Leverage Human Resources and Align as a Strategic Partner
Overview
Advanced technology, the speed of communication and pace of change are transforming the way organizations do business. Managers need advanced skills to develop and execute organizational strategies that maximize performance in today’s competitive landscape. MSU’s Graduate Certificate in Strategic Management provides you with proven tools and frameworks to make sound business decisions that drive results today and maximize profitability well into the future. Enhance your strategic acumen through this for-credit graduate certificate consisting of only five courses (9 credits). All five courses are included in MSU’s Master of Science in Management, Strategy and Leadership, so the credits you earn may be applied toward a master’s degree if you decide to pursue one in the future.*
Academic Calendar
Fall 2024
Application Deadline
August 2, 2024
Start Date
August 26, 2024
Spring 2025
Application Deadline
December 4, 2024
Start Date
January 6, 2025
Strategic leaders have the ability to influence the professionals around them through a shared vision to achieve common organizational objectives. Organizations value those professionals who can create and execute strategies to improve efficiency, effectiveness and productivity to successfully sustain their competitive advantage. This curriculum was designed by some of the top researchers in management. What this means for you as a student, is that much of what you learn in the interactive classroom is based on timely and relevant research findings, not the latest fad in management. In fact, the Broad College Management Department faculty has been recognized for more than six years as the most productive researchers in top management journals.
*Students must be accepted into the master’s program for the credits to be applied.
Graduate Certificates Designed for You Now Exclusively Online
This graduate certificate, offered exclusively online, was designed specifically for self-directed professionals like you looking to gain the skills needed for an organizational leadership role. This credential leverages the convenience of anytime, anywhere interactive, video-based e-learning, opening doors to career advancement opportunities while fitting into the constraints of your busy schedule. Breaking the mold of traditional online graduate courses, 5 week courses allow you to gain more skills and knowledge within an accelerated schedule. The length of time it takes to complete the graduate certificate is dependent on course availability.
What You’ll Learn
- Best practices for utilizing resources, creating a competitive advantage and improving your strategic position in the market
- Techniques for strategic decision making and long-term planning
- How to analyze industry life cycles and evaluate the market landscape
- The characteristics of and differences between business unit and corporate strategy
- Types of change and different processes to manage and measure it successfully
- The key industry drivers, global strategy levers and organizational factors that drive success in the global marketplace
- How to create readiness and a vision for change in your organization
Who should Enroll
The For-Credit Graduate Certificate in Strategic Management is designed for professionals who have earned a bachelor’s degree and have at least three years of full time managerial experience in a supervisory role. Ideal candidates will have earned a 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA.
This program is designed to meet the needs of working professionals from a variety of industries looking to enhance their strategic leadership and management competencies to drive organizational success. Those who might be interested in the graduate certificate include aspiring and current managers, directors, consultants and organizational leaders across position levels.
Required Courses
- MGT 802 Strategic Analysis
MGT 802
Perform a supervised analysis of your employing organization, by interviewing the CEO or other visible leader. Then assess the correspondence between the leader’s vision and concepts presented in the program. *MGT 802 must be completed in the last semester.
- MGT 850 Competitive & Business Strategy
MGT 850
Learn concepts and methods that integrate previous training in functional areas of management. You will understand the total firm perspective and ways top managers create and sustain competitive advantage in today’s challenging global marketplace.
Complete Any Three of the Following Courses
- HCM 818 Strategic Decision Making
HCM 818
Develop and refine your strategic decision-making skills as an individual and in working with a management team. Learn key decision-making concepts and processes necessary for developing and implementing long-term strategies that create a competitive advantage for your organization. Understand factors that impact individual and group decision-making processes as well as tools and techniques to improve strategic decision making. Learn how to avoid common decision-making errors and blunders that lead to failure in the competitive marketplace. This course is essential for executives leading the strategic decision-making processes as well as managers who participate in the process and want to impact the strategic direction of their organization.
- MGT 828 Strategic Control
MGT 828
Design of strategic management control systems and use of managerial accounting data to support strategy implementation, performance monitoring, and change.
- MGT 842 Leading A Strategy Change
MGT 842
Analyze issues related to role of leadership in the change process, with an emphasis on the need for and execution of change in strategy.
- MGT 843 Innovation and Entrepreneurship
MGT 843
Managing innovation and launching a new business.
- MGT 856 Corporate Strategy
MGT 856
Discover the management strategy behind multi-business firms, conglomerates, and business groups. Topics will focus on mergers and acquisitions, firm scope, strategic alliances, corporate governance, and strategic leadership.
Total Courses
Required Courses
3 Credits
Electives
6 credits
Total
9 credits
Tuition
Cost Per Credit Hour
$1,130
Total Credits Needed
9 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.
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!
"*" indicates required fields
Admission Requirementes
- At least three years full-time managerial experience in a supervisory role strongly preferred
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college
- 3.0 cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA)
- A high degree of potential for advancement to an organizational leadership role
- Important personal and managerial attributes, such as intellectual curiosity, strong communication skills, maturity, openness to new ideas and change, leadership qualities, analytical thinking ability, perseverance, and an ability to lead and work in teams
- Background knowledge of and exposure to word processing, spreadsheets and presentations
Transfer Credit Policy
- At the sole discretion of Michigan State University, up to 9 graduate credit hours (excluding research and thesis credits) may be transferred from other postsecondary accredited institutions of comparable academic quality. Only courses in which at least a 3.0 grade or its equivalent was received will be considered for transfer. Transfer credit can only be used towards a master’s degree of 30 credits minimum; not towards a Graduate Certificate.
Applicants must submit the following items:
- A completed application
- A one-time, nonrefundable $100 application fee
- Official undergraduate transcripts from a bachelor’s degree program at an accredited college or university and official transcripts of other programs or courses of study from any accredited college or university attended prior to Michigan State University. Transcripts from Michigan State are not required.
- If an applicant selects they are a Service member or a Veteran of the military an official military transcript will be required
- Current resume detailing professional work experience, academic credentials and related accomplishments, and pertinent biographical information
- Three letters of recommendation from professional, work-related references, preferably supervisors. Letters that attest to your ability to work within and lead teams, as well as to your contribution to a professional business environment, are strongly recommended.
- A statement of intention essay, no more than two pages, including details of your direct supervisory and/or project/program management experience, as well as a statement on how you intend to leverage the degree in your career
- GMAT scores may be submitted if your bachelor’s degree GPA was below 3.0 in your last two years of undergraduate work*
*Qualified applicants with 3 or more years’ full-time managerial experience in a supervisory role and a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher are typically not required to submit GMAT scores for admissions consideration. Admissions decisions are determined by several factors, including: quantity and quality of professional and/or military experience; academic degrees (including graduate degrees) and grade point averages; institution(s) where credits were earned; Letters of Recommendation; and the Statement of intention. Applicants may be requested to submit GMAT scores based on these criteria. Applicants who have earned below a cumulative 3.0 GPA, especially from non-regionally accredited institutions, are encouraged to provide a strong GMAT score along with their application. Applicants with cumulative GPAs above 3.0 from non-regionally accredited institutions or for-profit institutions may be asked to take a GMAT depending upon the quality of their overall application. Submitted GMAT scores must not be more than five years old.
