Students who have successfully completed the M.S. in Leadership and Organizational Development degree from Lakeland University should be able to:

• Communicate effectively including the appropriate use of technology.
• Identify managerial interpersonal skills needed to motivate employees and carry out business objectives.
• Demonstrate effective ethical, professional, and collaborative behaviors.
• Apply the discipline of leadership to creatively engage the community in meeting its challenges.
• Apply theory and principles of group dynamics in assuming multiple group roles and responsibilities.

Admission Requirements for the M.S. in Leadership and Organizational Development in Addition to Those Listed Under General Admission Requirements

General Admission Requirements  

• A cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 or a minimum score of 500 on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is required for admission. However, admissions decisions include consideration of the candidate’s application in its entirety.
• A written statement of purpose is required, indicating how an M.S. in Leadership and Organizational Development educational experience would help the applicant meet professional goals and what leadership or managerial skills the applicant would bring to this program. The statement should be limited to 250 words.
• A current resume.

Conditional Admission Policy

For consideration of conditional admission by the Program Director in the Master of Science in Leadership and Organizational Development program, applicants typically have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least a 2.5 GPA. Student files will be reviewed in its entirety based on the following criteria: 

• A Statement of Purpose that reflects educational or career experiences that would help the applicant achieve academic success in the program.
• Current Resume.
• Submission of three (3) letters of recommendations from supervisors or instructors that provide support and evidence of the student’s ability to achieve success at the graduate level.
• Evidence of at least one of the following:
  • The student’s GPA is at least a 3.0 during the last two years of the baccalaureate program (calculated on a minimum of 48 semester hours).
  • A score of at least 450 on the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT).
  • Successful completion in six semester hours of graduate transfer coursework with a ‘B’ or better from a regionally accredited institution.
  • Demonstrated professional achievement and aptitude as evaluated by the Program Director.

Students in conditional status will be evaluated upon completion of the first six (6) semester hours of Lakeland University graduate coursework. A student who achieves a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher is fully admitted.

Exceptions to the Policy Regarding Enrollment Prior to Program Admission

• A student with no interest in completing the Lakeland M.S. in Leadership and Organizational Development degree, wanting to enroll in the CMA or CPA course sequence or business graduate certificate program may apply for admission as a non-degree seeking student.
• Such a student may enroll in these courses provided the student meets the program and course requirements.
  • Should this student subsequently decide to pursue the Lakeland M.S. in Leadership and Organizational Development degree, they need to apply for admission as a degree-seeking applicant.
  • The CPA and/or CMA or certificate coursework is applicable to the M.S. in Leadership and Organizational Development degree program requirements.
• A non-degree-seeking student is not required to complete BA 700 - Business Research Methodology  within the first nine (9) semester hours of coursework.
  • If they subsequently decide to pursue the Lakeland University M.S. in Leadership and Organizational Development degree, they need to seek program admission to complete BA 700 - Business Research Methodology  within the next nine (9) semester hours of coursework.