Master of Arts In Leadership

https://education.pacific.edu/education/graduate-programs

Master of Arts in Leadership

  • Organizational Innovation and Change
  • Leadership for Social Justice

Admissions Requirement

  1. A cumulative GPA of 2.65 or better in all postsecondary coursework or the last 60 units of college or post-baccalaureate work
  2. A Bachelor's degree from an accredited university
  3. A complete application portfolio to Graduate Admissions: personal statement(s), following program guidelines, official transcripts from all college-level coursework including official verification of the awarding of degrees, resume, and 1-2 completed references forms
  4. Faculty interview, if required.
  5. Evidence of qualities and character in keeping with the philosophy and standards of this University and Benerd College

Credentialing and Licensing

Credential programs may be combined with the master’s degree or the doctorate in education.  The MA in Education, Teaching concentration, or Special Education concentration, offers programs for earning a Multiple Subject, Single Subject (in selected content areas), and Education Specialist (Mild to Moderate Support Needs and Extensive Support Needs) credentials. The Counseling Psychology Concentration includes an optional track (beyond the 32 unit minimum) to become eligible for the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). 

Pacific Undergraduate to Master's Pathway

Pacific undergraduates can complete up to 6 units of MA in Leadership coursework as part of a pathway degree program if the student has an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0. Successful completion of coursework will double count toward the undergraduate degree and graduate degree requirements; credits will not be applied to the graduate transcript until the requirements of the undergraduate degree are met.

Students in the undergraduate Organizational Leadership or Healthcare Administration and Leadership programs can transfer their leadership capstone into the master’s program. Students in other majors can complete up to two LEAD courses as an undergraduate, as part of elective coursework. See the “Program” tab for more information.

Master of Arts in Leadership

The Master of Arts (MA) in Leadership requires a minimum of 32 units, with a Pacific cumulative grade point average of 3.0. Students can take a LEAD 202 during their senior year at Pacific and transfer it into this program. The course can be counted toward both the master's and the bachelor's degree.

Students can take up to 6 units of the following courses as an undergraduate or prior to master’s enrollment, as part of Pacific Pathways: LEAD 200 (cross-listed with ORGL 199) or LEAD 202. Up to 6 units can be applied toward the master's, bachelor's, and applicable pre-degree certificates program in Benerd.

Unit Requirement: 32

1. Leadership Core

LEAD 200Exercising Leadership3

2. Inquiry Core

LEAD 210Leadership and Inquiry3

3. Capstone

Students will be required to complete a capstone experience, which includes an integrative portfolio and field experience. This experience is completed as part of one of the LEAD 296 courses:
Integrative Capstone in Innovative Leadership
Integrative Capstone for Social Impact

4. Core Area Concentrations

Students may elect to concentrate in one or more specific areas. To earn a concentration, students must fulfill the general requirements listed above and specific concentration requirements listed below. A single course may be used to fulfill requirements in two or more concentrations.

Leadership for Social Justice
LEAD 201The Ethical Leader3
LEAD 260How to Change the World3
LEAD 261Design Thinking for Social Impact3
LEAD 265Reflective Practice for Leadership & Social Impact3
Organizational Innovation and Change
LEAD 255Design Thinking3
LEAD 256Change in Complex Systems3
LEAD 258Organizational Consulting3
LEAD 259Organizational Learning3

5. Remaining Units

Of the required 32 units, 23 units must be from Benerd College. Cohorts will have more prescriptive requirements.

Research

Diversity

  1. Students will be able to critically analyze how the presence of diverse populations influences policy and practice.

Teaching and Learning

  1. Students will be able to develop learning outcomes (e.g. individual group, organizational, or system) by synthesizing knowledge, skills, and reflective practice of human learning processes.

Program Purpose: To Develop Creative, Flexible, and Caring Leaders

  1. Lead in an ethical and socially responsible manner
  2. Utilize inquiry-based approaches to fostering change
  3. Identify, understand, and utilize cultural differences and perspectives of all stakeholders
  4. Develop and integrate a critically reflective lens on leadership development

Concentration-specific Outcomes

Leadership for Social Justice: Develop skills and perspectives needed to enact ethical and sustainable change in one’s community, organization or beyond.
Organizational Innovation and Change: Develop skills to lead the development of people, performance, and organizations