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M.A. in Organizational
Leadership

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Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership

Unlock your leadership potential with the knowledge and experience to inspire a new pathway for your organization and career. Anchored in Christ-centered virtues, this Master of Arts in organizational leadership program equips you with practical application with your first-hand experience in influencing others.

Inspire lasting change in key areas such as conflict resolution, human resources, employee development and organizational behavior. With our dedication to providing a transformative experience, this graduate program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. Through a format designed to meet the needs of busy working adults, you’ll take your career and organization to the next level with influence and wisdom.

Format

  • Online

Location

  • Grand Rapids
  • Online

Credit Hours

  • 36

Admission Requirements

  • Application
  • A completed bachelor’s degree with a 2.7 or higher GPA from an accredited institution
  • Official college and/or military transcripts

Careers

With a diverse curriculum applicable to a variety of fields, you’ll advance as an influencer within multi-faceted workplace environments. Open the door to new opportunities in mid and upper management roles.

Opportunities

  • Governmental agencies
  • Health care
  • Sales
  • Manufacturing
  • Technology
  • Insurance

90%

Of students work while pursuing a degree.

78%

Graduation rate for master’s degree programs.

100%

Of faculty members are professing believers of Jesus Christ.

Next Program Start

Advance in leadership with flexible course scheduling. At Cornerstone, you’ll move through your degree by taking one to two courses per session and up to four courses per term. Each session is seven weeks.

Spring 2024: Classes Start on Mar. 13, 2024

Summer 2024: Classes start on May 6 and July 3, 2024

Fall 2024: Classes start on Aug. 28 and Oct. 23, 2024

Course Schedule and
Learning Outcomes

Through a robust curriculum anchored in Christ-centered virtues, you’ll strengthen your leadership potential and make a difference in your organization. Add value to your career in relevant disciplines such as employee development, organizational behavior, conflict management, human resources and budgeting.

Program Courses

BUS-505 Research Methods

An examination of research methods available for the 21st century organization and statistical concepts useful for data-driven decision making. Focus is placed on the systematic process of collecting, analyzing and interpreting research articles and data to answer a specific research question. The course will also introduce students to basic descriptive and inferential statistical tools within the context of a business related problem.

MGT-532 Organizational Leadership

A survey of current literature on the topic of leadership. A foundation of research and theory is laid to form the context for more specific topical study throughout the program. Special emphasis is placed on the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values in servant leadership.

MGT-531 Organizational Behavior and Change

The study of the behavior of individuals and teams within organizations based on current management theory. Emphasis is given to understanding, predicting, motivating and changing work-related behaviors in organizations. Key topics include organizational structure, understanding culture, power, diversity, leadership and communication within the organization.

MGT-542 Organizational Decision-Making

An opportunity to explore decision-making models within organizations for the purpose of improving problem-solving and individual performance within the context of working with, supervising and leading others. A specific emphasis in this course is on biases, unconscious judgments, cognitive blind spots and other limitations that mediate, moderate or impede effective decision-making within personal and professional contexts. Research, theories and models are presented to help improve organizational decision-making.

MGT-536 Managing and Maximizing Diversity

A study of the knowledge and skills necessary to manage and maximize the potential of an increasingly diverse workforce. Emphasis is placed on the benefits of a systematic and systemic approach to assessment, measurement, design and implementation of a sustainable diversity initiative. Students identify values and beliefs about people who are different from themselves and develop specific leadership strategies for managing a diverse workforce.

MGT-543 Team Leadership and Conflict Management

A course with an emphasis on research, theories and models that help learners understand and more effectively use strategies for improved leadership within a team-based context. Because it is inextricably tied to the challenges of working in teams, interpersonal conflict is investigated as part of the necessary leadership behavior that comes from working with and for others in addition to supervising and managing people and projects. Practical strategies are emphasized for improving leadership and conflict management.

BUS-661 Business Law for Managers, Supervisors and Organizational Leaders

An examination of the legal environment and its effect on business decisions and operations. Contracts, commercial and consumer law, and ethical awareness in corporate life are studied, along with guidelines for executive actions that produce a moral organizational culture.

MGT-638 Human Resource Leadership

A focus on current issues in the field of human resource management emphasizing legal issues, career development, job definition and job qualification. Labor/management conflict from behavioral and institutional viewpoints is also examined.

MGT-640 Employee Development and Performance Management

This course focuses on supervisory responsibilities of developing employees through the entire performance management process, which includes coaching and caring for others, developing those for whom one is responsible, and the utilizing an appraisal process that includes feedback, expectations and evaluation.

FIN-644 Budgeting and Financial Resource Management

A study of the key accounting and finance principles that provide managers with a better understanding of the financial aspects of organizations. Topics include interpretation and analysis of financial statements, budgeting, time value of money and investment alternatives.

MGT-639 Strategic Leadership

An in-depth analysis and evaluation of corporate and business strategies. Students are expected to demonstrate that they have the ability to integrate the various disciplines in the program and practical management experience for the purpose of solving a management and leadership problem through case analysis and critique. Topics include crafting an executive strategy, managing diversification, global market competition and analysis of resources and competitive position.

MGT-540 Organizational Leadership Capstone

An opportunity for students to synthesize information received throughout the degree program, create a leadership development plan for immediate and future use, and assess the impact of their personality and emotional intelligence (EI) on leadership performance. A distinctive feature of this class will be an assessment geared toward identifying each student’s EI and a coaching session with a certified EI coach who will help the students identify leadership strengths and opportunities for growth.

Program Learning Outcomes

Today’s organizations need leaders that both achieve goals and empower teams to be at their best. Our master’s in organizational leadership program provides a professionally relevant curriculum as you advance as an influencer with a foundation built on Christ-centered virtues.

Proficiency in Terminology, Theories, Concepts, Practices and Skills

Students will demonstrate proficiency in the terminology, theories, concepts, practices and skills specific to organizational leadership in the 21st-century workforce. In accomplishing this objective, you will be able to:

  • Evaluate the major theories, models and explanatory frameworks relevant to the study of management, leadership and administration.
  • Synthesize leadership theories, concepts and research relevant to managers, leaders, administrators and supervisors.
  • Analyze effective problem-solving and decision-making models in organizational leadership.
  • Explain the role of psychological and personality influences on leadership behavior.
  • Appraise current issues related to organizational leadership, management and administration.

Competency in Applying Knowledge to Address Real-Life Problems

Students will exhibit competency in applying your knowledge to address real-life organizational problems through both individual and group effort. At the end of this program, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate emotional intelligence and personal management skills germane to the needs of 21st-century organizational leadership.
  • Collaborate with others in achieving shared objectives of the organizational leadership program.
  • Exhibit business writing and speaking skills desired by employers in the 21st-century workplace.
  • Use knowledge of empirical and theoretical research to solve 21st-century organizational leadership issues, challenges and problems.

Integration of Traditional and Normative Skills

Students will demonstrate your ability to integrate traditional and normative skills expected of students in the liberal arts tradition, including analytical skills, information literacy, quantitative competency and communication fluency.

Intercultural Competence

Students will demonstrate intercultural competence in addressing civic, social, environmental and economic issues within the 21st-century business workplace.

Articulation of a Christ-Centered Worldview

Students will articulate a Christ-centered worldview to include its personal, professional and communal embodiment through Christian virtues.

I see myself more equipped and prepared than I have ever been. I believe that my time at Cornerstone has groomed me to be the most impactful and effective leader that I can be.

Shaquille Anthony (M.A. ‘19)

Related Programs

Our programs incorporate a range of opportunities to advance your career both at the master’s and doctoral levels. Here are some other pathways related to a Master of Arts in organizational leadership.

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Hours

MON - FRI: 8 a.m. - 5. p.m.
SAT & SUN: Closed

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