Master of Science Leadership Studies

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Program Overview

Degree:

Master of Science Leadership Studies Degree

Application:

$0 application fee. No essays/exams.

The mission of the Master of Science in Leadership Studies (MSLS) program is to prepare diverse learners to become effective, change-oriented leaders in an international society. The program uses distinctive and challenging curriculum that integrates theory with practice, personal success with service to others, and information technology with creativity, empathy, and democracy.

The Master of Science in Leadership Studies (MSLS) program prepares individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds and interests into change-oriented leaders. As every industry and profession needs effective and ethical leadership, employers are increasingly targeting candidates that possess the capacity to take initiative, build and cultivate strong teams, orchestrate conflict, and promote innovation to serve organizational purposes. Using a collaborative, integral and holistic approach, this degree builds the skill set to think critically and analytically, learn communication skills that serve a diverse population, and develop the ability to lead change in increasingly global/complex environments. Drawing from work/life experiences, students will learn to frame problems, use systems thinking and plan strategic interventions. Students will acquire knowledge, skills and abilities through experiential learning and critical analysis.

Degree Requirements

To receive a Master of Science in Leadership Studies (MSLS), students must complete at least 54 quarter units of graduate work. A total of 13.5 quarter units of graduate credit may be granted for equivalent graduate work completed at another institution, as it applies to this degree and provided the units were not used in earning another advanced degree. Refer to the section on graduate admission procedures for specific information regarding application and evaluation.

National University awards credit in quarter units, with each academic year divided into four 12-week quarters. 

Each quarter is made up of three 4-week classes, with one class per month. Under the current policy, 4.5 units of credit are awarded for courses.

Core Requirements

10 Courses

4.5 Quarter Units

Introduction to the classic theories, frameworks and ethics of leadership practice. Students identify and assess their own leadership philosophy, then analyze the relationship between it and selected theories of leadership. Students evaluate ethical decision making processes and assess the potential impact of leadership strategies on organizations.

4.5 Quarter Units

The formation and development of groups through effective leadership is the focus of this course. Team communication styles and roles within teams are examined. Strategies that foster creativity in groups are discussed. The impact of technology on teams and communication styles is evaluated. Students learn experientially about groups and teams and the impact of diverse ethical perspectives by participating in group activities and observing leadership in small groups.

4.5 Quarter Units

Examination of emerging forms of leadership, influence and power, chaos and collaboration. The course will analyze multiple organizations within the private and public sectors, and will draw upon diverse perspectives, ethical considerations and applied approaches. Participate in experiential approaches to learning leadership skills which may include the classroom as a temporary organization to be examined in real time.

4.5 Quarter Units

Course topics will focus on the dynamics of change, organizational redesign, and the essential skills necessary for leaders to initiate corporate and organizational transformations. Resistance and acceptance of change initiatives, including the impact of organizational culture will be examined. Students will strengthen their leadership skills and strategies in order to initiate and implement change through problem-solving experiences across a broad range of organizational contexts.

4.5 Quarter Units

Integration of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to design, conduct, and evaluate effective conflict resolution and negotiation practices. Course topics include interpersonal and intra-group conflict resolution; persuasion, problem solving techniques and decision-making in conflict resolution; overcoming bias, anger, and retaliation. Students will develop leadership and dialogue skills used to navigate conflict situations, and begin to detect conflicts as potential clues of organizational challenges.

4.5 Quarter Units

Identify quality information, data and research that inform decision making and strategy. Students will gain skills in interpreting data and develop critical thinking around key issues. In order to aid in analysis, explore statistical models and emerging data trends. Topics will include data analytics, overview of statistical models, data collection methods and critical interpretation of information.

4.5 Quarter Units

Students gain both knowledge and skills to consult to organizations on leadership issues and development, whether within the infrastructure or to an external client base. Through the use of assessment instruments, students gain both understanding of self as well as expertise in administering tools with clients. Assessments for leadership also include personality, team performance and conflict styles. In order to work effectively with clients, skills for facilitating and training will be included.

4.5 Quarter Units

Adult development is intrinsic to the development of holistic leaders therefore students will gain knowledge of adult development concepts and theories. Identification of one’s world view or ontology is interwoven with one’s development in leadership therefore students will work to identify their world view and connect it with their development as a leader. Students will also gain knowledge of emerging models of leadership and integral approaches by linking their world view to their practice of leadership.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: LED 601; LED 602

This course prepares students to conduct in-depth research in their area of interest synthesizing knowledge, and theory of leadership. Students will learn to judge scholarly, peer-reviewed work as unique from wisdom literature found in many popular leadership books. Two research papers will be written in the course with a focus on preparation for the thesis/capstone project. APA format (current edition) will be required, and students will gain skills in internet searches. In addition, students will give a presentation of approximately ten minutes on one of their research paper topics in professional attire and utilizing the appropriate technology.

4.5 Quarter Units

Prerequisite: 5 LED courses

Working in teams or as individuals under the guidance of their assigned faculty advisor, students clarify research topics and identify scholarly sources from which data is gathered in preparation for the project. Students then gather data and present their research in both written and oral form to the client organization, if applicable, and to other students and faculty. Students may choose to prepare a project as described in the Leadership Project Handbook. Grading is H, S, or U only.


  • 2 courses; 9 quarter units

Each student must complete two graduate courses to meet their elective requirement selected from the School of Business and Economics.

Career Outlook

The Master of Science Leadership Studies degree will prepare you for careers such as:

  • Top Jobs in this field
  • Median Salary (USA)
  • JOB Openings (USA)
  • Fundraising Managers
  • $119,079 avg. salary (USA)
  • 3,517 job openings (past yr.) past year
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities to solicit and maintain funds for special projects or nonprofit organizations.
Median Salary:
$119,079 annual +147% above US average
Job Openings:
3,517 past year
Salary Range:
  • Low
    $68,673
  • Medium
    $119,079
  • High
    $212,802

Most desired skills

  1. Fundraising
  2. Sales Prospecting
  3. Marketing
  4. Project Management
  5. Philanthropy
  6. Finance
  7. Planned Giving

Top companies hiring for this role

  • Unclassified
  • American Heart Association
  • Imsolutions [Integrated Multichannel Solutions]
  • The Nature Conservancy
  • The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
  • Bellingrath Gardens And Home
  • University of California
  • General and Operations Managers
  • $100,934 avg. salary (USA)
  • 373,566 job openings (past yr.) past year
Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.
Median Salary:
$100,934 annual +110% above US average
Job Openings:
373,566 past year
Salary Range:
  • Low
    $46,104
  • Medium
    $100,934
  • High
    $231,855

Most desired skills

  1. Operations Management
  2. Marketing
  3. Merchandising
  4. Finance
  5. Project Management
  6. Inventory Management
  7. Profit And Loss (P&L) Management

Top companies hiring for this role

  • Unclassified
  • CVS Health
  • AutoZone
  • Buckle
  • Walmart
  • Enterprise Rent-A-Car
  • Menards
  • Sales Managers
  • $134,000 avg. salary (USA)
  • 55,729 job openings (past yr.) past year
Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.
Median Salary:
$134,000 annual +178% above US average
Job Openings:
55,729 past year
Salary Range:
  • Low
    $62,965
  • Medium
    $134,000
  • High
    $265,837

Most desired skills

  1. Marketing
  2. Sales Management
  3. Selling Techniques
  4. Business Development
  5. Sales Prospecting
  6. Customer Relationship Management
  7. Sales Strategy

Top companies hiring for this role

  • Unclassified
  • Marriott International
  • AutoZone
  • Hilton
  • Carter's
  • Wolters Kluwer
  • US Foods Holding
  • Administrative Services Managers
  • $106,282 avg. salary (USA)
  • 24,933 job openings (past yr.) past year
Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.
Median Salary:
$106,282 annual +121% above US average
Job Openings:
24,933 past year
Salary Range:
  • Low
    $62,305
  • Medium
    $106,282
  • High
    $188,965

Most desired skills

  1. Office Management
  2. Accounting
  3. Billing
  4. Accounts Receivable
  5. Finance
  6. Accounts Payable
  7. Administrative Support

Top companies hiring for this role

  • Unclassified
  • University of California
  • Brookdale Senior Living
  • Ryder
  • CBRE
  • Genesis HealthCare
  • Humana
  • Human Resources Managers
  • $135,074 avg. salary (USA)
  • 21,271 job openings (past yr.) past year
Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization.
Median Salary:
$135,074 annual +181% above US average
Job Openings:
21,271 past year
Salary Range:
  • Low
    $79,829
  • Medium
    $135,074
  • High
    $260,541

Most desired skills

  1. Employee Relations
  2. Performance Management
  3. Human Resources Information System (HRIS)
  4. Talent Management
  5. Project Management
  6. Human Resource Management
  7. Employee Engagement

Top companies hiring for this role

  • Unclassified
  • Amazon
  • Lumen Technologies
  • Deloitte
  • Marriott International
  • Arby's
  • PricewaterhouseCoopers
  • Training and Development Managers
  • $124,252 avg. salary (USA)
  • 4,983 job openings (past yr.) past year
Plan, direct, or coordinate the training and development activities and staff of an organization.
Median Salary:
$124,252 annual +158% above US average
Job Openings:
4,983 past year
Salary Range:
  • Low
    $72,514
  • Medium
    $124,252
  • High
    $219,846

Most desired skills

  1. Project Management
  2. Learning Management Systems
  3. Marketing
  4. Instructional Design
  5. Adult Education
  6. Curriculum Development
  7. Continuous Improvement Process

Top companies hiring for this role

  • Unclassified
  • Circle K
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • AT&T
  • Legacy Marketing
  • Pacific Dental Services
  • Lincoln Financial Group
  • Management Analysts
  • $99,189 avg. salary (USA)
  • 115,428 job openings (past yr.) past year
Conduct organizational studies and evaluations, design systems and procedures, conduct work simplification and measurement studies, and prepare operations and procedures manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively. Includes program analysts and management consultants.
Median Salary:
$99,189 annual +106% above US average
Job Openings:
115,428 past year
Salary Range:
  • Low
    $50,708
  • Medium
    $99,189
  • High
    $224,297

Most desired skills

  1. Project Management
  2. Data Analysis
  3. Business Process
  4. Business Requirements
  5. SQL (Programming Language)
  6. Finance
  7. Process Improvement

Top companies hiring for this role

  • Unclassified
  • Wells Fargo
  • Elevance Health
  • Deloitte
  • Accenture
  • Lincoln Financial Group
  • Guidehouse

Program Learning Outcomes

Learn the key skills to help you excel in your field of study.

  • Distinguish between multiple approaches to exercising leadership in order to harness collective talent, promote innovation and confront complex issues within organizations.
  • Interpret organizational dynamics, group dynamics, and engage in systems thinking to promote the development of a learning organization capable of orchestrating conflict, creating innovation, and adaptation.
  • Evaluate ethical issues and aid organizational members in creating an ethical culture appropriate to the organizational and/or global arena that supports operating in environments of diversity, uncertainty, and unpredictability.Discern between the functions of formal authority/power and the understanding of leadership and be able to apply diverse leadership skills, and utilize frameworks to serve organizational purposes.
  • Identify quality scholarship and research and demonstrate the potential application of emerging leadership theory and knowledge to real-world scenarios and simulations.
  • Utilize dialogue and other forms of inquiry with groups and teams to create collective problem-solving and strategic plans. Integrate knowledge and skills from multiple disciplines to utilize critical thinking and develop organizational problem-solving capacity.
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Scholarships and Financial Aid

National University is dedicated to making higher education affordable, as well as accessible. Through NU scholarship offerings, eligible students are able to reduce the financial burden of college, start classes sooner, and finish their programs faster while focusing on achieving their goals.

Accreditations

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Why National University?

We’re proud to be a Veteran-founded, San Diego-based nonprofit. Since 1971, our mission has been to provide accessible, achievable higher education to adult learners.

Today, we educate students from across the U.S. and around the globe, with over 240,000 alumni worldwide.

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Class of 2016

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NU makes it easy to get your degree, even if you started it with another university. Learn more about transferring to NU.

Accelerate Your Career With NU

At National University, you’re part of a family. As a student, you’ll have the support of staff, faculty members, students, and alumni who will be there with you every step of the way, cheering you on as you pursue your goals.

Our network of 240,000 alumni is a large global community that provides our graduates with the professional connections to get a leg up in your new career.

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Program Disclosure

Successful completion and attainment of National University degrees do not lead to automatic or immediate licensure, employment, or certification in any state/country. The University cannot guarantee that any professional organization or business will accept a graduate’s application to sit for any certification, licensure, or related exam for the purpose of professional certification.

Program availability varies by state. Many disciplines, professions, and jobs require disclosure of an individual’s criminal history, and a variety of states require background checks to apply to, or be eligible for, certain certificates, registrations, and licenses. Existence of a criminal history may also subject an individual to denial of an initial application for a certificate, registration, or license and/or result in the revocation or suspension of an existing certificate, registration, or license. Requirements can vary by state, occupation, and/or licensing authority.

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All prospective students are advised to review employment, certification, and/or licensure requirements in their state, and to contact the certification/licensing body of the state and/or country where they intend to obtain certification/licensure to verify that these courses/programs qualify in that state/country, prior to enrolling. Prospective students are also advised to regularly review the state’s/country’s policies and procedures relating to certification/licensure, as those policies are subject to change.

National University degrees do not guarantee employment or salary of any kind. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to review desired job positions to review degrees, education, and/or training required to apply for desired positions. Prospective students should monitor these positions as requirements, salary, and other relevant factors can change over time.

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