Why should you earn your MS in Leadership from an online university

Online education offers an accessible way for working professionals like you to pursue a degree and apply that learning immediately in your career. When you decide to earn your master’s in leadership from an online university, you can complete your coursework right from home. Plus, online master’s programs let you choose when in the day you attend class, providing you with the level of flexibility you need to complete your program while you continue to work full time. Walden’s MS in Leadership program is delivered through a convenient online learning platform that connects you with expert faculty, resources, and the support you need to be successful throughout your program and beyond. Plus, when you earn your degree from Walden, you’ll potentially be learning alongside students from all over the world, which can enhance your experience and expose you to varied leadership perspectives.

How can you develop the right leadership skills?

Leadership development requires learning and practice. And while some companies offer leadership training, many of the best leaders go a step further and earn a business management degree from a top business school. While there are many types of business degrees available, one of the most valuable for up-and-coming leaders is an MS in Leadership. When you earn a master’s in leadership, you can build the knowledge base and skills you need to meet the ever-evolving challenges of a complex world. And becoming a better leader doesn’t require you to put your job on hold. Thanks to online learning, you can earn your MS degree from the convenience of your home—all you need is internet access. You choose what time to attend class, so your work and school schedules won’t conflict.

What are some of the different leadership styles?

The most common leadership styles are: Transformational Often considered the gold standard of leadership styles, transformational leadership focuses on inspiring your team members and providing them with the coaching they need to excel without a lot of supervision or micromanaging. These are particularly good qualities for a leader in any field that relies on innovation. Transactional Transactional leaders are all about incentives and disincentives. If your people perform well, you reward them (with bonuses, better offices, awards, etc.). If they perform poorly, you punish them (with the withholding of bonuses, demotions, privilege revocations, etc.). While many leaders, especially in the sales world, are transactional, this leadership style tends to be ineffective in less competitive settings. Democratic Leaders who are democratic prefer to lead by consensus. They often listen carefully to the ideas of team members and use that input when making decisions. If you have a talented team, a democratic leadership style can help ensure you don’t miss the best ideas.

What kind of courses will you take in an MS in Leadership program?

Here is a sampling of what Walden’s online master’s in leadership program has to offer: Dynamic Leadership In this introductory master’s in leadership course, you’ll closely examine your current strengths and weaknesses, values, decision-making processes, and approaches to dealing with difficult problems. And you’ll explore leadership in turbulent times by examining how effective leaders think as well as how various management styles impact situations and relationships within an organization. Building Organizational Culture: Leaders as Architects Leaders must thrive within an organization’s culture. This MS in Leadership course will teach you how to recognize organizational culture, then harness it for positive change and organization-wide success. You’ll learn how to make conceptual sense of various cultural landscapes and determine how to best lead and build effective communities. Communication for Leaders and Managers Your ability to lead is closely tied to your ability to communicate. In this MS in Leadership core course, you’ll examine interpersonal and intercultural intersections and study the influence of cultural diversity on interpersonal communication. By examining theory, you’ll develop an approach to practice and hone individual strategies for communicating successfully in diverse interpersonal situations.

What are some potential MS in Leadership program specializations?

MS in Leadership programs often offer a variety of focus areas so that students can align their program with their interests and career goals. At Walden, students can choose the General Program or one of the following specializations: Executive Leadership Integrated Communication Skills for Leaders Leader Development Self-Designed

MS in Leadership

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Enhance your credentials and become a next-level leader with our master’s in leadership program.

Next start dates

Course-Based Courses with a set schedule March 08, 2021

Transfer Credits

Up to 15 Credits

Become an Impactful Leader With Your Master’s in Leadership From Walden

Are you passionate about empowering people and organizations to succeed? Walden’s MS in Leadership program can help you take your leadership skills to the next level. Find out who you are as a leader and build on your strengths. Learn to resolve conflict and create a company culture that brings out the best in your workforce.

Our master’s in leadership online program includes an embedded Graduate-Level Certificate in Leadership that you will earn after completing your first four courses. You can also choose from five specializations to tailor your studies to your personal passions and interests.

A master’s degree in leadership prepares students to manage and motivate others and find innovative answers to novel problems and challenges.

Learn to Empower Others

Discover your personal leadership style and use it to inspire individuals and teams toward a shared vision. Grow as a mentor.

Earn a Credential Along the Way

Earn a Graduate Certificate in Leadership, which will demonstrate your new skills to prospective employers.

Master Conflict Resolution

Learn how to effectively mediate and resolve interpersonal and team conflict and maintain a harmonious, productive workplace.

Program Savings

Receive up to a $3,000 grant if you reside in the U.S. and start this program on March 8, 2021. Contact one of our Enrollment Specialists to learn more.

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General Program and Specializations

General Program

Evaluate your leadership style as you develop the problem-solving and management skills to build effective teams and organizations.

Executive Leadership

Gain critical skills executives need to be a successful leader, including how to plan for and use budgets and resources.

Integrated Communication Skills for Leaders

Explore how to use data and information to strengthen your position and communicate your vision to stakeholders.

Leader Development

Discover how to improve organizational capacity through the use of communication, knowledge management, training, and development.

Self-Designed

Customize your studies by choosing nine credits from any of the MS in Leadership specialization courses.

Admission Requirements

Program Admission Considerations: A bachelor's degree or higher.

General Admission Requirements: Completed online application and transcripts. Please note that the materials you are required to submit may vary depending on the academic program to which you apply. More information for international applicants.

A 21st Century Leadership Program for Today’s Workplace

As a student in our master’s in leadership program, you’ll put cutting-edge business theory into practice with scenario-based studies that reflect real workplace challenges. Develop your expertise in conflict resolution, building organizational culture, and communicating with other managers and leaders. Reach your full potential as a leader by discovering how to inspire others to reach their own.

Meet Your Academic Team

Bob Castaneda
Program Director
Dr. Castaneda has worked in a number of countries in senior finance positions. He is currently a board member and treasurer for the Illinois Literacy Foundation. He is also a member of Financial Executives International, AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants), and the Illinois CPA Society.
Pettis Perry
Core Faculty
Dr. Perry has been a Walden core faculty member since May 2009. Since 2010, he has championed the creation of a leader development program for indigenous populations and the creation of an academic program orientation for all of Walden University.
Marilys Taylor
Senior Contributing Faculty
Dr. Taylor taught in K–12 education for 15 years before moving into public school administration. She then transferred to higher education as an administrator, student teacher supervisor, and adjunct faculty instructor. She has been with Walden in the MS in Leadership program for the past nine years.

Learning Outcomes

As a graduate of Walden's MS in Leadership program, you will be prepared to:

Apply leadership principles utilized to foster positive transformation of individuals and organizations.
Effectively utilize communication strategies appropriate to intended audience.
Assess relationship-building strategies used by leaders.
Evaluate holistic problem solving strategies that leaders use in complex environments.

Utilize effective self-reflection skills in order to continue a lifelong evaluation of personal leadership values, strengths, and goals.
Appraise techniques leaders facilitate effective collaboration necessary to lead others toward a common goal.
Evaluate appropriate social change leadership strategies.

Career Outlook

The median annual wage for management occupations was $105,660 in May 2019. However, the salary range typically falls between $49,990 and $154,260.¹Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession.

A master’s in leadership can help you improve your promotability and influence across many industries and disciplines. Open new doors in the changing business landscape and shape the future you want.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics,

505,000

jobs in management occupations are expected to be added through 2029.²

A MS in Leadership can prepare you to pursue career options such as:³

Business / management analyst
Operations manager / supervisor
General manager
Business continuity planner / analyst

A MS in Leadership can prepare you to work in settings such as:

Product warehousing /distributor
Consulting
Corporate headquarters
Manufacturing

Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.

Testimonials

If I can do it, so can you. I was almost 47 years old when I earned my master’s degree.

Michele Levandusky MS in Leadership Graduate

Leadership is something that I have wanted to pursue for a long time, but I did not really have the courage to do it until I found Walden.

Adrienne Adkins-Provost MS in Leadership Graduate

When I embarked on this journey in 2013, I was afraid. But making the decision to attend Walden was the best decision I could have made.

Scottie Adams MS in Leadership Graduate

Resource Articles

Career Decision: What Kind of Manager Should You Be?

Resource Articles

Transformational Leadership: How to Take Your Team to the Top

Resource Articles

Leadership Development: 5 Best Practices for Learning a New Skill

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