Program Description

The Master of Arts degree in Strategic Leadership provides advanced-level knowledge and skills in areas that are essential to organizational success and continuity: strategies for problem solving, direction in how to conceptualize goals and communicate them effectively, and character qualities like integrity and courage. Unlike an MBA curriculum, which focuses on technical knowledge of current business practices and theory, the Master of Arts degree in Strategic Leadership degree provides leadership expertise principles helpful in any career field. Thus, graduates are prepared to lead their organization to greater effectiveness and success.

Students may elect to focus their degree studies in a specific area by applying the learning activities and assessments to the area of focus in six LDR courses and the Integrative Learning Portfolio. Examples of focus areas include human resources development, marketing, business management, nonprofit management, financial management, church administration, and the like.

Program Overview

The Master of Arts degree in Strategic Leadership is offered over four consecutive 12-week terms and one 8-week term. Students enroll in two courses each 12-week term, taught by highly qualified professors who are responsible to mentor and coach the student in terms of achieving the learning outcomes for each course. All academic content for each course, including eBooks and other learning materials, is easily accessed in the University Online Learning Management System. Printed materials and hard-copy books required for each term (as listed in the course syllabus and materials) should be ordered/purchased by the student upon registration for the term.

The Master of Arts in Strategic Leadership program is designed to broaden the strategic leadership perspectives through coursework, reflection, rigorous application, and dedicated one-on-one executive-style coaching. The resulting impact is immediate, profound, and sustainable.

Program Learning Outcomes

The Master of Arts in Strategic Leadership prepares individuals to assume greater leadership roles in the workplace and in their communities. Using an interdisciplinary approach, the curriculum offers a Christian, values-based, and global perspective to the study of leadership, organizational strategy, and effective management practices. Through intensive study, critical reflection, and action/results-based learning projects, students explore their personal philosophy of effective leadership and develop plans for mastering key leadership competencies. Consequently, graduates are better prepared to lead and develop healthy, productive organizations and make a positive difference in the lives of others.

The program is designed to give individuals the advanced-level knowledge and skills necessary to become strategic leaders in their fields. This offers students the opportunity to become successful leaders whether they work in large or small organizations whether public, private, profit or non-profit and provides specialized skills and knowledge of leadership theories and practices along with advanced practical strategic skills.

The Master of Arts in Strategic Leadership graduate will possess 18 semester graduate credits, the generally accepted entry level educational requirement to teach undergraduate courses in the fields of Leadership and Management. The University makes no guarantee of the acceptance of credit or degree for employment.

Instructional Design and Format

The Master of Arts in Strategic Leadership prepares individuals to assume greater leadership roles in the workplace and in their communities. Using an interdisciplinary approach, the curriculum offers a Christian, values-based, and global perspective to the study of leadership, organizational strategy, and effective management practices. Through intensive study, critical reflection, and action/results-based learning projects, students explore their personal philosophy of effective leadership and develop plans for mastering key leadership competencies. Consequently, graduates are better prepared to lead and develop healthy, productive organizations and make a positive difference in the lives of others.

The program is designed to give individuals the advanced-level knowledge and skills necessary to become strategic leaders in their fields. This offers students the opportunity to become successful leaders whether they work in large or small organizations whether public, private, profit or non-profit and provides specialized skills and knowledge of leadership theories and practices along with advanced practical strategic skills.

The Master of Arts in Strategic Leadership graduate will possess 18 semester graduate credits, the generally accepted entry level educational requirement to teach undergraduate courses in the fields of Leadership and Management. The University makes no guarantee of the acceptance of credit or degree for employment.

Prerequisites

The Master of Arts in Strategic Leadership is delivered in a unique distance learning mentoring format which enables students to complete the entire program in 14 months. All courses integrate work and learning experiences and are taught by excellent faculty who are qualified by experience and education with significant professional experience.

The program consists of 35 required credits, which are delivered as eight (8) 4-credit courses in intensive twelve-week modules and one eight-week, 3-credit Integrative Learning Portfolio course. Each course includes research, reflection, and experiential learning components. The Integrative Learning Portfolio involves the completion of an individual strategic leadership reflection essay that demonstrates attainment of program learning outcomes, and an action research project that relates to a defined need of a sponsoring organization to include items such as strategic plans, business start-up plans, market assessments, program evaluations, requests for proposals, or other approved organizational needs.