Leadership
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Master of Science in Leadership

Today’s dynamic organizations require well-educated and skilled leaders. South University’s Master of Science in Leadership online program can help you develop your natural leadership qualities and prepare you to effectively lead individuals, teams, and complex organizations.Through faculty guidance and online coursework, you can refine your leadership style so that you can more successfully manage, communicate with, and influence others. You’ll have the opportunity to learn how to set an example others will follow, how to strategically solve difficult problems, and how to foster teamwork across diverse disciplines.
As a student in the Master of Science in Leadership online program, you’ll also build a working knowledge of the best practices for decision making in the global economy, and discover the most effective planning, process, and production strategies for achieving organizational goals.
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.
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.
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.
Online Classroom
Haven’t experienced online learning before or wondering what it’s like to earn your degree online at South University? While the mode of learning is different from the traditional classroom experience with added convenience and flexibility, we hold the same high standards of academic excellence in the online classroom.
South University’s online programs combine a curriculum designed for student outcomes and a classroom designed for flexibility and engagement. Our online classroom learning platform, Brightspace, provides you with a host of features to enhance your learning experience, including:
- Advanced media content
- Personalized navigation
- Simplified online learning atmosphere
- Access to digital books
- Emailing and instant messaging options
We provide more than just an online classroom, bringing a range of campus experiences and services online. In addition, the online classroom is accessible on the go via mobile devices and with tools like the Pulse App. Pulse helps you stay connected and on track with your course by providing a number of features such as course calendars, readings and assignments, feedback and grades, and announcements.
Read more about online requirements here.
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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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