The great leaders of tomorrow are preparing for their future today. Are you with them?

Across every industry and organization, effective leaders are needed to ensure success. Perhaps you see yourself managing a big firm, overseeing an entire department, or even running your own business. Or, maybe you wish to move up the corporate ladder at your current company.

Whatever your exact aim may be, you likely feel ready to take your dreams and turn them into reality. But what degree should you go for? Which will best meet your needs, your schedule, and your professional goals? Below we explore 4 college degrees in leadership that will help advance your career.

1. Business Administration Degree

Whether you want to launch your own startup or have your eyes set on the CEO position at your current workplace, a Business Administration degree can enrich your knowledge around the workings of a business. Many career-focused schools, such as Goodwin College, will offer this program on a variety of levels. Depending on your desired outcome, you can choose between an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or certificate program. At Goodwin, you can also choose a specific path or concentration:

• Entrepreneurship, for those who wish to start their own business
• Human Resource Management, for those who work well with people
• Manufacturing Management, for those seeking leadership in an in-demand industry
• Office Management, for those who desire an administrative leadership position

No matter where you wish to go, a degree in Business Administration will provide you with fundamental qualities and skills that employers seek and businesses (both large and small) require. It will teach you how to manage people, access resources, navigate situations, plan ahead, communicate effectively, and process critical information. Graduates of Goodwin’s Business Administration program find careers in a variety of professional settings, such as:

• Corporate
• Education
• Manufacturing
• Nonprofit
• State/Federal

2. Management and Leadership Degree

Management and Leadership is one of the quintessential college degrees in leadership, and perhaps one of the most impactful. It is generally offered at the Bachelor’s level, with advanced courses in leadership theory, organizational change, communication and ethics, as well as strategic planning.

With a bachelor’s degree focused on directing teams and operations, you can expect to master the skills that every great leader needs: managing innovation, inspiring change, and improving talent development. This career-focused program will also hone your interpersonal skills, such as:

• Communication
• Employee development
• Ethics
• Facilitating change
• Mentoring
• Supervision
• Teamwork

Many students of the Management and Leadership training program at Goodwin College are busy, working adults who are often balancing families along with their job and school obligations. With a program like this, you may choose to follow the live-streamed lectures entirely online or complete courses in a hybrid, on-campus/online format. This flexibility allows students to pursue their dreams of becoming a leader, while carrying on with their busy lives.

3. Master’s in Organizational Leadership

Of course, a Master’s in Organizational Leadership (MSOL) will launch your career to new heights. Due to the advanced training offered in leadership, this type of program has a tendency to shine on any job resume, and the skills acquired through an MSOL program will stomp out any competition for your next job, promotion, or business launch. Generally speaking, a great MSOL program includes coursework in sophisticated areas of leadership, such as data-driven decision making, ethics in the workplace, innovation and strategy, negotiating, and conflict response.

Employers are looking for passionate leaders who can make a positive impact on their organization’s culture. With a master’s degree in leadership, you will be well-equipped to step into any role that involves heading and directing others – in Corporate, Higher Education, Non-Profit, or even State and Federal government roles. Some of the benefits of pursuing this level of leadership degree includes:

• Advancing your existing skillsets and gaining further insight into the most effective organizational leadership strategies.
• Learning the most up-to-date data collection methods and research tools for increased workplace productivity.
• Gaining insight into successful talent acquisition and performance management techniques.

At Goodwin College, the MSOL program can be completed in as little as 20 months, part-time. This program is also offered in an entirely online format, to better accommodate busy students on various work schedules.

4. Professional Studies

If you have pressed pause on school, have some credits to transfer, and are unsure of what type of degree in leadership to pursue, you may opt for a Professional Studies program. This program may be completed in as little as 12 months at Goodwin College – after transferring up to 90 credits! Why let your past education go to waste, or keep you from pursuing your professional goals? Take those old credits and apply them to a leadership college like Goodwin, where students are offered flexible scheduling options and career-focused curriculums, designed to meet their needs.

The Professional Studies degree, at the bachelor’s level, offers broad, but very versatile, courses that can help bolster a career in leadership. Classes include:

• Public Speaking
• Interpersonal Communications
• Advanced Writing for the Business Professional
• Research Methods

… As well as several courses and electives designed based on your career goals. The beauty of a Professional Studies degree is that it is completely tailored to your interests and ambitions; so, if you already have a career in mind, we can help you get there.

There are many choices when it comes to college degrees in leadership. The hardest part may be in deciding which program is best for you. If you would like to discuss your options, contact Goodwin College to request more information. Call 1-800-889-3282 or visit us online.