Master of Social and Organisational Leadership (with specialisations)
Postgraduate
CSU-SOL-MAS 2025Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
Become a successful, inspirational, and ethical leader.
Get ready to foster a healthy organisational culture. You’ll study leadership philosophies and theories to inform your own leadership style. In this alternative to an MBA, specialisations include coaching, HRM, and more. Approach change with confidence.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- Approx. 1.5 years full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 12
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Master of Social and Organisational Leadership (with specialisations)
About this degree
Become a self-aware and reflective leader who aims to empower your team – by advocating personal growth and professional investment. This leadership degree will prepare you to make a difference wherever leadership is needed – in the world of business, in any level of government or in communities (large or small) around the globe.
Tailor your qualification
You can adapt your Master of Social and Organisational Leadership by choosing from six specialisations: Coaching (with subjects completed at the Institute of Executive Coaching and Leadership Australia), Change Facilitation, Human Resources Management, Sustainability, Communication and – if you’re interested in pursuing doctoral level studies – Research Methodology.
Driving change
Reflect on your leadership philosophies and explore a variety of theories and practices. Then design and implement effective, ethical change. You’ll build a skill set that will help you contribute to your organisation’s health, strategy and culture.
The Master of Social and Organisational Leadership (with specialisations) from Charles Sturt University is about developing tomorrow’s leaders, today. You’ll be equipped to become a successful, inspirational and ethical leader. Make your mark as a proactive agent for healthy organisational culture and strategy – and navigate the constant challenges of the 21st century business and social landscape.
Recommended study pattern
The course comprises the following subjects:
- MGM501 Theory to Practice of Leadership
- MGT569 The Leadership Challenge
- MGT559 Contemporary Issues in Leadership
- MGT549 Toxic Leadership
Completion of the above subjects allows students to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Social and Organisational Leadership (32 points)
- MGT584 Leadership in Teams
- MGT568 Difference and Leadership
- Elective 1* / Specialisation 1**
- Elective 2* / Specialisation 2**
Completion of the above subjects allows students to exit with the Graduate Diploma of Social and Organisational Leadership (64 points)
- MGT579 Power and Leadership
- MGT552 Leadership and Social Impact
- Elective 3* / Specialisation 3**
- Elective 4* / Specialisation 4**
Completion of the above subjects allows students to graduate with a Master of Social and Organisational Leadership (96 points)
* Electives must be selected from any 500 Level Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences subject. The level of a subject is designated by the first digit in the subject code; e.g., MGT559 is a 500 Level subject. Upon satisfactory completion of the four (4) Electives, students graduate with the award Master of Social and Organisational Leadership.
** Instead of Electives, one (1) of the following Specialisations can be completed.
SPECIALISATIONS
Coaching
IECL subject - Org Coaching Theory to Practice 1
IECL subject - Org Coaching Theory to Practice 2
PLUS any 2 subjects from:
IECL subject - Principles of Org Coaching
IECL subject - Advanced Coaching Practice
IECL subject - Team Coaching
Students who complete this specialisation graduate with the award Master of Social and Organisational Leadership (Coaching) MBusSoc&OrgLship.
IECL subject - credits are granted on the basis of subjects completed at the Institute of Executive Coaching and Leadership Australia (IECL).
The IECL components are based on the IECL Coach Training Program (ACTP) curriculum. The ACTP is accredited by the International Coach Federation (USA) and students who complete the ACTP program may apply for ICF credentialing.
Change Facilitation
Complete 4 subjects from:
HRM531 Organisational Politics
HRM552 Organisational Behaviour
MGT540 Facilitating Change
HRM545 Skills of Conflict Resolution
MGT553 Project Management
MGT583 Managing for Sustainability
Students who complete this specialisation graduate with the award Master of Social and Organisational Leadership (Change Facilitation).
Human Resources Management
Complete 4 subjects from:
HRM502 Human Resource Management***
HRM528 Strategic HRM***
HRM550 Evaluating Human Resources***
LAW515 Law of Employment***
HRM512 Values and Conflict in Organisations
HRM552 Organisational Behaviour
*** By completing these four subjects, students may apply for accreditation with the Australian HR Institute (AHRI).
Students who complete this specialisation graduate with the award Master of Social and Organisational Leadership (Human Resources Management).
Sustainability
MGT583 Managing for Sustainability
PLUS any 3 subjects from:
AGB440 Resource Economics
AHT404 Climate Change: Impacts, Mitigation and Adaptation
ENM433 People in the Global Environment
ENM443 Resilience Thinking and Ecologically Sustainable Development
LAW530 Environmental Law and Management
Students who complete this specialisation graduate with the award Master of Social and Organisational Leadership (Sustainability).
Communication
Complete 2 subjects (16 points each) from:
COM538 Communication in Organisations (16)
COM539 Issues, Crisis & Reputation (16)
COM540 Corporate Culture, Stakeholder and Change Communication (16)
CCI506 Digital Media Practice (16)
Students who complete this specialisation graduate with the award Master of Social and Organisational Leadership (Communication.
Research Methodology
MGT598 Strategic Business Research
EMG506 Literature Review (16)
PLUS one subject from:
MGM513 Business Data Analytics and Storytelling
ASH505 Research Methods
Students who complete this specialisation graduate with the award Master of Social and Organisational Leadership (Research Methodology).
This specialisation is designed for students who are interested in pursuing Doctoral level studies on completion of their Masters of Social and Organisational Leadership.
For students admitted from CSU's Graduate Diploma of Organisational Coaching and Leadership degree:
Course Structure
As per the Graduate Diploma of Organisational Coaching and Leadership
Plus
MGT552 Leadership and Social Impact
MGM501 Theory to Practice of Leadership****
Plus 2 Restricted Electives not previously completed from:
MGT569 The Leadership Challenge
MGT559 Contemporary Issues in Leadership
MGT549 Toxic Leadership
MGT584 Leadership in Teams
MGT568 Difference and Leadership
MGT579 Power and Leadership
****Students who have previously completed MGM501 must complete three (3) Restricted Electives.
Award requirements
As a Charles Sturt University student, throughout your course you have a responsibility to continue to develop skills in English language, literacy and numeracy as appropriate to your discipline. This ongoing development will enable you to effectively participate in your course and graduate prepared to enter the workforce.
Master of Social and Organisational Leadership (with specialisations)
- To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 96 points.
Exit points
Graduate Diploma of Social and Organisational Leadership (Exit Point Only)
To graduate students must satisfactorily complete 64 points.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative first year fee
$32,400
Indicative total fee $48,600
The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
Charles Sturt University is Australia’s most experienced online uni, and has the country’s highest graduate employment rate. From agriculture, arts, healthcare and IT, to business, law, social work and teaching—you’ll get the latest skills in your field, and learn from academics who are connected to industry. Add in 24/7 IT support, scholarships and a vibrant student community, and you can take your next, or first, career step with confidence.
Learn more about CSU.
Explore CSU courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 31
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 37
How to apply
Charles Sturt University manages enquiries and applications for this degree.
Complete your details and we'll make sure your enquiry is sent to Charles Sturt University who will contact you to discuss this degree.
Don't worry, we're still here to help you - you'll receive a personalised follow-up from an Open Universities Australia student advisor to make sure you have found the right degree for you.
Entry requirements
For entry to the Master of Social and Organisational Leadership (with specialisations) Articulated Set, applicants are required to have an undergraduate degree from a recognised Australian tertiary institution (or equivalent) PLUS relevant professional attainment/work experience.
Applicants without a tertiary qualification may be admitted to the Graduate Certificate in Social and Organisational Leadership on the basis of professional attainment/work experience. Upon successful completion of the Graduate Certificate, students will be eligible for admission to the Master of Social and Organisational Leadership (with specialisations) Articulated Set and receive credit for applicable subjects.
Graduates of CSU's Graduate Diploma of Organisational Coaching and Leadership will be eligible for admission to the Master of Social and Organisational Leadership (with specialisations) Articulated Set with full credits as per IECL agreements.
If you’ve studied before, you may be able to fast-track your postgraduate degree with Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). If you’ve completed relevant tertiary study, you could be awarded credit for your postgraduate degree. Get in touch to see if you’re eligible for credit based on your previous qualifications or industry experience.
Standard credit package applies to IECL students who complete the Graduate Diploma of Organisational Coaching and Leadership.
Career opportunities
This dynamic and engaging qualification is designed for professionals wanting to broaden their career prospects by becoming a social, organisational or business leader. You’ll be ready to step into senior leadership roles across business, not-for profit, community and government organisations.
Professional recognition
Accrediting Body: Australian Human Resources Institute
Requirements for graduates to practice: No special requirements (and accreditation is NOT required for graduates to practice their profession)
Start and End Date of Accreditation: 2021 - 31 December 2024
Accreditation Status: Full
Potential Impact on Students if Conditional etc: N/A
Post conferral of award practice registration or additional study requirements of graduates: None
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
Role | Earnings | Employment change |
---|---|---|
Corporate Services Managers | N/A^ | Up 54.3% |
Human Resource Managers | Over $120K | Up 85.7% |
Management and Organisation Analysts | $93K to $120K | Up 56.8% |
Management Consultants | $93K to $120K | N/A^ |
Organisation and Methods Analysts | $93K to $120K | N/A^ |
^ There is no data available