Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership

The M.A. Organizational Leadership will take approximately 1 - 1.5 years for a total of 33 credits. Students will take one or two 7-week courses at a time. Learning activities will involve approximately 10 to 14 hours of the student’s time investment each week. It is suggested that students working full time take only one course at a time.

You will be supported through virtual classroom sessions with your professors and classmates, and through experientially-focused assignments that connect you with fellow students.

Core Courses

• ORGL 600: Personal Development Skills Process Group (3 units)
• ORGL 601: Leadership Theory and Character Development (3 units)
• ORGL 602: Building Healthy Organizational Culture (3 units)
• ORGL 603: Mindful Leadership: Neuroscience and Emotional Intelligence (3 units)
• ORGL 604: Leading Change and Motivation (3 units)
• ORGL 605: Team Building and Conflict Management (3 units)
• ORGL 607: Ethical Decision Making and Cultural Foundations (3 units)
• ORGL 608: Capstone Seminar in Organizational Leadership (3 units)
• ORGL 616: Essential Communication Strategies (3 units)

Elective Courses - Choose two courses

• ORGL 611: Effective Strategy and Execution (3 units)
• ORGL 615: Servant Leadership (3 units)
• EXCC 607: Group Coaching (3 units)

For course descriptions, please see the Academic Catalog.

The Townsend Institute takes a different approach to academics. We know it’s the time you spend with people who have legitimate on-the-ground experiences and have accomplished their goals that has the greatest impact. That’s why we provide students with the opportunity to personally learn from Dr. John Townsend, our Institute Fellows and faculty. Together, they cultivate a relational learning experience, addressing the head and the heart through science and data.

We believe there is great value in frequent, real-time interaction with fellow students and your instructors. Our graduate programs launch with a 4-Day Residency where you will meet Dr. Townsend personally as he and our Townsend Institute Fellows conduct a series of trainings. You will also go through 8 process-focused growth groups – you will not leave the same person.

To learn more about the Institute’s 4-day Residency, attend a Townsend LIVE info session.

The Townsend Institute is housed within Concordia University Irvine, a private, Lutheran university. Located in Southern California, Concordia serves over 4,000 students annually, on campus and online. Centered by a Christian worldview, and guided by the Great Commission, Concordia is home to a thoughtful and caring community of learners.

The Townsend Institute experience invites you to study directly with Dr. John Townsend and master teachers who have decades of experience in leadership and know how to bring transformation, performance, and productivity to teams and organizations. The Townsend Institute has earned a reputation for its relational approach to begin with character growth as a building block for high motivation and performance. Through the Townsend Institute’s online program in Organizational Leadership you will:

• Gain the skills needed to create high-performing teams.
• Cultivate a culture that accelerates performance.
• Create clarity and alignment to mission, strategy, and vision across an organization.
• Learn how to lead both strategically and relationally.
• Learn how to work with and direct difficult people.
• Train in the art of managing your energy versus your time.