What Can You Do With a Master’s Degree in Leadership?
If you have earned your undergraduate degree and are looking to pursue a master’s degree in business, you may be curious about the Master of Science in Leadership (MSL) and whether this program would be a good fit for you.
To begin, ask yourself the following questions:
- Are you passionate about being a leader?
- Do you want to grow in both your career and your personal life?
- Do you want to become more marketable in your field?
- Are you ready to take your career to the next level?
If you answered yes to all these questions, then keep reading! A master’s in leadership will help you achieve these goals.
In This Article
How a Master of Science in Leadership Can Help You Take the Lead
The master’s program in leadership is designed for students to build on their existing strengths and skill sets. Throughout the program, students integrate a foundation of leadership with executive acuity and explore business leadership models and theories to improve organizations on a global scale. Along the way, expert practitioners guide learners in the study of traits and practices that empower leaders.
The MSL degree program examines leadership through the lens of conscious capitalism with a focus on the constructs of ethics, entrepreneurship and servant leadership. The four guiding principles of conscious capitalism: conscious leadership, conscious culture, higher purpose, and stakeholder orientation provide a framework from which students can learn to lead and serve.1 Students learn about the factors that distinguish servant leaders and how attending to others’ needs can nurture positive, diverse and productive work cultures. In addition, this program teaches leadership communication and how to foster collaboration among diverse team members.
Having a Master of Science in Leadership allows students to pursue their passion in almost any career field. Armed with skills in critical thinking, analysis, data interpretation and ethical problem-solving, graduates with this advanced leadership degree are prepared to lead any type of organization effectively at the highest levels.
You may be wondering, what can you do with a master’s in leadership? The following are some possible Master of Science in Leadership jobs:
1. C-level Executive
One of the many choices of Master of Science in Leadership jobs includes the C-level executive. Companies of every kind have opportunities for leadership graduates with a solid work history and educational background. Common positions in this category are chief executive officer (CEO), chief operating officer (COO) and general manager.
2. Human Resources Manager
Professionals in this leadership position oversee an organization’s recruiting, hiring and training programs, benefits plans, workplace culture, resolution of employee disputes and compliance.
3. Sales Manager
Since sales drive revenue and help businesses meet their goals, organizations in every industry are looking for qualified professionals to lead their sales teams. With the right skills and educational background, MSL graduates often find opportunities to advance from that role into higher-level positions, such as vice president or president of sales.
4. Entrepreneur/Founder
Many MSL graduates go on to create and run their own businesses, often in an industry they already know or a field they are passionate about. Equipped with the knowledge and skills acquired in this master’s program, they can transform self-employment from a dream into a reality.
5. School Principal
An MSL degree can prepare you to lead in many different settings. The leadership skills and styles you develop while earning your master’s degree can help equip you to take the lead as a school principal.
6. Health Services Manager
The healthcare field also needs leaders that know how to make a difference in their environment. One such position is that of health services manager. Health services managers do not work with direct patient care but rather manage the operations in their facilities. The skill set developed in an MSL program can greatly help with this career path.
7. Corporate Trainer
Corporate trainers must have sufficient leadership knowledge in order to train and mentor employees. These professionals are responsible for helping employees have the tools and knowledge they need to be successful at their jobs. Leadership skills can be greatly beneficial as corporate trainers guide, prepare and train employees.
Market Outlook for Leadership Jobs
Strong leaders are needed in all different fields and positions. The skill set gained by earning in an MSL degree can be adaptable to different jobs and careers. There is not a particular outlook for all leadership jobs but here are three job outlooks for leadership jobs according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
- Employment of top executives is projected to grow 6% from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations.2
- As of September 2021, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook estimates job growth for human resources managers to increase by about 9% from 2020 to 2030, accounting for an estimated increase of 14,800 jobs in the field.3
- As of September 2021, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook estimates job growth for training and development managers to increase by about 11% from 2020 to 2030, faster than average, accounting for an estimated increase of 4,500 jobs in the field.4
If you’re looking to grow in your career and become a leader committed to motivating and inspiring others, the Master of Science in Leadership may be the perfect fit for you. Grand Canyon University’s Colangelo College of Business provides students with the high level of critical thinking and analytical skills required in today’s complex business settings. Learn more about business degrees at GCU and how to become an MSL graduate.
1 Retrieved from Conscious Capitalism, Conscious Capitalism Philosophy in January 2023.
2 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as well. Accordingly, data shown is based on October 2022, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Top Executives.
3 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics as well. Accordingly, data shown is based on 2020, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Human Resources Managers.
4 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as well. Accordingly, data shown is based on September 2021, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Training and Development Managers.
Approved by full-time faculty for the Colangelo College of Business on Dec. 21, 2022.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
