Online MS/MBA Dual Degree Program in Leadership

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Overview

Accelerate Your Academic and Career Goals

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Science in Leadership (MSL) are degrees that naturally complement each other. The Colangelo College of Business at Grand Canyon University has blended them into a dual program that can provide opportunities for you to accelerate your learning. Work toward a career in business leadership and help the future of business management

This dual degree program is a comprehensive course of study that examines core principles in finance, economics and marketing. GCU’s Christian community emphasizes the values of servant leadership and ethical decision-making within business contexts.

Freedom to Earn Your Master’s in Business From Wherever You Are!
Why GCU

Earn Your Dual MBA MSL Degree From GCU

Many professionals may decide to earn a graduate degree in a business-related area when they feel they are ready to pursue potential career advancement, such as by stepping into a leadership role. You can set yourself apart from the crowd by earning both an MBA and an MSL degree simultaneously. Demonstrate your commitment to professional excellence and continuing development by advancing your credentials. At GCU, you will have opportunities to reflect upon various leadership styles and consider how to improve your own leadership skills. 

Flexible Online Learning for Busy Graduate Students

Graduate students choose the degree programs at GCU in part because of the convenience and flexibility of the online learning environment. You can benefit from being able to access the coursework from virtually anywhere on a schedule that fits your needs. With our digital learning platform, you’ll become a member of a supportive and engaged online learning community. Connect to qualified instructors and enjoy thoughtful discussions with your peers as you work toward dual degree completion at GCU. 

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Coursework

Leadership Coursework and Concepts

The MS/MBA dual program at GCU begins with fundamental coursework intended to build a strong academic framework. The business leadership curriculum emphasizes communication strategies for connecting with audiences and various stakeholders. Servant leadership is another major focus of the joint degree program. 

You will examine core competencies such as:

  • Foundational concepts in leadership and organizational science
  • Principles and practices of financial accounting
  • Financial analysis, financial planning, asset evaluation, capital structure and working capital management

As you progress through the MBA/MSL coursework, you will conduct an in-depth examination of advanced principles of leadership and business management. Economics, marketing management, managerial finance and operations management are all core subject areas you will explore

Other key concepts you will be taught include:

  • Models of leadership styles
  • Quantitative tools and techniques
  • Science of organizational behavior
  • Coaching, mentoring techniques, leadership development and succession planning
  • Interdependency in organizations

Developing Effective Leadership Skills

During your coursework for this MS/MBA program, you will explore leadership styles and consider how to refine your own leadership skills. 

You will examine servant leadership in the context of its biblical basis. You will be required to consider how to embody the principles of servant leadership in a way that empowers people and communities.

The leadership competencies you will be taught are immediately applicable to your current career and include:

Critical thinking and analysis

Interpretation

Ethical problem-solving

Careers

Career Paths for MBA/MSL Graduates

By itself, the MBA degree is a potentially valuable credential that may help you in a demanding and diverse workforce.1 Earning a dual degree will further set you apart from other candidates. By completing this joint degree program, you may demonstrate your commitment toward exceptional management, efficient operations and ethical decision-making. 

Some of the career paths that may be related to this program can include the following:

Administrative services manager 

General and operations manager

Human resources manager

Management analyst

Chief executive

Sales manager

Training and development manager

Personal service manager

Logisticians

Project management specialist

Compensation, benefits and job analysis specialist

$103,840

Median annual wage for top executives as of May 20232  

124,200

Number of new jobs estimated for top executives from 2022 to 2032 

Accreditation

Institutional Accreditation Matters

As an institutionally accredited university, GCU emphasizes quality education that prepares our students to make positive contributions in their field. In addition, GCU has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968. Some of the core programs in our business college have earned accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Visit the Colangelo College of Business accreditation page to learn more. 

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

To better inform your development of your career plans, GCU has compiled the following frequently asked questions and answers.

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1 Hayes, A. (2023, April 30). Is An MBA Worth It? Investopedia. Retrieved June 5, 2024. 

The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”), Top Executives as of May 2023, retrieved June 5, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as top executives, nor does it reflect earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc., against a pool of candidates. 

3 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2022 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2023, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Top Executives, retrieved June 5, 2024. 

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