What qualities do students need for success in the master’s in leadership degree program?

Students in the MS in Leadership online and on-campus degree from GCU should be able to self-reflect, embody big-picture team management skills, support innovative change management techniques, demonstrate strong listening and communication skills and possess knowledge of data-driven decision-making, such as sales, overhead and profit margin line.

What is the difference between an MS in Leadership degree and an MBA?

A Master of Science in Leadership degree can help professionals who would like to create change and impact others by identifying ways to become more effective leaders. Meanwhile, most students enroll in an MBA program to acquire knowledge specifically in finance, accounting, management, marketing and entrepreneurship.

Overview

Pursue High-Level Careers by Earning Your Master’s Degree in Leadership

The Master of Science in Leadership, offered by the Colangelo College of Business, provides an in-depth study of senior-level business skills combined with the ethical principles of servant leadership. This master’s in leadership degree program can help you further develop your leadership style. You will also examine the core principles of communication, team-leading and ethical practices in business.

Master of Science in Leadership

Offered By

Colangelo College of Business

Class Settings

Evening

Online

Tuition Rate

Online: $665 per credit [More Info]

Evening: $665 per credit [More Info]

Cost of Attendance

Course Information

Credits: 34

Campus: 15 weeks

Online: 8 weeks

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Transfer Credits

Up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the total program requirements in transfer (whichever is less)

Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements (Master's)

Undergraduate Degree*
2.8+ GPA

OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and

GMAT: 500
GRE: 300 combined**

Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).

Why GCU

Benefits of GCU’s Master of Science in Leadership

Explore the fundamentals of how to inspire and lead others through established, modern theories and research. You can benefit from the input of the diverse viewpoints of your professional peers, under the skillful guidance of knowledgeable faculty.

Some of the core domains and competencies integrated into the Master of Science in Leadership online program are:

Self-leadership

Practice self-reflection and self-awareness skills

Leading others

Positively influence others and work toward shared objectives

Leading an organization

Formulate a strong vision and support innovative change toward improved outcomes

Christian leadership

Embrace a dedication to improving one’s self, people and communities

Earn Your MS in Leadership Online From GCU

Grand Canyon University offers a vibrant and diverse online learning community for master’s degree students. Earn your MS in Leadership degree with a flexible schedule of online courses taught by full-time faculty members and fully trained adjunct instructors. GCU’s online learning platform is engineered to support connectivity and student engagement.

Online Learning

Coursework

Develop Your Leadership Style and Management Skills

The on-campus and online Master of Science in Leadership at GCU cultivates your leadership style. You will work to develop your ability to communicate the organization’s mission and vision to diverse audiences and key stakeholders. This MS leadership program also introduces advanced business leadership models and analytically examines management approaches.

Leadership is at the heart of every organization’s success. It’s the fundamental driving force that shapes the vision of the company and motivates team members. Effective leaders understand how to provide direction and when to step back and let other team members take charge.

Educators at GCU place a strong emphasis on the value of servant leadership in this master’s degree in leadership. As a Christian learning community, GCU is invested in contributing to the greater social good by empowering future business leaders to become effective servant leaders.

Some of the learning objectives of the master’s in leadership degree include:

Strategic management

Manage human capital through best practices in talent management, workforce diversity and employee development

Effective leadership

Apply leadership skills across major organizational functions, including marketing, finance, information systems and operations management

Ethics

Explore models of ethical problem-solving and their application

Models and theories

Explore business leadership models and theories as seen through diverse viewpoints

Careers

Careers for Master’s in Leadership Degree Graduates

The Master of Science in Leadership degree can prepare you to pursue a wide range of senior-level positions within private companies, nonprofit organizations and government agencies. The skills and foundational knowledge you can acquire are readily transferable to a broad spectrum of career fields.

An MS in Leadership degree can open doors in domestic and international corporations. You may pursue careers in management consulting, training and development, or you may decide to become an entrepreneur.

Job Opportunities

Careers that may be related to this online Master of Science in Leadership degree include the following:

Chief executive
General or operations manager
Human resources manager or specialist
Sales manager
Industrial production manager
Facilities manager
Administrative services manager
Compensation and benefits manager
Training and development manager
Project management specialist
Social and community service manager
Cost estimator
Logistician
Entertainment and recreation manager
Construction manager
Compensation, benefits and job analysis specialist
Postsecondary business teacher

FAQ

Master of Science (MS) in Leadership Degree Program FAQs

If you’re considering earning your MSL degree, read through some commonly asked questions to learn more about this degree and potential career options.

The MS in Leadership online and on-campus program at GCU can help you learn how to become a dynamic leader. This may be an ideal degree path for anyone with an entrepreneurial pursuit looking to gain the skills needed to develop and run a business. Our MS in Leadership offers you with practical experience, both relevant and beneficial in a variety of careers and industries.

As with admission requirements into most master’s degree programs, this master’s degree in leadership requires you to have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a grade point average (GPA) of 2.8 or higher.

Students in the MS in Leadership online and on-campus degree from GCU should:

Be able to self-reflect
Embody big-picture team management skills
Support innovative change management techniques
Demonstrate strong listening and communication skills
Possess knowledge of data-driven decision-making, such as sales, overhead and profit margin line

This degree does not provide a teaching certification. However, with experience and proper leadership, this master’s degree in leadership may lead some graduates to become training and development managers who lead and teach new employees.

A Master of Science in Leadership degree can help professionals who would like to create change and impact others by identifying ways to become more effective leaders. Meanwhile, many students enroll in an MBA program to acquire knowledge specifically in finance, accounting, management, marketing and entrepreneurship.

Courses

Course List

Credit Summary

Major34 credits

Degree Requirements34 credits

Core Courses

UNV-504

2 Total Credits

MGT-605

4 Total Credits

LDR-630

4 Total Credits

LDR-612

4 Total Credits

LDR-615

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course is an exploration of the behavioral forces and relationships that influence organizational effectiveness and change. It also emphasizes the study of intervention strategy and application skills related to a foundational understanding of the role of project management in the context of leading change in organizations. The course provides insights into the leadership and management of people, processes, and best practices for successful change.

LDR-640

4 Total Credits

HRM-635

4 Total Credits

Course Description

The effective strategic management of human capital is the differentiator of every successful organization. This course examines talent management, workforce diversity, succession planning, employee development and motivation, and performance matrix. This course addresses human resource competencies identified by the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM). Using the strong strategic human resource acumen provided by this course, students will be well-prepared for positions as senior human resources specialists or as general managers.

LDR-670

4 Total Credits

BUS-676

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This graduate business course is structured around the emerging constructs of conscious capitalism’s four pillars: higher purpose, servant leadership, culture, and stakeholder orientation and introduces the construct of economics of mutuality (EOM). This course begins with a historical foundation of capitalism and principles of economic freedom and then progresses to new narratives on capitalism and how business integrates with society. New forms of capital are introduced through EOM concepts. Case studies are used to provide in-depth analysis and highlight how purpose, stakeholder integration, and nonfinancial capital can contribute to people, planet, and profits, highlighting business elevating humanity in helping communities and human flourishing.

GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change

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