Organizational Leadership

Organizational Leadership

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Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Leadership

Top 5 Reasons to Study

01

Whether you're transferring from a two-year program, a technical field, or returning with prior college credits, this degree is designed to meet you where you are.

02

Transfer credits you've already earned count — meaning you can finish a bachelor's degree in organizational leadership faster than starting from scratch.

03

Coursework in leadership strategy, data-driven decision making, and digital transformation directly targets the skills employers are hiring for right now.

04

Applied projects and a capstone experience let you build a professional portfolio that demonstrates real leadership ability, not just classroom knowledge.

05

Flexible program formats and year-round start terms mean your education fits your life — not the other way around.

Core
Skills

  • Strategic planning and organizational decision making
  • Ethical and legal reasoning in leadership contexts
  • Personnel and change management
  • Communication and stakeholder negotiation
  • Global team management skills

Sample
Jobs

  • Operations Manager
  • Program Coordinator
  • Organizational Development Specialist
  • Administrative Services Managers

Top
Employment
Industries

  • Facilities and administrative services
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Corporate and private sector management
  • Manufacturing and production operations

Brag
Points

  • Average program GPA of 3.20 across enrolled students
  • Direct pathway into the Master of Applied Science in Organizational Leadership

Organizational Leadership

Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Leadership

Get the Courses You Need

1st Year

Begin Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree at an accredited community college.
Complete foundational General Education courses (7–8 courses).
Start technical specialty coursework in your chosen field (e.g., business office technology, administrative services, marketing management).

2nd Year

Complete remaining General Education requirements. Finish technical specialty coursework (45 technical elective hours). Graduate with Associate of Applied Science degree.

3rd Year

Begin upper-division coursework in the BAS in Business Office Technology program. Take required PCS courses, including Issues in Organizational Leadership, Global Collaborative projects, Applied Leadership in Strategic Initiatives and Professional Leadership Strategies. Work with your academic advisor to build a schedule that fits your goals and personal commitments. Continue completing remaining General Education courses as needed. Evaluate Prior Learning Recognition opportunities to potentially shorten your path to graduation.

4th Year

Complete remaining upper-division coursework in professional success strategies, project management, foundations of organizational leadership, and human resources. Work closely with your advisor to ensure you are on track to meet the 120-credit graduation requirement. Wrap up any outstanding General Education or elective requirements.

Hands-On Learning

1st Year

Seek out leadership roles or supervisory responsibilities in your current workplace or community organizations. Join professional associations related to your technical field. Begin identifying the difference between technical expertise and leadership impact.

2nd Year

Apply leadership concepts from coursework to real workplace situations and document those experiences for your portfolio. Connect with leaders in your organization and observe how they manage teams, conflict, and change. Begin building your LinkedIn presence.

3rd Year

Engage in applied leadership projects that draw on your technical background to solve real organizational challenges. Pursue mentorship opportunities within your industry and begin developing your personal leadership philosophy through course reflection.

4th Year

Complete your capstone project integrating technical expertise with strategic leadership skills to demonstrate professional readiness. Use career center resources to target management, supervisory, or leadership roles. Consider whether the Master of Applied Science in Organizational Leadership or another graduate degree aligns with your long-term goals.

Connect with Community

1st Year

Volunteer with a local nonprofit, government agency, or community organization to observe leadership structures in action. Connect with supervisors or managers in your current workplace who can serve as informal mentors throughout your program.

2nd Year

Seek out leadership roles in professional associations or community initiatives related to your technical field. Participate in organizational meetings or civic groups where you can practice facilitating discussions and managing group dynamics.

3rd Year

Join campus or virtual student organizations focused on leadership, management, or your industry sector. Network with peers in the program who bring diverse technical backgrounds — those relationships are part of your professional development.

4th Year

Take on visible leadership roles in your workplace, community, or professional organizations that align with your career goals. Build a peer network from your program cohort that extends into your professional life after graduation.

Explore the World

1st Year

Follow global business and leadership trends through podcasts, industry publications, or professional forums. Identify how your current technical field intersects with international markets, supply chains, or multinational organizations.

2nd Year

Explore virtual events, webinars, or cross-cultural leadership content that broadens your understanding of how organizations operate across borders. Look for global dimensions within your current workplace or industry sector.

3rd Year

Engage directly with coursework in multinational project collaboration and global team leadership to apply international perspectives to real organizational challenges. Research how leadership practices differ across cultures and industries.

4th Year

Apply cross-cultural leadership skills to your capstone project and professional portfolio. Seek out globally connected organizations in your region and reflect on how your leadership approach has evolved to meet diverse workplace environments.

Launch Your Career

1st Year

Meet with an academic advisor to map your transfer credits and build a clear timeline to graduation. Identify the gap between your current role and your leadership career target and begin closing it intentionally.

2nd Year

Update your résumé to reflect leadership experience alongside your technical skills. Begin documenting applied leadership moments — projects, decisions, team contributions — that will form the foundation of your professional portfolio.

3rd Year

Visit the Career Center to refine your résumé for management and leadership roles. Attend networking events, job fairs, or industry panels and begin connecting with MSU alumni working in leadership and organizational management fields.

4th Year

Use Career Center resources for interview preparation and targeted job searching. Apply for management, supervisory, or organizational leadership positions and consider whether the Master of Applied Science in Organizational Leadership aligns with your long-term goals. Celebrate how far you've come.

Major Maps are intended as general planning guides and may be updated as academic requirements, policies, and opportunities change. The MSU Academic Catalog in effect for the student’s catalog year is the official source for degree requirements and policies.

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