Master of Applied Science in Organizational Leadership
The Leadership Challenge You Face
You've built experience and proven yourself in your field. But today's organizations demand more than just doing the job well—they need leaders who can navigate complexity, inspire teams, and drive meaningful change across diverse settings.
⚠️ Experience Isn't Enough
Your professional experience got you here, but advancement requires strategic leadership capabilities and formal credentials.
🤔 Leading Without Framework
You're managing teams and projects without formal leadership education, relying on intuition rather than proven methods.
📈 Career Ceiling
You're ready for greater responsibility but lack the advanced degree that opens doors to senior leadership roles.
🌐 Organizational Complexity
Modern workplaces—from military to non-profit to corporate—face challenges that require sophisticated leadership skills.
Your Solution: MAS in Organizational Leadership
A 30-credit master's program designed for working professionals from all backgrounds. Whether you're in business, education, healthcare, military, non-profit, or public service—develop the leadership skills to excel in your field.
💻 100% Online & Flexible
Built for working professionals with 8-week mini-terms offered year-round
⚡ Complete in 1-2 Years
Flexible pacing allows you to finish your master's degree while working full-time
🎯 Practical Application
Apply what you learn immediately in your current role with real-world projects
🏆 Specialized Tracks
Choose from Military, Non-Profit, Public Management, or Sports Leadership concentrations
Your Leadership Foundation
Every student completes these 12 core credits that form the foundation of transformational leadership:
PCS 6343 - Foundations of Organizational Leadership
Master personal accountability, relationship building, and team empowerment to create positive organizational impact.
PCS 6323 - Effective Organizational Discourse
Develop advanced communication strategies to convey complex ideas to internal teams and external stakeholders.
PCS 8103 - Strategic Initiative Leadership in a Diverse Workplace
Learn to formulate and implement strategic initiatives while leading diverse teams in modern organizations.
PCS 8903 - Integrative Leadership & Organizational Strategy (Capstone)
Synthesize program concepts through a comprehensive project demonstrating mastery of leadership principles.
Choose Your Leadership Specialization
Select 18 credits (6 courses) from one concentration area to align with your career goals:
Perfect for: Active-duty personnel, veterans, defense contractors, government employees, and those transitioning to/from military careers
Mission-Driven Leadership
Crisis & Conflict Resolution
Operational Strategy & Ethics
Complete 6 courses from these options:
PCS 6003 - Personnel Management for the Public Sector
PCS 6313 -Organizational Culture
PCS 6333 - Principles of Effective Leadership
PCS 8123 - Operational Leadership & External Reporting
PCS 8703 - Conducting Team-Based Evaluations & Metrics
MGT 8813 - Organizational Behavior
PPA 8753 - Strategic Change Management
PPA 8893 - Women in Public Administration
Perfect for: Non-profit professionals, educators, healthcare workers, social workers, community organizers, corporate social responsibility professionals, and mission-driven leaders from any background
Fundraising & Resource Development
Community Engagement & Advocacy
Strategic Non-Profit Management
Complete 6 courses from these options:
PCS 6103 - Digital Transformation
PCS 6313 - Organizational Culture
PCS 6333 - Principles of Effective Leadership
PCS 8123 - Operational Leadership & External Reporting
PCS 8153 - Leading in a Non-Profit Environment
PCS 8703 - Conducting Team-Based Evaluations and Metrics
MKT 8153 - Strategic Marketing Management
MKT 6423 - Strategic Brand Management
Perfect for: Government employees, public administrators, policy professionals, civic leaders, educators in public institutions, healthcare professionals in public systems, and anyone interested in public service leadership
Public Sector Strategy & Policy
Budgeting & Fiscal Management
Organizational Change in Government
Complete 6 courses from these options:
PCS 6003 - Personnel Management for the Public Sector
PCS 6313 - Organizational Culture
PCS 6333 - Principles of Effective Leadership
PCS 8123 - Operational Leadership & External Reporting
PCS 8153 - Leading in a Non-Profit Environment
MGT 8813 - Organizational Behavior
PPA 8183 - Local Government Finance
PPA 8713 - Public Personnel Management
PPA 8893 - Women in Public Administration
Perfect for: Athletic administrators, sports marketers, facility managers, coaches, fitness professionals, sports media professionals, recreation specialists, and business professionals interested in sports industry leadership
Athletic Program Leadership
Event & Facility Management
Financial & Legal Aspects of Sports
Complete 6 courses from these options:
PCS 6313 - Organizational Culture
PCS 6333 - Principles of Effective Leadership
PCS 8123 - Operational Leadership & External Reporting
PCS 8153 - Leading in a Non-Profit Environment
SS 6303 - Globalization and Sport
SS 8123 - Sports Administration
SS 8203 - Funding of Sport
SS 8803 - Sport Law
SS 8833 - Event and Facility Management
SS 8883 - Ethical Issues in Sport
MAS in Organizational Leadership
Frequently Asked Questions
Tuition is charged per credit hour at Mississippi State’s graduate online tuition rate. The program consists of 30 credit hours. For the current tuition rate, visit:
https://www.controller.msstate.edu/accountservices/tuition
For the 2024-2025 calendar year, the approximate total tuition cost for the program is $15,000.
For the 2025-2026 academic year, the total tuition cost is expected to change.
The program is delivered fully online and is designed with working professionals in mind. Courses include asynchronous content, interactive modules, and optional live touchpoints. As enrollment grows, we are working towards offering all delivery formats in the future.
Applications follow August 1 (Fall), December 1 (Spring), and May 15 (Summer) timeline. We recommend applying early to allow time for transcript evaluation and onboarding.
🎓 Bachelor's degree (any field)
📊 2.75+ undergrad OR 3.0+ grad GPA
📝 Provisional admission available
Bonus: Applied Leadership Certificate
🎁 Bonus: Applied Leadership Certificate
Double Your Credentials at No Extra Cost
MAS students automatically qualify for the Applied Leadership Certificate (ALC) by completing your core courses. This prestigious certificate, developed in partnership with Echelon Front, is based on the #1 NY Times Bestseller "Extreme Ownership."
✅ Your Core Courses = ALC Certificate
PCS 6343, PCS 6323, PCS 6313, and PCS 6333 fulfill both your MAS core requirements AND the complete ALC program.
✅ Battlefield-Tested Leadership
Learn leadership principles from Navy SEALs Jocko Willink and Leif Babin, applicable from corporate boardrooms to family dynamics.
✅ Premium Partnership Value
Benefit from MSU's exclusive collaboration with Echelon Front, the premier leadership development company.
