Southwestern College (KS)

Programme overview

The Master of Science in Leadership at Southwestern College is a 36-credit online degree designed for working adults. The program is offered through Southwestern College Professional Studies, can accept up to 6 transfer credits, and is structured to be completed in approximately 14 months. Instruction emphasizes applied leadership practices, relationship management and ethical reasoning, with faculty who draw on industry experience. Learners apply skills through case studies and resources provided across the program to lead change and quality initiatives in a range of organizations.

What you'll study

The curriculum focuses on leadership theory, communication, ethics, coaching and change management. Core major courses include:

• LEAD500: Leadership Styles and Theory — fundamentals of leadership, research tools, application of theory to organizations, and development of a personal leadership profile.
• MGMT560: Ethics in the Global Marketplace — ethical leadership and organizational citizenship, the triple bottom line, and evaluating strategies that balance profit, social responsibility and environmental sustainability across local and global contexts.
• LEAD510: Leadership in Context — how economic, social or political events affect organizations and communities, with development of an action plan to respond to those impacts.
• LEAD515: Leadership Communication and Conflict Resolution — interpersonal and small group communication, persuasion, media and crisis communication, plus conflict resolution skills.
• LEAD520: Leadership Coaching — coaching and mentoring theories and models, teamwork, collaboration skills, and a personal leadership development plan.
• LEAD560: Leading Change in Organizations — needs-assessment tools and systems for generating information to support organizational change and improvement.

Entry requirements

Applicants must complete the graduate application and provide a current resume, two professional letters of recommendation (one must be from a current or former employer), a one-page personal essay, and an official transcript from a bachelor’s degree–granting institution. Official transcripts must be received within eight weeks after the start of class.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for leadership roles across healthcare, education, military, government, small business, non-profit and corporate sectors. Typical positions cited by the program include program manager, training and development manager, and general/operations manager. The program page references a projected job growth (BLS) of 11% and an average salary (PayScale) around $75,000 for related roles.

Scholarships & funding angle

Southwestern College provides standard adult-learner financial resources including financial aid, scholarships and employer tuition reimbursement options; learners are also able to use employer benefits and military education benefits where applicable. Prospective students should contact the university’s financial aid office for program-specific guidance.