How To Become an Organizational Leader

The most powerful force in any organization isn't technology, capital, or market share - it's leadership. Effective leaders can play a key role in guiding their companies toward success and inspiring their teams to achieve ambitious goals.

Today's companies need organizational leaders who understand people and keep their finger on the pulse of business strategy, market changes, and technology evolution. Effective leaders drive innovation, implement new strategies, manage organizational culture, meet organizational goals, and inspire employees to contribute to the organization's vision and mission. Many successful leaders develop their skills through a combination of formal education and real-world experience.

Education Requirements for an Organizational Leader

On the education side, most leadership roles require a minimum of a bachelor's degree in a business-related area, such as business management, human resources and organizational leadership, or a field related to a specific role like marketing. In many cases, companies prefer candidates with advanced degrees, such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Master of Human Resources Management (MHRM). Let's look at each of these requirements in more detail.

Bachelor's Degree Programs

A bachelor's degree in business typically includes coursework in business strategy, change management, and team development, although the specific program requirements and courses will vary based on the degree and school you choose. Bachelor's programs typically require around 180 credit hours. Students who aspire to become organizational leaders often choose a traditional business administration degree with a leadership concentration. Others opt for specialized organizational leadership programs. Either way, a bachelor's degree provides foundational knowledge for leadership training and may help prepare individuals for entry-level business administration roles.

Rasmussen University's Business Management Bachelor's degree program does not offer a specialization with a leadership concentration.

Master's Degree Programs

Some organizations prefer candidates with a master's degree for leadership roles, depending on the industry and position. Master's programs like the MBA and MHRM typically focus on helping students develop advanced leadership skills that may contribute to their effectiveness as organizational leaders. These programs typically require 48 credit hours, and completion time may vary based on factors such as enrollment status and course availability. Coursework usually explores complex topics like strategic planning, organizational change, and leadership development strategy, although programs differ in the specific courses offered. Many programs offer flexible learning options, including online and hybrid formats, which may provide working professionals with opportunities to expand their leadership knowledge. The curriculum often includes leadership training through experiential learning, where students may have opportunities to develop and implement business strategies in real organizations.

Rasmussen University's master's degree programs in business management and human resources are only offered online and do not contain any on campus learning or practical learning experiences.

Experience

Beyond formal education, aspiring leaders should look for programs that offer practical leadership training through internships, capstone projects, and professional development opportunities¹. Many leadership development programs also incorporate mentorship components, which may give students opportunities to learn directly from experienced senior leaders as they develop their leadership skills.

Rasmussen University's Business Management Bachelor's degree, Human Resources and Leadership Bachelor's degree, Master of Business Administration degree, and Master of Human Resources degree programs do not offer mentorship, internship or professional development opportunities to students in these programs.

Entry-level positions in team supervision or project coordination can provide valuable experience in employee management and strategic planning. Some organizations may offer leadership development programs that combine mentorship with structured leadership training. These programs may provide opportunities to develop leadership abilities under the guidance of an experienced leadership team.

Leadership training programs may also include professional development plans that emphasize new skills or specific competencies such as performance management, communication, or industry advancements. Joining a professional association like the International Leadership Association^®2 or volunteering in leadership roles for community organizations might also provide meaningful experience in organizational management.

Types of Organizational Leadership

Successful companies need effective leadership skills throughout the entire organization. Each leadership role carries unique responsibilities and requires specific skills, often contributing to the organization's goals. Here are some key types of organizational leadership positions:

Executive Leadership

C-suite positions like Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) typically provide high-level leadership for the entire organization. Senior leaders set the vision, establish strategic goals, develop long-term business strategies, oversee organizational culture, and drive bottom-line results. They report to boards of directors and manage major organizational changes.

Executive Leadership positions like CEO, COO, and CFO may require advanced degrees, extensive work experience and/or professional certifications. Rasmussen University does not offer any programs that will lead directly to any such positions.

Departmental Leadership

Directors and Senior Managers typically lead specific business units or departments. Examples include Director of Human Resources, Senior Marketing Manager, or Operations Director. These roles usually require deep knowledge of their functional areas, collaboration with other departments, and people management abilities.

Project Leadership

Program Directors and Project Managers often guide transformation projects and organizational changes. In many cases, they serve as change management specialists³ and may be responsible for managing projects, leading change initiatives, ensuring employee buy-in, and overseeing project teams, budgets, and timelines.

Team Leadership

First-line managers and team leaders may directly supervise employees and manage strategic efforts at the operational level. These positions, such as Team Supervisor or Unit Manager, typically focus on day-to-day operations, employee development, and achieving performance targets while maintaining team motivation and engagement.

What To Look for In a Degree Program

The first thing to consider when choosing a degree program is what type of leadership skills you want to develop. Do you enjoy working with people and developing relationships? Would you prefer a role in human resources or change management? If so, then an organizational leadership degree may be the best fit. Individuals with strengths in data analysis and detail management may find that a business administration degree provides relevant knowledge for management and analyst roles.

Five Things To Look for When Choosing a Program

While business degrees usually focus on similar core skills and knowledge, degree programs differ in the specific courses they include. Program requirements and prerequisites may also vary from school to school, so take time to evaluate each program individually.

As you explore your options, here are five key factors to consider:

1. Accreditation

Accreditation is a benchmark that helps ensure a degree meets established academic standards and may be recognized by employers.

Rasmussen University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. None of Rasmussen University's School of Business programs are programmatically accredited.

2. Curriculum

The curriculum should balance theoretical knowledge with practical leadership training. Consider whether the program offers internships, capstone projects, and real-world case studies. Some schools may also include leadership development programs that offer personalized coaching and opportunities to build a professional portfolio through applied projects.

3. Faculty Credentials

Look at the prior experience of faculty members. Qualified instructors bring both academic expertise and practical business experience to the classroom.

4. Program Flexibility

Does the program offer an online or hybrid option? Are there options that work with your schedule and learning preferences? Program flexibility may help make a degree accessible for students who work or have other responsibilities.

Rasmussen University's Business Management Bachelor's degree, Human Resources and Leadership Bachelor's degree, Master of Business Administration degree, and Master of Human Resources degree programs are only offered online and do not offer any hybrid learning options for students.

5. Networking Opportunities

Look for programs that offer networking through industry partnerships, career fairs, and association memberships. Some programs may include mentorship opportunities with experienced senior leaders.

Rasmussen University's Business Management Bachelor's degree, Human Resources and Leadership Bachelor's degree, Master of Business Administration degree, and Master of Human Resources degree programs do not offer mentorship opportunities with experienced senior leaders and association memberships to students in these programs. The career fairs offered are only virtual career fairs.

Next Steps To Becoming an Organizational Leader

The path to becoming an organizational leader starts with making informed decisions about your education. To take the next step in your leadership journey, explore our Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources and Organizational Leadership program and discover how it can help you develop the skills needed for success.

Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources and Organizational Leadership
The coursework in this program is aligned with the standards of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and meets the academic requirements to sit for the SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) exam. Additional requirements, such as work experience in an HR role, may be required to sit for the SHRM-CP exam. The coursework in this program is aligned with the standards of the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI), and meets the academic requirements to sit for the HRCI Associates Professional in Human Resources (aPHR), the Professional in Human Resources (PHR), or the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) exam. Additional requirements, such as work experience in an HR role, may be required to sit for the PHR or SPHR exams.

Master's Degree in Business Administration (MBA)
This program is not designed to prepare graduates for any state-issued professional license or certification and has not been approved by any state professional licensing agency. For further information on professional licensing requirements, please contact the appropriate board or agency in your state of residence.

International Leadership Association^® is a registered trademark of International Leadership Association, Inc. Suite 1010 8601 Georgia Ave Silver Spring, MARYLAND UNITED STATES 20910
The MHRM program curriculum is fully aligned with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) HR Curriculum Guidebook and academically prepares you to sit for the SHRM-CP and SHRMSCP exams. In addition, the program academically prepares you to sit for the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and Senior Professional Human Resources (SPHR) certifications offered by the HR Certification Institute (HRCI). Additional requirements, such as work experience in an HR role, may be required to sit for the PHR or SPHR exams.

¹American Society of Association Executives. "Leadership Development Programs." Accessed February 21, 2025. Opportunities and employment conditions may vary in your area. https://www.asaecenter.org/programs/leadership-development
²International Leadership Association. "Global Leadership Network." Accessed February 21, 2025. Opportunities and employment conditions may vary in your area. https://ilaglobalnetwork.org/
³Prosci Inc. "Change Management Resources and Solutions." Accessed February 21, 2025. Opportunities and employment conditions may vary in your area. https://www.prosci.com/change-management