School of Professional Studies

Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership

Format

Online

Credits

Time to Graduation

1-2 Years

Cost per Credit Hour

$685

Lead with Purpose. Influence with Integrity.

Rooted in a Christian worldview and strengthened by a focus on people, culture, and stewardship, Crown College’s Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership equips you to lead well within mission-focused organizations. Through practical leadership development, strategic decision-making, and real-world application, you’ll gain the skills needed to strengthen both people and systems while advancing your organization’s mission.

Graduates of Crown’s M.A. in Organizational Leadership emerge as practiced leaders — equipped to diagnose organizations, design sound strategy, and build cultures where people thrive.

Who Is This Program Designed For?

This program was created for leaders serving in mission-focused organizations, including:

Bivocational ministry leaders
Nonprofit leaders
Marketplace leaders focused on the human and systems side of leadership

Whether you’re leading a church, nonprofit ministry, Christian school, business, or community organization, you’ll develop practical tools to strengthen organizational effectiveness while remaining grounded in Christian conviction.

Why study Organizational Leadership at Crown?

Learn to cultivate healthy teams, build trust, strengthen communication, and create organizational cultures where people flourish and missions thrive.
Develop the skills to steward resources, improve organizational systems, make evidence-informed decisions, and align strategy with mission.
Build leadership capabilities for facing the challenges of a changing workplace.

People and Culture

Learn to build healthy teams, strengthen communication, and create cultures where people and organizations thrive.

Lead with Strategy

Apply sound judgment to systems, resources, and decision-making to strengthen organizational effectiveness.

100% Online

Complete your degree fully online while balancing ministry, work, family, and leadership responsibilities.

Flexible Learning for Busy Lives

I think the thing I love most about learning through Crown is the flexibility that I have. I actually didn’t think it would be possible for me, as a wife, a mom and employee, to also be a student and it has worked into my life pretty seamlessly and I really appreciate that. I would recommend Crown College to anyone who wants to further their career. I was looking for a career change, and this has been a fantastic opportunity to find out what I love, what I’m good at, what my leadership style is. It’s been a really fantastic opportunity.

Shannon Bry

Careers

Executive Director
Nonprofit Leader
Ministry Leader
Church Administrator
Program Director
Organizational Consultant

Advanced Degrees

Educational Doctorate in Organizational Leadership
Doctorate in Strategic Leadership
Doctorate in Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Faculty Spotlight

Dr. Laura Slezak

Director of CMTI | Assistant Professor of Theology & Ministry

What You'll Be Prepared To Do

Shape Healthy People and Culture: Build and strengthen relationships, communication, and authentic community within mission-focused organizations so people can thrive and teams can flourish.

Steward Organizational Structure and Resources: Apply sound judgment to organizational systems, resources, and strategy while making faithful, evidence-informed decisions that support the organization’s mission.

Lead Boldly for Kingdom Impact: Apply Christian conviction to real leadership challenges and develop practices that are faithful and impact the world for Christ.

Build Professional Skill: Graduate with a portfolio of experience in consulting, leadership, and management practices.

Viewbook: Life at Crown

Crown College Lookbook

Preview of Courses

GRD 5012 - Strategic Planning

This course studies the leaders role in strategic planning. Attention is given to developing vision and values, program development, allocating resources, and assessing effectiveness for improvement

ORG 5512 - Organizational Behavior

Students will study the behavior of individuals and groups in organizations. Major theoretical positions and research findings are examined with an emphasis on the implications for organizational design and management practice.

ORG 5514 - Ethical Leadership

This course examines from a Christian perspective basic ethical dilemmas and problems that have arisen in the practice of organizational leadership. The impact of ethics and values on leadership and organizational culture will be addressed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can you do with a Master's in Organizational Leadership?

The degree prepares graduates to lead teams and organizations across a range of sectors, including business, ministry, education, and nonprofit settings. It develops skills in strategic planning, organizational communication, and change management, equipping students for management and leadership roles such as project manager, financial manager, and other organizational leadership positions.

What's the difference between the M.A. in Organizational Leadership and the MBA?

Both are faith-integrated graduate degrees, but they emphasize different things. The MBA centers on business administration and management functions, strategy, finance, operations, and is geared toward business leadership roles. The M.A. in Organizational Leadership focuses on leading people and organizations, blending leadership theory, organizational behavior, and change management, and applies across business, ministry, education, and nonprofit contexts. Choosing between them comes down to whether you want a business-management credential or a broader, people- and culture-focused leadership degree.

Is Crown's M.A. in Organizational Leadership fully online and flexible enough for working adults?

Yes. The program is 100% online and accessible on any laptop, tablet, or phone, with coursework delivered in focused eight-week terms. It’s designed for busy adults balancing work, family, and school, including those pursuing a career change or advancement, so they can study without pausing their jobs.

What makes Crown's Organizational Leadership degree different?

Crown integrates leadership theory and strategic management with spiritual formation, all rooted in Christian values. The program emphasizes ethical, faith-informed decision-making and aims to develop transformational leaders who can shape culture and drive mission with wisdom, humility, and integrity, not just manage tasks.

Who is the program designed for?

The M.A. in Organizational Leadership is built for both emerging and experienced leaders who want to grow their ability to lead diverse teams in complex environments. It fits professionals across business, ministry, education, and nonprofit settings, including those seeking to step into leadership for the first time or advance into higher roles.

What courses are included in the M.A. in Organizational Leadership?

The curriculum combines leadership, organizational theory, and ethics. Sample courses include Strategic Planning, Organizational Behavior, and Ethical Leadership, covering vision and resource planning, how individuals and groups behave within organizations, and faith-informed approaches to ethical dilemmas in leadership.

What can I pursue after completing the M.A. in Organizational Leadership?

The degree opens paths into organizational and team leadership roles across sectors and serves as a foundation for doctoral study. Crown lists the Educational Doctorate (Ed.D.) in Organizational Leadership, Doctorate in Strategic Leadership, and Doctorate in Industrial/Organizational Psychology as natural next steps.

Related Programs

Master of Business Administration, M.B.A.
M.A. in Global Leadership
M.A. in Ministry Leadership

Next Steps

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