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Agility. Innovation. Vision. The critical issues impacting organizations today need forward-thinking solutions and future-focused leaders who are prepared to face any challenge and effectively guide and grow their organization in today’s fast paced business landscape.

Overview

Make tomorrow’s business happen today! Michigan State University’s Master of Science in Management, Strategy and Leadership provides you with a practical education experience, impactful skills and critical knowledge base to develop your leadership excellence in:

  • Team and organizational leadership
  • Strategic management
  • Negotiation and conflict resolution
  • Human resource management
  • Managerial decision making and ethics
  • Organizational learning and change management
  • Competitive business strategy
Application Deadline

April 11, 2025

Start Date

May 5, 2025

View Start Dates

AACSB Accredited Logo

The Broad College of Business has been accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) since 1953

Curriculum & Tuition

Required Courses

Electives

Choose five of the following:

Total Courses

Required Courses
20 Credits
Electives
10 credits
Total
30 credits

Tuition

Cost Per Credit Hour
$1,130
Total Credits Needed
30 credits

Tuition is determined by the University and does not include books or other fees that may apply. These rates are subject to change at any time during the program or enrollment process.

Spring 2025 MSL Book List

Concentrations

Strategic Management 

Students interested in pursuing a strategic management concentration will complete the following courses:

  • MGT 828 Strategic Control 
  • MGT 843 Innovation and Entrepreneurship 
  • MGT 856 Corporate Strategy
  • MGT 873 Strategic Decision Making

Human Resource Management

Students interested in pursuing a human resource management concentration will complete the following courses:

  • MGT 811 Fundamentals of Human Resource Staffing 
  • MGT 814 Managing Diversity in the Workplace
  • MGT 818 Talent Management and Development
  • MGT 822 Developing Reward & Compensation Systems

Need help?

Let us know if you have questions or need assistance.

Toll Free: 855-300-1310
International: +1 813-612-4295

Take the next step in your career with our program guide!

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Admission Requirements

Broad Spartan MBA students wear graduation gowns and toss their caps into the air.Is the M.S. in Management, Strategy & Leadership Right for You?

This graduate degree is designed for experienced business professionals looking to maximize their potential in managing people and leading organizations, while enhancing their career opportunities.

To be considered for MSU’s online MS in Management, Strategy and Leadership program, you should have:

  • Minimum 3 years full-time post-undergraduate experience, ideally in a supervisory role, with a high degree of potential for advancement to an organizational leadership role
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college
  • Minimum 3.0 cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) strongly preferred

International Applicants click here for more information.

MS in Management, Strategy & Leadership Program Application Checklist

Start Your MSU Application ✓

  • Complete your online application with a $100 application fee (one-time, nonrefundable)

Order Transcripts ✓

  • Official transcripts from all college/university programs or courses of study attended prior to applying to Michigan State University
  • Official military transcript (if denoting servicemember or military veteran status in application)

Provide Professional Resume, Essay & Recommendations ✓

  • Applicants’ resumes must include up to 20 years of work experience (if applicable).
  • Applicants’ resumes must explicitly list supervisory vs. non-supervisory for each role within their work experience. If the role was supervisory, the applicant must include a range of direct reports.
  • Applicants with military service must denote rank (and associated pay grade) for every position listed on their resume (military roles).
  • 3 letters of recommendation from professional, work-related references, preferably supervisors. Letters should speak to your ability to work within and lead teams, and your contribution to a professional business environment are strongly recommended.
  • Statement of intention essay (2 pages), detailing your direct supervisory and/or management experience, and stating how you see the degree furthering your career and organizational goals.

 

Apply Now

Please note, while the application deadline has been extended, if your application is submitted after April 5, 2024 we cannot guarantee consideration for the Summer semester.

Program Format

The Master of Science in Management, Strategy & Leadership degree is offered through a combination of video-based lectures, an interactive online classroom environment and one-on-one instructor time.

Structured in an accelerated timeframe of sequential, five-week course modules, the program can be completed in under two years, helping you earn your master’s degree and apply your knowledge to your career quickly.

  • 100% online
  • 15 five-week courses
  • 30 credits
  • 20-month completion time for most students

You can also choose to specialize your education with two concentrations, Human Resource Management or Strategic Management. Each concentration is comprised of four specialized courses.

Access to a laptop or desktop computer with an internet connection is necessary to complete your MSU Online program.

Who You’ll Learn From

The program is led by the top management researchers from the AACSB-accredited Broad College of Business, one of the largest top-ranked business schools in the country.

Our top-ranked faculty are dedicated to challenging students to develop forward-thinking solutions to some of the most important issues impacting organizations today and anticipating the challenges of tomorrow.

  • 1
  • Leadership
  • Speciality ranking (U.S. News & World Report Best Online Master's in Business Programs, 2024)
  • 1
  • General Management
  • Speciality ranking (U.S. News & World Report Best Online Master's in Business Programs, 2024)
  • 2
  • Online Master's Programs
  • Among Public Universities (U.S. News & World Report Best Online Master's in Business Programs, 2024)
  • 4
  • Online Master's Programs
  • Among All Universities (U.S. News & World Report Best Online Master's in Business Programs, 2024)

Top 25 Best Online Master’s in Business Programs, 2017-2024

Top 5 for Specialties

BEST ONLINE MASTER’S IN BUSINESS PROGRAM SPECIALTIES, U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT RANKINGS, 2024

#1
Leadership
HR Management
General Management

#1
Health Care Administration
Organizational Behavior
Marketing

#2
International Business

No. 2 Best Online Master’s in Business Programs for Veterans

U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT RANKINGS, 2024

Glenn Hodges headshot

Glenn Hodges

  • Assistant Professor of Management and Director of the Master of Science in Management, Strategy and Leadership program

Faculty Spotlight: Glenn Hodges

Glenn Hodges, Assistant Professor of Management and Director of the Master of Science in Management, Strategy and Leadership program in MSU’s Broad College of Business, has an over two decades managerial and strategist career with corporate giants such as Coca-Cola and Chrysler.

According to Hodges, “While each student has brought their own unique perspective into the program, they have graduated with a deeper understanding of the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the fast-paced, demanding world of management.”

Who You’ll Learn With

You will learn with a diverse, passionate, team-oriented network of leaders like yourself who are looking to maximize their potential in managing effective teams, leading their organizations and advancing their careers.

Photo of Heather Serrano, MSU Alum

“I applied something from each course to my job…learning about ‘role negotiation’ helped me create a specialized consulting position within the bank, which is now a formal offering.”

— Heather Serrano, Alumni

Photo of Mark Thompson, MSU Alum

All of [the program’s] courses reaffirm that people make organizations run.”

— Mark Thompson, Alumni

The MS in Management, Strategy & Leadership is designed for experienced business professionals who want to learn how to further their education and career potential in managing people and leading organizations – with the added flexibility and convenience of online education.

Admission Requirements

Applying to MSU degree programs is straightforward. Candidates should have:

  • Minimum 3 years full-time post-undergraduate experience, ideally in a supervisory role, with a high degree of potential for advancement to an organizational leadership role.
  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university or college.
  • Minimum 3.0 cumulative undergraduate grade point average (3.0) strongly preferred.

Contact a student success representative and get started on the application or enrollment process for admissions. They are available to assist you Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. EST.

Toll Free: 855-300-1310

International: +1 813-612-4295

Frequently Asked Questions

Disclaimer: National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth. Information provided is not intended to represent a complete list of hiring companies or job titles, and certificate or degree program options do not guarantee career or salary outcomes. Students should conduct independent research for specific employment information.