Master of Science in Strategic Leadership (M.S.)

The M.S. in Strategic Leadership (MSL) is designed to prepare students to assume or enhance leadership roles and positively and strategically affect organizational change. The interdisciplinary curriculum focuses on critical aspects of leadership such as: leadership foundations, strategic communications, applied research, ethics, organizational design and development, fiscal management, strategic decision making, leading individuals and teams, innovation and change, and conflict resolution and negotiation. Throughout the curriculum, special emphasis is placed on service-leadership and strategically leveraging and enhancing the “people-side” of an organization to effectively develop and implement big picture strategies while leading organizations in meaningful ways.

Degree Requirements:

The Master of Science in Strategic Leadership degree program is 36 credits. Learners can transfer up to nine graduate-level credits toward the program.

Leadership for Today and Tomorrow should be one of the last courses a learner takes. This course is the capstone course that integrates concepts, principles, practices, and applications from prior courses.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Students will be able to

articulate a personal leadership philosophy.
solve problems through diagnosis and solution generation.
develop diverse teams to improve productivity.
develop mentoring and coaching strategies to enhance self and others’ professional skills.
lead using a framework for ethical decision making that enhances the ethical climate of the organization.

Course Requirements:

Choose two electives (6 credits):

Concentrations

Data Analytics Concentration

In today’s complex global marketplace, data is at the center of organizational success. Elizabethtown College’s graduate certificate in Data Analytics is designed to provide students with an overview of applied statistical analysis, one of the most prominent, in-demand and growing fields. You will gain the ability to manage, process, analyze, and interpret data through taking a variety of courses, across several fields

MSL degree candidates with a declared Data Analytics concentration are not required to take MSL 520 Strategic Communication for Effective Leadership and MSL 530 Applying Research for Strategic Leadership .

Student Learning Outcomes:

Students will be able to

evaluate the usefulness of different statistical techniques and their real-world application.
explain the management implications of the use of business intelligence and knowledge management systems.
identify the fundamental concepts of descriptive statistics (populations and samples, measure of central tendency, measures of variability, measures of distribution) and their real-world application.
analyze problems in business and accounting using appropriately selected data visualization tools.
apply intermediate to advanced knowledge and skills in SQL.
sit for: 1Z0-061: Oracle Database 12c: SQL Fundamentals (OCA) and pass at a 60% level or higher.

Course Requirements:

Family Business and Entrepreneurship Concentration

The rapid changes in our world today are generating many opportunities for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and family businesses to find or create their own space to grow their businesses. This program will help graduate students develop an awareness of entrepreneurship and lead the business from a new venture start-up to a continual entrepreneurship mindset needed for business growth. The focus will be on developing a business plan for new ideas or innovation to include strategic, leadership, governance, management, and succession planning for an entrepreneur, family business owner, or business partners. The uniqueness of family business concepts will be woven throughout the curriculum.

MSL degree candidates with a declared Family Business and Entrepreneurship concentration are not required to take MSL 530 Applying Research for Strategic Leadership and MSL 550 Organizational Design and Development .

Student Learning Outcomes:

Students will be able to

Evaluate the steps to start, innovate, and grow a business.
Analyze the strategies involved in running a successful business.
Articulate leadership skills and practices to optimize business performance.
Critique governance structures and succession planning as a vital component of a business model.
Develop a business plan for a new entrepreneurial business idea or possible innovation.

Course Requirements:

Health Care Administration Concentration

The concentration in Health Care Administration is designed for current or aspiring administrators and those looking to transition to a career in the health care field. The concentration will help you succeed in an administrative position in a medical setting, such as a hospital, doctor’s office, mental health facility, wellness or nutrition center, or in the health insurance industry. After gaining an understanding of the health care system, you will gain improved interpersonal communication and decision-making skills – ready to collaborate with colleagues to provide the best possible patient care.

MSL degree candidates with a declared Health Care Administration concentration are not required to take MOD 510 Foundations of Leadership and MSL 580 - Fiscal Management for Strategic Decision Making .

Student Learning Outcomes:

Students will be able to

Manage people and processes in health care organizations
Drive strategy and improvement in health care organizations
Ensure required policies are applied to health care administration
Apply principles of economics to manage finances in health care organizations.
Develop insight into one of the following elective areas: managing information systems or human resources in health care organizations.

Course Requirements:

Choose one elective (3 credits):

Non-Profit Leadership Concentration

Student Learning Outcomes:

Students will be able to

Describe strategies for strategic revenue generation, such as fundraising techniques, grant writing, and donor engagement.
Explain the principles of governance, advocacy, and the role of boards in non-profit organizations.
Compare different governance models and advocacy approaches in the non-profit sector.
Analyze ethical dilemmas and propose ethical solutions in leadership and decision-making scenarios.
Construct a governance and advocacy framework that aligns with the organization’s values and fosters positive change.
Reflect on personal leadership practices and ethical decision-making, identifying areas for further development and growth.

MSL degree candidates with a declared Non-Profit Leadership concentration are not required to take MSL 530 - Applying Research for Strategic Leadership and MSL 550 - Organizational Design and Development .

Course Requirements:

Operations and Supply Chain Management Concentration

Student Learning Outcomes:

Students will be able to

Identify critical management skills such as negotiating, working effectively within a diverse business environment, ethical decision-making, and use of information technology.
Apply current purchasing & procurement procedures utilizing case problems and problem-based learning situations.
Apply project management skills, including demand forecasting (data analytics), Lean, and Six Sigma concepts to operations and supply chain management.
Evaluate current Operations and Supply Chain Management (OSCM) from a production, quality management, continuous improvement, and execution standpoint.
Articulate the industry’s impact on the environment, sustainability, and government (ESG).
Recognize the emerging concept of enterprise and resource planning (ERP).
Express how to leverage key tools and systems such as Enterprise Resource Planning, Warehouse & Logistics Management Systems, and Supply/Demand Forecasting.

MSL degree candidates with a declared Operations and Supply Chain Management concentration are not required to take MSL 530 - Applying Research for Strategic Leadership and MSL 550 - Organizational Design and Development .

Course Requirements:

Sports Management Concentration

Sports is a microcosm of society and the world. This program will help graduate students develop an awareness of business and leadership careers in sports and athletics. Focus will be on setting personal goals to discern career paths, start and improve careers and network with professionals in a variety of areas (local, state, regional, national, international) and in various professional settings (public and private).

MSL degree candidates with a declared Sports Management concentration are not required to take MSL 540 Ethical Dimensions of Leadership and MSL 550 Organizational Design and Development .

Student Learning Outcomes:

Students will be able to

apply strategic leadership decision-making and ethics related to sports business.
analyze social, cultural, and political influences on sport business.
evaluate sport program administration, philosophy, standards, policies, and procedures.
develop an understanding of sport administration communication, networking, and marketing.
examine personal, interpersonal, and team-based skills and competencies.