Jennifer Murray had an MBA and an extensive background in business and management when she enrolled in the online Master of Science — Organizational Leadership program at Eastern Washington University. As a Senior Director of Product Marketing at edtech company Risepoint, she had also been a supervisor for many years. 
She pursued the degree to learn more about organizational behavior and gain fresh insight on managing teams. The program’s holistic approach to leadership intrigued her. She liked the emphasis on reflection and growth.
“At the end of the day, the leader is still a person,” she said. “So understanding yourself is also extremely important.”
Jennifer says that EWU professors inspired her to dig deeper into leadership theory and helped her reframe common management challenges as opportunities for dialogue and collaboration. She believes that tapping into diverse perspectives on a problem is a good way to ensure the best outcome.
“Looking at a challenge from different angles allows you to see [whether] the root cause of that problem really is what you think it is, and helps you create that better solution,” she said.
Jennifer appreciated the faculty’s compassion as she balanced grad school and a full-time job. “The professors were absolutely amazing,” she shared. “I was impressed by how much feedback they gave and how positive and supportive they were.”
She found coursework in communication and conflict resolution highly valuable, and studying change management helped her prepare for a period of rapid expansion at her company. “The information you learn from this program is absolutely practical and applicable,” she confirmed.
The final capstone was one of Jennifer’s favorite courses. “You develop your own personal leadership philosophy,” she explained, in addition to a plan for future learning and development. She notes that this process was key, because no theory or management style is one-size-fits-all.
“Each person is individual, and they lead with their own strengths,” she said. “I know my style as a leader and what works for me. I think that helps the employees that I manage and helps me develop them as potential leaders in the future.”
The convenience and flexibility of the program also proved essential to her success, since she often traveled for work, vacation or to visit family. “I logged on from everywhere, from San Diego to Dallas to Florida. I was all over the United States during the program and it was not a problem at all,” she said.
Jennifer graduated in 2023 and now recommends the online master’s program in organizational leadership to colleagues, especially those new to management.
“Anybody that’s getting thrust into the role of a people leader—formally or even informally—this is the type of program you should consider,” she advised.
“I came out of it with a better understanding of myself, of how to work with other people, how to help facilitate change with an organization, working with teams,” she shared, relaying the positive impact of her time at EWU.
“It was well worth the investment,” she said. “It’s a great program.”
What Can You Do With a Master’s in Organizational Leadership?
The sky’s the limit. Whether you are a seasoned manager with years of experience, a small business owner, a coach, a teacher, or a rising employee ready to become a supervisor, an organizational leadership master’s program can transform your career.
Jobs in organizational leadership often involve managing teams or working with individual clients to help them meet goals. However, effective leaders understand that in practice, their role is more nuanced and their influence can be significant.
In the online Master of Science — Organizational Leadership program at EWU, you will learn how to motivate and inspire others while helping them achieve personal and professional fulfillment. Additionally, you’ll gain high-demand soft skills such as critical thinking and problem-solving that business, nonprofit and government employers value.
Discover the social, emotional, scientific and ethical aspects of leadership while learning strategies that promote clear communication and collaboration. Through engaging coursework, you will be challenged to consider leadership through a wider lens, incorporating identity, values, diversity and social justice, and to build competency in conflict resolution and change management. Apply your new knowledge right away to create an organizational culture where everyone thrives and feels empowered.
You’ll also track your progress during the program, which culminates in the organizational leadership capstone. As you review the theories and practices you’ve studied, you will create a guiding leadership philosophy—based on your unique strengths and management style—as well as a development plan and an electronic portfolio of projects that demonstrate your accomplishment.
The online master’s degree in organizational leadership at EWU features flexible coursework designed to fit your needs and schedule, as well as affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition. Multiple start dates and 6-week courses will put you on the fast track to success—earn your degree in as few as 10 months!
Our AACSB-accredited online MBA with an Organizational Leadership Concentration program is another great learning option if you are seeking an advanced education in business while accelerating your growth as a leader.
Online master’s and graduate certificate programs in business at EWU enable you to build on your experience or pursue an exciting new career. Wherever your ambitions lead, we’ll help you get there.
