M.A. in Strategic Leadership

Overview

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.
Assess various models of human interaction.
Integrate sustainable leadership practices with an awareness of the perceptions and developmental needs of others.
Design tactical and strategic goals that are informed and responsible.
Evaluate personal commitments (e.g. resilience and accountability) and their interaction with a holistic view of faith, work, and life.

Program Design

The program coursework is designed to be completed in approximately two years.
Courses are taken one at a time.
Classes are offered online and face-to-face. Face-to-face classes meet one evening each week.
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.

Admission Requirements

The M.A. degree program in Strategic Leadership will consider applicants who:

Meet the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School.
Submit an official transcript (U.S. schools) or NACES or AICE evaluation (international schools) showing an earned baccalaureate or higher degree and official transcripts or NACES or AICE evaluations from all graduate schools attended.
Have earned a baccalaureate or higher degree 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.
Submit two professional Admission References.
Submit a written Statement of Purpose.
Submit a current resume.
Interview with the program director.

Students who have not achieved the minimum GPA, grade standards, or other assessment criteria may still apply to be considered for provisional acceptance. See Admission Categories.

Degree Requirements