Master of Strategic Leadership Development, MSLD
Dr. Vinod Vincent, Director
Mission and Goals
The primary goal of the Master of Strategic Leadership Development (MSLD) program is to prepare students to become strategic leaders within a variety of organizations – locally, nationally, and internationally. The curriculum is focused on equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to strategically lead teams and organizations and developing skills to navigate the ethical challenges in an increasingly uncertain environment. Students will also learn how to lead diversity and be inclusive within their organizations. This experiential program will allow students to explore their own leadership skills, and reflect on their leadership journey to better equip them as leaders. Students will acquire skills needed for leadership success such as self-leadership, strategic planning, design thinking, personal branding, negotiations and conflict resolution, leading ethically, and leading diversity and inclusion.
Program Format
This fast-track program will take 12 to 24 months to complete and is designed for busy students whose time is already at a premium. All Master of Strategic Leadership Development courses are offered online in 8-week sessions. This format allows students the flexibility to arrange a plan of study to fit their individual schedules. Students are encouraged to have a minimum of three (3) credit hours per session. Fall and Spring semesters have two 8-week sessions; the Summer semester consists of one 8-week session.
Courses include lectures, case discussions, current business issues, and team projects. All students enrolled in the program will complete a minimum of 30 credit hours. Four core courses and six elective courses are required.
Program Learning Outcomes
Student career advancement will be achieved in the Master of Strategic Leadership Development program with the following Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Strategic Leadership: Demonstrate strategic leadership competencies that enhance their ability to effectively lead and develop teams.
- Diversity and Inclusion: Apply diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in different organizational contexts.
- Personal Branding: Develop a personal branding plan.
Admission Requirements
College of Business candidates must follow School of Graduate Studies and University Graduate admission policies and procedures. Admission into the Master of Strategic Leadership degree program is based on several factors as outlined below to ensure a talented and diverse student body.
- Completed online application to the School of Graduate Studies
- Bachelor’s degree in any field (or equivalent in the case of those with an international education background) with a minimum of 2.5 GPA OR an advanced degree in any field (Master’s or higher) from an accredited College or University, as verified by an official transcript.
If the applicant does not meet the above requirement, the following additional documents must be submitted to be considered for admission.
- Essay of purpose: in 500 words or less, tell us why you want to pursue the graduate degree you are applying for and why you are a good candidate for the program.
- Current resume detailing professional experience and achievements.
International Students:
- Due to the online delivery of the program, international students planning to study on an F1 visa should check with the Director of International Student Services about SEVIS restrictions regarding online courses prior to applying.
- Applicants whose native language is not English or whose language of college instruction was not English are required to submit English Language proficiency through one of the following options: TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The following TOEFL scores are acceptable: a minimum score of 78 for the iBT OR a minimum score of 550 for the paper-based TOEFL. The minimum IELTS score is a total of 6.
- If an applicant has completed any coursework, degree, or degrees from institutions outside of the United States, he or she must utilize a credentialing evaluating organization. The School of Graduate Studies accepts an official course-by-course evaluation with a GPA that is prepared by either Josef Silnyand Associates or World Education Services.
Academic Policies
Master of Strategic Leadership Development students are expected to observe School of Graduate Studies and University Graduate Rules and Regulations and Academic Policies. Students are expected to maintain good academic standing which is defined as a minimum institutional graduate GPA of 3.0.
To receive an MSLD graduate degree from Clayton State University, a student usually completes all 30 semester hours of the program requirements from Clayton State University. All semester hours in the program at CSU must be completed after the student has been admitted to the degree program. Transfer of graduate credit is generally not accepted, although a maximum of six semester hours of transfer credit from an AACSB accredited institution may be considered on an individual basis.
Program Withdrawal
Any student who desires to withdraw from the university should contact the Graduate Program Director. Following an exit interview, the student will be issued a copy of the withdrawal form and the Program Director will process the paperwork with the necessary university offices.
Course Load
Six semester hours will be required of all MSLD students who use financial aid in the Spring, Summer, and Fall Semesters. Students can register for up to four courses in Spring and Fall (two courses in each 8-week session) and three courses in Summer.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Courses | 12 | |
| MGMT 5113 | Strategic Leadership Developme | 3 |
| MGMT 5114 | Leading Diversity & Inclusion | 3 |
| MGMT 5116 | Leading by Managing Conflict | 3 |
| MKTG 5114 | Personal Branding Strategy | 3 |
| Elective Courses (select six) | 18 | |
| MGMT 5101 | Organizational Development and Change | 3 |
| MGMT 5104 | Project Management | 3 |
| MGMT 5107 | Leadership and Values | 3 |
| MGMT 5108 | Talent Development in Orgn | 3 |
| MGMT 5109 | Human Resource Consulting | 3 |
| MGMT 5111 | Leadership and Organizational | 3 |
| MGMT 5115 | Global Human Resources | 3 |
| MKTG 5200 | Marketing Management | 3 |
| BUSA 5130 | Internship/Cooperative Educati | 3 |
| BUSA 5140 | Indep. Study/Directed Research | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
Business (BUSA)
Individually designed learning program involving field experience in private or public sector. Program of study and student supervision must be approved by the Dean of Business or designee and Director of Business Graduate Program.
Special work arranged in consultation with instructor. Requires approval of the MBA Director
Management (MGMT)
This course describes the field of organizational development and its applications to modern organizations. Focus is placed on the process and practice of organizational development; and the process and tools of planned change and the practitioners who carry out this work.
This course provides a foundational understanding of the tools, techniques, and methodologies available for a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling a project. Various project management methodologies may be introduced, including Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, or PMI/PMBOK. Students will apply project management learning in the context of case studies or group project work.
The purpose of this course is to prepare students to become effective leaders within organizational settings by: 1) exposing students to classical and contemporary concepts, principles and practices associated with leadership effectiveness, and 2) guiding students to embark on their own personal leadership development journey through self-assessments, experiential exercises, reflection and feedback. Special emphasis is placed on values and ethics in leadership. Students will identify the core aspects of their own leadership, their strengths and weaknesses, and chart their development plan.
Students will learn about the assessment, design, development, implementation and evaluation of talent and organizational development interventions such as employee training, career development, performance management, coaching, mentoring, succession planning, and organizational development.
Students will be introduced to HR consulting frameworks and methods; simulate consulting project activities and situations using business cases; and connect students with practicing consulting professionals from a variety of firms. Within the context of this course, consulting is viewed broadly and is inclusive of a number of HR practice areas including Strategic HR Consulting, Diversity Consulting, and Organizational Consulting.
Leadership and Organizational Behavior (3-0-3). This course discusses the essential characteristics of successful leaders. Leadership requires effective management of people and a clear understanding of human behavior and social processes. Leaders need to have a good understanding both of themselves and of those whom they will lead. This knowledge of individuals’ perceptions, attitudes, and behavior enables leaders to choose appropriate leadership styles and managerial practices to increase organization effectiveness and positive human outcomes.
This course is focused on equipping students with the knowledge and tools necessary to engage in strategic thinking, planning and implementation. Through readings, cases and discussions, students learn various approaches to strategic planning, the strategic planning process, and the leader's role in strategic planning and implementation. Students will apply the strategic planning process to their own leadership culminating in the development of a personal strategic leadership development plan.
This course focuses on creating an understanding of sources of diversity and difference and its effects in organizational setting. Through readings, case studies and self-assessments, students will develop essential knowledge, skills and strategies for leading diversity an inclusion in the workplace. Emphasis will be placed on the leader's role in creating an inclusive workplace and how to leverage that to create competitive advantages for their organizations. Through self-assessments and feedback, students will develop their own plan for improving their capacity to lead for diversity and inclusion.
This course will explore the context of global human resource leadership, including topics on culture, compensation and benefits, global firms and their structures, international assignment, and the political, legal, and regulatory considerations that global organizations face.
This course will examine conflict in a number of different contexts. Students will be prepared to analyze and diagnose conflict in a variety of settings. They will learn the skills and strategies needed to facilitate the management of conflict, with special emphasis on communication abilities, workplace issues, and problem-solving approaches. Students will explore their own leadership negotiation and conflict management styles through self-assessment and feedback, and develop a plan for expanding the tactics and strategies they use in negotiation and conflict management.
Marketing (MKTG)
This course is focused on equipping students with the knowledge and tools necessary to engage in personal branding techniques and strategies for designing, enhancing, and promoting their professional image. Through readings, cases and discussions, students learn to devise strategies for managing their professional reputation and begin creating their personal brand. Students will apply marketing strategies to positioning themselves contributing to the development of a personal developmental plan.
A high-level course focusing on the central strategic role that marketing plays in the success of a company. The case method will be used extensively and ethical implications in marketing decision will be explored.
Khamis Bilbeisi
Jacob Chacko
Everod Davis
Linda Hain
Anthony Hannah
Iryna Hayduk
Craig Hill
Kimberly Johnson
Reza Kheirandish
Carin A. Lightner-Laws
Chen-Miao Lin
Lawrence K. Menter
George E. Nakos
C.R. Narayanaswamy
Keith Miller
Kamran Moghaddam
Mario Norman
Adel Novin
Louis Xavier Orchard
Leon C. Prieto
Stacey Reynolds
Melva Robertson
Margaret Thompson
Vinod Vincent
Anita Whiting
Jesse Zinn
Please Note: This is a suggested course sequence and assumes a starting graduate student who intends to complete their degree in one year.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Credit Hours | |
| Fall Semester - First Term | ||
| MGMT 5114 | Leading Diversity & Inclusion | 3 |
| MSLD Elective | 3 | |
| Fall Semester - Second Term | ||
| MKTG 5114 | Personal Branding Strategy | 3 |
| MSLD Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Spring Semester - First Term | ||
| MGMT 5116 | Leading by Managing Conflict | 3 |
| MSLD Elective | 3 | |
| Spring Semester - Second Term | ||
| MSLD 5113 - Strategic Leadership Development | 3 | |
| MSLD Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| Summer Semester | ||
| MSLD Elective | 3 | |
| MSLD Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |