Master of Science in Leadership

Philosophy and Program Options

Rosemont's MSL program is designed for current and aspiring leaders who want to be at the forefront of organizational and societal change. Coursework consists of oral presentations, group work, individual self-assessments and papers. Each course is taught by a master practitioner who brings real life work situations to the classroom for discussion and analysis.

Students in the MSL program will learn:

• The fundamentals of ethical leadership and decision making
  
• How to communicate and lead in a culturally diverse environment at the organizational and global levels
  
• How to lead change for innovation and alignment
• Best practices in communicating across cultures and across generations
• How to best use technology to improve organizational effectiveness
  
• The fundamentals of operating a business in a global economy
• How to best leverage Human Capital as a tool to foster knowledge transfer

Students in the MSL program have the opportunity to participate in workshops and professional development activities offered through the College's Institute for Ethical Leadership and Social Responsibility.

The 33-credit program is designed to be completed in less than two years. Classes can be taken at Rosemont’s campus on the Main Line or at the College’s Center City location. Students may choose the traditional classroom format or take the program fully on line. The emphasis of the program is on the practical application of student learning. 

Courses include:

• Leadership Fundamentals: Ethical Leadership and Values Driven Organizations
• Organizational Psychology and Behavior
• Economics in the Workplace
• Ethics, Integrity, and Social Responsibility
• Globalization and Cultural Negotiation
• Information Systems Strategy
• Power and Politics of Communication
• Leading Change for Innovation and Alignment
• Developing a learning Organization for the Knowledge Based Economy
• Thesis

MSL 6600 Leadership Fundamentals: Ethical Leadership & Values Driven Organizations
This course focuses on differentiating the conceptual and theoretical aspects and models of leadership and leadership studies in order for students to apply leadership skills and principles in their places of business.  The fundamentals of leadership are taught with an emphasis on how to live out these fundamentals in an ethical manner. 3 credits.

MSL 6610 Information Systems Strategy
Students develop the ability to analyze and identify opportunities to improve effectiveness of organizations through the use of appropriate information technologies.  Technologies that influence organizational strategies, structures, risks and processes are emphasized.  Ethical global and security issues are also covered. 3 credits.

MSL 6625 Organizational Psychology and Behavior
Organizational Psychology and Behavior concentrate on employee behavior and processes in organizations.  The focus of this course is on individual, group, inter-group and organizational wide behavior and its impact on employee satisfaction and productivity.  The course attempts to add to each student’s understanding of life in complex organizations by covering topics which span the micro or individual level of analysis (motivation, decision making) and the macro or organizational level of analysis (culture, structure).  Attention is given to group dynamics, change and development. 3 credits.

MSL 6630 Power and Politics of Communication
This course focuses on the persuasive communication techniques and strategies that can be used when one does not have or does not want to resort to the use of direct authority.  The role of ethics is considered throughout.  Situations include how to overcome resistance, and how to effectively manage conflict.  Students will use their organizations, as cases employing communication technologies as appropriate. 3 credits.

MSL 6640 Ethics, Integrity and Social Responsibility
This course will engage learners in the discussion of ethics, studying how personal values, ethical models and reflective processes shape our ethical decision making in a leadership context.  Discussions and study will be grounded in western philosophical thought, organizational and societal moral realities including social responsibility.  Research will focus on ethical leadership, its importance and how leaders/learners can continue to integrate ethics into their own leadership stance. 3 credits.

MSL 6653 Economics in the Workplace
This course provides students with a broad perspective of the important issues in the 21st century global marketplace. Students will engage in readings and discussions on issues related to global markets, interrelated global economies, the impact of government mandates, and the shift to a knowledge based economy. An examination of analysis of demand, cost and output, market structure and pricing policy is included. 3 credits.

MSL 6670 Leading Change for Innovation and Alignment
A leader’s ability to understand and follow the change management process in a collaborative manner is a vital skill to master.  A proactive mindset is a critical element in successful business or personal change.  Students will learn the various change management models, problem solve to find the best ways to leverage change agents and how best to manage ethical change.  Students will create a model of change for workplace application. 3 credits.

MSL 6710 Globalization and Cultural Negotiation
Today's business success requires intercultural awareness as well as effective cross cultural and cross generational communication skills. This course demonstrates the importance of cross cultural and cross generational communication and the benefits of being sensitive to the differences in organizational settings. Concepts of negotiating styles, cultural differences, proper etiquette and conflict/resolution will be discussed at length. 3 credits.

MSL 6730 Developing a Learning Organization for the Knowledge Based Economy
Students in this course will learn forward thinking concepts of coaching, mentoring and succession planning to promote a learning organization.  Students will learn how to leverage the Human Capital Management model as a tool to foster knowledge transfer between employees.  A focus of the course will be the elevation of learning to a strategic organizational imperative. 3 credits.

MSL 6760 Thesis 6 credits

All applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited 4-year college or university, preferably with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants to all graduate business programs must also have satisfactorily completed one college-level composition course and one college-level math course at the level of algebra or above.

Application materials may be obtained from the Office of Admissions or online at www.rosemont.edu. Formal admission to the program is granted only after all admissions materials have been received and reviewed, and all standards have been met.

Admission Requirements:

1. Application. Either in paper accompanied by a non-refundable $50 fee, or online where the fee will be waived;
   
2. Request that all previous undergraduate (and graduate) institutions send official transcripts to Rosemont;
3. Request two letters of recommendation, preferably from those who can address your academic and/or professional competencies;
4. For applicants whose native language is not English, official copies of TOEFL scores are required
5. Statement of Purpose:
   Applicants must submit an essay (2-3 pages typed, double-spaced) addressing the following statement: With an understanding that leadership involves influencing others, define your vision of leadership. Describe a professional situation in which you have facilitated organizational change. Discuss your professional goals in applying to enter Rosemont’s graduate business program
6. Resume
   

All written documents (writing sample, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation) must be submitted as a Microsoft Word document to gpsadmissions@rosemont.edu.

Faculty

Catherine Marie Coleman is a graduate (B.A. in Organizational Management) of the School of Professional Studies of Rosemont College (Class of 2000). Her studies at Rosemont included an international marketing class in Dublin, Ireland. She has been a member of Who's Who in Colleges and Universities for adult students and obtained her Global Management M.B.A. at the University of Phoenix in 2002, where she was selected Commencement Student Speaker. Cathie has recently joined TRIAD Research and Consulting, Inc. as Senior Market Research Consultant. Previous employers include ImpactRx, Inc. where she was the Director, Oncology Product Management, and GlaxoSmithKline, Inc. where she was a Director, Product Management for the Marketing Analytics and Commercial Services group. Cathie is one of the SCS faculty, where she facilitates graduate and undergraduate classes in domestic and international management and marketing. She is also a thesis advisor to Rosemont's graduate students. Her professional memberships include the HealthCare Business Women's Association (HBA) and the National Association of Female Executives (NAFE). Cathie has also been a guest speaker for Jefferson University Hospital's Kimmel Cancer Center on the importance of moving past surviving cancer to thriving. Cathie herself is a two-time cancer survivor.

Christopher J. Curran earned his M.B.A. from Rosemont College and has a B.A. in Organizational Management from Eastern College. He facilitates a variety of courses at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Mr. Curran has over 20 years experience in operations management in a variety of industries. In addition to his current position with the Animas Corporation, where he is responsible for the purchasing of disposable products (insulin pump accessories), he also serves as President of a non-profit, faith-based youth organization.

Chris Harding earned his M.S. at Pennsylvania State University, his M.B.A. from Rosemont College, and his B.S. from Delaware Valley College. Mr. Harding works for the Department of the Navy where he uses Lean Six Sigma and quantitative modeling to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of environmental programs. Mr. Harding travels extensively and has worked in nine countries and 22 states. Since he began teaching in 1997, Mr. Harding has taught audiences throughout the United States as well as in Puerto Rico, Italy, and Bahrain.

Bill Klein earned a Bachelor of Science in Management from Rosemont College with a 3.5 GPA. He completed his Master of Science in Organization Dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania with a GPA of 3.7. Additionally, Mr. Klein has completed coursework in Health Science from Hahnemann University at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Mr. Klein brings with him over thirteen years of senior business management experience in the hospitality industry. Throughout his professional career, Mr. Klein has held a number of position, including Director of Operations of Stone Entertainment (four independently running companies with over 100 indirect reports), General Manager, and Director of Food and Beverage. Mr. Klein continues to consult part time in the hospitality industry. Mr. Klein also is a facilitator at Rosemont College where he teaches both business and general education classes. Mr. Klein has been with Gibbs School for almost four years, starting as an adjunct instructor and then moving to Lead Business Instructor and Faculty Development Coach, and is now the Department chair for both the business and Fashion Programs.

Craig J. Loundas earned his Ph.D. in Psychoeducational Processes from Temple University and his M.S. in Counseling and B.A. in Communications from Shippensburg University. He is currently the Associate Director of Organizational Development for the University of Pennsylvania Health System and has also worked in corporate training and development for Sunoco Marketing. His prior career was in student affairs at Widener University where he served as the Dean and Associate Dean of Students. He has delivered a variety of training programs as a consultant in the areas of staff and organizational development, motivation, team effectiveness and managing performance.

Lucie McDonald, a native of Philadelphia, received her B.A. in History from Saint Joseph's University in 1983, graduating summa cum laude with a concentration in Medieval Studies. In 1986, she earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and is currently a member of the Pennsylvania Bar. After serving a clerkship with the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, Lucie accepted a position with the Department of the Navy as an Assistant Counsel in 1988, where she continues to work to date. Her areas of specialty include procurement of construction, facilities maintenance, and architect/engineering services; government ethics, labor issues and other employment matters; and issues arising under the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts. Lucie has worn many hats with the Navy, including Program Coordinator for the Command's Aspiring Leader, New Leader and Women's Executive Leadership Programs, and the Director of the Command's Intern Programs and Recruitment Initiatives. Her teaching commitments have included serving as an instructor for various contract law seminars, workshops and courses for the Navy, an instructor of Government Contract Law in the Administrative Law Program at the Philadelphia Paralegal Institute, and her current work at Rosemont College in both the graduate and undergraduate programs in the Schools of Graduate and Professional Studies. Lucie was voted Rosemont's Facilitator of the Year for 1998-1999. Lucie recently received the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award for her sustained outstanding performance for the Command during her 18 year career.

Robert H. Obringer is a member of the faculty of the Schools of Graduate and Professional Studies at Rosemont College. He earned his Juris Doctor from Rutgers University School of Law, Camden New Jersey; his M.A. is from Mount Saint Mary's University, Emmitsburg, Maryland; his M.B.A. is from the University of Phoenix, and his B.A. in Philosophy is from Duquesne University. Robert Obringer is currently general counsel of Phillips & Cohen Associates, Ltd., where he also manages a network of 200 law firms throughout North America. He is a licensed Pennsylvania attorney who has lectured for professional organizations in the financial recovery industry, including continuing legal education and accounting education. He has appeared on Money Line and other financial planning programs. He has been a board member for 17 years of a local United Way funded agency.

Gregory C. Preston, Esq. earned his Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Business Administration degrees from Temple University and is a member of the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Bars. He has served in numerous positions since joining Rosemont College in 1995. In addition to teaching, Mr. Preston has served as the Director of Continuing Studies and Associate Dean of Faculty for Continuing Studies. He was selected as the Facilitator of the Year for the 1997/8 Academic Year and further recognized by Regis University as one of their Facilitators of the Year for the same period. Mr. Preston has enjoyed twenty-one years of employment with the Department of the Navy. Presently, he serves as the Deputy Director of the Navy's BRAC Program Management Office Northeast where he manages BRAC Real Estate, Environmental and Realignment issues. His past positions within the Navy include Director of Real Estate and Attorney-Advisor. Mr. Preston has received two Meritorious Civilian Service Awards including one for his efforts associated with the disposition of the former Philadelphia Naval Shipyard.

Audrey Robinson earned her M.Ed. and a B.S. in Accounting and Management from St. Joseph's University. A former director of Lausanne Institute international leadership and management training organization headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, she also served as a special instructor for ten years with the United States Department of Defense (Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps), notably with employees at the Pentagon, Unites States Fleet Command and within the intelligence community. A successful Fortune 10 consultant, Audrey is the designer of a recognized performance evaluation instrument and the author of numerous articles and studies, including "Smiling and friendliness: when do they jeopardize credibility in training?" and "Dressing up for customer service: when does good service begin?" She is currently Rosemont College Career Services Director and conducting research exploring the manifestation of early-life shyness in the professional growth and social status of adults. She has been profiled in both Who's Who in American Finance and Industry and The World Who's Who of Women. She has held board positions for organizations addressing job equity, discrimination, and promotability; she was recently appointed by the Governor to the Pennsylvania Trial Court Nominating Commission for a period of four years.

Eileen Shanahan earned her Master of Science in Organizational Dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania. She received her Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Economics from West Chester University. Ms. Shanahan is a Certified Public Accountant and is qualified in Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Ms. Shanahan develops curriculum and teaches cultural diversity and leadership for PCOM's Organization Development and Leadership Program. As principal of Shanahan Consulting Group, Ms. Shanahan leads system interventions on leadership and teambuilding. Ms. Shanahan has served leadership roles for Philadelphia Region Organization Development Network, American Society for Training and Development, and Appreciative Inquiry Consulting.

Leo M. Stenson earned his bachelor's degree from LaSalle University, and his master's in Business Administration from Widener University. He completed the School for Bank Administration from the Bank Administration Institute at the University of Wisconsin, he holds a C.P.A. certificate in Pennsylvania, and is also a Certified Internal Auditor. Mr. Stenson is Senior Vice President and Auditor with The Bryn Mawr Trust Company. He has been a facilitator with Rosemont College since 1996, and was previously on the adjunct faculty at St. Joseph's University.

Michael Vogel joined the Philadelphia Society for Services to Children (PSSC) in 2000 as the Director of Operations and Programs; he was appointed Executive Director in 2004. Since 1980, PSSC has been strengthening families to keep children safe from abuse and neglect, and out of the governmental child welfare system. Mike is applying his belief in the power of collaborative work environments to optimize individual potential and organizational results at PSSC. Prior to joining PSSC, Mike held numerous leadership positions during a twenty-year career with Johnson & Johnson. He has built partnerships and negotiated contracts with companies in Europe, The Middle East and Japan. Mike's educational background includes a master's degree in Organizational Dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor's degree from Penn State University. His additional training includes work at The Gestalt Institute in Cleveland and the National Training Laboratory (NTL). In his spare time he is an adjunct faculty member in Rosemont College's Schools of Graduate and Professional Studies, where he leads courses on Management and Leadership.

Joan Wilder, a facilitator in the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies, was graduated from LaSalle University with a B.A. in English; she earned an MS in Management from Rosemont College with a concentration in the Arts and Cultural Management field. Ms. Wilder has been employed by Rosemont College for four years and has served as an academic advisor, instructor, and most recently, director of graduate business programs. As a facilitator, she has taught classes in the Humanities, including Peoples and Cultures of Africa, Cultural Critique through Film, Intercultural Communications, and Critical Thinking and Writing. Prior to her work at Rosemont, Ms. Wilder was employed for 14 years by the Please Touch Museum, where she served in various capacities in Visitor Services and Operations.

How many credits are required for the M.S.L.?

Are transfer credits accepted into the program?

Is the GMAT/GRE required?

If my undergraduate degree is in something other than business, am I still eligible for the program?

How long is each graduate course?

Is it possible to manage work and school simultaneously?

Is Financial Aid available?

What is the traditional age of students in the program?

How is the program structured?