68%
#16 Regis University 3333 Regis Blvd, Denver, Colorado 80221	$14,063	62%
#17 Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota 700 Terrace Heights, Winona, Minnesota 55987	$10,890	57%
#18 Concordia University-Saint Paul 1282 Concordia Ave, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55104	$8,550	53%
#19 University of Wisconsin-Platteville 1 University Plaza, Platteville, Wisconsin 53818	$7,831	59%
#20 University of South Dakota 414 E Clark St, Vermillion, South Dakota 57069	$6,123	60%

Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available

A master’s in leadership online degree helps professionals develop their leadership skills. It will help them lead organizations and teams through complex change. The online leadership degree is designed for professionals who are working and have a good amount of experience but who want to enhance their leadership skills and enter senior leadership and management roles. Students will require 30 to 36 credit hours of coursework to complete their program. Some master’s programs have concentration areas for students to choose from according to their interests.  Students can also select their electives depending on their career interests.

The master’s in leadership is offered in online, offline, and hybrid learning modes. Online learning is flexible and helps students balance their work and studies, while offline students will have to go to university and attend classes face to face. The hybrid learning mode is a combination of both offline and online learning. Students will have most of their classes online and a few of them in person.

Master’s in Leadership Degree Types

There are three types of online master’s in leadership degrees. They are Master of Arts in Leadership, Master of Science in Leadership, and Master of Education in Leadership. Students can choose anyone depending on their personal and professional interests.

Master’s in Leadership vs. MBA

Master’s in Leadership and Masters of Business Administration (MBA) have similarities but do not replace each other, nor can they be each other’s substitute. Both degrees offer courses on management and leadership. Here are some of the differences between the Master’s in Leadership and an MBA:

Master of Arts/Master of Science in Leadership	Masters in Business Administration   (Leadership Emphasis)
Master’s in Leadership is mainly designed for individuals who want to create a change, impact, and lead within an organization.	The MBA in leadership attracts people interested in business and want to acquire knowledge on a variety of topics in business, such as accounting, management, finance, entrepreneurship, and marketing.
Typically, individuals already working in an organization and have a good amount of experience enroll in the leadership master’s program.	Not all students who enroll in an MBA program have work experience.
It focuses on the principles of leadership and its aspects.	It focuses on business aspects such as marketing, finance, economics, and so on
It can be completed within one to two years.	An MBA will take an average of 2 to 3 years to complete.

Specializations in Master’s in Leadership Online Programs

Specialization helps students sharpen their skills and knowledge in specific areas of interest. It also has other advantages such as high salaries, career advancement, and industry recognition. Various specialization options are available within the leadership master’s program. Some of these leadership concentrations are:

Area of Specialization	Description
Human Resources Management	This specialization focuses on the application of the study of human resource principles. It consists of various areas of study such as employee relations, benefits, and compensation.
Public Administration	The main focus of this concentration is leadership skills required in the public sector, such as conflict management, coaching, human resource management, and team building.
Organizational Leadership and Communication	This specialization focuses on leadership strategies that will prepare students to advance in upper management, middle management, and administrative positions in all fields.
Marketing Communications Leadership	This specialization provides students with highly demanded and unique marketing skills while acquiring leadership abilities to drive high-performance firms and clients.
Ministry	This concentration helps in enhancing the professional skills of ministry leaders.
Project Management	This concentration is designed to equip individuals with the knowledge, mindset, and skills to lead and manage others to build high-performing organizations.
Health Leadership and Management	This specialization provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary for managerial and leadership roles in healthcare settings.
Sports Leadership	This concentration provides foundational knowledge of the necessary core concepts to run functional areas of a sports team or organization. It will help students develop and refine their leadership abilities in sporting environments.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership	This specialization explores race, culture, gender, and ethnicity in executive writing, leadership, evidence-based practices, evaluation and statistics, and the roles of laws and policies.
Non-Profit Leadership and Management	This specialization provides students with the training and skills required to lead a complex, mission-driven, non-profit organization.

Some of the other available concentrations in a master’s in leadership online degree program include:

• Leading and Managing Technical Projects
• Organizational Communication
• Sport and Social Change
• Corporate Communications & Marketing
• Executive Leadership & Organizational Development
• Change Management

Curriculum and Skills Gained in Master’s in Leadership Online Programs

The online master’s in leadership program is designed for individuals who want to acquire leadership skills and expand their opportunities in leadership and management roles. This program requires 30 to 36 hours of coursework to be completed. Students can choose their electives depending on their interests and goals. They will also have to complete a capstone project as a part of the master’s in leadership online degree. To customize their degrees, students can choose from various concentrations that align with their interests and professional goals. Some examples of core leadership courses in the program include:

1. Organizational Behavior-This course uses several managerial, organizational & behavioral theories, principles & concepts in predicting, analyzing, diagnosing, and guiding human behavior within organizations committed to public service. It focuses on leadership, motivation, organization development, change, group dynamics, and personality.
2. Leading Productive Teams-This course analyzes the role of leadership and team dynamics in supporting effective outcomes of the team. It reviews team effectiveness and small group development. It also examines issues relating to culture, diversity, collective performance evaluations, performance pay, and individual proficiency.
3. Leadership Theory-This course examines leadership concepts, theory, and practice. It will help students identify leadership styles and leaders and apply their knowledge to positively affect and better understand their organization. Students will learn to identify their own leadership practices and styles so that they can identify their areas of personal development and growth
4. Financial Analysis-This course provides an overview of budgeting, financial, and accounting practices and their relationship with organization responsibilities for executive leadership. Topics such as control and planning issues reporting, cash and cost budgeting practices, working capital management, and cost of capital are covered. This course provides students with skills to evaluate the financial viability of an organization.
5. Strategic Planning and Execution-This course analyses the strategic dimension of leadership. Strategic planning, establishing a vision, and implementing strategic initiatives are some topics included in this course. Students will examine strategic issues and learn to apply their knowledge to positively affect their institution, organization, or business.

The master’s in leadership program will provide students with a strong foundation of skills and knowledge to lead in an organization. Among the many skills, students of this degree program would have gained the ability to:

• use cutting-edge strategies in change management, innovation, and design thinking;
• master principles of motivation and human behavior to maximize the use of human resources;
• articulate important leadership theories in leadership studies, critique and analyze these theories and apply them while addressing a variety of organizational problems and issues;
• provide visionary and innovative leadership to take an organization to the next level;
• develop organizational-wide skills in coordination, structure, policy, and design of sub-units;
• identify current challenges by interacting with executive-level leaders from the community and find solutions to address them;
• to act morally and rationally when presented with difficult choices; and
• utilize the most recent concepts and tools emerging in leadership and management.

Accreditation for Master’s in Leadership Online Programs

Accreditation is the strict process of evaluation that institutions go through to maintain their standards of educational quality. Accredited universities design and implement their education to the highest standards expected by students, parents, and the industry. Prospective students should choose from accredited leadership colleges for easy employability and a better career outlook. Here are some of the main accrediting agencies in the United States:

• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

More information on accreditation and its importance is available in the Accreditation Guide.

Timeline for graduation from Master’s in Leadership Online Programs

Master’s in leadership online programs are offered in both full-time and part-time options. A full-time master’s in leadership program can typically be completed in about 1 to 2 years. On the other hand, part-time master’s in leadership programs would require about 2 to 3 years to complete. While full-time programs are best for students who can take a break from their jobs and attend school, part-time programs are best for working professionals who will be able to balance their academic, personal and professional life.

Master’s in Leadership Programs Admission Requirements

Before beginning the application process, prospective students must go through the admission requirements for the master’s in leadership online program. Most of the admission requirements are similar across the universities. But many might have specific requirements depending on the university and program. Here are some of the master’s in leadership admission requirements:

• Completed application form & application fee
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Official and unofficial transcripts from all the previous institutions attended
• A Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.7 on a scale of 4.0
• A Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement
• At least two Letters of Recommendation
• A Graduate Résumé
• GRE scores (required by some schools)

Free courses help in providing additional information on a subject. But free courses are usually not accredited and do not lead to a master’s degree. While there are no free master’s in leadership online courses, in particular, some online platforms provide short free courses in leadership that can help students in their projects and assignments. Some examples are:

Course	Provided by	Description
Various Topics on Leadership	Coursera	Coursera offers various topics on leadership, such as inclusive leadership, leading teams, digital transformation, change managements, etc.
Various Topics on Leadership	edX	edX offers several courses on leadership topics, such as exercising leadership- foundation principles, innovative leadership, and more.
Various Topics on Leadership	Udemy	Udemy offers some free courses in leadership such as self-leadership, joyful leadership, becoming a better leader, leadership by design, etc.

Graduates with a leadership online master’s can work in a wide range of settings in various leadership and managerial roles. Some examples include but are not limited to:

• Corporate Sectors
• Healthcare Settings
• Schools
• Government Agencies
• Consultation Company
• Community Organizations
• Non-Profit Sectors

Some job roles graduates of online master’s in leadership usually take on are:

• Leadership Development Program Manager
• Corporate Trainer
• Consultant
• Sales Manager
• School Principal
• C-Level Executive
• Community Service Manager
• Health Services Manager
• Staff Officer
• Project Coordinator

Here are a few career options for leadership master’s graduates, along with their reported annual median salaries and job growth:

Occupation	Median Annual Salary	Job Growth (up to 2030)	Job Description
Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals	$98,420	8% (as fast as average)	School principals oversee all the operations in a school while setting performance goals for staff and students.
Human Resource Managers	$126,230	9% (as fast as average)	Human resource managers are responsible for directing, planning, and coordinating the administrative functions of an organization from a staffing perspective.
Public Relations and Fund Raising Managers	$119,860	13% (faster than average)	Fundraising and public relations managers conduct big events and oversee large teams. They improve a company’s public image and perception while raising money for non-profits.
Training and Development Specialists	$61,570	11% (faster than average)	Development and training specialists administer and plan programs that improve the knowledge and skills of their employees.
Top Executives	$98,980	8% (as fast as average)	Top executives devise strategies and procedures to meet an organization’s objectives. They plan and direct the work of businesses and organizations.

Individuals looking to enhance their career prospects and get a boost in their salary can get certified in their field. Certifications help widen one’s job opportunities and gain additional knowledge. When it comes to online master’s in leadership, there are no particular certifications required for graduates as the master itself is sufficient to increase their career potential. Nevertheless, some organizations offer training and certifications for leadership professionals, such as:

1. Korn Ferry – Certifications-Korn Ferry is a consulting organization offering extensive training and certifications for leadership and working professionals. Their objective is to improve project performance and deliver organizational success. They offer leadership and professional development programs that will benefit a professional organization.
2. Certified Leadership Professional (CLP)-The Certified Leadership Professional (CLP) designation is given to individuals who have demonstrated knowledge, abilities, and competencies in leadership. Essentially a Canadian certification, candidates are required to meet the Canadian College for Leadership & Management (CCLM) requirements.

Tapping into various resources will help leadership professionals stay relevant in the field. One can stay up to date with colleagues and gain a wider perspective on their subject. Connecting with peers, joining organizations, staying up to date with journals and publications, and attending seminars and workshops are some ways of gaining a competitive edge over others. Some valuable resources for master’s in leadership online professionals are:

1. Interaction Associates  – Interaction Associates is a pioneer of collaborative leadership, creative problem solving, and group facilitation. Companies around the world use their tools to foster inclusive behavior, engage personal accountability, engage employees, and achieve their results.
2. Klemmer and Associates – Klemmer and Associates aims to support corporations and individuals to increase their results. They provide personal mastery services, private team training, and more.
3. American Management Association (AMA)  -The American Management Association (AMA) offers various training programs and webinars on leadership, such as HR management, business enhancement, project management, finance and accounting, leadership, management & supervisory skills, etc.  
4. American Society of Association Executives (ASAE)  -The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) is the premier association management organization covering organizations and individual association professionals. ASAE nurtures a community of smart, creative, and interesting people and helps them achieve previously unimaginable performance levels.
5. NMA – The Leadership Development Organization – NMA – The Leadership Development Organization is a not-for-profit professional association dedicated to “the growth and development of its members by empowering them with the leadership skills needed in today’s workplace and beyond.”