Program: MSOL - Master of Science , Online Completion Percentage:
Introduction
The Organizational Leadership program challenges students to synthesize contemporary scholarship with insight from Mercyhurst University’s serviceoriented, ethically-based heritage. Enlightened leaders with the capacity to learn and grow through reflection meet the mission of our university to work for positive change in our local as well as the global community. Ronald Heifetz (1994) maintains that a leader’s work in diverse situations is to “influence the community to face its problems.” Beyond communities lies the global world where national boundaries are not observed. The Master of Science in Organizational Leadership degree is designed to meet the leadership development needs in our community and beyond, in both profit and nonprofit organizations, including government, social service, manufacturing, education, and business. The program views leadership as a process and as such emphasizes practical application.
The Master of Science degree in Organizational Leadership is a 30 credit program and is designed to provide a theoretical and practical framework for professionals who currently hold leadership positions or are aspiring to leadership roles in organizations. The program is integrated by five themes or threads that are woven throughout all courses. These threads are the Mercyhurst mission: service, whole person development, leadership knowledge and practice, written and oral communication skills, and ethics.
Additionally, a Graduate Certificate in Organizational Leadership is offered. Credits earned in the Graduate Certificate program may be applied toward a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership.
Mission Statement
The Organizational Leadership graduate program inspires and equips people to become exemplary leaders and scholars who exercise leadership in service to others.
Admission Requirements
Admission decisions are based on the “whole person” concept. Elements of this approach include quality of undergraduate work as evidenced by transcripts, a personal statement, and, when required, a personal interview.
Students who seek admission to graduate education at Mercyhurst must meet the following admissions requirements and submit the following items:
Availability: online
The graduate program in Organizational Leadership operates on a semester calendar. Fall and Spring semesters are each 16 weeks long. Summer session courses are often offered.On campus courses meet one evening per week. Many courses are available online. Students may begin the program in the fall, summer, or spring semesters. Students can register for part-time or full-time study. To obtain a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership, the student must complete 30 graduate hours of study as follows:
Seven core courses including OL 677, Leadership Capstone (21 credits) and three elective courses (9 credits)
4+1 in Organizational Leadership
Mercyhurst University offers a 4+1 program in which undergraduate students can obtain both a Bachelor’s degree in any major and a Master of Science degree in Organizational Leadership within five (5) years of study. Students enrolled in the 4+1 program can begin earning 12 graduate credits during their junior year and senior years. The fifth year of the program is full-time and begins the summer after graduation. The 4+1 graduate courses cannot be used towards the undergraduate 121 credit minimum. Students in the MSOL program will complete remaining graduate courses between summer, fall, and spring semesters to earn a total of 30 graduate credits. Students interested in the 4+1 program must apply through the Office of Graduate and Continuing Education.