Master of Science - Leadership and Management

The University of La Verne’s Master of Science in Leadership and Management (MSLM) curriculum educates effective future leaders for all types of organizations. The program provides students with the experience to apply theory to real-world applications, and graduates leave with both the ability to apply organizational leadership theory and the problem-solving skills needed to manage an organization. The MS in Leadership and Management consists of 33 semester hours (36 for students without an undergraduate degree in a management-related field), with 12 devoted to a concentration. Students can complete courses online or at one of several campus locations. Classes prepare professional leaders and managers to successfully address the challenges and complexity of 21st-century organizational life. This program faculty believe in creating personalized classroom environments and close-knit relationships with students, and core classes help students develop an essential managerial knowledge base. Students then customize the balance of coursework with either electives from one focused concentration or a more generalized program of study. The capstone course, built upon two or three required research courses, results in the research, writing, and presentation of either a thesis or an applied research project. University of La Verne offers three concentrations for graduate students in the master’s in leadership and management program: organizational development, human resource management, and nonprofit management. By pursuing a concentration, students have the ability to choose a specialization that reflects a specific career path. Concentrations offer a variety of course options, including: managing groups and teams, negotiations and bargaining, and managing nonprofits. These courses cover topics from human resource analysis to effective organization design. Because University of La Verne structures the leadership and management program toward no specific field, graduates can take their knowledge in a range of directions—corporate environments, nonprofits, government organizations, health care, startups, and even entrepreneurship. The topics and practical emphasis prove to be an asset in department and team leadership roles, including project management, human resources, and executive positions. As the economy changes, more and more businesses and organizations need management and leadership personnel who bring out the best in their teams, get results, and make a difference. Illustrating this, the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates openings for management jobs across a range of industries will grow 7 percent by 2028.