Eastern University’s Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership focuses on helping individuals increase their capacity to add value to an organization by developing knowledge and skills in three major areas: 

• self-management
• team leadership
• organizational change

Toward this end, students develop the ability to identify strategically-related organizational needs, dynamics, and opportunities and develop cost-effective project proposals intended to improve organizational effectiveness.  Drawing from Judeo-Christian and ethical perspectives, the curriculum challenges students to apply critical thinking and collaborative skills in order to help stakeholders identify the costs and consequences of planned change.

Leadership and management are not mutually exclusive concepts as the roles often overlap in the areas of planning, organizing, communicating, and directing.  However, each role serves an important function within organizations. 

Management Leadership establishes and maintains order and stability while maximizing the efficient use of resources envisions organizational possibilities while considering untapped potential in others and in the organization as a whole oversees fairly discrete day-to-day operations; coordinates people and processes to provide products and services monitors emerging trends and opportunities as they relate to an organization’s larger strategic direction works within existing norms to achieve goals challenges old assumptions in order to introduce fresh perspectives that push the organization toward new areas of growth and development

The Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership is designed to facilitate the ability to:

• identify opportunities for planned change based on a systemic view of organizations
• work collaboratively and constructively with others as both a team member and team leader
• recognize the moral implications of ethical dilemmas and apply ethical reasoning
• use information and data to formulate strategic cost effective project proposals
• monitor and manage personal and professional growth and development

The Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership is best suited for individuals who desire to enhance their level of engagement with organizations.  Ideally, adults who are currently working in a management or leadership capacity within an organization will gain the maximum benefit from the major due to the opportunity to apply course concepts directly to current experience.

The Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership does not prepare students for a specific occupation or field like social work, business, or early childhood education.  Rather, the major in organizational leadership is intentionally broad enabling students to apply concepts and competencies in a variety of contexts such as business, non-profit, government, and religious organizations.

Eastern University is a Christian university dedicated to the preparation of undergraduate, theological and graduate students for thoughtful and productive lives of Christian faith, leadership and service.  The mission is confirmed and celebrated when graduates believe their way into knowledgeable action that influences their world in substantive ways.

A minimum of 120 credits is required to earn the Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership.  Three (3) types of courses comprise the undergraduate degree in organizational leadership.  The courses are: 1) general education; 2) organizational leadership major; & 3) electives.