If you feel that you have what it takes to work in management in a public, private or government setting, it is time to learn how a Master of Science in Organizational Management can help make you more marketable.
Many people are born with inherent qualities that make them natural leaders. While these people have the personality and the characteristics to lead a team and to oversee operations, they are not born with knowledge in important areas of business like human capital management and corporate conflict resolution. To master these areas of business, it is best to get a formal master’s degree.
Here is why a Master of Science degree majoring in Organizational Management might be the best choice.
What is the Purpose of an M.S. in Organizational Management?
Graduate degree programs in Organizational Management, which may also be called MSOM programs, focus on the theory and the processes behind managing various type of business structures. The purpose of the degree is to help students understand advanced leadership practices in many areas of business while becoming more analytical and practical professionals. Once students complete an accredited MSOM program, students will be better equipped to climb the ladder through various levels of management while working in for-profit, non-profit or government settings.
Anyone who is already a veteran of the business world but in need of further management and leadership skills to advance their career may benefit from a master in organizational management program. Often, a graduate degree is a key to advancing one’s career from middle management to upper management, as well as the best way to increase one’s salary at a current job.
What Types of Coursework is Required to Earn an MSOM?
There are a number of different degree programs that you can choose when you want to be a manager and a leader. While many professionals go down the Master of Business Administration route, some companies place more value on terminal graduate degrees where the entire focus is on management and organizational structures. If you are contemplating which degree will present you with the most value, look at the curriculum.
Instead of taking a broad range of core business classes like you would for your MBA, you will take advanced classes solely about management and organization. Here are some of the most common classes that are required for an MSOM:
- Organizational Leadership
- Conflict Resolution and Mediation
- Human Capital Management
- Communication within an Organization
- Legal Environment of Business
- Behavior in an Organization
- Math for Managers
- Organizational Psychology
Each graduate program in organizational management is a little different, which means you might want to explore the class listings for each of the programs you’re considering, so you can make sure you’re applying to the best program for your personal interests and career goals. For example, if you want to focus on conflict resolution as your specialty, you’ll want to make sure your program includes a class or specialization in that area.
Some of the specializations you might see in graduate programs in organizational management include those in finance, marketing, strategic management, international business, and analytics. Each of these specializations can help you parlay your skills into a niche job environment where there is significant demand for professionals with highly specialized skills in organizational management.
What are the Admissions Requirements for Acceptance Into an MSOM Program?
If you are convinced that this is the tone of instruction that you will benefit from, you need to be sure that you meet the admissions requirements to get into a Master’s degree program majoring in Organizational Management. The pre-requisite requirements tend to be more strict when you choose a Master’s degree program because there is not a work experience requirement like that for MBA programs.
Most schools will require that you have completed a business-related program or at least the required foundation courses. Not only do you need to have the right courses on your transcript, you also need to get an acceptable score on a the Graduate Record Exam. You can check with the graduate school you are interested in to see which scores are acceptable.
Your school may require that you take some remedial or preparatory classes before they grant you full permission to attend. Sometimes, your acceptance to the program will depend on how you perform in the preparatory classes. If you’re assessed at a level where you need to take extra classes, some of the classes you may take include upper-division classes on management, public administration, business, and entrepreneurship.
For some of the nation’s most respected schools, you may need to apply more than once with an application sent to the university or college, as well as a second application to the distinct program you want to attend. You may find that you qualify for admission to the college but require some extra courses before you are granted entry into the actual degree program.
An In-Depth Look at Masters in Organizational Management Classes
Graduate degree programs in organizational management may have anywhere from 10 to 20 classes and may also feature opportunities for specializations. Some programs may allow students to focus on leadership skills, and others may offer specializations like strategic management or human resources. Future students may find it helpful to explore different programs so they can find the degree that corresponds best to their personal interests.
One class you might see in an organizational management program is Supply Management, which will teach you about the profession of supply management and how it is used in modern business settings. Some of the topics discussed in organizational management include strategic partnerships, procurement, and sustainability. Lessons may also include topics like negotiations and contracts.
Another class you might see in a masters in organizational management program is Leadership Skills, which will feature lessons on diversity, communications management, commitment to service, and general leadership. You may also see a class like Leadership in Organizations, which may cover topics like leadership strategies, personal ethics, and professional decision-making.
Some graduate degree programs in organizational management will include classes on logistics with titles like Principles of Supply Chain Management or Principles of Logistics Management. Logistics is a complex and diverse facet of modern business, and organizational management experts may find their services in significant demand from businesses that rely on complex supply chain operations.
Some of the information presented in logistics classes include lessons on warehousing, inventory, and financing. Further lessons may examine the basics of logistics and how operations may differ at various companies. In-depth explorations of topics like transportation, warehousing, and management strategies may occur in logistics classes.
Earning an Organizational Management Degree from an Accredited School
One of the most important facets of finding a worthwhile organizational management degree is selecting a school that is accredited at the regional level, as well as by any applicable local organizations. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) recognizes several regional organizations that accredit universities and colleges across the nation. Accreditation ensures that a school reaches certain milestones for instruction.
Some of the regional accrediting agencies you might see in your search for a degree in organizational management include the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
You may also want to seek out programs that are affiliated, approved, or otherwise connected to organizations like the American Management Association (AMA), the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM), the Institute for Organizational Management, or the Project Management Institute.
Common Work Environments for Organizational Management Professionals
If you’re thinking about earning a Masters in Organizational Management, you might wonder what jobs might be available to you after graduation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), management occupations represent one of the highest wage groups of any major type of employment in the United States. The average manager earns more than $109,000 per year, which means earning a degree can have a dramatic and positive impact on future earnings.
Some of the occupations that may be offered to organizational management degree-holders include Organizational Management Analyst, Organizational Effectiveness Manager, Director of Organizational Development, and Senior Manager of Organizational Development and Learning. These jobs are available across the country, which means degree holders will have their pick in where they get to live and work.
Common employers for organizational management professionals include scientific and technical services, government entities, and finance and insurance companies. Organizational management experts may also work as general managers of various companies, as well as self-employed workers working as consultants for companies that require their services. Anyone who dreams of owning his or her own business could do so as an independent consultant in organizational management.
What’s the Daily Experience for an Organizational Management Graduate?
One of the commonalities between different organizational management jobs is the existence of tight deadlines and long hours. Individuals who thrive under pressure may find the daily work schedule of an organizational management professional offers a thrilling challenge in a vibrant and dynamic work environment.
Management analysts, as they are sometimes called, may spend an entire day with their clients, spend another day at their personal office, and then spend a third day traveling because their schedules are so busy. During your masters in organizational management program, you may be able to develop your personal leadership style, which may help you when you join the workforce after graduation.
Interestingly, there are several different and distinct types of leadership, and you might find that your preferred method is one of “democratic leadership,” which is an environment where you might invite employees to voice their opinions during certain projects. Alternatively, your leadership style may be one of “servant leadership,” which is a type of leader who strives to make sure their employees are ready and able to help the company meet its goals.
Your leadership style will likely influence the type of daily experience you have at work as an organizational management graduate. The classes you take in your graduate degree program will help you hone your skills as a manager, as well as help you discover your personal leadership style. You may even learn about alternative leadership styles that will help you expand your horizons and opportunities when it comes to the job hunt.
Should You Earn a Masters in Organizational Management?
The decision to earn an advanced degree is not one that you can make overnight, and it requires investigating factors like job expectations, employment growth, and career opportunities. If your main concern is finding a job where there is likely to be healthy growth, you couldn’t do better than a job as a management organization specialist, analyst, or other similar professional.
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and its Occupational Outlook Handbook indicates that available jobs will increase by 11 percent over the next decade for management analysts, which is several percentage points higher than the average growth expected for all occupations. Overall, occupations related to business operations are expected to grow by 6 percent over the next decade.
Some of the states where you might find employment as someone with a masters in organizational management include California, Florida, and New York. These high-population states also have many large and medium-sized businesses where organizational analysts and managers are in demand.
As far as the concentration of jobs for management-level specialists, states with the highest concentrations of jobs include Virginia, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia. If your goal after graduation is to enjoy a high salary, some of the states with the highest annual mean wages are New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey.
Conclusion
Individuals who thrive under pressure may find their work very rewarding when they choose to earn a masters in organizational management. There are so many career paths available for graduates that you may have a hard time choosing from the many job offers you may receive after you earn your degree. The nation will certainly welcome many new organizational management professionals in the next decade.
The best leaders are knowledgeable, inspirational, innovative thinkers who can solve problems while making the organization’s goals a priority. While these skills can be learned, you need a formal degree to really learn the theory behind what makes a great leader great. Compare different management degrees to see how the focus and curriculum can differ. Once you do this, you can decide if the Master of Science in Organizational Management will give you the most value.
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