Leadership is a quality that most businesses and organizations seek in their employees. It’s a skill that can propel your career forward, help you build new connections and open doors for advancement. While some people are natural leaders, others may need assistance in developing and enhancing essential leadership skills.
In today’s competitive market, a master’s degree that hones these skills can equip you with the knowledge and experience needed to excel across a variety of industries and fields.
What Is a Master’s in Leadership?
A master’s in leadership is a graduate-level degree that focuses on developing and enhancing leadership acumen, knowledge and skills.
Some colleges and universities may offer this degree as an alternative to a Master of Business Administration (MBA). While an MBA focuses on business principles, a master’s degree in leadership is more broadly based and can apply to a variety of industries and sectors. Some institutions may also offer a master’s in leadership with an education concentration.
A master’s in leadership curriculum will typically cover the following topics:
- Leadership theories
- Leadership in the public sector
- Human resources management
- Legal and ethical issues
- Fundraising management
- Strategic thinking and decision-making
- Organizational behavior
- Communication
- Ethics and social responsibility
- Diversity, equity and inclusion
- Team-building
Master’s in Leadership vs. Educational Leadership: What’s the Difference?
A master’s in leadership offers a broader focus and is applicable across various industries and sectors. This degree is ideal for anyone looking to advance their career or take on future leadership roles. Entrepreneurs, small business owners, nonprofit and public sector professionals, recent graduates, corporate managers and executives, consultants and coaches are all ideal candidates.
It’s also an excellent option for military personnel and veterans, including those who are transitioning to civilian careers and would like to bring their military leadership experience into roles within the private, public or nonprofit sectors.
A master’s in educational leadership, on the other hand, is tailored to help educators develop the skills and knowledge needed for effective administration and management. Often, this degree includes coursework that fulfills the requirements for principal administrative licensure.
You might consider a master’s in education leadership if you’re currently working in, or aspire to work in, a K-12 school, college or university, and eventually aim to secure an administrative position. This program is also a good fit if you’re not looking to become an administrator but want to enhance your leadership skills and gain valuable experience in the classroom.
Common topics of an educational leadership-focused degree include:
- Instructional leadership
- Educational policy and law
- School personnel
- School management
- Education technology for administrators
- Curriculum development
- Diversity, equity and inclusion
- Community engagement
If you’re interested in an education-leadership specific graduate degree, there are three main options: a Master of Arts in Leadership Studies with an emphasis in Educational Leadership, a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership.
- An MA in Educational Leadership tends to have a broader, more theoretical focus with a curriculum centered around research and theory.
- An MEd in Educational Leadership is more practice-oriented and teaches students how to apply leadership skills in educational environments.
- An MA in Leadership Studies with an emphasis in Educational Leadership covers a variety of leadership topics and skills but with an additional focus on education. The core of the program typically includes general education content with some courses tailored specifically to education.
8 Benefits of Pursuing a Master’s in Leadership
Pursuing this type of degree offers numerous benefits for personal and professional growth. Here are some of the main advantages:
- Enhanced leadership and skills: Gain expertise in decision-making, critical thinking, strategic thinking, management and community engagement. These skills are not only essential for leadership positions but also valuable in your personal life.
- Advanced interpersonal skills: Also known as “soft skills,” these types of skills help you interact more effectively with others — in and out of the workplace. This includes communication, empathy, teamwork, conflict resolution, flexibility, emotional intelligence and problem-solving.
- Career advancement: A master’s degree, especially one that demonstrates leadership acumen, allows you to pursue additional career opportunities, some of which may require an advanced education.
- Broadens your job prospects: Gaining leadership skills that are applicable across numerous industries allows for greater flexibility in terms of professions.
- Increased earning potential: A master’s degree can potentially increase your salary by qualifying you for higher-paying positions.
- Widely applicable across all industries: This degree is not tailored to one specific industry or profession. Instead, you will learn skills that can be applied across numerous sectors and fields, allowing you to adapt and excel in a variety of professional environments.
- Valuable connections and networking opportunities: Cultivate a solid network of mentors and peers through interactions with fellow students and faculty members. This network can provide essential support and open doors to career possibilities and advancement opportunities.
- Personal growth and development: Build confidence and enhance self-awareness, both of which are essential for becoming a successful leader. Additionally, navigating the demands of a master’s degree program fosters character and resilience as you learn to work with others, manage your time effectively and work toward achieving your goals.
What Are the Prerequisites To Earn a Master’s in Leadership?
The specific requirements will depend on the graduate program, but in general, you will need the following:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- A minimum GPA
- Standardized test scores
- An application that includes your transcript, letters of recommendation and a personal statement
In some cases, work experience may be required.
Exploring the Components of a Master’s in Leadership Program
The core courses of a program typically cover leadership theory, strategic management and organizational behavior. Electives could include topics such as fundraising management and ethics and corporate social responsibility. Some programs may offer specific concentrations or areas of emphasis, such as education or nonprofit leadership.
There are various types of programs available, including on-campus, 100% online and hybrid options. You’ll need to determine which format best fits your schedule and learning preferences.
The time required to complete the degree program varies based on the format, whether you’re enrolled full-time or part-time and how many classes you take at once. Full-time programs typically take one-and-a-half to two years, while part-time programs generally take three to four years.
Career Opportunities for Graduates With a Master’s in Leadership
Leaders are needed across all types of professions, and a master’s degree in this particular area offers a broad and adaptable skill set that is valuable across many fields.
Those with a Master of Arts in Leadership can obtain positions in nearly every type of industry, including:
- Business and finance
- Banking and insurance
- Nonprofit
- Manufacturing/logistics
- Hospitality and tourism
- Retail
- Marketing and communications
- Secondary education
- Higher education
- Government/public administration
- Human resources
- Healthcare
Professionals who earn this degree might hold the following job titles, most of which command six-figure salaries:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Chief Operating Officer
- Chief Marketing Officer
- Human Resources Director
- Program Director
- School Principal
- Education Program Director
A master’s in leadership can provide you with opportunities for advancement and introduce you to exciting career possibilities, including executive positions and senior-level roles in management, human resources and school administration.
An online degree program allows for greater flexibility and is often an ideal choice for those who need to balance work and personal commitments. In many cases, online programs also tend to be more affordable than in-person options.
The degrees are similar but do have some distinct differences. A master’s in leadership tends to focus on leadership skills and theories, whereas a leadership and management degree also includes management-specific topics, such as financial management, organizational strategy and operations.
Common areas of emphasis include education, executive leadership, nonprofits, global leadership and healthcare.
While having leadership experience can be beneficial, it’s not always a requirement — it just depends on the program’s admission criteria. Relevant experience in areas such as project management or volunteering can also be valuable if you don’t have any background with leadership roles.
It depends on the institution. At Marshall University, for example, students are allowed to transfer in up to 12 credit hours, and military schools such as Command and Staff (all branches) and the Expeditionary Warfare College (USMC) can be used to fill these credits.
Advance Your Career With a Master’s in Leadership from Marshall
Whether you’re looking to secure a senior-level role, transition to a new industry or take on a key position in your current organization, Marshall University’s Master of Arts degree in Leadership Studies will equip you with essential leadership skills and prepare you with the knowledge and tools to succeed.
Students pursuing the Master of Arts may choose from two concentrations: Education Leadership (School Principal) or Leadership Specialist. For more information, visit our program degree page or contact us with any questions you may have.