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MS Management, Strategy & Leadership - Strategic Management

Program Type

Masters

Program Format

Online

Courses

15 courses

Credit Hours

30

Next Start

01/06/2025

course 002

The Master of Science in Management, Strategy & Leadership concentration in Strategic Management from MSU addresses the need for highly trained professionals in this field by offering a specialized curriculum to help you create innovative solutions for overseeing an organization’s competitive strategy.

Career Opportunities

Projected Job Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment for management occupations is projected to increase 8 percent from 2021 to 2031, which is faster than the median rate for most other occupations.

For more information on other management occupations, visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics website: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/home.htm

Potential Outcomes

Graduates of the MSL Strategic Management concentration may qualify for a wide range of positions, including:*

  • Product manager
  • Program manager
  • Controller
  • Director of product management
  • Marketing product manager
  • Director of payment innovation
  • Director of software engineering
  • Finance manager
  • Digital product manager
  • Marketing manager

* Source: EMSI/Burning Glass Job Postings – Occupations: Mgmt. Occupations (11-0000); Education: Master’s; Skills: Strategic Mgmt., Innovation, Corporate Strategy, Strategic Decision Making; Timeframe: Apr ‘21 – Mar ‘22

What You Can Learn

The online Master of Science in Management, Strategy & Leadership features 10 core courses that explore topics in business strategy, leadership, negotiations and conflict resolution, international management, ethics and more.

In addition, students opting for a concentration in Strategic Management must complete the following four electives (each carrying 2 credit hours) as well as an elective of their choice from the Human Resources Management concentration:

  • MGT 828 – Strategic Control
    Learn to design strategic management control systems and use managerial accounting data to support strategy implementation and performance monitoring.
  • MGT 843 – Innovation and Entrepreneurship
    Develop the knowledge and capabilities to lead product development and manage successful new business ventures.
  • MGT 856 – Corporate Strategy
    Discover the management strategy behind multi-business firms, conglomerates and business groups. Topics will focus on mergers and acquisitions, firm scope, strategic alliances, corporate governance and leadership.
  • MGT 873 – Strategic Decision Making
    Understand the process of strategic decision making by identifying issues that impede and improve success and examining a range of contextual factors that influence the decision process.

The full program curriculum covers a range of additional topics essential for success in today’s business world, including strategic planning, competitive analysis, global strategy and change management.

This graduate degree is designed for experienced business professionals looking to maximize their potential in managing people and leading organizations, while enhancing their career opportunities.

To be considered for MSU’s online MS in Management, Strategy and Leadership program, you should have:

  • 3 years (minimum) full-time managerial experience in a supervisory role and a high degree of potential for advancement to an organizational leadership role
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college
  • 3.0 minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA)

International Applicants click here for more information.

MS in Management, Strategy & Leadership Program Application Checklist

Start Your MSU Application ?

  • Complete your online application with a $100 application fee (one-time, nonrefundable)

Order Transcripts ?

  • Official transcripts from all college/university programs or courses of study attended prior to applying to Michigan State University
  • Official military transcript (if denoting servicemember or military veteran status in application)

Provide Professional Resume, Essay & Recommendations ?

  • Applicants’ resumes must include up to 20 years of work experience (if applicable).
  • Applicants’ resumes must explicitly list supervisory vs. non-supervisory for each role within their work experience. If the role was supervisory, the applicant must include a range of direct reports.
  • Applicants with military service must denote rank (and associated pay grade) for every position listed on their resume (military roles).
  • 3 letters of recommendation from professional, work-related references, preferably supervisors. Letters should speak to your ability to work within and lead teams, and your contribution to a professional business environment are strongly recommended.
  • Statement of intention essay (2 pages), detailing your direct supervisory and/or management experience, and stating how you see the degree furthering your career and organizational goals.

Please note, while the application deadline has been extended, if your application is submitted after April 5, 2024 we cannot guarantee consideration for the Summer semester.

Curriculum & Tuition

Tuition

Cost per credit hour: $1,130

Total credits: 30

About MSU’s Broad College of Business

Founded in 1855 on the ideals of democratization of knowledge, Michigan State University (MSU) is an inclusive, internationally recognized university with a mission of advancing knowledge and transforming lives. Michigan State University Online is the home to online programs from MSU's Eli Broad College of Business. These flexible programs are offered in a variety of structures and formats and designed for working professionals. Through the convenience of online, video-based e-learning with the added value of face-to-face networking in select programs, you can gain applicable industry knowledge and learn from the faculty thought leaders at one of the top research universities in the world.

Cost per credit hour: $1,130

Additional tuition reductions and flexible payment options may be available!

Career Pathways

Chief Executives
Financial Managers
General and Operations Managers
Management Analysts
Marketing Managers