Strategic Management

Program Overview

In today's competitive landscape, organizations value professionals who can create and execute strategies to improve efficiency, effectiveness and productivity for a competitive advantage. Michigan State University's Graduate Certificate in Strategic Management provides you with the advanced skills, tools and frameworks to make the sound business decisions and execute on the organizational strategies that help drive performance results today and maximize profitability well into the future.

The program curriculum is designed to help enhance your strategic leadership acumen through timely and relevant research findings, not the latest fad in management. Courses are designed and led in an interactive online classroom by some of the top researchers in management, including Broad College of Business management department faculty members recognized as some of the most productive researchers in top management journals. All five of the five-week online courses (9 credits total) are also included in MSU's 100% online Master of Science in Management, Strategy and Leadership program, allowing you to apply the course credits toward a master's degree (8 graduate certificate credits can be applied to the MS-MSL degree).

Program Outcomes

MSU's Graduate Certificate in Strategic Management will equip you to:

• Apply best practices for utilizing resources, creating a competitive advantage and improving your strategic position in the market
• Gain techniques for strategic decision making and long-term planning
• Analyze industry life cycles and evaluate the market landscape
• Identify the characteristics of and differences between business unit and corporate strategy
• Recognize the types of change and different processes to manage and measure it successfully
• Differentiate key industry drivers, global strategy levers and organizational factors that drive success in the global marketplace
• Create readiness and a vision for change in your organization

Career Outlook

Strategic leaders have the ability to influence those around them through a shared vision to achieve common objectives. The Graduate Certificate in Strategic Management is designed for professionals in a variety of fields who are looking to gain the skills needed for an organizational leadership role, including positions and salaries like these:

• Financial Manager: $127,990*
• Human Resources Manager: $113,300*
• Marketing Manager: $117,130*
• Sales Manager: $124,220*
• General and Operations Managers: $100,930*
• 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

MGT 802 - Strategic Analysis (1 Credit)
MGT 850 - Competitive and Business Strategy (2 Credits)

Elective

MGT 804 - International Management (2 Credits)
MGT 856 - Corporate Strategy (2 Credits)
MGT 873 - Strategic Decision Making (2 Credits)
MGT 842 - Leading Strategic Change (2 Credits)

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 Graduate Certificate 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 the 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.