Strategic Leadership

The Master of Professional Studies degree with a concentration in Strategic Leadership prepares students to lead in today's rapidly changing professional environment. This fully online graduate professional studies degree consists of 33 hours of interdisciplinary coursework in the areas of leadership, communication, strategic planning and assessment, organizational structure, and research/data analysis.

Applying for Admission to the program

Applications for the fall semester must be received by August 1st; spring semester by December 1st; and summer term by May 1st.

All applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree with a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale from an accredited college or university. Applicants are selected on a competitive basis, so admission is not guaranteed to all applicants who meet only the minimum requirements. Since all CPLS graduate programs aim to produce lifelong learners and competitive members of the workforce, applicants' submitted materials are scrutinized not only for content and but also for presentation, organization, professionalism, and compliance with the program's specific application instructions, which are listed below.

To apply for this program, you will need to complete an application, which will require the following documents:

Resumé: The applicant's resumé should include the applicant's employment history, academic history, current contact information, and any additional relevant information, such as professional skills, training, presentations, publications, etc.
Recommendation Letters: Applicants must submit at least two official letters of professional reference, preferably from a colleague or superior who can attest to the applicant's capacity to succeed in the profession. All recommendation letters must meet College of Professional & Liberal Studies requirements or they will not be accepted.
Personal Essay: Applicants must submit a brief, original essay (approximately 500-600 words) that addresses why they chose to apply to the MPS program and how the program will help them achieve specific professional goals.
Additional Items (Optional): Other items that an applicant may submit in the portfolio include a description of professional responsibilities, professional achievements, and professional recognition and/or awards.

For technical questions regarding the application, please contact UM Graduate School Customer Support with the following information:

Your name
Current program or program of interest
Your UID from UofM and/or UniCAS ID number if available

Phone: 901.678.3685
Email: graduateadmissions@memphis.edu

For questions regarding admission requirements, please contact the College of Professional & Liberal Studies Graduate Programs: cplsgrad@memphis.edu

The MPS program does not require the GRE General Test, but if you have taken it please submit your GRE scores in your application.

Only after your application is completed and all required documents are submitted will a final decision be made on the application. Please note that the Graduate School will notify applicants once a decision has been reached.

Program Requirements

Students enrolled in the MPS degree will complete 9 credit hours of core courses; 21 credit hours in the concentration; and 3 credit hours in the culminating project for a total of 33 credit hours.

Course Rotation for Strategic Leadership concentration

A. Core Courses: The MPS Core is required of all students, and consists of the following three courses.

PRST 7100 - Professional Environment: Issues and Ethics (3 credit hours)
PRST 7200 - Globalization and the Professions (3 credit hours)
PRST 7300 - Research Methods (3 credit hours)

B. Concentration Requirements: Students will complete seven of the following courses, including at least one course from each of the five subject areas. (21 credit hours)

Leadership Theory
PRST 7500 - Foundations of Leadership (3 credit hours)
ELPA 7560 - Small Group Leadership (3 credit hours)

Research/Data Analysis
PRST 7770 - Computer-Based Decision Modeling (3 credit hours)
PRST 7600 - Statistical Analysis (3 credit hours)

Organizational Structure and Change
PRST 7310 Leadership in Organization (3 credit hours)
PRST 7800 Organizational Skills and Development (3 credit hours)

Strategic Planning and Assessment
PRST 7105 Project Planning and Scheduling (3 credit hours)
PRST 7040 Human Resources Management (3 credit hours)

Communication
COMM 7110 Leadership and Communication (3 credit hours)
JOUR 7450 Public Relations Management (3 credit hours)
PRST 7700 Conflict Management and Negotiation (3 credit hours)

C. Professional Project: The Master of Professional Studies program requires every student to complete a professional project as the culminating experience in earning the degree. A professional project proposal must be submitted to and approved by the students advisor before the PRST 7998 permit will be issued. The deadlines and proposal questions are found in the Proposal Approval Questions.

PRST 7998 - Professional Project (3 credit hours)
OR an appropriate online elective for their concentration