Master of Science (M.S.) in Leadership & Administration
Master of Science (M.S.) in Leadership & Administration
In a volatile, uncertain world, vigorous leadership at all levels of an organization is critically important. The MS in Leadership and Administration helps you achieve your career aspirations through new thinking and new tools you can apply immediately in your work environment. Embracing the Ignatian philosophy of action and reflection, you will have the opportunity to learn, practice and master the differentiating competencies needed to succeed in today's environment.
Core courses provide you with a breadth of knowledge needed to lead in any organization, while our concentrations offer you a depth of understanding to excel in a specific field of endeavor. You will not only earn a Master's degree but you will achieve Mastery in Leadership.
At a Glance
Curriculum
Degree candidates in Leadership and Administration complete a minimum of ten courses. At least eight of the courses must be taken in the Boston College Leadership and Administration program. Up to two courses of comparable graduate work may qualify for transfer credit.
Core Courses
There are six required core courses:
- Leading and Managing Change
- Project Management
- Evolution of Successful Marketing Strategies in the Digital Era
- Leadership and Decision Making: Ignatian-based Applied Ethics
- Inclusive Leadership
- Applied Leadership Project (final semester only) or Internship
Concentrations
Take electives in one of five specialization areas:
- Corporate Communications & Marketing
- Executive Leadership & Organizational Development
- Human Resources Management
- Project Management
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
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Spring 2024 Course Offerings
These listings are informational only. For a current listing of M.S. in Leadership and Administration courses, including closed or canceled courses, please visit the Course Information and Schedule system and use the prefix "ADGR".
- Develop diverse and equitable teams utilizing inclusive leadership practices
- Apply effective cross-cultural communication skills and reflective practices to lead change in organizations, industry and communities
- Lead innovative, cross-functional teams to drive project success
- Apply ethical decision-making to high stakes workplace scenarios
- Analyze current market trends to inform brand and marketing strategy
- Develop change management plans that lead to sustainable organizational transformation
Gain the skills needed to make ethical decisions in any organization and in any industry. Our coursework focuses on critical thinking and analysis; data and trends; self awareness and interpersonal and communication techniques; and strategies for managing continual change.
Concentrations
Corporate Communications & Marketing
Four specialization courses (in addition to six core courses)
Whether you are interested in managing the public relations division of a growing non-profit, working as a project manager for a large corporation or government entity, or marketing your own services or products, our courses are designed to match your interests and industry needs. With a strong core designed around management principles you will be prepared to handle the challenges of this highly competitive and creative field.
Flexible Options
Designed as a full- or part-time course of study, the M.S. in Leadership and Administration is tailored to professionals looking to advance. We offer evening and hybrid (a combination of online and on campus meetings) courses, allowing you to continue working while in the program.
Required Courses
| Course Number | Course Name |
|---|---|
| ADGR 8006 | Communication in a Global Work Environment |
| ADGR 8045 | Public Relations & Crisis Communications |
| ADGR 8120 | Marketing Analytics |
| ADGR 8200 | Social Influence |
Executive Leadership & Organizational Development
Four specialization courses (in addition to six core courses)
The Executive Leadership and Organizational Development specialization at Boston College develops a new generation of agile and ethical stewards of high performing and sustainable organizations. Through coursework with the Jesuit principles as the foundation, students will learn the benefit of self-reflection and contemplation to inform the design and execution of business strategy in complex organizations. The Executive leadership and organizational specialization focuses on business alignment, change agility, managing shifting demands, and inspiring a culture of advocacy and engagement.
Flexible Options
Designed as a full- or part-time course of study, the M.S. in Executive Leadership and Organizational Development is tailored to professionals looking to advance. We offer evening and hybrid (a combination of online and on campus meetings) courses, allowing you to continue working while in the program.
Required Courses
| Course Number | Course Name |
|---|---|
| ADGR 8015 | Business Strategy |
| ADGR 8030 | Talent Management |
| ADGR 8046 | Organization Theory & Design |
| ADGR 8063 | Special Topics: Leading Teams for Results |
Human Resources Management
Four specialization courses (in addition to six core courses)
Organizations are increasingly looking to their Human Resource function as a strategic partner in evolving their business strategy and responding to changing workforce needs. To be a trusted and impactful human resources practitioner today you need to have the knowledge and skills to enable strategic change and reshape workforce practices. The Human Resources Management specialization at Boston College, utilizing Jesuit principles as its foundation, helps you gain the competencies needed to guide and influence leaders in building healthy and sustainable organizations; create practices to attract, develop and engage talent to meet the organizations needs; and lead with confidence, objectivity, and credibility.
Flexible Options
Designed as a full- or part-time course of study, the M.S. in Human Resource Management is tailored to professionals looking to advance. We offer evening and hybrid (a combination of online and on campus meetings) courses, allowing you to continue working while in the program.
Required Courses
| Course Number | Course Name |
|---|---|
| ADGR 8030 | Talent Management |
| ADGR 8053 | Employment and Labor Law |
| ADGR 8055 | Human Resource Development |
| ADGR 8090 | Workforce Planning |
Project Management
Four specialization courses (in addition to six core courses)
The Project Management sector is projected to grow by 6 million jobs in the United States by 2020 and by an even greater number internationally. The critical skills and perspectives required by today's project managers continue to evolve and expand as projects become increasingly complex and time more constrained. The Project Management specialization is designed to provide the adaptive management and problem solving skills you need to succeed in this exciting field. You will learn how to effectively plan projects, and manage and mitigate risk while maintaining high standards of quality. The program will also further develop your team management skills and expand strategies and perspectives on how to balance the competing demands of various stakeholders involved in a project. With a curriculum grounded in the Ignatian tradition, you will learn how to approach professional decisions with discernment and ethical sensitivity. Graduates will go on to apply their versatile skill set within a wide variety of professional domains - including information technology, healthcare management, cybersecurity and more.
Flexible Options
Designed as a full- or part-time course of study, the M.S. in Project Management is tailored to professionals looking to advance. We offer evening and hybrid (a combination of online and on campus meetings) courses, allowing you to continue working while in the program.
Required Courses
| Course Number | Course Name |
|---|---|
| ADGR 8110 | Agile Methodologies |
| ADGR 8130 | Risk Management/Quality Management |
| ADGR 8201 | Agile Product Ownership |
| ADGR 8203 | Stakeholder Management and Procurement |
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Four specialization courses (in addition to six core courses)
Now more than ever, there is rapid, increasing demand for diversity officers and professionals with specific experience and certification in DEI. Further, the field of DEI is experiencing significant growth due to nation-wide efforts demanding social justice, with a growth rate of 113% in the past five years.
The concentration in DEI aims to offer courses that help organizational managers, directors and leaders prepare themselves and their offices for enduring, long-term solutions that advance equity for all.
Flexible Options
Designed as a full- or part-time course of study, the M.S. in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is tailored to professionals looking to advance. We offer evening and hybrid (a combination of online and on campus meetings) courses, allowing you to continue working while in the program.
Required Courses
- Fundamentals/Foundations of DEI
- Bias in the Workplace
- Building Inclusive Organizational Cultures
- Implementing Successful DEI Strategies
Financial Aid
We know that a BC education is a worthwhile but significant investment. We're committed to helping you affordably achieve your educational goals while treating each student and their family equitably. Financial aid and payment plans may be available for students taking a minimum of six credits across a semester.
“In Dr. Noone’s class, I’m learning how the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm (IPP) molds the learning environment to the student based on their life experiences in order to enhance the outcome for each individual. This is exactly what I encountered so far at BC. The professors and classes are amazing. I can’t say enough great things about my experience here.”
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Nondegree Student Options
Students interested in exploring the Leadership & Administration program prior to submitting an entire application may enroll in select courses as a non-degree student.
Up to two courses may be taken as a nondegree student. The course options are: Inclusive Leadership and Project Management
Careers
Director, Program Management Office, S&P Global, Market Intelligence
Senior Analyst for Acute Inside Sales, Cardinal Health
Volunteer and Operations Officer, Strong Women Strong Girls
External Affairs Associate, Malden Catholic High School
Benefits Specialist, Human Resources Department, Mid-sized law firm in Boston
Employment Placement Specialist, Year Up Boston
Advisory Board
Lauren Bent
Associate Professor, EdD in Higher Education Leadership; Regis College
Jenny Gumm
Senior Director L&OD at Vir Biotechnology, Inc.
Juan Lopera
Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at Beth Israel Lahey Health
Scott Madden
Senior Partner/Director of Empathy and Evolution, Connelly Partners
Brian McDonald
Head of Human Resources, Fidelity Investments, Personal Investing
Foster Mobley
Chairman and Founder, FMG Leading
Setti Warren
Executive Director, Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics
Paul J. Waystack
Chief Financial Officer, Eastern Real Estate
Application & Deadlines
Application fee: $60 (to be paid as part of the online application)
If you are mailing a hard copy of any application materials, please send them to:
Boston College
Woods College of Advancing Studies Admissions Office
St. Mary's Hall South
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
| Entrance Term: | Application Due Date: | Decision Letter Sent By: |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Early Deadline: May 1 | June 1 |
| Regular Deadline: June 15 (International Students applying for Fall must submit an application by June 15th.) | July 15 | |
| Rolling admissions after Regular deadline. | Applications will be reviewed on a case by case basis. | |
| Spring | Early Deadline: October 15 (International Students applying for spring must submit an application by October 15th Applications received after October 15th will be considered for the summer semester.) | November 15 |
| Preferred Deadline: November 15 | December 15 | |
| Applications will be accepted after November 15 and reviewed on a case by case basis, pending availability. Students are encouraged to apply after November 15. | ||
| Summer | Early Deadline: March 1 | April 1 |
| Regular Deadline: April 1 (International Students applying for summer I must submit an application by March 1st. Summer 2 applicants must submit an application by April 1st.) | May 1 | |
| Rolling admissions after Regular deadline. | Applications will be reviewed on a case by case basis, pending availability. |
Résumé
To be uploaded to your online Application Form
Standardized Tests
The Woods College MS in Leadership and Administration does not require the GRE or GMAT for admissions. If you believe your scores would enhance your application, please feel free to submit them. Our GRE reporting code is 7534 and our GMAT reporting code is 44X-HX-07.
For all non-native English speakers the TOEFL (reporting code 3276) or IELTS (if applicable) is required. Please view the International Students page for required test scores. If your undergraduate degree was conducted in English, you may be eligible for a TOEFL waiver. Please contact Woods College Admissions if you believe you qualify for a waiver.
Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are required. If you have been out of school for less than 5 years, one of these letters must speak to your academic abilities and should come from a professor, academic advisor, or other person who would be able to discuss your academic record. We prefer that one letter of recommendation be from an academic source, and another from an employer or person in a supervisory capacity who can speak about your interests and experience.
Letters must be sent directly from recommender either through online application portal or directly to Woods College. We will not accept letters that are not in a sealed envelope mailed directly from recommender or emailed directly from recommender.
Please note: Letters of recommendations should be provided by Professional or Academic recommenders.
Transcripts
Unofficial transcripts may be uploaded to your online Application Form for purposes of application review. However, official transcript(s) must also be submitted upon acceptance/matriculation. Both undergraduate and graduate transcripts are required.
Please mail transcripts to:
Boston College
Woods College of Advancing Studies Admissions Office
St. Mary's Hall South
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
If your academic institution provides electronic transcripts please indicate wcasadm@ngskmc-eis.net as the recipient.
Boston College Alumni and Current Students
Your BC transcript must be formally requested from the Office of Student Services and submitted to the Woods College. Woods cannot request or access transcripts independently.
Official Transcript Submission for International Applicants
All students who have, or are currently attending, an institution outside of the United States must provide a detailed, course-by-course transcript evaluation indicating the conferral of an undergraduate degree that is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
This evaluation is not just an English translation, but a document provided by an accredited evaluating agency that shows all grades, course titles, credit hours, United States degree equivalency, grade-point average (GPA), and date of degree conferral.
This detailed, course-by-course transcript evaluation must be submitted to complete the application.
Please request a detailed, course-by-course transcript evaluation for all international institutions where a degree was conferred from one of the following agencies:
Educational Credential Evaluators | Center for Educational Documentation | World Education Services Inc. |
Applicants whose Native language is not English are required to demonstrate English language proficiency, for required scores, visit our International Student page.
Interview
For all international students and non-native English speakers, interviews are conducted as part of the application process. The purpose of the interview is for the admission committee to gain a better sense of an applicant and how the program fits his or her academic and vocational needs. Additionally, the interview provides the committee an opportunity to answer a student’s specific questions and to address the unique needs one may have in transitioning to Boston College. The interview will last no more than 15 minutes. Qualified applicants will receive information on how to schedule an interview once their application has been received and initially evaluated.
Personal Statement
To be uploaded to your online Application Form.
In 750-1000 words, describe your academic and professional goals, any experience relevant to this program, and your future plans, expectations, and aspirations.
Questions
If you have additional questions not listed here, please contact Michael Campitelli at michael.campitelli@ngskmc-eis.net
Do you offer admission to international applicants?
Yes, international applicants are welcome to apply and upon formal admission, are eligible for a student visa. (Please note that TOEFL or IELTS scores are required.) Please note international students pursuing the program with a student visa will need to complete the program in 1.5 years (3 academic semesters).
What if my GPA is not 3.0? Am I still eligible to apply for the program?
Yes, you are welcome to apply. We will consider your application and weigh a variety of factors to determine whether we are able to offer you admission. For particular applicants, we may be able to grant admission into the program with particular conditions noted (for example, passing the first two courses with a B or better in each during the first semester).
Is there an option to take courses as a nondegree student?
Yes, qualified, accepted non-degree students may enroll in select non-degree courses. Please review the process and course options.
How much does the program cost?
Tuition and financial aid information can be found on the tuition and aid webpage.
Do you offer graduate course credit transfer?
Students can transfer in up to 6 credits (usually equivalent to 2 courses). Decisions on whether to accept transfer credits will depend on an assessment of whether the courses to be transferred fit within the Masters of Science in Leadership and Administration curriculum.
How long does it take to complete the degree?
This is variable and is largely based on how many courses a student takes at any given time. If you take 2 courses per semester, you can complete the degree in 18 months.
Can students work full-time and pursue this degree?
This is certainly a possibility and we have designed the program to be flexible to accommodate a variety of scheduling needs.
Do you offer graduate student housing?
No. Boston College does not currently offer housing for graduate students but our Office of Residential Life does have a staff member who can help you find off-campus housing.
Does Woods College require an enrollment deposit?
Yes, admitted students who confirm their enrollment must pay a $250 enrollment deposit. The enrollment deposit is not an additional fee, and will be applied directly to your student account and will be deducted from your tuition bill. Anyone hoping to defer their enrollment will have to pay the deposit before their deferment request will be processed.