The Master of Science in Leadership (MSL)

Offered at Henderson Hall, MCAS Cherry Point, MCAS New River/MCB Camp Lejeune, and Hanscom AFB

Overview

Boston University is proud to present a new graduate military program designed for leadership excellence in the global twenty-first century: the Master of Science in Leadership (MSL). 

Whether you are in command of a mission or in charge of personnel in a government organization, leadership is an essential quality in building loyalty, trust, and teamwork. By setting the right objectives, communicating strategies and ideas, and executing projects successfully, accomplished leaders exceed goals and inspire meaningful change within their organizations.  

The MSL develops specific skills for effective, organizational leadership in the military as well as in private, public, government, or non-profit sectors. Emphasizing sociological and psychological content, the rigorous and intensive curriculum builds on students’ interdisciplinary backgrounds and provides the knowledge to lead, direct, and leverage assets. Topics include: 

• Decision-making and strategy
• Project management techniques
• Organizational dynamics and group behavior
• Historical leadership perspectives and issues
• Diplomacy and negotiation
• Economics and culture
• Marketing research, analysis, and strategy
• Current technology
• Financial concepts
• Communication skills
  

MSL candidates have the option of choosing electives that also lead to a Graduate Certificate in Project Management.  

Degree Requirements

A total of ten courses (40 credits) is required for the Master of Science in Leadership. 

Leadership Core Courses

Four courses (16 credits), as follows: 

• Leadership and Strategy (MET AD 711)
• Leadership—Historic and Social Perspectives (MET LD 630)
• Leadership in a Dynamic Environment (MET LD 705)
• Group and Organizational Dynamics* (MET LD 740)
  

Additional Core Courses

Three courses (12 credits), as follows: 

• Introductory Macroeconomic Analysis (MET AD 615)
• Financial Concepts (MET AD 632)
• Quantitative and Qualitative Decision-Making (MET AD 715)
  

Electives**

Three courses (12 credits), as follows:

Choose any three courses from the following list. Students may complete their elective requirements by taking the four Project Management courses thereby receiving the Graduate Certificate in Project Management in addition to the master’s in Leadership. 

• Marketing Management (MET AD 739)
• IT Strategy and Management (METCS 782)

Project Management Certificate Courses:

• Project Management (MET AD 642)
• Project Communications Management* (MET AD 643)
• Project Risk and Cost Management (MET AD 644)
• Program Management (MET AD 646)
  

*Students pursuing both the master’s in Leadership and the Graduate Certificate in Project Management must take MET AD 643 in place of MET LD 740. Students may not count both courses toward the Leadership degree.

**Additional electives may be offered and/or substituted.