Quick Highlights
- A-State’s online B.A. in Organizational Leadership fits roles that involve managing people, such as team lead, supervisor, human resources specialist and training coordinator.
- Human resource specialists earned a national median wage of $75,940 in May 2025, according to BLS.
- At Arkansas State University, the degree is offered online at $302 per credit with required fees included and with up to 90 transfer hours allowed, subject to transcript evaluation.
A Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in organizational leadership focuses on the skills needed to lead people, from motivating teams to managing change. The online B.A. in Organizational Leadership program at Arkansas State University (A-State) suits those who want to pursue business management roles such as HR manager, operations manager, store manager and program manager, and its coursework in management, human resources and communication adds a bachelor’s credential to the experience you already have.
What Can You Do with a B.A. in Organizational Leadership?
The degree connects to roles centered on leading people, including supervisor, team lead, human resources specialist, human resources manager, training coordinator, operations coordinator and branch or office manager. If you already schedule shifts or coach new hires, the table shows which major courses line up with the work you do now.
| Role area | What the work involves | Major courses that apply |
|---|---|---|
| Team lead or supervisor | Scheduling, coaching, reviewing performance, settling disputes | Principles of Management, Leadership, Conflict Resolution |
| Human resources specialist | Hiring, onboarding, benefits administration, employee questions | Human Resources Management, Compensation and Benefits |
| Training or development coordinator | Orientation, skills programs, coaching for new leads | Leadership, Organizational Change and Development |
| Operations or office coordinator | Keeping processes moving as teams and systems change | Principles of Management, Organizational Change and Development |
| Branch or office manager | Running a unit end to end | The whole major |
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) human resources specialists page, specialists earn a median annual wage of $75,940 and typically need a bachelor’s degree. BLS reports that human resources managers earn a median annual salary of $149,280, nearly double the specialist median. Those positions typically combine a bachelor’s degree with five or more years of related experience, and some require a master’s degree. For a supervisor or coordinator with the experience, the degree provides the education half of that combination.
Important note
Wage figures are national medians for each occupation as of May 2025, not outcomes for A-State graduates. Titles, pay and openings vary by employer and region, so use these figures as a benchmark when you read postings for the title you want.
Which Courses Build Which Skills?
Six of the major’s courses map to the daily tasks of leading a team: managing work, hiring and pay, leading people, handling change and settling conflict. Each one aligns with tasks you may already do:
- Principles of Management: Planning, organizational structure, motivation and decision-making
- Human Resources Management: Recruitment, selection and management development
- Leadership: Individual, group and organizational leadership, with an emphasis on team activities
- Organizational Change and Development: Planned change within dynamic organizational cultures
- Compensation and Benefits: Pay system design and administration, job evaluation, benefit plans and government regulations
- Conflict Resolution: Interpersonal conflict and communication in small groups and organizations
If a task on that list is already part of your week, the A-State online B.A. in Organizational Leadership program adds the coursework behind that task and a bachelor’s credential to your experience. For example, a shift lead who coaches new hires recognizes leadership and principles of management in the daily routine.
Is an Organizational Leadership Degree Worth It?
Yes, an organizational leadership degree is worth it when you already supervise or coordinate people and want the bachelor’s degree that roles such as human resources specialist typically need. At $302 per credit with up to 90 transfer hours allowed, a transfer student pays for the credits that remain after A-State evaluates the transcript, not all 120. The BLS median for human resources specialists ($75,940) sits $24,960 above the all-occupations median of $50,980 (May 2025).
That gap describes the occupation, so use it to weigh the roles you are considering, not as a promise about any one graduate. Courses such as Human Resources Management and Compensation and Benefits cover the work those roles involve, and a student engagement specialist can help match your transcripts to the 120 credits and show what remains.
What Comes After the Bachelor’s?
Options for continuing at the same university include the online M.S. in Organizational Leadership and the online MBA. The M.S. is $10,500, and the MBA is $17,292, both with tuition and required fees included. Each lists as few as 12 months with no GMAT required to apply, and a student engagement specialist can explain the pace that timeline requires. If you want to stay in people leadership across any function, choose the M.S. in Organizational Leadership. If you want to add finance, accounting and strategy insights to leadership, choose the MBA.
Finish first, then come back for the master’s. Read What Can You Do With a Master’s in Organizational Leadership? to see which roles a master’s can lead to, such as human resources manager, operations manager and project manager.
Important note
Tuition, admission requirements and program timelines are current as of October 2026 and can change yearly. Students must pay a $30 application fee, and lab fees for required science courses may apply. Confirm current tuition and program details before applying.
Explore the curriculum, tuition and start dates for A-State’s online B.A. in Organizational Leadership program.
Frequently Asked Questions
I am a shift lead with about 60 credits. Can the B.A. in Organizational Leadership help me move up where I already work?
It can, when the title you want lists a bachelor’s: BLS reports that a bachelor’s is the typical entry-level education for human resources specialists and managers. A-State also offers approved credit for prior learning, so read the posting for the title you want, then ask a student engagement specialist how your 60 credits and your experience may apply. A-State accepts up to 90 transfer hours, subject to transcript evaluation.
Is A-State’s version of an organizational leadership bachelor’s a B.A. or B.S.?
It is a B.A. in organizational leadership. The business-administration degree is a B.S., the BSBA.
Can I keep working while I finish?
Yes, the degree is fully online, with seven-week courses in fall and spring and five-week courses in summer. That lets you study in short blocks around your shifts.
Can I go on to a master’s at A-State?
Yes. Graduate admission asks for a bachelor’s degree and a 2.5 cumulative GPA, or 2.75 in your last 60 hours, plus a $30 application. No GMAT is required to apply for the M.S. in Organizational Leadership or the MBA.
What does the B.A. in Organizational Leadership degree cost per credit?
A-State’s online B.A. in Organizational Leadership is $302 per credit with fees included as of 2026, but tuition can change yearly. Transfer students apply with a 2.0 GPA on transferable work and a $30 application fee.