About the Program
- Mission Statement
- Philosophy
- Program Goals
- Areas of Emphasis
- Competencies
- About Our Students
- Personalized Professional Opportunities
Mission Statement
The Master of Arts in Leadership at Azusa Pacific University offers current and emerging leaders a graduate degree by means of theoretically grounded and practically applied courses. The objective is to award degrees to adult participants who develop not only academically, but also in accordance with a set of comprehensive leadership competencies.
Philosophy
The M.A. in Leadership program is based on the following essential principles for effective leadership:
- Viewing transformational leadership as a liberating force in the development of human resources, as well as organizational goals
- Acknowledging that social science and biblical values are developed into an informed ethic of leading
- Recognizing that individual leadership styles and personalities relate to the achievement of organizational goals
- Developing communication, problem-solving, decision-making, conflict-resolution, change-strategy, and strategic-planning skills
- Identifying and creating opportunities for learning in order to become proactive, lifelong learners and agents of change
Program Goals
- Explore the process of human development as it relates to individual and organizational development.
- Apply human development concepts in order to creatively solve organizational problems and promote healthy organizational development.
- Facilitate the use of change-agent skills in the areas of program design, implementation, and evaluation.
- Work with the design and development of strategies that promote personal development and enhance the functioning of organizations.
Areas of Emphasis
The M.A. in Leadership is designed for individuals in current leadership positions, those who aspire to be good leaders, and for students eager to engage in a more in-depth study of leadership. With admission to one of the program's three areas of emphasis, students receive a focused leadership education.
All students who are admitted to the program are admitted to the Leadership Development emphasis. At the time of admission to the program, or no later than completion of the first 9 units, individuals seeking consideration for the Organizational Leadership or Leadership Studies emphases must provide supplementary material. For the Organizational Leadership emphasis, this requires a statement of intent, including a professional résumé, demonstrating at least five years of significant post-baccalaureate leadership experience. Applicants for the Leadership Studies emphasis must document research skills and identify their intended research area. Decisions regarding admission to the Organizational Leadership or Leadership Studies emphases are made by the program director.
1. Leadership Development
The Leadership Development emphasis primarily focuses on emerging leaders looking for the preparation for leadership in current and future endeavors and/or those interested in learning how to create leadership development programs. The ability to embrace one’s leadership identity, capitalize on strengths, and increase emotional intelligence are at the heart of leadership development. Such leaders also have a commitment and ability to develop others to make important contributions.
2. Organizational Leadership
The Organizational Leadership emphasis is designed to educate individuals who are currently in positions of significant leadership and seeking fresh tools to inspire and mobilize those they serve. Strategic communication, interpersonal conflict, working through teams to accomplish organizational goals, and accomplishing results in timely and meaningful ways are all tasks that are required of today’s leaders. With an emphasis on organizational behavior, participants learn to view groups from a leadership perspective. This emphasis educates students about organizations, while capitalizing on the vast experiences that adults bring to the learning environment.
3. Leadership Studies
Among those who study leadership are those whose interest is primarily research-oriented. Students in the Leadership Studies emphasis are eager to research the dynamics of good leadership, the nature of effective leader-follower relationships, the broad theories that inform thinking about leadership, and the scholarly work that informs this knowledge. While not without practical applications, this track focuses on furnishing students with the interdisciplinary tools necessary for further studies in leadership.
Competencies
The M.A. in Leadership equips students in a variety of life and work applications. Leadership is enhanced when professionals are systematically able to develop and expand their competencies. This program is committed to teaching eight leadership competencies. These foci are taught in order to assist students in developing their level of performance in each of the following competency areas:
- Person of integrity and spirituality
- Mentor
- Strategist
- Change agent
- Educator
- Team builder
- Mobilizer
- Person of academic inquiry
About Our Students
APU is noted for its small classes and personal attention. Most courses do not exceed 25 students. The university has a diverse student body, representing all races, ages, and both genders. In this program, many students have an established background of leadership in various fields and industries. Others are more recent college graduates and emerging leaders, or are interested in approaching the field of leadership studies from a scholarly and research-based perspective.
Personalized Professional Opportunities
- Interaction between faculty and students provides a wealth of opportunities for personal and professional challenge and support. This interaction is achieved by way of class sessions and correspondence throughout the program.
- Mentorship and growth planning are encouraged.
- Above all, freedom is stressed within the course structure so that students may tailor their learning experiences to their individual and organizational needs. In addition, students are encouraged to apply the knowledge and skills gained in the classroom to situations within their own organizations.
- Most students are working adults.
- Academic advising is highly recommended to determine the course load required for students to finish their preferred time frame.
