Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership
Online
The Adler University Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership develops strategists who advance organizational culture and resilience. Grounded in the scholar-practitioner model, this program develops expertise in change management, team building, and organizational strategy.
- 36 credits
- 2-year program, full-time study
- Part-time opportunities
- Asynchronous learning
- Thesis + capstone options
- Pathway to doctorate
Admission Deadlines
| Term | Final |
|---|---|
| Fall II 2025 | 10/6/2025 |
| Spring I 2026 | 12/1/2025 |
| Summer I 2026 | 4/1/2026 |
| Fall I 2026 | 8/1/2026 |
Program overview
Organizations today face rapid change, evolving workforce expectations, and growing pressure to foster resilience and accountability. Students in this program engage these challenges directly through practitioner-led courses and applied projects, learning to translate research into strategies that create immediate impact in their workplaces.
Adler University’s online master’s in organizational leadership is designed to meet these demands, blending leadership practice with psychology and systems thinking. The curriculum emphasizes how values, strategy, and evidence-based decision-making intersect to strengthen teams and build organizations that can adapt and thrive in complex environments.
Why chose the online master’s in organizational leadership at Adler?
- Adlerian lens on work: Grounded in Adlerian principles, the program integrates psychology with organizational science to promote healthier, more effective workplaces.
- Flexible format: 100% online delivery with evening and weekend course options, plus part-time pathways for working professionals.
- Pathway to doctoral study: A strong academic foundation that supports progression into advanced doctoral programs in psychology or related fields.
- Applied learning: Practicum experiences, case studies, and applied projects that translate research into organizational strategy and measurable outcomes.
- Career versatility: Preparation for roles in HR, consulting, organizational development, and leadership across public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
Thesis + CAPSTONE
Adler’s Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership gives students the choice between a thesis or capstone project. This work advances critical thinking, research fluency, and scholarly writing, while positioning graduates to influence organizational strategy and contribute new insights to the field of leadership.
Thesis
An original, student-driven research project guided by a faculty chair and ceader. Students design and execute a study that advances knowledge in organizational leadership while aligning with their professional focus and the program’s curriculum.
Capstone
Instead of a thesis, students can conclude their program with an applied research project focused on addressing real-world organizational challenges. Through a critical analysis of existing literature, students generate meaningful insights, demonstrating the depth of their knowledge and the impact of their leadership.
Careers That RedefinE leadership + systems
Graduates of the online master’s in organizational leadership program are the leaders of tomorrow. They go on to shape strategy, culture, and change.
MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT
Partner with organizations to evaluate challenges and uncover opportunities for improvement. By analyzing operations, strategy, and structure, Management Consultants deliver evidence-based recommendations that enhance organizational efficiency, innovation, and growth.
CORPORATE RECRUITER
Manage the entire hiring process, from identifying staffing needs to sourcing and interviewing candidates. Corporate Recruiters play a key role in building strong teams by selecting individuals whose skills and values align with organizational goals.
Operations Manager
Oversee the daily workings of a business or department to ensure resources are used effectively. Operations Managers coordinate people, budgets, and processes while aligning everyday tasks with broader organizational strategies.
Strategic Planner of Innovation
Identify emerging opportunities and design long-term initiatives that help organizations stay competitive. Strategic Innovation Planners link creative ideas with actionable strategies, guiding teams toward sustainable change and growth.
Performance Management Consultant
Help organizations measure and improve effectiveness across teams and departments. Performance Management Consultants design systems to track progress, provide feedback, and align performance goals with strategic priorities.
Admissions requirements
Eligibility
Applicants of the master’s in organizational leadership program must meet the following requirements:
- A baccalaureate degree, by the date of matriculation, earned from an accredited college or university, or an equivalent degree from an international college or university.
- A GPA of 3.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale) in their baccalaureate degree.
- Applicants with a GPA between 2.5 and 2.99 will be considered for conditional admission by submitting two letters of recommendation from a current professor, supervisor, and/or someone who can attest to the applicant’s ability to be successful in a graduate program. Exceptions may be made for applicants with a conferred graduate degree.
- Applicants with a GPA below a 2.5 will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Two letters of recommendation**
**Letters of recommendation may be waived based on cumulative grade point average from your degree-granting institution. Letters of recommendation should be submitted by professional references on letterhead.
Conditional Admission Status
Applicants admitted on a conditional basis must achieve a 3.0 cumulative GPA in their first two courses in order to achieve full admission status and continue in the program. Applicants not meeting this standard may be dismissed from the university. Applicants admitted on a conditional basis are not eligible to repeat coursework until they achieve a full admission status.
Provisional Admission Status
Applicants admitted on a provisional basis must submit all outstanding collateral, as defined in their acceptance letter, prior to the end of their first course to achieve full admission status and continue in the program. Applicants not meeting this standard may be dismissed from the University.
How to Apply + Submit Transcripts
- Visit Adler University’s online application portal, create an account, and submit your application, fee, Statement of Intent, resume/CV, and references’ details.
- Have official transcripts sent directly from each issuing institution or approved service to the Office of Admissions prior to the application deadline. Do not upload official copies to the portal.
Official electronic transcripts should be sent to admissions@adler.edu.
Physical transcripts should be sent to:
Adler University – Office of Admissions
17 N. Dearborn Street
Chicago, IL 60602
Curriculum | Internships | practicums
The organizational leadership program is offered entirely online and can be completed in 24 months, making it an attractive option for students who may be currently employed. Our asynchronous learning model allows for convenience and flexibility. Completion of the program includes the courses below, along with additional requirements outlined in the Adler University catalog.
CORE COURSES
Leadership and Management Philosophies
This course explores fundamental leadership and management concepts at the individual, team, and organizational levels. This course will give students the opportunity to explore leadership and followership dynamics, as well as the role it plays in enhancing leadership capabilities and experiences.
Organizational Culture and Design
This course explores organizational culture at the interface of theory and practice to bring clarity, context, relevance and understanding to the topic. Future leaders will be prepared to use their knowledge as a powerful tool in creating a sustainable high performance organization.
Leading High Impact Teams
In this course, students will learn how to lead high performing teams that are collaborative, consistently learning, and able to achieve bottom line results. Specifically, students will learn best practices for composing a team and aligning individual and team goals.
Innovation Process
Understanding how innovation occurs within and outside of individual organizations is essential for entrepreneurs, policymakers and researchers. Innovation the creation and implementation of a new product, process or service – occurs within complex systems and system characteristics can help or hinder innovation.
Leadership Assessment and Feedback Coaching
This course introduces students to the principles of individual assessment and their role in leadership development.
Entrepreneurship
This course introduces students to entrepreneurship and the development of the entrepreneurial mindset. Students will learn about the entrepreneurial process, skills required and the necessary resilience to meet their business goals.
Research Methods
This course explores the fundamental concepts of social science research methodology within the field of applied psychology. Students will learn how to conduct literature reviews, establish and evaluate sampling methods and research designs, and recognize variables related to systems evaluation.
Adlerian Theory in Socially Responsible Practice
This seminar course provides students with an overview of the principles of Adlerian theory as they relate to socially responsible professional practice in the areas of leadership and applied psychology.
ELECTIVES
Students select three elective courses for a total of 9 credits.
Statistics
This course prepares students to conduct statistical analyses using SPSS. Descriptive, inferential, and multivariate statistical techniques will be examined as they relate to decision-making and problem-solving in organizations and systems.
Systems Thinking
Complex challenges and issues involve the interplay of a multitude of stakeholders, organizations and institutions. Students will be introduced to systems design, theory and methods to identify and design systemic interventions for social, policy, and business change.
Organizational Development and Change
This course examines the vital role of organizational development (OD) to help organizations evolve to meet business challenges. Through case study and interactive discussion, students learn about the phases of planned change.
Training Theory
The course provides students with a thorough understanding of the role of a training and development practitioner. Students will be provided with an analysis of current best practices as they relate to adult learning, instructional design/ strategy, and program evaluation.
THESIS OR CAPSTONE
Students select either the capstone course, or the thesis series.
Thesis
Course may be taken multiple times for credit. The M.A. Thesis is a student-directed study conducted in consultation with an assigned Chair and Reader in an area of organizational leadership with relevance to the curriculum.
Capstone
The Capstone course provides students with a unique opportunity to complete a project that will reflect their learning and training experiences throughout the program.
SOCIAL JUSTICE PRACTICUM
Your opportunity to create lasting change on local and global systems, almost from day 1.
The Social Justice Practicum (SJP) at Adler University is a first-year non-clinical, community-based experience that reflects Alfred Adler’s concept of social interest. The practicum places students with mission-driven organizations where they complete a minimum of 200 approved hours across two semesters, typically 8–10 hours per week. Alongside their placements, students participate in required workshops. Each practicum is evaluated through midterm and final supervisor reviews, student self-assessments, and feedback on the site and project, with grades of High Pass, Pass, Remediation, or Fail. The experience culminates in a campus-wide presentation of outcomes, assessed by multiple evaluators, offering students both applied training and the opportunity to contribute to meaningful community change.
“My teaching style and thought process revolve around integrating academic and practitioner-related concepts into the learning experience to help students best understand and apply what they are learning in both the classroom and in their every day life. In both online and classroom-based learning, I believe that communication and engagement are key to having a successful and effective learning experience. Developing relationships and understanding what the lessons mean to my students are a top priority for me, as I try to find ways to help them connect with the material in the course and in their overall learning in the program.”
– Marianne Cabrera, Ph.D.
Program Director
Financing your degree
Use our tuition calculator to help you start to plan your budget. Financial aid from the government, scholarships, or part-time employment can help you more easily afford your degree.
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