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Online Master of Arts in Leadership (M.A.)

Advance Your Skills, Lead with Confidence

More than just what you do, leadership is who you are. Offered 100% online, Bushnell University’s Master of Arts in Leadership refines your skill set for more effective leadership in the groups and organizations you serve. Whether you’re an experienced or aspiring leader, at Bushnell, you engage with best practice principles and sharpen your self-understanding as a leader.

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Credits 36 | Cost/Credit $675 | Completion 12-24 Months | Format Online | Starts Per Year Three

Graduate Programs

Masters of Business Administration

Master of Arts in Leadership

Master of Arts in Sports Management

Contact

Christina Meyers
Admission Counselor

541-684-7280
cmeyers@bushnell.edu

Larry Coburn, M.S.
Program Director, MAL Program

503-432-3220
lcoburn@bushnell.edu

Why Earn a Master’s in Leadership Online Degree at Bushnell?

Our online M.A. in leadership program provides a comprehensive curriculum that allows you to customize your education to your interests and goals. Choose from five concentrations: Business Administration, Church Leadership, Higher Education Leadership, Non-Profit and Interdisciplinary.

Discover more about what sets our program apart:

  • Seamless integration into your schedule: Bushnell University’s online format means you can earn a graduate degree with minimal disruption to your personal or professional life. Attend class from the comfort of your own home and maintain your job, all while advancing your career trajectory.
  • Faith-based approach to leadership: Our curriculum has significant faith aspects interwoven into it. We welcome you to lead in your faith and participate in reading portions of biblical text and looking at several leadership qualities demonstrated by Jesus.
  • 12- or 24-month completion: Bushnell’s online leadership M.A. program works with your schedule by offering three starts per year and the option to complete your degree in one year or 24 months.
  • Affordable online M.A. in leadership: The cost of your education shouldn’t be the barrier to entry. Bushnell’s leadership master’s program ranked as one of the most affordable in Oregon, making it much more accessible.
  • Renowned School of Business: Bushnell University’s School of Business, Leadership and Technology brings together all the critical elements needed to be successful in today’s world — business acumen, inclusive leadership and cutting-edge technology. Combined with our mission of wisdom, faith and service, we offer an experience unlike any other university of our size across the U.S.
  • Respected for excellence: Bushnell University is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges & Universities (NWCCU). Additionally, the School of Business Leadership and Technology has received specialized accreditation for its business programs (including the Master of Arts in Leadership) through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).

Curriculum 

Courses in the Master of Arts in Leadership online program take place over eight weeks. Those on the 12-month track take two courses per semester, while those on the 24-month track take just one class at a time. Students graduate with the knowledge and skills to:

  • Facilitate personal growth and leadership effectiveness.
  • Integrate wisdom, faith and service in the leadership of complex organizations.
  • Impact positive change and empower mission fulfillment.
  • Nurture, mentor and develop leadership skills in other members of the organization.
  • Navigate complex social and cultural systems on a local and global spectrum.
  • Practice principled stewardship of organizational resources (people and systems).

A faith-focused program, the curriculum welcomes students to incorporate their personal faith or belief system to the extent they feel comfortable. However, students should be at ease discussing faith and leadership throughout Christianity, even if they do not consider themselves religious. 

Students with questions about the aspects of Christianity in the curriculum should reach out to an Admissions Counselor, who can connect them with a faculty member who can answer more specific or in-depth questions about this topic.

Visit our academic catalog for full course descriptions.

To learn more about important dates, such as new student orientation and the last days to add or drop classes, review the academic calendar.

Online Leadership Courses

Students in the M.A. in leadership program complete 36 credit hours of core classes and 12 credits in their area of concentration. Foundational courses include:

    • Leadership, Diversity and Globalization
    • Leadership, Self-assessment and Self-care
    • Leadership, Wisdom, Faith and Service
    • Leadership and Mission Fulfillment
    • MAL Portfolio
    • Organizational Leadership
    • Stewardship of Financial Resources
  • Choose one course from the following:
      • Organizational Leadership
      • Organizational Behavior
  • Choose one course from the following:
    • Leadership Strategies
    • Leadership and Management

Master’s in Leadership Program Concentrations

Students tailor their education to their unique interests and goals by selecting an area of concentration. Options include:

  • Business Administration
  • Church Leadership
  • Higher Education
  • Interdisciplinary
  • Non-Profit

These areas of specialization can prepare students for leadership functions in the industries in which they currently work or for a career shift. The practical skills and breadth of knowledge students gain in their concentration make them competitive candidates in the job market.

Note that all courses in concentration areas are subject to change.

Hear From Our Burgeoning Leaders

Student
"The MAL program had a huge impact on me for every classmate, and professor. I had the opportunity to really reflect and work on my life skills and I got to see the change happen directly before my eyes. It was no brainer for me to pursue the MAL program, which has directly impacted my current role at Portland State. I am a servant leader, and every day is an opportunity to serve/ lead my team. I want the best for them on and off the court, and I am not afraid to serve them in a way that I was taught how thanks to my experience at Bushnell."  
-Kaylynn Bush '21
Student
"It has been an honor and a joy to be guided online from the other side of the world by engaging professors in the MAL program at Bushnell. These stellar individuals have been instrumental in processing the foundation and transitions of my leadership journey as I study in the non-profit program emphasis. Additionally, they have helped me to put verbiage to my experiences within the multicultural leadership dynamics, challenges, and dilemmas I have experienced in leadership roles as a missionary these past ten years in Cambodia." 
-Melissa Stock '23
Student
"The knowledge and skills I gained through the Masters of Arts in Leadership (MAL) helped me grow intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. As a result of my time in the MAL program, my husband and I manage our small business more effectively and humanely. Most importantly, the MAL has helped my family and I love more faithfully. Choosing to study Leadership at Bushnell is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The MAL taught me about trust." 
-Kimberly Jahn '21
Student
"Going back to school in my late 50’s while continuing to work full time was a daunting decision, but the professors and material have given me exactly what I wanted. One would think attending virtual instruction wouldn’t provide meaningful relationships with instructors or other students, but I can attest this is not the case at Bushnell. One of the best aspects of this type of learning is the variety and diversity of experiences in my classes. The professor’s weekly assignments have opened my mind, their input on my submissions and interactions with my colleagues." 
-Gary Hoag '23

Program Admissions

A complete application to the online master’s in leadership program must include:

  • Free application for admission.
  • Official transcript showing completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited four-year college or university (3.0 cumulative grade-point average) and transcripts for any subsequent academic work.
  • A Statement of Purpose (500 words) showing skills in written communication, addressing how the online Master of Arts in Leadership relates to your personal and professional goals.
  • Current resume.

Have questions regarding admissions? Connect with an Admissions Counselor.

Tuition and Financial Aid

At Bushnell University, we emphasize affordability and understand that navigating financial aid and funding opportunities is a big part of the process. We strive to connect students with the aid they need to make their graduate education more accessible, including traditional student loans.

Get started by exploring various forms of financial aid, including federal aid, scholarships and grants. 

Military veteran students can also benefit from Bushnell’s veteran support services and tuition assistance program.

Careers with a Degree in Leadership

Students with a master’s in leadership develop transferable skills they can leverage across various sectors, allowing them to pursue careers in diverse fields. With opportunities in industries ranging from healthcare to education and non-profit to business, students can follow career paths based on their individual preferences, industry interests and prior work experience.

Our graduates can find employment in:

  • Consulting
  • Corporate Training And Development
  • Education Administration
  • Government And Public Administration
  • Healthcare Administration
  • Human Resources Management
  • Leadership And Management Roles
  • Nonprofit Leadership

Learn to Lead with Purpose in Bushnell’s M.A. in Leadership Program

More than a title, leadership represents a commitment to making a meaningful impact. Bushnell University’s Online Master of Arts in Leadership degree program goes beyond traditional methods, offering a dynamic, flexible curriculum that combines theoretical knowledge with real-world applications, all in a faith-enriched approach.

Take the next step toward becoming a purposeful leader — apply today!

Have Questions?

We encourage you to reach out with any questions. Our admissions team and faculty are happy to guide you through every stage of your journey.

Christina Meyers
Admission Counselor

541-684-7280
cmeyers@bushnell.edu

Larry Coburn, M.S.
Program Director, MAL Program

503-432-3220
lcoburn@bushnell.edu

Meet the Faculty

Larry Coburn, M.S. Program Director  

“The MAL program at Bushnell University engages you in a journey of leader formation as you learn leadership approaches and skills.  We aim for you to discover and strengthen the leader you were made to be.

We go beyond leadership theory and techniques on this journey, challenging you to clarify the connection between what you believe and how you lead.  You will emerge from this program with a stronger and clearer leader identity, and the skills and understanding to lead more effectively in your leadership context.”

View Faculty