Management, Strategy and Leadership

Program Overview

The critical issues impacting organizations today need forward-thinking solutions and future-focused leaders who are prepared to face any challenge and effectively guide and grow their organization in today's fast-paced business landscape. Michigan State University's Master of Science in Management, Strategy and Leadership provides you with a practical education experience, impactful skills and critical knowledge base to develop your leadership excellence.

The M.S. in Management, Strategy and Leadership is a 100% online program with a combination of video-based lectures, an interactive online classroom environment and one-on-one instructor time. Structured in an accelerated time frame of 15 sequential five-week course modules, the program can be completed in under two years, meaning this program works for you, on your time and your schedule to help you earn your master's degree that much faster!

Program Outcomes

The program empowers you to develop your own influential style and gain the comprehensive skills needed to effectively lead, grow and create a future-focused vision for your organization and your career through the following key components of management, strategy and leadership:

• Best practices for recruiting, developing and retaining top talent
• Managing changes in industry life cycles and global business operations
• Improving a firm's capabilities and sources of competitive advantage
• Strategic decision making, planning and execution techniques
• Implementing training, succession planning and leadership development for positive organizational impact
• Applying different types of leadership behaviors (participative, transactional, ethical, transformational, directive and supportive) for effective team performance
• Driving organizational performance through emotional intelligence, visioning, confidence expression and communication

Career Outlook

The M.S. in Management, Strategy and Leadership is designed for experienced business professionals looking to maximize their potential in managing people, leading organizations and enhancing their career opportunities. Earning your Master's in Management, Strategy and Leadership can enhance your career potential and empower you to pursue your professional goals, including positions and salaries like these:

• Financial Manager: $127,990*
• Human Resources Manager: $113,300*
• Marketing Manager: $117,130*
• Sales Manager: $124,220*
• Administrative Services Manager: $96,180*
• Business Management Consultant: $83,610*

*Average annual salary, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics median pay figures as of 2018.

Course Information

Core

Admissions Requirements

To be accepted to this program, you must have:

• A bachelor's degree
  Official four-year bachelor’s degree-bearing transcript from a regionally or nationally accredited institution(s)
• 3.0 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale. Previous work experience
  Current résumé detailing professional work experience, academic credentials and related accomplishments and pertinent biographical information
• A written personal statement
  Statement of intention essay (two pages maximum) detailing your direct supervisory and/or project/program management experience, as well as a statement on how you will leverage the degree in your career
• 3 letters of recommendation
  Three letters of recommendation from professional, work-related references, preferably direct supervisors. Recommendation letters should attest to your ability to work within and lead teams, as well as to your contribution to a professional business environment.
• Official transcripts from all previous schools

To apply to this program:

• Complete an online application.
• Pay a one-time, nonrefundable $100 application and transcript fee.
• If you indicate that you are a veteran or military service member, provide an official military transcript.
• Although the GMAT is not required, it may be requested if you have a GPA below 3.0.