Master's in Organizational Leadership vs. MBA: Which is Right for You?

Are you considering advancing your career with a graduate degree but torn between pursuing a master's in organizational leadership (MSOL) and a master's in business administration (MBA)?

The decision can be challenging, but understanding the fundamentals of each program and aligning them with your career goals is important.

Below, we'll explore the differences between these two popular graduate degrees, helping you make an informed choice that suits your aspirations.

Defining MSOL and MBA Degree Programs

An MSOL program explicitly focuses on honing leadership, communication and organizational behavior skills through theory-to-practice coursework. It also strongly emphasizes managerial psychology, differentiating it from other post-secondary management programs. 

On the other hand, an MBA degree is designed to equip current or aspiring business professionals with the comprehensive business management skills necessary for assuming leadership roles in functional areas such as operations, marketing and human resources. MBAs can also be specialized to focus on a specific industry niche.

According to Dr. Alyncia Bowen, dean of Franklin University’s Ross College of Business and executive director of the university’s Leadership Center, both your career goals and personal attributes should be considered before committing to either master's degree program:

"Both offerings are designed to help individuals seeking to advance in their careers,” Bowen says. “These students are self-motivated, enthusiastic learners, able to work independently and in teams, and individuals who desire to think critically while meeting individual and organizational goals."

Is a Leadership Program Similar to an MBA?

Dr. Bowen says that while both master's degree options aim to develop leadership skills and have some parallels in terms of curriculum, their focus differs.

An MSOL degree program emphasizes specialized skills in management, team building and leadership, which can be used to procure roles such as human resources manager, organizational consultant, healthcare manager, director of training and development and sales manager. An M.S. in organizational leadership will focus more on growing your ability to foster teamwork, corporate social responsibility, effective communication and employee motivation.

Conversely, an MBA degree program will better prepare you to run a business in your chosen area. This program provides a broader understanding of the general business world, preparing graduates to run businesses efficiently. This can translate into wide and varied career pathways, such as business operations manager, marketing director, business owner, computer and information systems manager, business intelligence analyst and so much more. 

What matters most when choosing a master’s program? Compare features, benefits and cost to find the right school for you.

Which is Better: A Master’s in Leadership or an MBA?

Choosing between an MSOL and MBA programs depends on your career goals and interests. In this way, there is no “better” program - only one that may do more to support your professional endeavors.  

If you want to obtain more specialized knowledge in leadership and human behavior across institutions, then a master's in OL may be the way forward. 

In contrast, if you want to facilitate your growth into higher-level business operations, then pursuing a master of business administration can provide the valuable knowledge and abundant skillset you need.

Exploring an MBA with Specialization in Organizational Leadership 

Comparing the curriculum of a master's in organizational leadership and MBA programs reveals distinct differences tailored to each program's focus. An alternative program consideration is also available, as an MBA specializing in organization leadership is another popular route prospective students can take to bolster their business acumen.

While all three programs cover essential areas such as executive leadership and business strategy, an MSOL delves deeper into organizational leadership and change management. In contrast, an MBA emphasizes financial management and marketing in more depth. 

On the other hand, an MBA specializing in organizational leadership offers a middle ground between the two programs, offering a unique way to learn skills from an MBA and a master's in OL program.

"An MBA in OL is tailored to support the individual who seeks to serve in a deeper leadership capacity," says Dr. Bowen. "It expands the basis of the MBA by providing the student with theory-to-practice examples." 

Through Franklin's MBA with a specialization in Organizational Leadership program, students can achieve their goals through a range of specialized course offerings, including: 

• Organizational Leadership Theory. Provides an overview of leadership concepts, theories and constructs. You will develop your leadership voice, identify transferable skills and create an in-depth plan to develop and refine leadership competencies.
• Change Management. Explores the key theoretical concepts and practices of leading organizational change initiatives. You’ll learn to initiate, implement and sustain major change in various settings.
• Managerial Psychology. Examines the psychological influences on the development and behavior of employees, managers and organizational leaders. Topics include follower influences, leadership style, decision-making biases, group thinking and scenario planning.

Understanding the differences between a master’s of organizational leadership, a general MBA and a specialized OL MBA can help you align your educational pursuits with your career aspirations. Whether you envision yourself leading a business or spearheading organizational change, choosing the right program is crucial.

How Do I Choose Which Program to Pursue?

When considering these three graduate programs, it's important to think about your career goals and interests. Here are some factors to consider when deciding between an MSOL, MBA or MBA Specializing in OL:

MSOL:

• Are you looking to advance in an organizational leadership role? 
• Do you want to develop skills in strategic planning, change management and organizational development?
• Are topics like organizational dynamics, leadership and policy analysis interesting to you?

MBA:

• Are you looking to transition into a business leadership role? 
• Do you want to develop general business skills and knowledge?
• Do you want to focus on areas of business such as finance, marketing or operations?
• Are you interested in core business disciplines, such as finance, accounting and marketing?

MBA Specializing in OL:

• Are you interested in specializing in organizational leadership and developing expertise in areas such as strategic planning, organizational change and talent development?
• Do you want to focus on leading and managing organizations in a specific industry or sector?
• Are you interested in the specific program offerings of change management, managerial psychology and organizational theory?

To help you narrow in on your desired degree, Dr. Bowen advises learners to make collaborative and informed choices using program information and campus resources.

"Students are encouraged to investigate our degree offerings, whether through a discussion with the program chair, academic advisor, and/or career services to assist with aligning their degrees with their career goals and interests."

Which Graduate Degree Offers More Career Options?

According to Lightcast™ data, business administration management and organizational leadership are expected to experience significant growth over the next decade. Job numbers are projected to increase by 15.8% and 17.9%, respectively, through 2032. 

This growth is expected to outpace the national average, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that job availability across all industries will increase by 2.8% over the same timeframe.

Looking closer at organizational leadership, certain jobs within this sector are poised for particularly strong growth. 

For example, data taken from Lightcast™ conveys that training and development managers are expected to see a 13.7% increase in job openings, with median salaries reaching $100,921. Similarly, facility managers are projected to experience a 22.8% job growth, with median salaries reaching $102,232. 

In the business administration field, job prospects are also on the rise. 

For instance, financial managers are projected to experience a 25.6% job growth, with median salaries reaching $155,001. Additionally, marketing specialists are expected to see a 25.3% job growth, with median salaries reaching $152,817.

Pursue the Graduate Degree You're Passionate About

Deciding between a master's degree in organizational leadership and an MBA (with or without an organizational leadership specialization) is a significant step toward shaping your future career path.

Franklin University understands the importance of making an informed decision that sets you on the path to success.

Explore program options, seek expert guidance, and apply for the advanced business degree that resonates with your ambitions. Take the first step toward your academic and professional journey—apply today!

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