Designed for the Working Professional
The MLOS Program caters to working professionals seeking professional advancement or a leadership position. It is ideal for individuals who already possess professional skills, but who are in need of advanced leadership and organizational skills. Above all, emphasis is placed on the development of excellent management skills and personal integrity. Graduates walk away with leadership fundamentals, a stronger understanding of organizational life, and real-life methods of practicing ethical conduct.
Model
Traditional FormatIn the accelerated Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership Studies (MLOS) Program at APU, students may complete their degree in about 20 months . The 33 -unit curriculum is concentrated into four-hour class sessions once a week and one weekend per semester and is offered in a lock-step format that coordinates students' class and work schedules and enables them to begin the program as it suits their schedule. Courses are taught sequentially, and the rich diversity of experiences that students bring to class result in lively discussions. Because students stay with the same group throughout the course of the program, they develop a strong rapport with other group members, who act as a support system through the completion of the degree. Many students find the networking opportunities that arise through participating in the program to be invaluable. |
Online FormatThe new online version of the Master of Arts in Leadership and Organizational Studies accelerated program (MLOS Online) is designed for adult learners wishing to complete their graduate degree without the on-campus class requirement. Through the online format, students who may not have access to APU’s main campus or regional centers can still experience the same level of quality curriculum and experienced instructional delivery from any location. Whether due to professional/personal conflicts or geographic location, students can accomplish their degree goals through the identical curriculum and cohort model that has been so successful in the traditional MLOS Program. The APU experience is designed to uniquely facilitate development through solid intellectual inquiry, informed decision-making, and the application of ethical principles. A focus on Christian values and ethics is infused into the curriculum and the development of learners by providing direction, purpose, and evaluation of personal and professional life actions. Candidates for this MLOS Online Program are experienced adults looking to complete a business-oriented master’s degree while maintaining the flexibility to address the demands of juggling job, family, and professional development. In this accelerated program, new courses begin every eight weeks. Successful students in this online format clearly recognize that, while there is flexibility in asynchronous learning, a strong commitment to consistent participation, communication, and completion of all work is critical. In order to ensure student success, a Student Orientation course, part of a non-credit proseminar, is mandatory for all online students prior to the start of their online course/cohort. Through this online program, students will engage with the CAPS staff in one-on-one communication for academic and financial advising. A “student commons” will also be available to facilitate community within the cohort and between cohorts, faculty, and staff. For additional information about MLOS Online, contact CAPS. |
Philosophy
The graduate of the MLOS Program understands the requirements and functions of leadership and ethics. Classes provide the learner with strength in the qualitative areas of organizational life. The student has a contemporary, global vision for multicultural matters, research, strategic planning, management, and decision-making.
The central goal of the MLOS Program is increased awareness of individual behavior and movement toward growth in organizational knowledge and skills. The goals of the MLOS Program are to:
- Help the student develop awareness of oneself as an individual who operates within groups for the benefit of the larger organization.
- Help the student develop an understanding of the various theories that drive management behavior and decision making in organizations.
- Help the student consistently develop the central managerial skills of writing and presentational speaking.
- Use various Entering Knowledge Assessments and Exit Competency Applications to help the student develop a coherent, integrated theory of management that articulates a consistent worldview, an understanding of management processes, and an understanding of organizational climate and the development of that climate within the organization.
