Strategic Leadership

The Master of Business Administration in Strategic Leadership (MBA-SL) transcends the parameters of traditional MBA programs by developing an appreciation for the interdependency of people, finances, and technology, and promotes appreciation of the ways in which change in one area impacts the others. In addition to the traditional emphasis on the financial components and fiscal decision-making of business management, the MBA-SL integrates a curriculum often missing from MBA programs: courses that explore ways to lead people in achieving common business goals using today's technological resources.

The MBA in Strategic Leadership is specifically designed as a part-time degree program for experienced managers with at least three years of managerial responsibilities. Course scheduling allows students to earn the MBA without interrupting progress in their current careers. The program's flexible learning model also includes the opportunity to complete intensive, short-term executive study abroad trips (trips are ten days).

Participants in the MBA in Strategic Leadership develop their strategic leadership capabilities by assessing, refocusing, and expanding their repertoire of leadership styles. Graduates will draw upon imagination, intuition, and personal creativity to develop effective strategies that move their businesses and organizations successfully into the next century.

The MBA in Strategic Leadership is a 36-unit program taught in a cohort formata sequence of courses with a group of approximately 20 students who complete the program together in a learning group for two years, taking two courses per trimester for six trimesters (Fall, Spring, Summer). The courses meet on alternate Saturday sessions from 8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. during a 14-week trimester. (See the program calendar for specific course dates.)

Benefits of the cohort format include

• Students register only once for the entire program;
• The schedule is set for the entire program, eliminating concern about getting into classes and making it easy to plan work and family activities in advance; and
• Students form a supportive and continuing study group

Student Learning Outcomes:

Students will demonstrate:

1. Knowledge of the impact of ethics and culture on management and communication
2. Willingness and ability to work in, and successfully manage within, conditions of uncertainty, risk, change, and interdependence
3. Skills to work individually within a cross-cultural team setting
4. Proficiency to integrate technological advancements
5. Knowledge of how personal value systems, interests, aptitudes, skills, and goals are linked to the development of professional career goals
6. Comprehension of the interdependence between strategic business decisions and sustainable development and growth
7. Knowledge of leadership strategies and the impact of leaders on developing organizational culture
8. Responsibility to lead in an ethically and socially acceptable manner
9. Ability to lead the application and integration of concepts from the disciplines of economics, finance, marketing and management within organizational frameworks.

Requirements for Admission

See the Admission to Graduate Study section of the Catalog.

Transfer of Credit

Due to the cohort format, there is no transfer of credit to the MBA-SL program.

Prerequisite Core Competencies

Graduate students must demonstrate competency in the following areas prior to taking the related graduate courses in the MBA in Strategic Leadership program:

• Economics (macro and micro)
• Financial and Managerial Accounting
• Finance
• Statistics and Quantitative Analysis
  

These key business skills and constructs needed for preparation for the graduate courses in the MBA in Strategic Leadership are offered through accelerated courses in these areas. Competency may be demonstrated by either completion of a college course with a grade of B or better, successfully testing out of a course through challenge exams, or completion of Dominican University core competency courses.

All of the workshops are on weeknights concurrently with MBA in Strategic Leadership courses. Therefore, students who need the core competencies may be concurrently enrolled in the MBA in Strategic Leadership program and in a core competency course.

The MBA in Strategic Leadership Admissions Committee will determine which core competency areas have not been completed at the time of admission.

Students who are admitted to upcoming MBA cohorts may join current MBA students in core competency courses. All students must hold a bachelor's degree or have approval of the program Director.

Note MBA 5200 Optional Executive Study Abroad - study abroad courses may be substituted for various coursework. This option is customized based upon student experience and academic training.

MBA in Strategic Leadership students must complete all of the 36 units offered in the sequence of the cohort program. Students who choose to interrupt their study may not simply drop a course in the cohort; they must consult with their academic advisor to determine whether the course they drop is a prerequisite for an upcoming course in the cohort. They will be permitted to continue in the cohort until the point that they lack prerequisite courses required to continue in the cohort. Students who completely withdraw from the cohort must wait until a new cohort reaches the place in the sequence where they left their original cohort group. Students must be aware that degree requirements may change when withdrawing from one cohort and entering another. Re-admittance to the program is dependent upon approval of the program Director.

Participants will use word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentation, and Internet electronic communication software during the program. Participants who need additional instruction in any or all of these skills should consult with an academic advisor for recommendations of college courses or training classes which would assist them in enhancing their skills in computer productivity tools.