2025-2026 Graduate Catalog

Master of Arts in Leadership (Online or Hybrid)

Overview

Strong and strategic leadership is necessary in today’s business environment. That’s why University of Jamestown offers a master’s in leadership online degree program that gives emerging leaders the skills and perspective to help businesses, non-profits, and healthcare organizations navigate a complicated world.

  • Online delivery designed to meet the needs of working professionals
  • Cohort model where you form supportive, personal relationships with other classmates
  • 3 start options per year: January, May or August
  • Receive individual attention and advising
  • Interact with engaging faculty
  • Apply the skills you have acquired to your affiliated organization during a final project

A graduate degree in leadership develops your self-awareness as a leader, which then serves as the foundation for developing your ability to effectively lead people. You will learn how to manage organizational change, use strategic thinking to participate in long-term business planning, and rely on strong business ethics to give you confidence making decisions in real-world situations.

Requirements


Degree Requirements

See Graduate Degree Requirements.

Program Requirements

Students in the Master of Arts in leadership program must complete a total of 36 credit hours with a minimum grade of C- in each course. A maximum of 9 credit hours may be accepted in transfer and are subject to the Transfer Courses - Graduate Level Policy.

Students are expected to complete the program over the course of two years or six semesters.

All students will take eight core courses when they start the program. After the completion of their core courses, students will choose between four tracks: Business Leadership, Non-Profit/NGO Leadership, Healthcare Leadership, and Sports Leadership. Students will then take three additional courses specific to their track. Finally, students will complete a major project (LDRS 699) where they apply the skills and knowledge they have acquired in the program to an organization with which they are affiliated. Students may choose to study abroad for an alternative to the practicum project. This will allow students to gain cross-cultural insight into careers in business, non-profit organizations, and various other vocations through interactions with foreign leaders.

Core Courses

LDRS 500Foundations of Leadership

3

LDRS 504Leadership Communication, Conflict Resolution and Negotiation

3

LDRS 511Initiating Critical Inquiry

3

LDRS 512Organizational Systems and Change Management

3

LDRS 513Ethical Discernment for Leaders

3

LDRS 515Leading in a Global Context

3

LDRS 516Organizational Culture: Mission, People, and Purpose

3

LDRS 633Followership: Coaching & Mentoring

3

LDRS 699Leadership Project/Practicum

3

Total Credit Hours:27

Business Leadership Track

LDRS 506Leadership: Strategy, Innovation and Imagination

3

LDRS 601Advanced Strategic and Human Resources Management

3

LDRS 602International Business

3

Total Credit Hours:9

Non-Profit Leadership Track

LDRS 508Strategy of Non Profit Leadership

3

LDRS 611Grant Writing

3

LDRS 612Justice and Forgiveness

3

Total Credit Hours:9

Healthcare Leadership Track

LDRS 50921st Century Health Care Systems and Policy

3

LDRS 621Leading in Interprofessional Healthcare Teams

3

LDRS 622Change and Innovation in Healthcare

3

Total Credit Hours:9

Sports Leadership Track

LDRS 510Sports Marketing, Promotion and Communication

3

LDRS 631Sports Fundraising and Financial Concepts

3

LDRS 632Current Trends in Sports Leadership

3

Total Credit Hours:9

Total Credit Hours: 36

Admission

Application Information

Applicants must complete the Master of Arts in Leadership application that can be found online at www.uj.edu/apply

Admission Information

The following are required for admission to the program:

  • An undergraduate degree from an accredited institution of higher education (U.S. institutions must be accredited by one of the six federally approved regional accrediting agencies; non-U.S. institutions will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis).
  • A 3.00 undergraduate GPA is recommended for admission.
  • International applicants must present a minimum TOEFL score of 70 (internet version), 197 (computer version), or 525 (paper version).
  • International applicants must have a Financial Guarantee Statement.
  • Two letters of recommendation: one from a current or former supervisor and one from a professional colleague who is familiar with the applicant’s work history.
  • A 500-word essay that addresses the applicant’s reasons for pursing a graduate degree and what value the applicant sees in further education.

Applications are accepted year-round. The Master of Leadership offers starts in August, and January. May,

Provisional Admission to the Master of Arts in Leadership program is open to an applicant whose GPA is below the 3.0 required by the University of Jamestown, but generally not lower than 2.5. This individual has other experiences or qualifications that demonstrate potential to undertake appropriate progress and a student whose admission the admitting Program Academic director recommends.

Provisionally admitted students are regular degree-seeking students with the condition that they must earn at least a 3.00 GPA for the first 9 graduate credits they attempt. When this condition has been met the “provision” is lifted. Appropriate coursework taken while on Provisional status may be included in the Plan of Study for the student’s graduate degree. If the student does not show the needed progress, the Program Director with the student will reassess the situation.

The University of Jamestown protects applicant rights, including due process. If an individual feels that he or she has been treated unfairly in the admissions process, he or she may file a complaint with the Admissions Review Committee. The Admissions Review Committee is composed of the Director of the M.A. in Leadership Program and the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Program Costs

2 years - 6 terms: https://accelerated.uj.edu/academics/programs/master-of-arts-in-leadership/

This program may be eligible for a graduate assistantship. See Graduate Assistant Policy.

Plan of Study

Outcomes

Theoretical Application: Students will apply theoretical insights and solutions to real-world leadership and organizational problems.

Research-based Application: Students will analyze, develop, and implement research-based applications for leadership and organizations.

Ethical Discernment: Students will analyze, evaluate, and apply ethical discernment to real-world leadership and organizational problems.

Professional Development: Students will develop professional plans for leadership growth and learning for themselves and their organizations.