Masters of Athletic Training
The Master of Athletic Training at Southern Utah University is a full-time, intensive p...
Master of Business Administration - Leadership
Cedar City, Utah
INTAKE: Mar, May, Jul, Aug & Oct
Program Overview
The MBA with a Leadership emphasis at Southern Utah University is offered online, providing significant flexibility for working professionals and those seeking to advance their careers efficiently. With its 7-week class structure, students can potentially complete the 33-credit hour program in as few as 12 months. The program focuses on personal leadership development, exploring how individual leadership styles impact others and what actions can lead to more effective and authentic leadership. It emphasizes building high-performing teams by addressing components like trust, accountability, conflict resolution, and the nuances of multicultural and virtual teams. The integrated capstone course provides an opportunity to apply MBA learnings to develop strategic solutions for real-world management challenges.
AACSB Accredited: The Dixie L. Leavitt School of Business at Southern Utah University, which houses the MBA program with all its emphases, holds the prestigious accreditation from AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. This accreditation represents the highest standard of achievement for business schools worldwide, attained by only a small percentage of business programs globally. AACSB accreditation signifies that SUU's business programs, including the MBA with a Leadership emphasis, meet rigorous standards for quality in curriculum, faculty qualifications, research, and student outcomes. This ensures that graduates receive a globally recognized and highly respected degree, significantly enhancing their credibility and competitiveness in leadership roles across various industries.
Curriculum: The 33-credit hour MBA curriculum for the Leadership emphasis includes 24 credit hours of core MBA courses and 9 credit hours of specialized leadership emphasis courses. Core MBA courses provide a strong foundation in essential business principles such as "Managing People & Organizations," "Operations & Supply Chain Management," "Leadership" (a core course that also serves as an emphasis foundational course), "Advanced Managerial Accounting," "Managerial Economics," "Managerial Finance," "Marketing," and a "Strategy" capstone course. The Leadership emphasis courses typically include "Authentic Leadership" and "Effective Teams," with additional electives often available to further tailor the focus. This blended curriculum ensures students develop comprehensive business acumen alongside specialized expertise in leadership theory, team dynamics, motivation, conflict resolution, and change management.
Research Focus: While the MBA in Leadership is a professional degree designed for practical application, Southern Utah University's curriculum is underpinned by scholarly theory and critical analysis of leadership principles. The program emphasizes the practical application of leadership principles in a meaningful and ethical manner. Courses like "Authentic Leadership" encourage personal curiosity and reflection, fostering personal leadership development. The curriculum also focuses on the impact of culture on team performance and the importance of psychological safety in building high-performing teams, drawing on concepts from organizational behavior and psychology. The capstone strategy course requires students to integrate methods and tools developed throughout the curriculum to solve strategic positioning and management issues, often requiring analysis of existing literature and best practices.
Industry Engagement: Southern Utah University's School of Business, including the MBA with a Leadership emphasis, is deeply committed to ensuring its programs are relevant and responsive to industry needs. The program explicitly aims to equip graduates for a broad range of management roles, including senior manager, CEO, COO, and directors in marketing or finance, indicating a direct alignment with leadership demands across various sectors. SUU highlights a high employment rate for its MBA graduates (96.5%) and offers a dedicated Career Coach for business students, focusing on employer outreach to facilitate internship and employment opportunities. The emphasis on practical application of leadership principles and team-building expertise directly prepares students for the challenges and opportunities of leading in today's professional environments.
Global Perspective: Southern Utah University's MBA program, including the Leadership emphasis, inherently fosters a global perspective through its core business curriculum, which aims for graduates to "understand the global, ethical and sociopolitical context of business." Effective leadership in today's interconnected world requires an understanding of diverse cultures, global markets, and international business ethics. Courses on "Managing People & Organizations" and "Leadership" often explore cross-cultural leadership challenges and the dynamics of leading multicultural and virtual teams. The university's general commitment to supporting international students and fostering a diverse learning environment further contributes to a globally aware classroom experience, preparing graduates to lead effectively in multinational corporations or global initiatives.
Location
Cedar City, Utah
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 16836
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 110.
Southern Utah University (SUU) offers a range of scholarships designed to support international students in achieving their academic goals while making education in the United States more affordable. These scholarships recognize academic excellence, leadership, and unique talents, helping to reduce the financial burden for students from around the world.
Merit-Based Scholarships: International students who demonstrate strong academic performance are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships during the admission process. These awards are based on high school GPA, standardized test scores, and other academic achievements. Merit scholarships can significantly reduce tuition costs and are often renewable each year as long as students maintain the required GPA.
International Student Scholarships: SUU provides dedicated scholarships specifically for international students, including the International Student Achievement Award and other competitive scholarships that encourage diversity and academic excellence. These awards aim to attract talented students globally and foster a vibrant international community on campus.
Departmental and Program-Specific Scholarships: Many academic departments at SUU offer scholarships tailored to students pursuing particular fields of study. These scholarships reward outstanding performance, research potential, or involvement in departmental activities and can supplement other financial aid.
Athletic Scholarships: For international students who excel in sports, Southern Utah University offers athletic scholarships across various NCAA Division I sports programs. These scholarships are awarded based on athletic ability and academic standing.
Graduates of Southern Utah University's MBA with a Leadership emphasis are exceptionally well-prepared to step into influential roles across diverse industries. The program's AACSB accreditation ensures a globally recognized and rigorous business education, while its specialized curriculum focusing on authentic leadership, team dynamics, conflict resolution, and change management directly equips alumni with the essential competencies for effective management.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) / Chief Operating Officer (COO): These top-level executive positions involve providing overall direction, formulating policies, and coordinating operational activities at the highest level of management. An MBA in Leadership provides the strategic vision and decision-making skills crucial for these roles.
Senior Manager / Director (across various departments): Graduates can lead specific departments or divisions such as Marketing Director, Finance Director, Sales Manager, or HR Director. They are responsible for strategic planning, team management, and achieving departmental objectives, leveraging their comprehensive business and leadership skills.
Project Manager: Leading projects from initiation to completion, project managers with an MBA in Leadership excel at planning, executing, and closing projects, coordinating teams, managing resources, and mitigating risks across various industries like IT, construction, or consulting.
Management Consultant: Advising organizations on how to improve their efficiency, solve complex problems, and achieve strategic goals. MBA graduates are valued for their analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and capacity to drive organizational change.
Organizational Development Specialist/Manager: Focusing on enhancing organizational effectiveness, culture, and employee engagement, these professionals design and implement strategies for change management, talent development, and improving overall workplace dynamics.
Operations Manager: Overseeing the day-to-day operations of a business or a specific functional area, ensuring efficiency, productivity, and quality. An MBA in Leadership helps optimize processes, manage supply chains, and lead operational teams effectively.
Human Resources Manager: While SUU offers a dedicated HR emphasis, an MBA in Leadership also prepares graduates to manage human resources functions, focusing on talent acquisition, employee relations, training, and development from a strategic leadership perspective.
Training and Development Manager: Designing and implementing training programs to enhance employee skills, leadership capabilities, and organizational performance. This role is crucial for fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth.
Business Development Manager: Identifying and pursuing new business opportunities, forming strategic partnerships, and driving revenue growth. Leadership skills are vital for building relationships and negotiating deals effectively.
Non-Profit Executive Director/Program Manager: Leading and managing non-profit organizations, focusing on mission delivery, fundraising, community engagement, and ensuring operational sustainability. The leadership and business skills gained in the MBA are highly transferable to this sector.
