Mission Statement
The Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership is designed to focus on the human component of organizations. It takes the learner and develops inspirational leaders with vision and high ethical standards.
Program Purpose
The Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership (M.A.O.L.) is a cross-disciplinary program. Students from a wide array of for-profit and not-for-profit organizations will learn the skills necessary to advance their careers and change the dynamics of their organizational workplaces. The program is built on the model that promotes a Christ-centered approach to leading. Students will have an opportunity to examine leadership theory and contemporary leaders.
Objectives
The graduate student will:
- Understand and critically engage the foundational and emerging theoretical positions in the field of leadership.
- Understand and appropriately respond to the cultural influences that shape one’s leadership.
- Understand the impact of the Christian faith on the practice of ethical leadership.
- Understand the implications of applying Christian principles of stewardship in a socially responsible way as a leader.
- Demonstrate critical and creative evaluation and decision making to lead change in organizations.
- Understand and demonstrate how to communicate effectively in multiple contexts as a leader.
- Attain expertise in various skills used by leaders, including financial principles, strategic planning, and governance.
- Understand the psychological and relational principles related to leading.
- Explore the implications a specific leadership style has on an organization including the intellectual, spiritual, and community impact.
Assessment
The School of Business and Leadership conducts assessment of student learning outcomes in order to continuously improve the curriculum. This assessment program includes three primary components. The first component is a Leadership Paper that is submitted as part of the course requirments in Cultural Perspectives for the 21st Century Leader (LEAD 611). The second and third components are a Capstone Project and a Comprehensive Examination both completed during Capstone in Organizational Leadership (LEAD 691).
Admission Requirements
Regular Admission
- Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum cumulative g.p.a. of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Conditional Admission
Applicants with a cumulative g.p.a. between 2.50 and 2.99 may be considered for Conditional Admission. Evidence must be provided that the applicant has the potential to be successful in the M.A.O.L. program.
Students admitted conditionally will be granted Regular Admission upon completion of 12 semester hours with a minimum g.p.a. of 3.0.
Checklist
Students admitted to the master’s program are advised to confer with the M.A.O.L. Program Director to determine specific scheduling and graduate program requirements. Generally, the following checklist will serve as a guide.
- Application for admission to the M.A.O.L. Program complete with transcripts and references
- An interview with the Program Director and review of the Program of Study
- Written notification of acceptance for admission
- Completion of all course work and requirements for the M.A.O.L.
- Application for Graduation:
- Complete the Application for Graduation
- Return the completed form to the Office of the School of Business and Leadership by January 30 for candidates who plan to complete degree requirements by the end of a spring semester or a summer session, or September 30 for candidates who plan to complete degree requirements by the end of a fall semester. See Academic Policies for complete graduation policies and procedures.
Orientation
Students who have been accepted into the M.A.O.L. program will have an orientation session one week prior to their first class. This session is a combination of orientation to the program with an opportunity to get to know the other students in the program. The dates and times will be explained in the letter received prior to starting the M.A.O.L. program.
Attendance
In each course, one excused absence is permitted without any course-grade penalty, as long as the absent student fulfills all the course requirements specified by the instructor. Each additional absence in a course will result in a course-grade penalty. The instructor for each course will determine the magnitude of the grade penalty for that course and specify it in the course’s syllabus. (The grade penalty may include failure in the course.)
Academic Dismissal
A student shall be dismissed from the M.A.O.L. Program upon:
- Receiving more than six hours of “C” or below or
- Receiving a second grade of “F” or
- Failure to achieve the required g.p.a. of 3.0 at the conclusion of any probationary period.
- Failure to meet the standards and/or aims of the University, both academic and non-academic.
Program of Study
