Online Master's in Organizational Leadership | California Coast University

Real Leaders Don't Wait for the Right Time. They Build the Skills to Lead Right Now.

Great organizations don't run themselves. Behind every high-functioning team, every resilient culture, and every smart strategic decision is a leader who understands how organizations work — and how to move them forward. California Coast University's Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership is an online master's degree built for working professionals who are ready to step into that role. 100% online. Entirely self-paced. No campus. No cohort. No waiting.

What Is CCU's Online Master's Degree in Organizational Leadership?

CCU's Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership is designed to give students the knowledge and applied frameworks needed to lead effectively across a variety of organizational settings. The program examines history, theory, research, and best practices across the full landscape of organizational leadership — including human relations, human resource management, organizational theory and behavior, strategic management, conflict management, leadership, project management, employee training and development, business ethics, and research.

This is a graduate-level program built around the realities of leadership in complex organizations — not abstract theory. Every course is oriented toward developing leaders who can think critically, act ethically, and drive meaningful organizational outcomes.

The program consists of 13 core courses plus a Final Comprehensive Examination, totaling 39 semester units.

Program Outcomes: What You'll Be Able to Do

Upon successful completion of CCU's online Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership, students will be able to:

• Evaluate and integrate theories, key concepts, and research related to the field of organizational leadership
• Evaluate processes, strategies, and best practices currently utilized in organizational leadership
• Analyze factors, developments, and trends impacting the organizational leadership of businesses
• Examine ethical and legal issues inherent to the organizational leadership of business
• Examine program content in relation to ethical reasoning, social responsibility, global citizenship, and civic engagement
• Apply critical thinking, academic writing, and research skills to key concepts and theories related to organizational leadership

How CCU's Online Organizational Leadership Master's Degree Works

Admissions: Direct and Transparent

To qualify for admission to CCU's Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership, applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Leadership, and/or Management. A bachelor's degree in another field may be considered if the Admissions Committee determines the applicant has the necessary foundation to succeed in the program.

No entrance exams. No GRE. No letters of recommendation required. Prospective students whose native language is not English and who have not earned a degree from an appropriately accredited institution where English is the principal language of instruction must demonstrate college-level proficiency in English through TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).

Tuition and Payment Plans for the Online M.A. in Organizational Leadership

CCU's M.A. in Organizational Leadership is priced at $250 per unit — the standard graduate rate across CCU master's programs. With 39 total semester units, your full investment is transparent from day one. No out-of-state surcharges. No additional fees for online delivery.

Your tuition rate is locked in at enrollment. As long as you remain in good academic and financial standing within the same program, your rate will not change — even if CCU adjusts tuition for future students. Students who do not remain in good standing are subject to new tuition rates upon reinstatement. A 10% discount is available for active-duty military, veterans, law enforcement officers, firefighters, U.S. government employees, CCU graduates, and corporate partner employees (employment or status verification required, for students enrolling after 1/1/2026; retroactive discounts will not be applied and tuition discounts cannot be combined with other offers). Many CCU students have their tuition covered in part or in full through employer educational assistance programs. Reach out to your HR department to find out what may be available to you.

Why CCU: 50+ Years of Experience and Faculty Who Lead in Practice

Organizational leadership is a field that requires more than theoretical grounding — it requires exposure to how leadership actually works across real organizations, industries, and teams. CCU's faculty are selected for demonstrated professional expertise, not just academic credentials. Coursework is practitioner-informed and applied, developed by people who have operated in the environments students are preparing to lead.

California Coast University was founded in 1973 with a commitment to making quality higher education available to working adults, military personnel, and professionals whose lives don't conform to a traditional campus model. More than 50 years later, that commitment remains at the center of everything CCU does — and the institutional depth that comes with five decades of distance education is reflected in every program CCU offers.

CCU is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency and recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CCU also holds institutional approval from the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) of the State of California.

The School of Administration and Management — home to the M.A. in Organizational Leadership — is led by Dr. Peng Chan, who holds a Law degree with top honors, an MBA in Corporate Strategy and Finance, and a PhD in Strategic Management.

What CCU Organizational Leadership Alumni Say

"The educational value from what I learned is beyond valuable. Professionally, I am able to take what I learned and implement ideas and concepts. Personally, it's a huge accomplishment for me to receive a master's degree."
— R. Ramirez, Alumni, Organizational Leadership, California Coast University

Where an Online Master's in Organizational Leadership Can Take You

The M.A. in Organizational Leadership develops skills that translate directly into senior and mid-level leadership roles across industries — corporate, nonprofit, government, health care, education, and beyond. Graduates are equipped to lead teams, manage organizational change, navigate complex ethical environments, drive strategic decisions, and develop the people around them.

For those who want to continue their education, CCU offers a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Organizational Leadership — the natural next step for graduates looking to advance further. CCU graduates re-enrolling in any program receive a 10% tuition discount (for students enrolling after 1/1/2026; retroactive discounts will not be applied and discounts cannot be combined with other offers).

Frequently Asked Questions: Online Master's Degree in Organizational Leadership at CCU

What does CCU's M.A. in Organizational Leadership cover?
The program consists of 13 core courses plus a Final Comprehensive Examination, totaling 39 semester units. Coursework covers human relations, human resource management, marketing management, organizational behavior, business ethics, organizational theory, project management, conflict management, leadership, employee training and development, strategic management, modern management, and research methods.

What are the admission requirements?
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Leadership, and/or Management. A bachelor's degree in another field may be considered if the Admissions Committee determines the applicant has the necessary foundation to succeed. No GRE, entrance exams, or letters of recommendation are required. Prospective students whose native language is not English and who have not earned a degree from an appropriately accredited institution where English is the principal language of instruction must demonstrate college-level proficiency through TOEFL.

How does the self-paced online format work?
There are no live classes, no required login times, and no weekly deadlines. You work through coursework independently at a pace that suits your schedule. Each course requires a minimum of two weeks before the final exam can be requested. Core courses require a proctored final exam. The proctor is selected by the student and approved by the University — typical examples include a supervisor, co-worker, librarian, or member of the clergy. A proctor cannot be an immediate family member, someone who resides with you, or a current or former CCU student. Immediate family is defined as: spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, and/or grandchild.

Can I start at any time?
Yes. CCU operates on open enrollment — there are no semester start dates, cohort windows, or application cycles. You can apply and begin at any point during the year. VA students and students using tuition assistance must use the term calendar.

How much does the online organizational leadership master's degree cost?
Tuition is $250 per unit. The program consists of 39 total semester units. CCU offers three interest-free payment plans: Plan A is $500 down and $150/month; Plan B is $300 down and $175/month; or pay the full balance at enrollment. No interest is charged and no credit check is required; however, past-due payments will be assessed a past-due fee.

Can I transfer credits from previous graduate coursework?
Yes. CCU accepts transfer credit from U.S. Department of Education-recognized accredited institutions. Master's degree students may transfer up to 6 applicable semester units, provided courses were completed with a grade of B (3.0 GPA) or higher. No specialized training or experiential learning credit can be awarded at the graduate level.

Can I receive credit for professional experience or workplace training?
No. At the graduate level, CCU does not award credit for specialized training or experiential learning. All required coursework must be completed through CCU courses or eligible transfer credit.

Does CCU offer financial aid for this program?
CCU does not participate in federal financial aid programs. However, the university accepts VA Benefits, MyCAA benefits for eligible military spouses, and company-paid tuition vouchers. Many students also receive tuition reimbursement through their employer — check with your HR department to find out what may be available.

Is CCU's organizational leadership master's degree accredited?
Yes. CCU is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency and recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CCU also holds institutional approval from the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) of the State of California.

What is the academic calendar for California Coast University?
CCU operates on rolling 16-week terms beginning approximately every three to four weeks, allowing for continuous, year-round enrollment. VA students and students using tuition assistance must use the term calendar.

Start Your Online Master's in Organizational Leadership at CCU

Leadership is learned. And the right program gives you the frameworks, the applied knowledge, and the credentials to lead with clarity and confidence — wherever your career takes you next. CCU's online M.A. in Organizational Leadership is accredited, affordable, and built entirely around the schedule of a working professional. No campus. No fixed schedule. No waiting for enrollment to open.

VA students and students using tuition assistance must use the term calendar.

Questions? Call Admissions at 1-888-228-8648 or Students at 1-714-547-9625

California Coast University is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). DEAC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency and is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CCU holds Institutional Approval from the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) of the State of California.