Masters in Leadership Program Overview

Program Timeline

The Lang Masters in Leadership is typically completed by working professionals in six-semesters. Students begin the program in May by attending the annual Lang Conference, followed by the common core of online courses in semesters 1-5. Students have the option of completing the degree with either a Major Research Project (MRP) or 2 elective courses in semester 6.

Lang Grad Conference

A career-defining experience where you learn from world-class faculty, alumni and experts in business and sustainability. The annual Lang Grad Conference brings some of the brightest minds from around the world to share their experiences and insight for you to enhance your leadership abilities.

Network and collaborate with your cohort who work in a diverse mix of sectors and leadership positions. You not only learn new strategies and skills needed for your career progression, you make connections with your classmates, alumni and faculty that will last a lifetime.

Core Courses

Foundation of Leadership: The course will enhance participants' interpersonal competency, as well as their knowledge and understanding of the theory and research underlying the impact of team management and collaboration on the organization.

Theories of Leadership: This course traces the development of the concept of leadership. Through the interplay of theory and practical application, participants will gain a deeper appreciation for the requirements, responsibilities, and consequences of effective leadership.

Leadership of Organizational Change: This course studies the role of leadership in the management of change within an organization and the changes required of management. The course examines the development of trust, the building of organizational loyalty, and motivation and inspiring of high performance teams.

Strategic Leadership and Management: As a research-intensive course in the MA in Leadership program, this course examines the conceptual and practical dimensions of strategic leadership and management in a variety of organizational, external and individual contexts using a selection of readings, discussions, case analyses and a final paper.

Role of the Leader in Decision-Making: The role of the leader in decision-making is explored through the study of the rational model for decision-making, human biases, creativity, and risk and uncertainty in decision-making. The course will also examine ethical issues and group decision-making.

The Role of the Leader as Reflective Practitioner: This course will enhance the leader's ability to navigate the complexity of organizational life and contribute to building a more sustainable society by developing skills in reflective practice. Reflective practice is divided into four areas that stretch over eight modules: Rethinking, Relating, Responding and Reinventing.

Research Methods for Decision-Making: The course will explore both quantitative and qualitative techniques used in the analysis of research results from a variety of sources (surveys, government statistics, in-depth interviews, focus groups and program evaluation results). Case studies will be used to demonstrate the application of multiple research methods.

Ethics in Leadership: Issues in the use and application of ethical standards by leaders are explored through examples from history, current events, novels, films and television. Relevant theory is applied to leadership examples to help students develop an ethical framework for the exercise of leadership skills.

Foundations of Leadership for Retirement and Senior Living: Leadership in the senior living sector requires unique skills, competencies and practices. The purpose of this course is to explore leadership theories and concepts in this context. Understanding the rights and choices of seniors, the future of the aging population, care and support services available and legislative requirements is essential to individuals interested in pursuing career growth in senior living.

Politics of Organizations: This course reviews a variety of theories and models that help to explain the behavioural underpinnings that influence and shape management and leadership processes within organizations. Examples from history and current events are explored to illustrate theory.

Coaching and Developing Others: This course will provide students with an opportunity to design developmental plans for direct reports, assess their coaching skills, and develop their coaching skills to support the development of others.

Personal Skill Self-Assessment: Using the "Basis of Competence" model, this course examines personal skills in four areas: Managing Self, Communicating, Managing People and Tasks, and Mobilizing Innovation and Change. The skills required to make smooth transitions from one job to another in a dynamic workplace will be explored.

Major Research Project: This course involves a directed research project leading to a referenced, professional report on a leadership problem or issue.