Choosing Between a Master’s in Organizational Leadership and an MBA

Strong leaders are essential to an organization’s success. Without skillful leaders in charge, an organization may lack direction, have a negative workplace culture, and struggle to maintain stability, growth, and employee loyalty. Effective leaders create environments marked by clear communication, well-defined goals, and a positive culture that allows employees to thrive and enables the organization to reach its growth and profitability metrics.

Advanced leadership roles typically require an advanced degree, such as a master’s in organizational leadership or a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Those seeking a professional leadership role who are researching organizational leadership vs. MBA programs should know there are key differences between the two degree programs.

Master’s in Organizational Leadership at a Glance

Master’s in organizational leadership programs focus on the interpersonal dynamics between a leader and an individual or group. These programs typically delve into the strategies organizations can employ to optimize their productivity and increase their bottom line. They often combine courses that cover core concepts like psychology and human resources with those that cover common business frameworks like project management.

Additionally, many master’s in organizational leadership degree programs prepare individuals to provide targeted guidance and support to an organization in a specialized area. For instance, a program may offer a choice of degree concentrations that allow students to build their expertise in an area such as human resources, healthcare, or sustainability.

Master of Business Administration at a Glance

MBA programs focus on the big-picture managerial components that allow businesses to function. They emphasize specific fields within business, teaching students how to develop strategies that can optimize an organization’s growth and stability. Coursework in these programs is devoted to management, typically emphasizing concepts such as leadership, organizational behavior, and planning. This allows students to gain a better understanding of how certain departments work together and support the workforce as a cohesive unit.

MBA programs typically offer concentrations that allow individuals to focus on a specific business function. Common MBA concentrations include finance, accounting, marketing, and entrepreneurship.

Master’s in Organizational Leadership vs. MBA: Similarities

There are a few similarities between a master’s in organizational leadership and an MBA program that stand out. The chief similarity involves preparation. Both programs prepare individuals to pursue leadership positions that offer the potential to make an impact on an organization and its stability.

Both degree programs also offer concentrations or emphases that allow individuals to further focus their studies on their area of interest. This means students can develop high-level business administration or organizational leadership skills that will qualify them to pursue specialized leadership roles.

Additionally, there is plenty of crossover when it comes to what a person can do with a master’s in organizational leadership and an MBA. While one program may feature coursework that can prepare them slightly better for a certain C-suite or department management role, this does not mean that that role will not be available to them if they choose the other program.

Master’s in Organizational Leadership vs. MBA: Differences

As noted, there are several similarities between a master’s in organizational leadership and an MBA program. However, the two are different enough to warrant a closer look.

Focus

The primary difference between a master’s in organizational leadership and an MBA is in each program’s focus. The master’s in organizational leadership program emphasizes the principles of team and individual leadership, and it tends to focus on the human side of leading an organization. An MBA program emphasizes the strategies and skills used to lead key operational departments or lead the launch of a new product from concept to completion through entrepreneurship, focusing on keeping the core functions of an organization running optimally.

Concepts Studied

Because each program has a different focus, the subjects studied in each are also different. Concepts covered in an organizational leadership program may include:

• Project planning
• Process improvement
• Change management
• Digital leadership

Concepts associated with an MBA program may include:

• Business function analysis
• Hiring effective employees
• Industry-specific business strategy creation
• Addressing common business issues
• Integration of sustainable decision-making and social responsibility

Applications

Another key difference between the two degree programs is where the expertise gained in each can best be applied. The concepts studied in an MBA program skew heavily toward business management, which means they most commonly apply to the roles of business leaders. Since the concepts studied in a master’s in organizational leadership program emphasize leading people, they may be able to be applied more broadly. This means they can be used in any situation where leadership is needed, even if the person is not in a leadership role.

Start a Path of Influence

Whether an individual chooses to enroll in a master’s in organizational leadership or an MBA program, they are taking the first step toward a career with great potential. Students in either program can develop the knowledge and skills needed to become leaders who can inspire employees to achieve an organization’s goals with greater efficiency.

Claremont Lincoln University’s Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership (MOL) program can prepare you to take your next step toward becoming a trusted organizational leader. This flexible online program emphasizes practical applications within its study of organizational leadership theory through courses in subjects such as strategic communication and critical analysis. The program also offers several concentration options in areas such as human resources, healthcare, and sustainability, giving you even more control over how to prepare for your future.

In a recent article, MOL alumnus Sami Hoda explained why he chose to pursue a Master’s in Organizational Leadership at CLU: “As I proceeded through the Organizational Leadership master’s degree program, the faculty and staff assisted me with any flexibility I needed while still holding me accountable for my work, and it was greatly appreciated. I even received a personalized gift from the support staff after the birth of our fourth child. With these experiences, I knew I had made the right choice.”

Learn how CLU can help you make a noticeable impact in your career.