Among the most valued, intangible assets that a person can bring to an organization are the abilities to lead and to strategize. These are highly transferable skills that will never become obsolete in the workplace and can open doors in multiple industries. For students pursuing the University of Arizona Global Campus Master of Arts in Organizational Management, leadership and strategy form the foundation from which they will build a sustainable career in a world of rapid and global change.
What is an Organizational Management Degree?
An organizational management program examines the skills, steps, and strategies one must take in order to become a successful and valuable leader, while simultaneously exploring the process of effective management in companies large and small. This touches on everything from constructing organizational frameworks to creating and managing change. The program is especially beneficial for students who have work experience and a desire to improve their understanding of how organizations function. While the core courses of the degree at the University of Arizona Global Campus – including BUS 610 Organizational Behavior – are designed to create the aforementioned foundation of knowledge in the areas of decision making, strategic thinking, and innovation (a.k.a. the “human side” of leadership), students can focus their skills on a specific career interest through the Master of Arts in Organizational Management program.
A Wide Range of Career Options
While a background in organizational management may be be applied to multiple roles, a master’s degree education allows students to pursue the top positions in the companies and industries of their choosing. Graduates are put on track to become managers of people and teams, with the ability to develop and implement an organization-wide strategy. It is, essentially, a degree designed for those who wish to aim high.
So, what can you do with your master’s degree in organizational management? Some areas in which you can make the most significant impact include:
Human Resources
Every organization relies on human resources to recruit and onboard new employees, but the role has evolved in recent years, with HR professionals gaining influence at higher levels and becoming involved in everything from employee development to shaping company culture and even defining the company brand. As a result, the hiring of human resources managers is projected to grow 9 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast the average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
A master’s degree in organizational management gives future HR professionals advanced training in the field, and students learn how to manage human resources effectively in the dynamic legal, social, and economic environment currently impacting organizations. At the same time, students learn how HR impacts organizational results through its core course like OMM 618 Human Resources Management, which targets recruiting, hiring, training, and development of strategies in human resource management.
Marketing/Advertising/Public Relations
Marketing, advertising, and public relations are three fields that are closely tied together and are all experiencing faster than average job growth, according to the BLS. All three rely on professionals with advanced communication skills, as well as the ability to strategize and develop campaigns promoting people, brands, and products.
Global Campus students experience firsthand the way organizational management ties into these areas, with a core course that “explores practical ways to develop organizational communication plans that integrate marketing, advertising and public relations strategies.”
Six Organizational Management Degree Jobs to Explore
Business manager: Business managers lead teams and drive company success through strategic planning and employee oversight. This people-centric role demands strong leadership and interpersonal skills. Various types of business managers exist, each focusing on different organizational aspects.
- General manager: General managers oversee diverse organizational operations across multiple departments or locations in public or private sectors. They shape policies, manage daily activities, and allocate resources. These leaders typically work through subordinate managers, handling responsibilities too broad to fit a single functional area. Their role excludes first-line supervisory duties.
- Operations manager: Operations managers drive daily business efficiency, overseeing production, quality, inventory, and resources. They collaborate across departments to streamline processes and meet goals. Their role includes improving productivity, cutting costs, and boosting customer satisfaction. They also manage staff, from hiring to training. Success in this role requires strong leadership, analysis skills, and adaptability in a changing business landscape.
- Human resources manager: Human resources managers are in charge of HR departments, focusing on attracting and retaining top talent. They oversee employee relations, regulatory compliance, and services like payroll and training. These leaders work with executives on strategic planning and talent management, aiming to maximize employee value and efficiency. They supervise HR staff, ensure timely task completion, and may assess productivity to meet organizational goals.
- Organizational development consultant: Organizational development consultants collaborate with stakeholders to identify and address performance gaps, enhancing organizational effectiveness. They apply management principles and social science theories to assess operations, develop custom training, and guide change management. These professionals gather and analyze data, conduct needs assessments, and implement team-building initiatives. They focus on fostering positive change, evaluating implemented solutions, and assisting with strategic planning to move organizations from their current state to their desired vision. The role demands strong research, analytical, and interpersonal skills to drive comprehensive organizational improvement.
- Training and development manager: Training and development managers head up organizational learning initiatives. They oversee program content, staff, and budgets, ensuring appropriate training methods and materials across various formats, from videos to online applications. These managers supervise specialists like instructional designers and instructors, guiding them in teaching methods. While primarily focused on program oversight and staff management, they may also conduct training themselves. Their role is crucial in maintaining and enhancing employee skills, adapting to new technologies, and fostering a culture of continuous learning within the organization.
What Skills Will I Gain from an Organizational Management Degree?
An organizational management degree provides a comprehensive set of skills that are highly valuable in a variety of industries and roles. Some of the key skills you can expect to gain include:
- Time management: The ability to plan, prioritize, and allocate time effectively to accomplish tasks and meet deadlines. It involves setting schedules, avoiding procrastination, and using tools like calendars and to-do lists.
- Communication: The skill of conveying information clearly and effectively through verbal, nonverbal, and written means. It also involves active listening and adjusting communication styles for different audiences.
- Setting goals: The process of establishing specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound objectives that align with the organization's vision and provide direction for teams and individuals.
- Delegation: The act of assigning tasks, responsibilities, and authority to others, allowing for efficient workload distribution and development opportunities for team members.
- Working under pressure: The ability to remain focused, productive, and composed when facing demands, tight deadlines, or stressful situations. It involves resilience, prioritization, and stress management techniques.
- Self-motivation: The drive and initiative to work towards goals and maintain a high level of effort and commitment without requiring constant external incentives or supervision.
- Analytical thinking: The capability to break down complex information or problems into smaller components, identify patterns and relationships, and use logical reasoning to draw insightful conclusions or find solutions.
- Attention to detail: The skill of thoroughly observing, verifying, and considering even the smallest elements to ensure accuracy, completeness, and adherence to standards or requirements.
- Decision-making: The process of identifying choices, gathering relevant information, evaluating potential consequences, and selecting the most appropriate course of action to achieve desired outcomes.
- Strategic planning: The ability to establish an organization's long-term direction by analyzing internal and external factors, formulating a strategic vision and goals, and developing actionable plans to allocate resources effectively.
The broad, integrative nature of an organizational management degree provides a versatile skill set applicable to roles in areas like operations, administration, human resources, entrepreneurship, and general management across industries.
How Do I Get Started?
For students already pursuing a Master of Arts in Organizational Management, it’s important to look for opportunities to expand your knowledge beyond the classroom. Joining a professional organization, for example, allows you to network among like-minded people while you examine how your course lessons are applied in everyday life. The American Management Association, Association of Business Process Management, Association of Change Management Professionals (ACMP), and Organization Development Network are four groups that can help you get started. Global Campus students can also take advantage of the career services team, which can help identify opportunities and prepare you for job applications and interviews.
If you’re considering a master’s degree in organizational management as the foundation for your career, contact a UAGC advisor to discuss how to get started.
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Written by University staff