Climb the ranks in your organization while benefitting your company and your career.
Take your leadership to the next level with an executive master’s in organizational leadership. Build on your experience in strategic thinking, problem-solving, and motivational leadership in this hybrid-format organizational leadership degree program. If you need a degree program that teaches you how to tackle business challenges while you refine your organizational leadership career aspirations, then Cumberlands is the place.
An Executive Master of Science (MS) in Organizational Leadership is designed to help professionals like you navigate entry into (or advancement within) an organization, fulfilling leadership roles with excellence. Coursework examines all facets of organizational leadership, from human resource management to operational strategy.
By the Numbers
Programs & Requirements
Executive Master of Science in Organizational Leadership (EMSOL)
The executive master’s in organizational leadership degree program at University of the Cumberlands is designed to equip professionals to advance in – or take on the new challenges of – a leadership role within their organization.
This executive MS degree curriculum enhances foundational organizational leadership theory and methodology by exploring specialized areas of leadership, as well as a deep understanding of approaches to leadership in different organizational settings – private, public, for-profit, and non-profit.
Course Requirements
- LEAD 530 - Foundations of Organizational Leadership
- LEAD 531 - Introduction to Non-Profit Management
- LEAD 532 - Research Methods and Analysis
- LEAD 639 - Organizational Leadership Capstone
- BADM 532 - Organizational Behavior
- BADM 632 - Advanced Human Resource Management
- BADM 631 - Managing in a Global Environment
- BADM 645 - Strategic Leadership
Choose 2 of the following courses:
- ADOL 655 - Team Leadership
- EDOL 631 - Advanced Human Development, Learning Behavior
- CROL 677 - Applied Leadership
- ITS 630 - Organization Leadership and Decision Making
- ITS 631 - Operational Excellence
- HHP 537 - Coaching and Fitness Leadership
- HHP 631 - Advanced Coaching and Fitness Leadership
- MMOL 634 - Christian Leadership Development
- LEAD 699 - Applied Practical Learning* or INTR 599 ** (1 credit hour)
*All online students who are seeking to earn this degree must take this course in lieu of INTR 599, in addition to meeting all program degree requirements. Executive format students can substitute the required INTR 599 course in lieu of LEAD 699 as part of their program degree requirements.
** Executive format programs have an applied learning component (internship or practicum) that is an integral and essential part of the established curriculum. Due to the applied learning component required for the degree program, Executive format students must enroll in INTR every term of enrollment.
Executive Student Resources
UC's Department of International Graduate Services enjoys providing support resources for our international students. Find tutorials and information regarding offices and policies for the International Graduate Students and programs.
Executive Program Format
Our Executive Programs include hybrid course days designed for international graduate students studying in the U.S., or domestic students seeking a hybrid-format program. We strive to incorporate professional experience and real-world application of course curriculum into our programs to enhance the learning experience. Practical Training is an integral part of program coursework and available to all students. At the University of the Cumberlands our degree programs focus on quality education at an affordable price.
Executive Program students take three (3) courses per semester. The program semester is based on the existing UC semester calendar, with three (3) annual semesters: fall, spring, and summer. Two of the courses each semester focus on the specific program content. Additionally, students will be required to attend an intensive residency weekend as part of their course enrollment each term. The third class includes an Applied Learning Practicum, in which students apply what they are learning in their other two courses to the real world via work or internship experiences.
Residency FAQs
Residency Session dates are determined by the course that you are registered for. It is very important that you make note of the class you registered for, as well as the designated residency weekend for that course as each course will only meet one weekend for the duration of the semester.
Even though we will only be meeting one weekend per semester, we will have the same number of contact hours with you. This will enable the instructors to make residency weekends much more valuable. This change will allow us to have meaningful projects on residency weekends.
You can view your semester schedule in your self-service portal in your Student Profile. Once you log into your MyUC account, click on Academics, then click on Current Schedule. Your schedule details will indicate the date and location of your residency weekend.
You can find information on the residency site locations on our website.
Yes, all three days are mandatory, and requests to arrive late or leave early will not be approved. Should you not be in attendance for the full session, you will be counted absent for the entire session. Please plan travel accordingly!
Attendance to each executive residency class session is mandatory. Students may make up no more than one (1) residency session throughout the duration of their academic program. Missing a second residency will result in the student being dismissed from the university.
A missed session will result in the student attending a make-up session, and paying a $300 residency make-up fee. In addition, the student may be asked for documentation from the program department providing an explanation as to why the scheduled residency session was missed. Make-up sessions must be completed prior to the end of the term. Noncompliance with this policy will result in dismissal from the executive program.
Make-up residency sessions will be held at our campus in Williamsburg, KY. You will be contacted with the time and dates after your absence is reported. There will only be one (1) residency make-up session offered each semester. Failure to attend all days of the makeup session will result in receiving a failing grade for the course, as well as potential dismissal from the University, and SEVIS termination.
If you cannot be in attendance for all three days then you will be counted absent for the entire residency weekend and be required to attend the make-up residency and pay the $300 make-up fee.
The Department of International Graduate Services will contact you via your UC student email as registration for the next term approaches. Please remember that you are required to register for (one) main class, (one) online class, and Applied Learning Practicum each semester in order to maintain your F1 status – late registration will not be accepted and can result in the termination of your student status.
Once you register for a class you will want to make note of the residency weekend that your class is scheduled, as that is the only session for that class that will be scheduled for the semester. You will need to be sure to plan your travel accordingly to ensure that you are in attendance for the full residency session.
Registration is done on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once a course is full, there will not be additional seats added, as we cannot exceed classroom seating capacity; therefore, it is advised that you register for classes as much in advance as possible. As a reminder, students cannot register for future semesters until their current tuition balance is paid in full.
*Please note all times are in local time zone*
Friday
Facility will open at 4:00 p.m.
Saturday
Facility will open at 7:00 a.m.
Sunday
Facility will open at 7:00 a.m.
We ask that you please take note of the above-mentioned times and schedule your travel accordingly.
*These dates have been set; however, if any changes are made, they will be made prior to registration for that semester. Not all dates are available at each residency location.
Fall 2023 (August 28 – December 15)
- September 29 – October 1
- October 6 – 8
- October 13 – 15
- October 20 – 22
- November 3 – 5
- November 10 – 12
- November 17 – 19
Spring 2024 (January 8th – April 26th)
- February 9 – 11
- February 16 – 18
- February 23 – 25
- March 1 – 3
- March 8 – 10
- March 15 – 17
- March 22 – 24
- April 5 – 7
Summer 2024 (May 6th – August 23rd)
- May 31 – June 2
- June 7 – 9
- June 14 – 16
- June 21 – 23
- June 28 – 30
- July 12 – 14
- July 19 – 21
- July 26 – 28
- August 2 – 4
Fall 2024 (August 26th – December 13th)
- September 27 – 29
- October 4 – 6
- October 11 – 13
- October 18 – 20
- October 25 – 27
- November 1 – 3
- November 8 – 10
- November 15 – 17
- November 22 – 24
Take the Next Step
Mission & Goals
This program aims to prepare you for academic and organizational leadership roles by providing valuable, cutting-edge knowledge and skills. The program empowers you to meet the demands of businesses, communities, and education systems.
Organizational Leadership Careers & Outcomes
All statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics
Management Analyst: $95,290
Management Analyst: $95,290
Management analysts recommend ways to improve an organization’s efficiency.
Human Resource Specialist: $64,240
Human Resource Specialist: $64,240
Human resources specialists recruit, screen, and interview job applicants and place newly hired workers in jobs. They also may handle compensation and benefits, training, and employee relations.
Project Management Specialist: $95,370
Project Management Specialist: $95,370
Project management specialists coordinate the budget, schedule, staffing, and other details of a project.
Training and Development Specialist: $63,080
Training and Development Specialist: $63,080
Training and development specialists plan and administer programs that improve the skills and knowledge of their employees.
Marketing Manager: $138,730
Marketing Manager: $138,730
Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers plan programs to generate interest in products or services.
Top Executive: $100,090
Top Executive: $100,090
Top executives plan strategies and policies to ensure that an organization meets its goals.
Common Questions
The executive master’s in organizational leadership program at University of the Cumberlands is designed to equip professionals to advance in or take on the challenges of a leadership role within their organization.
Offered in an executive format program blending online and onsite study, students can develop organizational leadership approaches for public, private, for-profit, and non-profit settings. Classroom theory is enhanced through applied opportunities, including an Organizational Leadership Capstone course and an Applied Learning Practicum.
As the organizational leadership landscape continues to grow in new directions, a master’s program could help you grow along with it. If you want to be a successful and effective leader in your organization, you need to be able to:
- Exhibit advanced analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
- Demonstrate an ethical leadership approach
- Apply an advanced understanding of organizational leadership theory in the field
- Effectively navigate leadership within a variety of organizational settings
With this hybrid program, you’ll develop advanced skills in all of that and more.
With an executive MS in Organizational Leadership, you can have a meaningful impact on the daily operations and long-range initiatives and goals of your organization in a variety of job roles. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, more than 189,200 new top executives will be added over the next decade. Additionally, this job field offers a lucrative median salary of $98,980.
The organizational leadership career path offers great flexibility, whether you aspire to general leadership or a more specialized role. An executive MS degree in organizational leadership can equip you to serve in a number of areas, including sustainability, social responsibility, operations, diversity, and much more!
Sure! The hybrid format executive master’s in organizational leadership is a variation of our fully online program that includes a mandatory three-day weekend residency session each semester. It’s ideal for working professionals who want a program that works with their busy schedule but isn't completely online. The executive organizational leadership master’s program would also work for an international student with an F1 visa and a CPT/OPT component to their degree.
The 31-credit program requires 25 credit hours in core subjects such as Foundations of Organizational Leadership, Research Methods and Analysis, and Strategic Leadership, and six credit hours for both elective theory and practicum Capstone courses.
Classes are scheduled in two 8-week sessions and 16-week sessions during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Full-time degree candidates typically take one or two classes per bi-term, a total of 6-9 hours per semester. With the recommended course rotation, a full-time student could complete the program in 12 months (three semesters).
All programs at University of the Cumberlands are offered at some of the lowest rates in the nation – and we even include free textbooks through our One Price Promise! For more information on how affordable this program would be for you, visit our Financial Aid page.
Executive Program Admission Requirements
All students in our executive programs are required to meet a standard set of admissions requirements for graduate students.
Faculty Experts
Find out more about your future professors at UC.
Dr. Krista Watkins
Dr. Mamie Todaro
Dr. Michael Tompkins
Request Information
You have questions? We have answers.