Master of Business Administration (Leadership Studies)
Hours: 33 On-Campus Online
About
The Master of Business Administration (Leadership Studies) program at Fort Hays State University distinguishes itself through a specialized curriculum centered on leadership, addressing gaps commonly found in traditional MBA programs. Students engage in comprehensive coursework covering leadership theories, systems thinking, change management, and team dynamics, thereby gaining a well-rounded understanding essential for effective leadership.
Designed to support a range of professional goals, the program offers flexibility for those seeking advancement in their current roles or transitioning to new career paths. By combining theoretical foundations with practical applications, graduates are equipped to navigate and address the complex challenges present in modern organizational environments.
Why pursue a Master of Business Administration (Leadership Studies) at Fort Hays State University?
The Master of Business Administration (Leadership Studies) program is designed for professionals aiming to enhance their leadership abilities and advance their careers by acquiring practical skills that can be immediately applied in their current roles.
The program’s experienced faculty combines real-world experience with academic expertise, providing personalized support and guidance throughout each student’s academic journey. Furthermore, the curriculum is regularly updated to incorporate the latest trends and developments in leadership, ensuring that students remain well-informed and equipped with the most current knowledge and skills.
Who is this program for?
This program is designed for professionals who aspire to enhance their leadership skills and advance their careers. The program is ideal for:
- Mid-career professionals
- Aspiring leaders and managers
- Individuals interested in organizational development
- Professionals seeking to enhance leadership skills
- Those looking to lead change initiatives
- Business executives seeking advanced leadership training
Real-World Applications
The curriculum is intentionally designed to be highly practical. It emphasizes leadership theories, systems thinking, and change management, equipping professionals with skills that can be directly applied across diverse organizational settings. Students participate in interactive projects and case studies that simulate real-world challenges, providing opportunities to practice and refine leadership strategies in a controlled environment.
The program ensures that graduates are well-prepared to address the complexities of modern organizational environments. By prioritizing applied learning, students not only grasp theoretical concepts but also develop the ability to implement these strategies effectively.
Stay Ahead of the Curve
A forward-thinking approach prepares students to anticipate and lead future organizational changes, making them valuable assets in any professional setting. The Master of Business Administration (Leadership Studies) introduces students to cutting-edge concepts and strategies that are reshaping the field of leadership. This program covers various modern leadership topics, from digital leadership techniques to contemporary change management practices.
Hands-on Activities
The Master of Business Administration (Leadership Studies) includes hands-on activities to enhance learning through practical experience. Students participate in workshops, simulations, and group projects that provide real-world context to theoretical knowledge.
Whether through case studies, role-playing scenarios, or leadership labs, students gain practical experience that prepares them for the challenges of leading teams and managing organizational change. A hands-on approach ensures that graduates can translate their knowledge into actionable leadership strategies.
What You’ll Learn:
- Comprehensive leadership theories
- Systems and change management
- Team and minor group dynamics
- Applied leadership strategies
- Organizational development
How You’ll Learn:
- Online and on-campus flexible learning
- Applied coursework with real-world relevance
- Interactive team projects
- Case studies on leadership scenarios
- Practical application of leadership theories
The core curriculum provides a comprehensive foundation in business management while focusing on specialized leadership topics. Students will study leadership theory, systems thinking, change management, and team dynamics. Below are a few of the courses in the Master of Business Administration (Leadership Studies) program:
LDRS 801: Theoretical Foundations of Leadership
This course explores organizational leadership theory and research, covering historical and contemporary approaches. Students will critically analyze research from theoretical and empirical perspectives, focusing on leadership at individual, team, organizational, and community levels.Top of Form
LDRS 807: Leadership in Teams and Collaborative Environments
This course explores leadership within team and group dynamics, focusing on team building, interpersonal relations, and effective problem-solving in collaborative environments. Emphasis is placed on the relationship between teams within organizations.
MBA 817: Strategic Management
This capstone course examines senior corporate management's role in long-range strategic planning and decision-making, utilizing skills and knowledge from the entire graduate program. It should be taken in the final term.
Discover the full Master of Business Administration (Leadership Studies) course listing by visiting the Academic Catalog.
Graduates are well-prepared for various leadership roles across industries. The program equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in positions that require strong leadership, strategic thinking, and change management capabilities.
Corporate Manager
Corporate managers oversee teams, manage projects, and lead organizational initiatives. This role requires practical leadership skills, the ability to navigate complex team dynamics, and the capacity to drive strategic change within the company.
Human Resources Director
HR directors lead the human resources department, develop employee programs, and manage talent development. This position involves understanding team dynamics, implementing leadership strategies, and fostering a collaborative and productive workplace environment.
Management Consultant
Management consultants advise organizations on leadership strategies, organizational development, and change management. Responsibilities include planning, executing, and overseeing project activities to ensure they are completed on time and within budget.
Project Manager
Project managers manage projects from inception to completion. These responsibilities involve planning, executing, and overseeing project activities to ensure they are completed on time and within budget. Leadership skills will be essential in coordinating team efforts, managing stakeholder expectations, and navigating the challenges that arise during project execution.
Organizational Development Specialist
Organizational development specialists focus on improving organizational effectiveness through leadership development, change initiatives, and team-building strategies. The role requires a deep understanding of systems thinking, change management, and team dynamics.
MBA applications are accepted throughout the year, and admissions are made continually. It typically takes up to four weeks for an application to be processed. To ensure you're admitted for the upcoming semester, please submit your application at least 30 days before the start of classes. Applying early helps avoid any delays in your admission process. The FHSU Graduate School and MBA Committee will only review complete application packages, which must include the following:
- A paid graduate application
- Current resume
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate coursework (in English)
- Two (2) letters of recommendation (must be signed and on letterhead to be official)
- Personal statement from student indicating reasons for seeking a Master of Business Administration degree, including professional and/or career goals and pertinent past work experience.
- Other requirements as specified by the Fort Hays State University Graduate School - Apply through the FHSU Graduate School.
- Please do not include a photograph on any application materials. Applications with photographs will not be reviewed.
- All application materials should be sent to the FHSU Graduate School via email at gradschool@fhsu.edu or mail:
Graduate School
Fort Hays State University
600 Park Street
Hays, KS 67601
Questions regarding the application process can be directed to the FHSU Graduate School at 785-628-4236 or gradschool@fhsu.edu or Sarah Patterson, MBA Graduate Coordinator, at 785-628-5696 or gradcoordinator@fhsu.edu.
The Best Value in Higher Education Anywhere
Fort Hays State University prides itself on quality education at an affordable price. Students in this program can expect to pay approximately $11,817.18* (on-campus) or $12,396.78* (online) during their time as a student.
*These prices are based on calculating the GR resident/regional tuition rate for on-campus students or the FHSU Online GR tuition rate plus the tuition rate for the MBA by the number of hours needed (24 MBA and 9 graduate concentration courses) to complete this program. Tuition and Fees are subject to change as they are approved by the Kansas Board of Regents each year. The program coordinator is available to discuss how these programs can help students explore their interests and prepare for a variety of rewarding career opportunities.
Ready for the next step?
Our faculty would be excited to talk to you about how our department programs can help you explore your interests and prepare you for a variety of rewarding careers.
Related Programs
Students interested in the Master of Business Administration (Leadership Studies) may also consider the following related programs within Fort Hays State University:
- Master of Professional Studies (Organizational Leadership)
- BBA in Management
- Certificate in Leadership Studies
- Master of Business Administration (Human Resource Management)
Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 undergraduate credit hours, provide a personal statement, and submit two letters of recommendation.
The program is available online and on-campus, offering flexibility to accommodate your schedule.
Graduates can pursue roles such as corporate manager, HR director, management consultant, project manager, and organizational development specialist.
Unlike other MBA programs that may not emphasize these areas, the Master of Business Administration (Leadership Studies) program offers a unique focus on leadership, with specialized courses in leadership theory, change management, and team dynamics.
Information about the School of Criminal Justice, Leadership and Sociology
The School of Criminal Justice, Leadership and Sociology at FHSU offers a diverse range of programs designed to prepare students for meaningful and impactful careers in law enforcement, leadership, and the social sciences. Through an integrated, interdisciplinary approach, students develop critical skills that equip them to address complex societal challenges and become effective leaders and professionals.
The Criminal Justice programs provide both online and on-campus options, focusing on areas such as law enforcement, corrections, and the legal system, with a strong emphasis on leadership, ethics, and integrity. Leadership programs cultivate essential organizational and interpersonal skills through interactive coursework and hands-on internships, supported by initiatives like the Leadership Studies Association and the VALUE program. Sociology programs explore human behavior, social structures, and community issues, encouraging analytical thinking and research-based problem-solving.
Together, these programs create a robust and collaborative educational environment that promotes cross-disciplinary learning. Students are empowered to lead, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to their communities and the broader society. Whether focused on justice, leadership, or social change, students in the School of Criminal Justice, Leadership and Sociology gain the knowledge and experience needed to make a lasting impact.
While earning a degree remains the primary focus, college life offers much more than classroom learning. Students are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities that foster leadership skills, deepen their understanding of their chosen careers, and provide opportunities to make a positive impact in their communities.
- Criminal Justice Club: Open to students majoring, minoring, or pursuing a certificate in Criminal Justice, as well as those majoring in Criminalistics, the Criminal Justice Club offers career-focused opportunities for service, networking, and social engagement. The club meets weekly during the academic year, with activities that vary each semester based on student interests. Volunteer options are available through local groups such as:
- Delta Tau Omega: Students in the Criminal Justice Club have an opportunity to join the FHSU chapter of the American Criminal Justice Association, Delta Tau Omega. Membership in this organization allows students to participate in regional and national conferences, where they can engage in a variety of competitions, including written exams, mock crime scene investigations, physical agility tests, scholarly research poster presentations, and national research paper and scholarship contests. To remain active in the organization, students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA in their criminal justice coursework.
- Sociology Club: Open to all students and majors, the Sociology Club promotes research on topics aimed at improving the community. The club actively collaborates with both the FHSU campus community and residents of Hays, hosting student engagement events and participating in a variety of community service projects. Its mission is to foster a deeper interest in sociology while highlighting the discipline’s importance in understanding society and enhancing the human condition.
- Alpha Kappa Delta: Sociology majors may be eligible for membership in Alpha Kappa Delta, the honor society for sociology. This organization promotes academic excellence and fosters scholarship and fellowship among undergraduate and graduate students. To qualify for membership, students must have junior standing, a minimum 3.0 GPA in sociology, and at least 12 completed credit hours in sociology coursework.
- Leadership Studies Association: The Leadership Studies Association provides students with opportunities to develop their leadership skills by building meaningful relationships, engaging in skill-building activities, and applying leadership in real-world settings. The organization encourages student growth through a variety of events and activities designed to foster personal and professional development.
Criminal Justice Centers
- National De-escalation Training Center:
In August 2020, Fort Hays State University’s Criminal Justice Programs and University Police partnered with the National De-escalation Training Center (NDTC) to become the Region 2 Central Region Training Center. As a designated regional center, FHSU offers the only Level 3 de-escalation training currently available in the United States.
- Level 1 training includes traditional de-escalation techniques grounded in procedural justice.
- Level 2 provides basic crisis intervention strategies.
- Level 3 enhances both traditional de-escalation and crisis intervention methods by incorporating rapid personality identification.
The NDTC De-escalation: Principles & Practice course is an evidence-based program that has been shown to increase officer confidence in applying de-escalation techniques when working with the public.
FHSU facilitates all three of NDTC’s training modalities, including an 8-hour online training, a two-day, in-person training, and a comprehensive 32- to 40-hour train-the-trainer program. Supported by substantial federal funding, these training opportunities are available to agencies at little to no cost. In addition, scholarships may be available to help agencies enroll officers in the online course.
NDTC training is approved by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community-Oriented Policing Services (COPS), and certified by the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST).
- Center for Empowering Victims of Gender-based Violence:
Located within the Criminal Justice Programs at Fort Hays State University, the Center for Empowering Victims of Gender-Based Violence functions as a regional hub for collaborative research and community service. Its mission is to alleviate the barriers faced by survivors, promote economic independence, and empower survivors to embrace new opportunities with freedom and confidence.
The Center commits to providing sustainable support aimed at helping survivors break the cycle of violence and transform from victims/survivors into social entrepreneurs.
Focusing on gender-based violence in rural areas, the Center facilitates cross-disciplinary research that explores its causes and effective control measures. It leads collaborative networks of researchers committed to applying evidence-based approaches and identifying best practices to address gender-based violence within rural communities.
Additionally, the Center fosters academic-community partnerships through service-learning, research, assessment, education, and policy development, all designed to enhance the well-being and resilience of rural populations.
- VALUE Program:
The Voss Advanced Leadership Undergraduate Experience (VALUE) is a year-long program designed to cultivate promising undergraduates into effective agents of change. It offers a combination of curricular and co-curricular experiences across three specialized tracks: corporate leadership, civic/nonprofit leadership, and scholarship/leadership research.
- CNN Heroes Advisory Board:
The Sociology Programs focus on creating real-world impact through projects aimed at supporting those in need. A key initiative involves collaboration with CNN Heroes, individuals nationally recognized for their outstanding contributions to nonprofit organizations. The CNN Heroes Advisory Board, made up of these distinguished leaders, offers students valuable guidance and insights drawn from their successful experiences in the nonprofit sector.
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