Organizational Leadership

Organizational leadership is an interdisciplinary program that combines a liberal arts education (grounded largely in psychology and sociology) and selective courses in organizational and economic fundamentals with a core set of classes focused on understanding theoretical and practical approaches to leadership.

We define leadership as "a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal” (Northouse, 2025).  As such, leadership is not about having a formal position of authority but being in any position that provides an opportunity to impact others positively.  Leadership also is not limited to for-profit businesses but extends to all forms of organizational life (e.g., non-profit, government, education) as well as our interpersonal and group relationships. Accordingly, our program provides a coherent pathway for students wishing to effect positive change in their work and personal lives. 

The fundamental premise of the Organizational Leadership program is that effective leadership requires mastery of multiple practices and skills and is enhanced by applying knowledge gained from the research and study of leadership. Key topics of focus in the program include:

• Identifying your own leadership style and developing your own philosophy of leadership
• Understanding organizational dynamics and the internal and external factors that impact organizational change
• Applying science-based evidence to critically assess various leadership scenarios and determining how to respond
• Recognizing various ethical dilemmas faced by leaders and developing strategies to address those dilemmas
• Developing skills relating to collaboration, written and oral communication, conflict management, persuasion, motivating others, leading teams, and working with data

Whether you are an early- or mid-career professional seeking to advance your career or a seasoned leader searching for ways to strengthen your organizational “IQ” and leadership competencies, a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership can help you achieve your professional goals.

• The University of Cincinnati has online enrollment services advisors (ESAs) available to help learners complete their application and get started in the Online Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership program.  If you have not already, please use the request information form above to be connected to an ESA today! 

• Upon starting the program, a dedicated student success coordinator (SSC) and academic advisor will be assigned to all learners to help them achieve their academic goals. You will be introduced to your SSC and your academic advisor as your first semester approaches, and they will be your primary liaisons to the university all the way through graduation. 

• To apply to the University of Cincinnati as a transfer student, learners must submit a transfer application form and have official transcripts sent directly to UC from all prior institutions they’ve attended. High school transcripts will not be required for transfer applicants with 24 college credit hours or more. 

• To request these transcripts, please contact your previous institution’s registrar and ask them to send the official transcript to the University of Cincinnati via an approved electronic method such as Parchment, eScrip-Safe, National Student Clearinghouse, or similar services. This is the preferred method. If electronic submission isn’t available, transcripts may be mailed to the Office of Admissions at: 

• University of Cincinnati 

• Office of Admissions 

• PO Box 210091 

• Cincinnati, OH 45221 

• Learners who are currently enrolled at the University of Cincinnati can apply to enter the online BA in Organizational Leadership program by following the major change instructions found on the Office of the Registrar’s website. 

• Past UC students who have not attended any other institutions since their departure can apply to be readmitted to the university and enter the online BA in Organizational Leadership program by following the readmission instructions found on the Office of the Registrar’s website. 

• Both of these applications are subject to the same admissions criteria listed above. 

• Students living abroad are eligible to pursue this program but will not be qualified for F1 Visa applications. 

• Applicants with college coursework completed outside the United States are required to provide a course-by-course foreign credential evaluation for each college or university you attended outside the United States. This evaluation must be obtained from a service listed on the NACES member website.