What Can You Do With a Master’s Degree in Leadership?

Are you passionate about leading teams? Are you looking for an opportunity to grow in both your personal life and your career? To make more money and become more marketable in your field? To take your career to the next level? We have good news: You can achieve all of these goals with a master’s degree in leadership—in as little as 18 months.

By enrolling in an advanced leadership program, you’ll be better equipped to engage teams, collaborate with colleagues at all levels of your organization, and create effective strategies for companies in any industry—from global charity groups to the fastest-growing tech disrupters. With this skill set, it’s no wonder that students who earn this degree are making more and going further with their careers than ever before. Find out more about what you can do with a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership degree, and the jobs available to you upon graduation.

Need more help choosing a program?

Receive personalized advice from our admissions team.

Get Advice

How a master’s degree in leadership can help you get ahead

Northeastern University’s Master of Science in Organizational Leadership program program creates career-ready professionals for the highest levels of employment in the U.S. and beyond, helping students build on their existing strengths and enabling graduates to lead organizations on a global scale.

The program’s world-class teaching methods and Northeastern’s distinct experiential learning model come together to help students master skills that will make them successful in the industry and location of their choosing. Partnerships with international universities, like the Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia, help develop culturally astute leaders and ensure that the proven methods our faculty use are instructive to students all over the world.

One of the most attractive aspects of the program is that it allows students to pursue their passion in almost any field. While Northeastern’s leadership degree offers seven core concentrations, including human resources management, organizational communication, and project management, students aren’t limited to careers in those fields. Along with industry-specific leadership competencies, these concentrations teach essential core leadership skills, as well. The program also includes a capstone project in which students develop an action-based initiative to practice their understanding in a real-world environment. In short, this degree allows those who participate a chance to invest in themselves as leaders, while simultaneously putting their career on a fast track to success.

Common jobs for professionals with a master’s in leadership

Upon graduation, students will be armed with the skills and knowledge to effectively lead any organization they choose. Having honed their ability to manage tasks, resolve conflicts, lead teams, and communicate effectively, MS in Organizational Leadership graduates are highly attractive to companies facing organizational challenges. And while an advanced leadership degree will help you excel in any field or career, the curriculum is especially relevant to the roles below.

Popular jobs for those with a master’s degree in leadership include:

1. C-level executive

Median pay: $103,840

Projected 10-year growth: 3%

Combining an advanced leadership degree with previous work history and educational background, MS in Organizational Leadership graduates are a favored pick for the growing number of  C-suite opportunities in companies of every kind. The most common role for those with a master’s degree in leadership is CEO (chief executive officer). With a median salary of approximately $120,000, this highly sought-after position coordinates the operations of an organization to meet and exceed business growth and performance goals. CEOs are needed in every industry, and the job outlook for this career is projected to grow substantially.

2. Corporate trainer

Median pay: $125,040

Projected 10-year growth: 6%

If you enjoy teaching others and have an appreciation for learning within a business atmosphere, this role may be for you. These in-demand roles are projected to grow at a pace of 11% between 2022 and 2032, which is higher than the average growth rate across all occupations and good news for job seekers. This position is sometimes also called a training and development manager or a director of knowledge and development.

3. Human resources manager

Median pay: $136,350

Projected 10-Year Growth: 5%

Human resources and workplace culture positions are popular niches for those with advanced leadership degrees. The human resources management concentration in Northeastern’s MS in Organizational Leadership program teaches many of the skills you’ll need on the job. Responsibilities of this role include the planning and oversight of recruiting, hiring, and employee management, including benefit plans, workplace disputes, and regulatory compliance.

Northeastern works closely with the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) to recognize SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP credential holders by awarding them three or six quarter hours of transfer credit, allowing them to save on tuition and earn their master’s degree in leadership more quickly.

4. Health services manager

Median pay: $110,680

Projected 10-year growth: 28%

Also referred to as “healthcare executives” or “healthcare administrators,” this is the career path for those with a passion for medicine and health services. Professionals in this role are tasked with overseeing physicians and facilities as well as conforming to laws and regulations to provide patients with the best care possible.

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that the nation’s median age continues to rise, which might explain why the field is expected to grow at a much faster rate than the average of many other occupations. With a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Northeastern, you can elect to pursue the Health Management concentration to position yourself to take advantage of this industry’s rapid growth.

5. School principal

Median pay: $103,460

Projected 10-year growth: 1%

Individuals who can combine their leadership skills, teaching experience, and passion for shaping the lives of youths make for ideal education administrators and school principals. As a principal, you’ll coordinate curriculums, oversee daily school activities, manage teachers and other staff, and provide a safe environment for young learners. These roles typically require a master’s degree as well as a few years of teaching experience.

6. Sales manager

Median pay: $135,160

Projected 10-year growth: 4%

Sales professionals drive the revenue that helps businesses meet their growth objectives. Professionals with the right skills and educational background are aggressively pursued by organizations in every industry. If you have the leadership abilities to guide your sales teams to their goals, you stand to earn even more through performance bonuses or by eventually earning the title of vice president—or even president—of sales for your company.

Market outlook for leadership jobs