Co-Directors, Norris A. Aldeen Professor of Business Min-Dong Paul Lee, and Associate Professor Junias Venugopal
Our mission for this program is to "equip men and women with knowledge, spiritual understanding, and skills to lead in a culturally diverse world." The structure of the 36 credit hour degree is designed to give students analytical, practical, and theological tools for leadership in multiple contexts.
When our students graduate, we anticipate they will have become...
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Leaders who are able to fruitfully guide organizational strategy and manage change.
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Leaders who are able to develop themselves and diverse others.
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Leaders who are able to articulate and demonstrate the relationship of Christian mission and values with personal vocation.
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Leaders who are able to engage critically with leadership theory and practice.
This M.A. in Leadership program offers several electives to serve our students by their selecting courses to enhance their professional development and competence by intentionally grouping their courses to earn a specialization (or concentration).
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Executive Ministry concentration — serve the church, ministry, or nonprofit in an executive ministry/pastor role.
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Global Entrepreneurship concentration — create, scale, and lead global ventures with holistic Kingdom impact.
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Global Leadership concentration — demonstrate intercultural leadership competency to impact cross-cultural and global situations.
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Managing Nonprofits concentration — make a significant difference in the world by doing good.
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Outdoor and Adventure Leadership concentration — equipping organizational leaders in outdoor and camp ministry contexts worldwide.
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Sports Leadership concentration — model following Christ to influence the next generation by coaching and leading in sports.
Admission to the Leadership program is open both to those serving or preparing to work in either marketplace or ministry roles. Admission does not require a specific undergraduate major or a prescribed set of courses, but students are expected to aspire to leadership roles and responsibilities and possess proficiency in written and spoken English. Accelerated MA students can take classes Junior and Senior year that do not count towards their bachelor's degree but will count towards the MA should they matriculate in the accelerated MA program.
- Master of Arts in Leadership
- Master of Arts in Leadership: Executive Ministry Concentration
- Master of Arts in Leadership: Global Entrepreneurship Concentration
- Master of Arts in Leadership: Global Leadership Concentration
- Master of Arts in Leadership: Managing Nonprofits Concentration
- Master of Arts in Leadership: Outdoor and Adventure Leadership Concentration
- Master of Arts in Leadership: Sports Leadership Concentration
- Master of Arts in Leadership: Residential Track
Master of Arts in Leadership
The mission for the M.A. in Leadership program is “to equip men and women with knowledge, spiritual understanding, and skills to lead in a culturally diverse world.” The structure of the 36-credit hour degree is designed to give students analytical, practical, and theological tools for leadership in multiple contexts.
Requirements consist of the successful completion of 36 credit hours:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 20 | |
| Cultural Engagement | ||
| Leadership and Spiritual Formation | ||
| Foundations of Leadership in a Globalized World | ||
| Organizational and Change Leadership | ||
| Strategic Management | ||
| Leading Effective Organizations: Structural, Financial, and Legal Foundations | ||
| Biblical and Theological Studies Requirement (TSR) | 4 | |
| Christian Theology | ||
or BITH 566 | Foundations for Biblical Interpretation | |
or BITH 578 | Global Church History | |
| Elective Courses | 12 | |
Students must take at least one elective course (2 or 4 credits) from the LEAD designation, and the remaining credits may be taken from available and accessible courses in the Wheaton College Graduate School. | ||
| Total Credits | 36 | |
As part of this 36-credit program, all graduate students are required to complete a theological studies requirement (TSR) of 6 credits. For M.A. in Leadership students, this consists of LEAD 512 Leadership and Spiritual Formation plus a 4-credit course from the approved TSR Category I listing in the Graduate School section of this catalog.
Master of Arts in Leadership: Executive Ministry Concentration
The mission for the M.A. in Leadership program (Executive Ministry Concentration) is “to equip men and women with knowledge, spiritual understanding, and skills to lead in an executive ministry role in Christian churches, ministries, movements, and organizations in a culturally diverse world.”
Requirements consist of the successful completion of 36 credit hours:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 18 | |
| Leadership and Spiritual Formation | ||
| Foundations of Leadership in a Globalized World | ||
| Organizational and Change Leadership | ||
| Strategic Management | ||
| Leading Effective Organizations: Structural, Financial, and Legal Foundations | ||
| Biblical and Theological Studies Requirement (TSR) | 4 | |
| Christian Theology | ||
or BITH 566 | Foundations for Biblical Interpretation | |
or BITH 578 | Global Church History | |
| Executive Ministry Concentration Courses | 12 | |
| Gospel: Theological Perspectives on Evangelism and Renewal | ||
| Church: Movements & Models | ||
| Culture: Emerging & Global | ||
| Enhance Your Executive Ministry Concentration | 2 | |
| Options: LEAD 692, LEAD 695, LEAD 696, or any 2-credit course offered in the Wheaton Graduate School. | ||
| Total Credits | 36 | |
As part of this 36-credit program, all graduate students are required to complete a theological studies requirement of 6 credits. For M.A. in Leadership - Executive Ministry Concentration students, this consists of LEAD 512 Leadership and Spiritual Formation plus a 4-credit course from the approved TSR Category I listing in the Graduate School section of this catalog.
Master of Arts in Leadership: Global Entrepreneurship Concentration
The mission for the M.A. in Leadership program (Global Entrepreneurship Concentration) is “to equip men and women with knowledge, spiritual understanding, and skills to lead missional enterprises and impact the marketplace in a culturally diverse world.”
Requirements consist of the successful completion of 36 credit hours:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 20 | |
| Cultural Engagement | ||
| Leadership and Spiritual Formation | ||
| Foundations of Leadership in a Globalized World | ||
| Organizational and Change Leadership | ||
| Strategic Management | ||
| Leading Effective Organizations: Structural, Financial, and Legal Foundations | ||
| Biblical and Theological Studies Requirement (TSR) | 4 | |
| Christian Theology | ||
or BITH 566 | Foundations for Biblical Interpretation | |
or BITH 578 | Global Church History | |
| Global Entrepreneurship Concentration Courses | 10 | |
| Entrepreneurial Marketing | ||
| Global Entrepreneurship: Launching a Missional Enterprise | ||
| Managing for High Impact: Purpose, Planning, Operations, and Execution | ||
| Theology of Work: Equipping God's People to Flourish in their Calling | ||
| Enhance Your Global Leadership Concentration | 2 | |
| Options: LEAD 692, LEAD 695, LEAD 696, or any 2-credit course offered in the Wheaton Graduate School. | ||
| Total Credits | 36 | |
As part of this 36-credit program, all graduate students are required to complete a theological studies requirement (TSR) of 6 credits. For M.A. in Leadership – Global Entrepreneurship Concentration students, this consists of LEAD 512 Leadership and Spiritual Formation plus a 4-credit course from the approved TSR Category I listing in the Graduate School section of this catalog.
Master of Arts in Leadership: Global Leadership Concentration
The mission for the M.A. in Leadership program (Global Leadership Concentration) is “to equip men and women with knowledge, spiritual understanding, and skills to demonstrate intercultural leadership competency to impact cross-cultural and global situations in a culturally diverse world.”
Requirements consist of the successful completion of 36 credit hours:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 20 | |
| Cultural Engagement | ||
| Leadership and Spiritual Formation | ||
| Foundations of Leadership in a Globalized World | ||
| Organizational and Change Leadership | ||
| Strategic Management | ||
| Leading Effective Organizations: Structural, Financial, and Legal Foundations | ||
| Biblical and Theological Studies Requirement (TSR) | 4 | |
| Christian Theology | ||
or BITH 566 | Foundations for Biblical Interpretation | |
or BITH 578 | Global Church History | |
| Global Leadership Concentration Courses | 10 | |
| Biblical and Theological Foundations of Leadership | ||
| Theology of Work: Equipping God's People to Flourish in their Calling | ||
| Mental Health and the Leader | ||
| The Best and Worst of Christian History: Key Insights for Today's Leaders | ||
| The Heart of God: Theological History of God’s Love for the World | ||
Other global/intercultural courses may be selected after consulting with a LEAD academic advisor to ensure its viability. | ||
| Enhance Your Global Leadership Concentration | 2 | |
| Options: LEAD 692, LEAD 695, LEAD 696, or any 2-credit course offered in the Wheaton Graduate School. | ||
| Total Credits | 36 | |
As part of this 36-credit program, all graduate students are required to complete a theological studies requirement (TSR) of 6 credits. For M.A. in Leadership – Global Leadership Concentration students, this consists of LEAD 512 Leadership and Spiritual Formation plus a 4-credit course from the approved TSR Category I listing in the Graduate School section of this catalog.
Master of Arts in Leadership: Managing Nonprofits Concentration
The mission for the M.A. in Leadership program (Managing Nonprofits Concentration) is “to equip men and women with knowledge, spiritual understanding, and skills to lead Nonprofit ministries and organizations in a culturally diverse world.”
Requirements consist of the successful completion of 36 credit hours:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 20 | |
| Cultural Engagement | ||
| Leadership and Spiritual Formation | ||
| Foundations of Leadership in a Globalized World | ||
| Organizational and Change Leadership | ||
| Strategic Management | ||
| Leading Effective Organizations: Structural, Financial, and Legal Foundations | ||
| Biblical and Theological Studies Requirement (TSR) | 4 | |
| Christian Theology | ||
or BITH 566 | Foundations for Biblical Interpretation | |
or BITH 578 | Global Church History | |
| Managing Nonprofits Concentration Courses | 10 | |
| Entrepreneurial Marketing | ||
| Data Analytics for Decision Making | ||
| Introduction to Nonprofits | ||
| Theology of Work: Equipping God's People to Flourish in their Calling | ||
| Fundraising in Nonprofit Organizations and Congregations | ||
| Enhance Your Managing Nonprofits Concentration | 2 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
As part of this 36-credit program, all graduate students are required to complete a theological studies requirement (TSR) of 6 credits. For M.A. in Leadership - Managing Nonprofits Concentration students, this consists of LEAD 512 Leadership and Spiritual Formation plus a 4-credit course from the approved TSR Category I listing in the Graduate School section of this catalog.
Master of Arts in Leadership: Outdoor and Adventure Leadership Concentration
The mission for the M.A. in Leadership program (Outdoor and Adventure Leadership Concentration) is “to foster the development of thoughtfully grounded, spiritually maturing, and practically skilled outdoor ministry professionals who are able to lead in their organizations in culturally savvy ways for Christ and His Kingdom. This track is specifically designed for those called to provide leadership in outdoor and experientially oriented, temporary community-based ministries in a variety of contexts including camps, colleges, churches, non-profits, or for-profit organizations. It integrates courses on the theology and practice of outdoor related ministry with core courses in Christ-centered leadership.”
Requirements consist of the successful completion of 36 credit hours:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 20 | |
| Cultural Engagement (or OAL 503 Cultural Engagement) | ||
| Leadership and Spiritual Formation (or OAL 512 Leadership and Spiritual Formation) | ||
| Foundations of Leadership in a Globalized World | ||
| Organizational and Change Leadership (or OAL 663 Organizational Leadership and Staff Development) | ||
| Strategic Management | ||
| Leading Effective Organizations: Structural, Financial, and Legal Foundations | ||
| Biblical and Theological Studies Requirement (TSR) | 4 | |
| Christian Theology | ||
or BITH 566 | Foundations for Biblical Interpretation | |
or BITH 578 | Global Church History | |
| Outdoor and Adventure Leadership Concentration Courses | 10 | |
| Program Philosophy and Planning | ||
| Theology and Practice of Outdoor Ministry | ||
| Integrative Seminar | ||
| Elective Courses | 2 | |
| Electives can be taken from any courses with OAL, HESD, or LEAD prefixes with advisor approval. Those desiring a Graduate Certificate in Foundations for Higher Education Leadership in addition to their LEAD MA/OAL Concentration must take their 2 hours of electives in HESD and an additional 10 hours from the HESD program above the 36-hour degree so as not to compromise the core of the LEAD degree. | ||
| Total Credits | 36 | |
As part of this 36-credit program, all graduate students are required to complete a theological studies requirement (TSR) of 6 credits. For M.A. in Leadership - Outdoor and Adventure Leadership Concentration students, this consists of LEAD 512 Leadership and Spiritual Formation plus a 4-credit course from the approved TSR Category I listing in the Graduate School section of this catalog.
Master of Arts in Leadership: Sports Leadership Concentration
The mission for the M.A. in Leadership program (Sports Leadership Concentration) is “to equip men and women with knowledge, spiritual understanding, and skills to lead sports organizations and influence athletes to make an impact for Christ in a culturally diverse world.”
Requirements consist of the successful completion of 36 credit hours:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 20 | |
| Cultural Engagement | ||
| Leadership and Spiritual Formation | ||
| Foundations of Leadership in a Globalized World | ||
| Organizational and Change Leadership | ||
| Strategic Management | ||
| Leading Effective Organizations: Structural, Financial, and Legal Foundations | ||
| Biblical and Theological Studies Requirement (TSR) | 4 | |
| Christian Theology | ||
or BITH 566 | Foundations for Biblical Interpretation | |
or BITH 578 | Global Church History | |
| Sports Leadership Concentration Courses | 10 | |
| Data Analytics for Decision Making | ||
| Leading and Managing a Sports Organization | ||
| Character Development and Spiritual Formation in Sports | ||
| Fundraising in Nonprofit Organizations and Congregations | ||
| Psychology of Sports Performance and Coaching | ||
| Enhance Your Sports Leadership Concentration | 2 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
As part of this 36-credit program, all graduate students are required to complete a theological studies requirement (TSR) of 6 credits. For M.A. in Leadership – Sports Leadership Concentration students, this consists of LEAD 512 Leadership and Spiritual Formation plus a 4-credit course from the approved TSR Category I listing in the Graduate School section of this catalog.
Master of Arts in Leadership: Residential Track
The mission for the M.A. in Leadership (Residential Track) program is “to equip men and women with knowledge, spiritual understanding, and skills to lead in a culturally diverse world.”
Requirements consist of the successful completion of 36 credit hours plus labs for those courses as indicated. Students in the residential track should take the co-requisite Lab courses when required:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 20 | |
| Cultural Engagement | ||
| Cultural Engagement Lab | ||
| Leadership and Spiritual Formation | ||
| Leadership and Spiritual Formation Lab | ||
| Foundations of Leadership in a Globalized World | ||
| Foundations of Leadership in a Globalized World Lab | ||
| Organizational and Change Leadership | ||
| Organizational and Change Leadership Lab | ||
| Strategic Management | ||
| Strategic Management Lab | ||
| Leading Effective Organizations: Structural, Financial, and Legal Foundations | ||
| Leading Effective Organizations: Structural, Financial, and Legal Foundations Lab | ||
| Biblical and Theological Studies Requirement (TSR) | 4 | |
| Christian Theology | ||
or BITH 566 | Foundations for Biblical Interpretation | |
or BITH 578 | Global Church History | |
| Electives | 12 | |
Students must take at least one elective course (2 or 4 credits) from the LEAD designation, and the remaining credits may be taken from available and accessible courses in the Wheaton College Graduate School. Electives outside of the A. Duane Litfin Divinity School will require departmental approval. All courses taken by students in this Residential Track should be taken with their co-requisite Lab courses. | ||
| Total Credits | 36 | |
As part of this 36-credit program, all graduate students are required to complete a theological studies requirement of 6 credits. For M.A. in Leadership - Residential Track students, this consists of LEAD 512 Leadership and Spiritual Formation plus a 4-credit course from the approved TSR Category I listing in the Graduate School section of this catalog.