Master of Social and Organisational Leadership (with specialisations)

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.

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

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.