Leadership

The Master of Science in Leadership is a 36-credit hour program designed for individuals who seek to acquire or update dynamic leadership skills that can create high performance organizations. The program is designed to prepare students to address the challenges that organizations are likely to face in the globalized, technological world of the 21st Century. Students will apply new paradigms, techniques and methods to promote creativity, innovation, improvisation and adaptation. Leadership skills acquired from the curriculum include communication, negotiation, the leadership process, accountability, inclusive excellence leadership, and strategic leadership. The Master of Science in Leadership program seeks to create the following competencies:

• A clear understanding of the political, social, economic, and cultural environments in which a leader must operate
• An awareness of personal leadership strengths and weaknesses and strategies to improve deficits
• Strategic planning using resource allocation, sound research, data analysis and innovation
• Insight into international perspectives through the use of case studies of non-U.S. developed and developing countries
• The ability to make leadership decisions which are ethical, efficient, and informed by research, evaluation, and diagnoses of situations
• Effective leadership of diverse groups through the accurate use of supportive organizational mechanisms and the ability to identify and address forces that detract from effective diversity leadership
• The ability to apply leadership skills and behaviors to build the human, social, intellectual, and financial capital for the sustainability of their organizations
• The skills to lead groups and organizations in the design and implementation of new paradigms, effectively utilizing leadership to enhance the reputation of organizations in domestic and global contexts

Courses within the curriculum cover the leadership process, communication skills, diversity management, research, budgeting, organizational performance and conflict resolution. The 12-course sequence provides students with leadership principles as a foundation and adds skill areas important for leading complex organizations in global and community contexts. Students pursue critical thinking and analysis skills to add to the leadership principles. The students will complete the Leadership program with leadership analysis projects requiring self-assessment and research skills.

View our latest webinar on part-time graduate programs available at RWU:

Applying to the Graduate Certificate Program in Leadership

1. Online application
2. Official transcripts for all previous undergraduate and graduate coursework
3. Letter of intent

Application Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Master of Science in Leadership program, applicants must hold an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. To apply, submit the following:

1. Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework
2. A personal statement (two double-spaced pages maximum) describing your interest in leadership, career goals, and anticipated contributions to the Master of Science in Leadership program at Roger Williams University
3. Two letters of recommendation attesting to your potential to succeed in graduate school
4. A current resume
5. If your first language is not English, an official report of TOEFL or IELTS results
6. Completed application form accompanied by the $50 application fee

It is recommended that students present at least a 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA in order to be considered for admission to the M.S. Leadership program. Students with relevant work experience who do not meet minimum GPA standards may be considered.

Please note: The GRE is not required for admission.

Preferred Application Deadline:
August 1 for Fall, January 1 for Spring, May 1 for Summer
If you are applying after these dates, we may still be able to accommodate your application. Please contact the Office of Graduate Admission at gradadmit@rwu.edu or 401-254-6200 for more information. 

International applicants should also read through this page for additional requirements.

All documents to be mailed should be sent directly to:

Office of Graduate Admission
1 Old Ferry Rd.
Bristol, RI 02809

For more information, or if you have questions about the application process please contact us at any time.