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Online Master’s Degree in Strategic Leadership and Management (MA)

The online Master of Arts (MA) in Strategic Leadership and Management degree program at York College of Pennsylvania is a convenient, entirely virtual master of business program emphasizing both leadership theory and practical application.

Take the next step in your chosen career field, whether you’re a recent graduate, career changer, or emerging leader in your organization. In accessible online graduate courses designed for working professionals, you’ll learn how to take an interdisciplinary approach to critical business issues and prepare to become a leader in your field.

Whether you’re strengthening your résumé to enter the workforce or seeking an expanded toolset of hard and soft skills in pursuit of advanced roles and responsibilities, learn directly from experienced faculty in an engaged online environment.

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About the Online Master’s in Leadership Program

  • Key Courses

    Online Master’s in Management and Leadership Requirements and Curriculum

    This 30-credit online master’s in Strategic Leadership and Management program’s thoughtful curriculum explores both the practical and theoretical frameworks of managing teams and advanced business and leadership concepts.

    Requirements include coverage of topics including business communication, negotiation, design thinking, ethical decision-making, and project management. Take courses exposing you to new marketing strategies and the latest international perspectives, and equip yourself to accelerate your career path and demonstrate executive leadership.

    Online Graduate Business Courses

    Each course allows you to interact in virtual communication channels and study course materials at your convenience, all while continuing to attend to your personal and professional responsibilities.

    Learn skills to advance your work in your sector, whether you are in the field of healthcare, marketing, accounting, human resources, or organizational development and training. Courses you may take include:

    • IMC 514: Public Policy & Business
    • IMC 531: Strategic Marketing
    • MBA 577: Project Management
    • ML 510: Foundations of Leadership
    • ML 550: Complex Organizations
    • ML 560: Negotiation

    Certificate-Only Program in Strategic Leadership and Management

    York Graduate and Professional Studies offerings include a 12-credit graduate certificate-only program in addition to the full master’s degree in leadership. If you’re looking for a stepping stone to a graduate business program, the online Strategic Leadership and Management Certificate’s credits can be applied to the Master of Arts requirements in the future.

    Learn more about the Strategic Leadership and Management certificate-only program.

    Program Admissions and Tuition

    The online master’s in Strategic Management and Leadership program is open to students who hold bachelor’s degrees in any discipline. To apply for admission to the program, requirements include submission of the online application, official transcripts of previous academic experience, a résumé, and a personal goal statement.

    Review complete admissions information for the online MA in Strategic Leadership and Management, and find graduate tuition and fees.

    Earn a Master of Arts in Strategic Leadership and Management Online With York College of Pennsylvania

    Take charge of your career with York College of Pennsylvania’s accessible online master’s in Strategic Leadership and Management degree program.

    Ready to become a leader in your field in a program designed for professionals of all levels? Request more information today. Or, begin your application.

  • Career Opportunities & Benefits

    Become a Leader in Your Chosen Field

    Whether you already have a management background or are ready to gain the skills to influence your organization at a higher level, the online MA in Strategic Leadership and Management program can enhance your professional trajectory in a diverse range of work environments.

    Graduates are prepared to move into management roles in organizations with various missions, business development positions, C-suite executive roles, and other key leadership roles in fields including:

    • Corporate training and development
    • Human resource management
    • Healthcare management
    • Marketing and advertising management
    • Business consulting

    Career Outlook and Salary for Graduate-Educated Managers

    Whether you are interested in becoming a leader in healthcare, software and technology, global finance, real estate, restaurant franchising, sales, or nonprofit sectors, the strategies and skills you’ll learn in communication, organizational behavior, and team leadership in the online MA in leadership prepare you for career advancement.

    Earning a business master’s degree and learning leadership strategies can help you enter a career at an increased salary potential or more easily advance to management roles and beyond. Develop a professional strength in translating these strategies from industry to industry, or pursue rewarding roles such as:

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, management roles in advertising, marketing, public relations, and sales will grow 7-10% from 2021-2031 as the global economy continues to develop. Health services management roles are predicted to expand by 28% in the same period, much faster than the average for all occupations.

    No matter your background or area of specialization, the online graduate degree in Strategic Leadership and Management helps you master operational and interpersonal management roles with confidence.

  • Internships & Work Experience

    Implement New Strategies in Your Current Workplace

    The format of the online graduate program in leadership allows students to pursue professional experiences while developing advanced skills in an academic setting. This provides unrivaled opportunities to conjoin your theoretical and practical coursework with your professional performance.

    Longstanding Partnerships With Employers

    If you are hungry for more opportunities to apply your learning or gain additional work experience, our Career Development Center leverages the College’s relationships with powerhouse employers in the region to help students find meaningful opportunities that get them closer to their goals.

    Learn about the extensive career services and resources available through the Center for Career Development.

  • Mentorship & Community

    Learn From Real Business Professionals

    Decades of experience fuel our dynamic graduate business program faculty. Boasting expertise in fields ranging from global marketing to tech, the professors of your courses expertly translate their knowledge into digestible and actionable learnings that can be applied to your field.

    Directly connect with regional business leaders with a dedicated interest in your unique professional goals, and become well-versed in communicating with professionals of all sorts.

    Discover Community Partnerships

    We are proud to partner with organizations and businesses in the community to offer employees of these entities opportunities for discounted tuition. To see if your employer is a participating partner ready for your further development, view our tuition discount partnership list or consult your Human Resources department.

  • High-Demand Skills

    Learn Essential Management Skills

    Graduates of the online Master of Arts in Strategic Leadership and Management degree program are readily trained for taking on leadership of a team, pursuing that promotion, and seeking further education. Students are equipped to bring the following skills to their current and future workplaces:

    • How to approach conflict management sensitively and productively
    • Effective oral and written communication with stakeholders, clients, and consumers
    • Implementing research and data-driven leadership strategies
    • Application of processes and methods to achieve specific project objectives
    • Negotiation tactics and ethical business decision-making
    • Facilitating business operations through institutional change and complex circumstances
    • In-depth understanding of business ethics and the ethics of managerial influence

    Certificates and Professional Enhancements

    The College offers robust opportunities to specialize your business acumen and gain further academic credentials demonstrating your expertise and dedication. Explore professional graduate certificate offerings and tailor your education to your career aspirations.

    Contact the program directors of York’s Graduate and Professional Studies to inquire about a program, transfer credit, or any questions you may have.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the difference between an MBA and a MA in Strategic Leadership and Management?

    MBA programs develop skills needed to achieve high-level business goals, whereas a master’s in leadership prepares employees in many industries and fields to excel in leadership positions.

    While MBA programs are desirable for those seeking career advancement in traditional business settings, the MA in Strategic Leadership is a tailored experience that highlights applied management skills in a range of fields.

  • Is a master’s in leadership worth it?

    Pursuing a master’s in leadership transforms professionals into lifelong learners who can facilitate top-level management and team initiatives in many different industries. As a program that demonstrates dedication and personal development along with technical knowledge, the MA in Strategic Leadership will bring rewards both financially and in your fulfillment as you rise to influential roles in a field you are passionate about.

  • What can you do with a master’s in leadership?

    The skills learned in a master’s degree in leadership can position you to enter or advance in various industries, including business, government, education, healthcare, and more. You’ll be able to lead teams and organizations effectively, drive and guide positive change, and inspire and motivate others.

Contact Us
Graduate Studies
Nicole Cornell Sadowski, Ph.D., Program Director
Willman Business Center, Room 205
Phone: 717.815.1952
ncornell@ycp.edu