Prepare to lead. Advance your career. Create your future.

The Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science in Organizational Leadership prepares individuals to lead change, make a difference, and solve problems. This application-oriented and affordable degree prepares emerging and experienced leaders to meet current and future challenges in an increasingly diverse, technological, and global society. 

The BAAS is designed to provide a career-ladder for students who have completed an associate’s degree and desire to continue their education at the bachelor's level. The degree builds on a student’s technical education and content expertise, adding an application-oriented two-year track in the fundamentals of organizational leadership.

The coursework focuses on real-world competencies including understanding foundational frameworks for leading effectively, building and leading high-performance teams, leadership and decision making, negotiation and conflict management, ethical leadership, and mobilizing positive change. 

A degree in organizational leadership is a versatile degree that can be applied to just about any field. Organizational leaders are needed in all sectors including business, corporations, public safety, manufacturing, technology, health care, government, education, and non-profit. Many leaders advance within their own organizations, moving up from lower-level management occupations or supervisory positions. Some companies hire qualified candidates from outside their organization. In smaller organizations, a manager often is responsible for hiring, training, quality control, and day-to-day supervisory duties. In large organizations, leaders typically focus on formulating policies, directing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources.

  1. Interpersonal skills--Demonstrate the ability to establish productive relationships by communicating effectively individually and collectively.

  2. Organizational behavior--Identify organizational challenges based on effective functions and dysfunctional individual, team, and organizational behaviors.

  3. Problem solving/decision making--Evaluate the appropriateness of decisions in case studies.

  4. Change management--Analyze factors related to organizational change initiatives.

  5. Resource management--Identify resources to complete a task within a specified time frame.

  6. Strategy/operations management--Examine and implement effective, efficient, and ethical systems for managing resources, personnel and the work process.

  7. Information literacy--Ability to process information and allocate it appropriately.

  8. Applied research--To solve specific, practical issues affecting an individual or group.

Organizational leaders work in nearly every industry, for both small and large organizations. Overall employment of top executives is projected to grow 4 percent from 2019 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Projected employment growth varies by occupation. Employment of general and operations managers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. Organizations will continue to rely on these workers to help them operate successfully. Employment growth is expected to be driven by the formation of new organizations and expansion of existing ones, which should require more workers to manage these operations. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Top Executives, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/top-executives.htm (visited April 14, 2021).

The Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Organizational Leadership program exists to educate and enable emerging and experienced leaders to positively impact the businesses, organizations, and communities they serve.

A total of 120 credits, combining associate’s level and bachelor’s level coursework, is required for program completion as follows:

  • 42 credit hours of required Core Curriculum coursework
  • 30 credit hours of required upper-level ORGL coursework
  • 45 credit hours of Prescribed Electives (Occupational Specific/Business Electives)
  • Three credit hours of free electives

Advisors will review each student's academic record to determine if the student has completed the necessary preparation for program admission.

  1. Graduates will evaluate personal foundations for establishing one’s self as an effective and ethical leader.
  2. Graduates will identify behaviors for successfully leading in the interpersonal context.
  3. Graduates will apply foundational concepts of organizational leadership to real-world business operations.
  4. Graduates will formulate research-based strategies to mobilize and lead positive change in practice-related contexts.

ORGL designated classes are delivered per the course schedule in a hybrid format combining online coursework via Canvas with synchronous Zoom meetings held on select dates each semester. Attendance at the Zoom sessions is a program requirement. This format blends the convenience of online learning with the benefits of real-time interaction with the instructor and fellow students. Other required classes may be offered in another format depending on the subject matter and instructor.

This degree is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). For more information go to WC's Accreditation Page.

Faculty

Organizational Leadership Faculty in the Faculty Directory

Organizational Leadership

Organizational Leadership
Number of Credits
120
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CONTACT

Philip Mathew, PhD
Program Director
pmathew@wc.edu
817-598-6304

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