Strategic Leadership (M.A.)
The strategic leadership program prepares leaders for professional service and leadership through a body of learning grounded in the liberal arts and a Christian worldview. It builds on the foundation of an undergraduate education, enhancing the knowledge, capacities, and competencies of students by integrating academic rigor, theoretical and practical implications, and sound practice.
Leadership, in its broadest sense, is a relationship between people in which some are able to bring about changes that benefit all involved. In an organization this relationship has structure, with mutual expectations and modes of behavior. Thus, leaders play roles that depend partly on their social situation, but also on the needs, values, and opportunities of the entire group.
The M.A. in Strategic Leadership program at Bethel has three primary purposes:
- To prepare students to apply creative, critical, and strategic thinking to leadership opportunities and challenges.
- To equip students to adopt new approaches and techniques of information management, knowledge transfer, scholarly thinking, and application.
- To empower students to discern and apply Christian ethics and worldviews to leadership practice.
Bethel University seeks applicants for the M.A. in Strategic Leadership program who are seeking to further develop their leadership, influence, effectiveness, knowledge, and skills.
Program Outcomes
Graduates of the M.A. in Strategic Leadership program demonstrate the ability to:
- Integrate leadership theory, scholarship, and practice with developmental self-awareness.
- Respond to leadership dilemmas in a manner consistent with Christian ethical principles.
- Communicate effectively in a variety of leadership settings.
- Evaluate personal commitments (e.g. resilience and accountability) and their interaction with a holistic view of faith, work, and life.
- Design tactical and strategic goals that are informed and responsible.
- Integrate sustainable leadership practices with an awareness of the perceptions and developmental needs of others.
- Assess various models of human interaction.
Program Design
- The program coursework is designed to be completed in approximately two years.
- Courses are taken one at a time.
- Classes meet one evening or Saturday morning each week. Electives may be offered on a different schedule, and some may only be offered only for online delivery. Students are encouraged to consider a variety of opportunities for elective credit, either from those elective courses offered within the program or from the wide variety of 3-credit-hour courses from other Bethel University Graduate School programs. In most cases, electives will require the approval of the department, and in some cases, the course instructor.
- A supportive learning community allows students to learn, collaborate, and build trust with program colleagues and faculty members. This is a valuable aspect of a transformational learning experience at Bethel University.
Dual Degree: M.A. in Strategic Leadership and DNP
Bethel’s dual degree option will save you time and money as you obtain your M.A. in Strategic Leadership and Doctor of Nursing Practice. Today’s healthcare leaders need both technical business expertise as well as a strong medical background. The dual degree option prepares you for the complexities of leading a healthcare organization in an ever-changing market.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| LEAD 607 | Engaging Your Potential | 0 |
| LEAD 611 | Leadership Theory & Personal Agency | 3 |
| LEAD 621 | Worldview, Ethics and Leadership | 3 |
| LEAD 641 | Organizational Diagnostics and Health | 3 |
| LEAD 651 | Leadership Formation and Strategic Talent Management | 3 |
| LEAD 795 | Integrative Team Capstone | 3 |
| NURS 630 | Nursing Leadership Practicum | 5 |
| SLDR 615 | Managing Projects & Quality Initiatives | 3 |
| SLDR 640 | Beyond Diversity | 3 |
| SLDR 645 | Leading in Times of Crisis | 3 |
| SLDR 650 | Managing Conflict Through Dialogue | 3 |
| SLDR 660 | Followership: The Other Side of Leadership | 3 |
| SLDR 789 | Portfolio Deliverable | 0 |
| NURS 800 | The Art and Science of Advanced Nursing Practice | 3 |
| NURS 805 | Evidence Appraisal and Translation Science | 3 |
| NURS 810 | Healthcare Policy and Advocacy | 3 |
| NURS 815 | Healthcare Economics and Finance | 3 |
| NURS 820 | Population Health and Epidemiology | 3 |
| NURS 825 | Leadership and Interprofessional Collaboration | 4 |
| NURS 835 | Healthcare Innovations and Informatics | 3 |
| NURS 840 | DNP Practicum I | 3 |
| NURS 841 | DNP Practicum II | 1 |
| NURS 842 | DNP Practicum III | 2 |
| NURS 843 | Elective Practicum | 2-3 |
| NURS 850 | Application of Biostatistics for Healthcare | 2 |
| NURS 887 | DNP Project I: Idea Generation and Literature Appraisal | 3 |
| NURS 888 | DNP Project II: Implementation Plan | 2 |
| NURS 889 | DNP Project III: Implementation | 1 |
| NURS 890 | DNP Project IV: Analysis | 1 |
| Total Credits | 71-72 | |
Admission Requirements:
- Have earned a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a regionally accredited (or internationally recognized as equivalent) institution.
- Have earned a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale on the highest degree completed.
- Successful completion of a college-level course in statistics. Inferential statistics content is recommended. The student must have earned at least two semester credits from a regionally accredited (or internationally recognized as equivalent) institution and these credits may have been taken at the undergraduate or graduate level.
- TOEFL examination score report is required of all international applicants and all applicants whose primary language is not English. A minimum score of 84 on the internet-based test or 26 on the speaking test is required.
- Submit a Miller Analogies Test score report with a minimum score of 400 (taken within the last three years) or a GRE score report (taken within the last three years); GRE score benchmarks are 149, 149, and 3.6.
- Submit a resume.
- Submit official transcripts (U.S. schools) or NACES or AICE evaluations (international schools) showing earned Bachelor's from regionally accredited institutions.
- Submit two references (one professional and one supervisor).
- Submit a written Statement of Purpose regarding professional goals.
- Provide proof of health insurance.
- Provide proof of RN License in the state where the clinical will take place.
- Interview with Program Faculty.
Students who have not achieved the minimum GPA, grade standards, or other assessment criteria may still apply to be considered for provisional acceptance.
Dual Degree: M.A. in Strategic Leadership and MBA
Bethel’s dual degree option will save you time as you obtain two master’s degrees: the MBA and Master’s of Arts in Strategic Leadership (MASL). Today’s leaders need both technical business expertise and big-picture strategic skills to confidently and effectively lead organizations. The dual degree option prepares you for the complexities of leading any for-profit or non-profit organization. With the dual degree, you’ll be ready for leadership in the challenging and constantly changing business environment.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MBA Requirements | ||
| BUSN 615 | Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| BUSN 645 | Marketing Management | 3 |
| BUSN 680 | Business Strategy | 3 |
| ECON 635 | Managerial Economics | 3 |
| Select one of the following concentrations: Finance, Management, Healthcare Administration, or Strategy and Execution | 12 | |
| MASL Requirements | ||
| SLDR 615 | Managing Projects & Quality Initiatives | 3 |
| SLDR 630 | System Approaches to Leading Change | 3 |
| SLDR 640 | Beyond Diversity | 3 |
| SLDR 650 | Managing Conflict Through Dialogue | 3 |
| SLDR 660 | Followership: The Other Side of Leadership | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| SLDR 605 | Topics in Leadership Studies | 3 |
| SLDR 645 | Leading in Times of Crisis | 3 |
| Shared Courses | ||
| LEAD 607 | Engaging Your Potential 1 | 0 |
| LEAD 611 | Leadership Theory & Personal Agency 1 | 3 |
| LEAD 621 | Worldview, Ethics and Leadership 1 | 3 |
| LEAD 641 | Organizational Diagnostics and Health 1 | 3 |
| LEAD 651 | Leadership Formation and Strategic Talent Management 1 | 3 |
| LEAD 671 | Strategic Communication for Leaders 1 | 3 |
| LEAD 789 | MBA/MASL Dual-degree Portfolio Addendum 1 | 0 |
| LEAD 795 | Integrative Team Capstone 1 | 3 |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
| 1 | Course must be taken for credit at Bethel. |
LEAD 607 • Engaging Your Potential 0 Credit.
Orientation to Bethel University Graduate School, the MBA and MA Strategic Leadership programs, and the career coaching process.
LEAD 611 • Leadership Theory & Personal Agency 3 Credits.
Analysis of leadership theory and research as it applies to individuals and organizations. Evaluation of personal leadership capacities and identification of specific areas of growth in capacity and resilience. Analysis of the relationship between personal faith and leadership service .
Prerequisites: LEAD 607.
LEAD 621 • Worldview, Ethics and Leadership 3 Credits.
Coherent and relevant examination of ethical theories and arguments in light of Christian worldview. Exploration of the relationship between spirituality, worldview, and ethical issues in organizations. Evaluation of ethical policies and procedures for organizations. Design ethical resolutions for issues, dilemmas, and behaviors faced in organizations. Effective communication of ethical positions.
Prerequisites: LEAD 607.
LEAD 641 • Organizational Diagnostics and Health 3 Credits.
Examination of organizational health and the key systems necessary to build and sustain it. Assessment of one’s leadership characteristics and personal approach to organizational health and change. Use of research, theory, and faith and their roles in organizational effectiveness.
Prerequisites: LEAD 607.
LEAD 651 • Leadership Formation and Strategic Talent Management 3 Credits.
Creation of a personal leadership philosophy grounded in understanding of the importance of developing others. Recognition of one’s ability to both coach and to be coached. Understanding of foundational leadership processes, practices and strategies in effective talent management. Demonstration and recognition of the importance of culture, nondiscriminatory inclusion, and personal faith while providing recommendations to increase effectiveness.
Prerequisites: LEAD 607.
LEAD 671 • Strategic Communication for Leaders 3 Credits.
Application of the theories of persuasion in communication contexts including public speaking, business writing, and interpersonal responses. Analysis of both ethical and persuasive communication skills during interpersonal interactions. Evaluation of the interactions between technology and communication. Demonstration of public speaking with the use of professional presentation software.
Prerequisites: LEAD 607.
LEAD 789 • MBA/MASL Dual-degree Portfolio Addendum 0 Credit.
Synthesis of key learnings from the two master’s degree programs after having completed LEAD 795 for the first master’s degree.
Prerequisites: LEAD 611, LEAD 621, LEAD631, LEAD 641, LEAD 651, LEAD 795. Grade exceptions: Graded on an S/U basis.
LEAD 795 • Integrative Team Capstone 3 Credits.
Culmination of leadership courses as students continue in graduate work. Foundation for a collaborative project that synthesizes scholarship and practice around the development of a real-life business/leadership project. Exploration of interconnections within business and connections with other aspects of life.
Prerequisites: LEAD 611, LEAD 621, LEAD631, LEAD 641, LEAD 651. Grade exceptions: Graded on an S/U basis.
SLDR 605 • Topics in Leadership Studies 3 Credits.
Course is offered as an elective, and covers a variety of emerging, transitional, and/or exploratory leadership topics.
Prerequisites: LEAD 607.
SLDR 615 • Managing Projects & Quality Initiatives 3 Credits.
Introduction to project management theory, issues, and skills associated with project management. Analyze connections between behavior, knowledge, and processes that influence the success of projects in organizations. Assess projects, management, and tools for management based on best practice.
Prerequisites: LEAD 607.
SLDR 630 • System Approaches to Leading Change 3 Credits.
Introduction to systems thinking, and systems-based approaches to leading change. Analysis of the relationships between the elements and dynamics in an organizational system. Evaluation of organizational change situations and change initiatives, given a variety of variables and perspectives. Development of leadership approaches to organizational change.
Prerequisites: LEAD 607.
SLDR 640 • Beyond Diversity 3 Credits.
Dimensions that relate to the workplace. Use of cultural intelligence tools and inventories to increase personal awareness and understanding of others. Synthesis of diversity theory and tools to build effective, inclusive leadership in the workplace and community.
Prerequisites: LEAD 607.
SLDR 645 • Leading in Times of Crisis 3 Credits.
Assessment of crisis situations and the variables contributing to particular episodes. Analysis of resources and opportunities available during crisis and their impact on a crisis situation. Synthesis of self-awareness, faith foundations, interpersonal and intrapersonal skills for the organization and direction of individuals and groups during times of intense difficulty.
Prerequisites: 2 courses from LEAD 611, LEAD 621, LEAD 641, LEAD 651, LEAD 671.
SLDR 650 • Managing Conflict Through Dialogue 3 Credits.
Transitioning from "dealing with incidents" to leading teams that learn from conflict. Developing personal and professional boundaries when dealing with complex organizational environments. Thinking productively about conflict from organizational, developmental, and spiritual standpoints.
Prerequisites: LEAD 607.
SLDR 660 • Followership: The Other Side of Leadership 3 Credits.
Overview of the traditional views and attitude toward followers, analysis of different models and styles of followership, and the characteristics of "good" followers. Analysis of relationship between leaders and followers and leadership and follower styles. Exploration of bad leadership, courageous followership, transformational leadership; planning for improving followership abilities.
Prerequisites: LEAD 607.
SLDR 789 • Portfolio Deliverable 0 Credit.
Synthesis of key learning from the Master of Arts program, including a reconsideration of earlier work, leadership theories and growth concepts, and the development of a professional portfolio.
Prerequisites: LEAD 611, LEAD 621, LEAD631, LEAD 641, LEAD 651. Grade exceptions: Graded on an S/U basis.