Leadership
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Master of Science in Leadership
Master of Science in Leadership (MS) | 48 Credits
College of Business
South University, Columbia offers the Master of Science in Leadership program to help interested students to become leaders in the business field. The leadership courses are designed to prepare students to be involved in the fast-paced global environment by learning how to drive innovation, adapt to changes, and become more skilled communicators and collaborators. Students will have the opportunity to learn from experienced faculty1 who share their own real-world experiences and use them to better inform their teaching. Graduates will be prepared to lead in a variety of organizations and teams, as well as on the individual level.
Why Choose Our Program?
• Learning That Fits Your Life: For a better balance between personal life and education, online class options are available.
• Graduate in as little as 15 Months:2 If you are enrolled full-time, you can complete the program in as little as 15 Months.
• Affordable Tuition: The Leadership program’s base tuition is under $20,0003, excluding additional fees, with grants and scholarships available4 to reduce the cost.
• Military Grants Available: Military grants are available for eligible veterans, active-duty service members, and their families.
Your Path to Success
Becoming a leader requires many skills; the leadership program elevates your leadership skills through developing your communication and collaboration skills by learning from real-world examples. The tuition cost for the leadership program is under $20,000, excluding other fees. Additional financial aid is available for those who qualify, and you can complete the program in as little as 15 months. Prepare for the rigors of the business world through the Leadership program.
How You’ll Learn: Hybrid Format— At our campuses, each five-week course features four weeks of online classes and one on-campus Saturday session that you’ll move through in 10-week quarters.5
1Faculty credentials and experience may vary.
2Average time to completion is based on successful, continuous, and full-time enrollment.
3Assumes successful progression through the program. Additional charges will apply for retaking any courses.
4Please see Financial Aid to understand full eligibility and condition requirements. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.
5The MSL hybrid program has an in-person component that may not be flexible.
Complete in as few as
15 Months
Average time to completion is based on successful continuous full-time enrollment.
Per Credit Hour
$415
For the Master of Science in Leadership hybrid program.
Complete in as little as 12 classes
$19,920
No additional fees.
Online & on-campus
Hybrid Program
5-week online courses with 1 Saturday on-campus, in-person class.
Admission Requirements
Admissions criteria for the Master of Science in Leadership (MSL)
Graduate Admissions - Masters level
Prospective students are required to submit the following:
- Completion of application for admission
- Official transcripts for bachelor or graduate degree within 5 weeks of the class start date (refer to Conditional Acceptance). (All credentials earned outside the United States must be evaluated by a NACES or AICE-member credential evaluation service). Please speak with an admissions representative for more information.
Note: See program notes and specific requirements below for each graduate - masters level degree program
Specific requirements for admission to classified graduate status are:
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
- Completion of application for admission.
- A 2.0 overall grade point average or higher on completed requirements for the baccalaureate degree, or an earned graduate degree from an accredited institution.
For additional admissions information please see the admissions section here.
Course Requirements
All campuses operate on 10-week quarters. In May 2025 all campuses, except Online Programs, will offer a hybrid 10-week quarter program.
Career Outlook
These are some of the career options* you can explore when you have earned your degree:
- Training and Development Managers
- Organizational Change Management Manager
- Fundraising Managers
- Organizational Management
*South University does not promise or guarantee licensure, employment, or salary amounts.
Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
Examine how individual, cultural, societal, ethical, legal, and psychological factors shape leadership strategies that impact both individual and organizational stakeholders.
Communicate clear and persuasive arguments that support leadership initiatives.
Apply critical thinking to drive effective leadership solutions to complex challenges.
Apply information literacy skills to make informed decisions, solve complex leadership challenges, and effectively guide organizations.
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Fill out the form and a representative will contact you today to better understand your academic goals plus answer any questions you may have.
Campuses offer flexible learning formats* including: on-campus, virtual instructions, and online courses.
*Clinical, practicum, and externship requirements exist in certain programs and require field experiences. Learning formats may not be flexible.
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