The LeTourneau Master of Strategic Leadership (MSL) is a 35-credit professional degree to enhance managers responsible for the growth and development of effective workers, teams and organizations.
The MSL contains nine 3-credit courses (course numbers ending in 3), interspersed with five 1-credit courses (course numbers ending in 1), followed by a concluding 3-credit capstone course. The program begins with a 0-credit orientation to graduate studies. Here is an outline of course requirements.
- LETU 5000 Graduate Orientation
Introduces the history and culture of the university and highlights important policies and procedures. Students explore the writing skills and library resources needed to undergird a successful graduate experience. Students utilize online course management tools and become familiar with Blackboard by completing a practice exercise in the course discussion forum area, safe assignment area, and completing an assessment quiz. This course takes approximately 12 hours to complete. Class 0.
- BUSI 5213 The Art of Leadership
Explores leadership theories, models, and styles through an examination of current leadership literature and discussions of effective leadership practice. Class 3.
- BUSI 5101 Self-Leadership Assessment and Development
Various assessment tools will be used to identify students’ abilities and leadership styles. Students will learn how individuals can develop their abilities through thoughtful self-reflection and lead themselves during times of challenge. Students will also develop a personal leadership development plan. Class 1.
- BUSI 5223 The Strategy-Focused Organization
Introduces the concept of the strategy-focused organization. Topics will include elements of organizational behavior, organizational culture, mission and vision, purposeful strategic planning, and accountability result in an effective organization moving forward in a positive direction. Class 3.
- BUSI 5203 Dynamics of Teams and Communities
Students will understand the way groups work and develop skills for leading groups of various sizes. Face-to-face, distance, and virtual communication strategies and tools will be discussed. Topics will also include the impact of diversity, conflict resolution, mentoring and how to deal effectively with difficult people. Class 3.
- BUSI 5121 Work-Life Balance
Students will explore ways to establish and maintain balance and harmony between leaders’ different areas of responsibility and influence. It extends the concept of self-leadership and self-care into the personal realms of family and community and discusses how drawing boundaries increases personal and professional effectiveness. Class 1.
- BUSI 5313 Organizational Effectiveness
Focuses on strategies for organizational performance enhancement, exploring associated theories, practices, techniques, and skills, including an overview of systemic processes necessary to deliver quality results. The mechanics, structures, dynamics of effective quality and improvement process teams are covered, as are issues related to continuous improvement programs. Class 3.
- BUSI 5323 Leadership in a Global Society
Examines leadership from a multinational perspective concerning local, regional, and global issues affecting organizational planning and implementation, including economic forces, cross-cultural differences, and dynamics of international work groups. Students will explore leadership practices and functions necessary to become effective in a global society. Class 3.
- BUSI 5131 Spiritual Elements of Leadership
Considers the relationship between faith and leadership through exploration of students’ own experiences of leadership and spirituality, informed by recent research and readings from the fields of leadership, spiritual formation, theology, sociology, and psychology. Class 1.
- BUSI 5243 Analyzing Data and Trends
Explores both quantitative and qualitative techniques used to analyze data from a variety of research sources. Examines how to understand research, to interpret statistical results, and to identify trends important to strategic decision making. Class 3.
- BUSI 5353 Communication and Culture in a Global Society -OR- BUSI 6623 International Travel Experience
Students will explore differences in ethics, communication, body language, and cultures from a global perspective. The impact of geography, power distance, history, and language through differing cultures in a global society will be studied to increase understanding. Questions of faith and perspective will be addressed. Class 3.
- BUSI 5361 Developing an Ethical Climate
Examines leadership strategies for generating and maintaining an organizational climate that fosters ethical behavior as normative process. Students will explore methods to minimize dilemmas, reinforce ethical practices, and shape organizational values to build organizational integrity and trust. Class 1.
- BUSI 5373 Strategic Thinking and Planning
Students are introduced to the concepts, varied procedures, and tools that are used in organizational strategic planning. Topics include the fundamentals of the strategic alignment of people, resources, and processes to the vision, mission, and purpose. Discussion also includes how to develop the ability to think strategically. Class 3.
- BUSI 5383 Organizational Change and Development
Examines the structural and environmental forces that influence the leadership process within organizations. Students will learn to identify an organization’s readiness for change and appropriate intervention and change strategies. Issues examined will include power and resistance, human motivation and behavior, organizational shadow, intervention in systems, and the fostering of change-oriented cultures. Class 3.
- BUSI 5141 Integrating Faith and Work
Students will evaluate their readiness to integrate their faith into their work and their growth as leaders, as stated in their personal development plans. Specific steps will be taken to answer the question: how does faith impact your actions in your professional life. Class 1.
- BUSI 5403 Strategic Leadership in Practice
This applied integrated project is a capstone course designed to advance students’ abilities to put learned strategic leadership abilities into practice. Students will complete one of the following project options: a research project; an intervention project; a venture plan; or an applied leadership/consulting project. Class 3. All core courses must be completed prior to taking BUSI 5403 Strategic leadership in Practice.
To earn the Master of Strategic Leadership degree, students must complete the following satisfactorily:
- The required curriculum with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00, with no more than 20% of the program hours with grades of C in the required curriculum. A grade of D will not count toward meeting graduation requirements.
- A minimum residency of 75% of program hours completed through LeTourneau University
- All graduation requirements completed in no more than seven years at LeTourneau.
- Payment of all tuition and fees.
- Approval of the faculty and the Board of Trustees.
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