Program Overview

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Master of Management in Strategic Management and Executive Leadership

The Master of Management in Strategic Management and Executive Leadership is a 30-credit master's program that focuses on strategic thinking and leadership. It is designed to help students master organizational strategies that drive effectiveness and performance.

Program Summary

This program prepares students to lead organizations at the highest level. It is designed for managers, executives, and directors with 7-10 years of work experience and at least five years in a managerial or organizational leadership role or supervisory role.

100% Online

The program is 100% online, allowing students to complete their coursework at their own pace.

Application Deadline

The application deadline is April 15 to start May 18.

Credits and Costs

The program consists of 30 credits, with a cost of $1,273 per credit.

Nationally Recognized

The program is highly ranked by U.S. News & World Report.

Gain Strategic Leadership Skills

The program helps students gain strategic leadership skills to drive peak performance. Students learn to:

• Use critical thinking skills to interpret and read macro trends (political, economic, sociocultural, technological, and demographic).
• Determine how trends will impact the organization.
• Analyze the competitive landscape to carve out a strong market position and competitive advantage.
• Develop a long-term plan to accommodate a changing environment.
• Share ideas with multiple stakeholders and gain alignment from them.
• Implement strategy and leadership while making ethical decisions.

Unique and Flexible Online Management and Leadership Courses and Concentrations

The program offers a focused emphasis on strategic thinking and leadership, with topics that include strategic management, strategy implementation, organizational change, leadership and identity, power and influence, ethical responsibilities, and leading diverse organizations. Students can tailor their degree by selecting from one of four concentrations to suit their unique career goals, play to their strengths, and/or improve their overall marketability.

Core Courses (15 credits)

• BA 804: Ethical Leadership (3 credits)
• MBADM 571: Global Strategic Management (3 credits)
• MGMT 831: Strategy Implementation and Organizational Change (3 credits)
• MGMT 565: Power and Influence (3 credits)
• MGMT 845: Leading Diverse Organizations (3 credits)

Culminating Capstone Experience (3 credits)

• BA 865: Strategic Leadership (3 credits)

Concentration Courses (6 credits)

In addition to the core courses, students will select a 6-credit concentration in Architecting Strategy and Innovation, Business Sustainability Strategy, Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship, or Negotiation and Influence.

Architecting Strategy and Innovation (6 credits)

• BA 809: Strategic Business Architecture (3 credits)
• ENTR 820: Corporate Innovation Strategies and Entrepreneurial Methods (3 credits)

Business Sustainability Strategy (6 credits)

• MGMT 811: Sustainability Strategy Development (3 credits)
• SCM 813: Sustainable Supply Chain Management (3 credits)

Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship (6 credits)

• MBADM 850: Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship (3 credits)
• ENTR 820: Corporate Innovation Strategies and Entrepreneurial Methods (3 credits)

Negotiation and Influence (6 credits)

• BA 805: Negotiation Theory and Skills (3 credits)
• MGMT 821: Complex Negotiations (3 credits)

Electives (select 6 credits)

Students may select any two courses from the following list of electives maintained by the program.

• BA 805: Negotiation Theory and Skills (3 credits)
• BA 809: Strategic Business Architecture (3 credits)
• BA 888: Executive Leadership (3 credits)
• BAN 830: Descriptive Analytics for Business (3 credits)
• ENTR 502: Business Modeling and New Venture Creation (3 credits)
• ENTR 810: Emerging Trends, Technology, and Corporate Innovation (3 credits)
• ENTR 820: Corporate Innovation Strategies and Entrepreneurial Methods (3 credits)
• MBADM 811: Financial Accounting (3 credits)
• MBADM 816: Managing and Leading People in Organizations (3 credits)
• MBADM 850: Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship (3 credits)
• MGMT 811: Sustainability Strategy Development (3 credits)
• MGMT 821: Complex Negotiations (3 credits)
• MGMT 880: Business Transformation Consulting (3 credits)
• MGMT 885: Management Consulting Methods and Practice (3 credits)
• SCM 813: Sustainable Supply Chain Management (3 credits)

Start or Advance Your Career

The program can help students start or advance their careers in a variety of fields. The following roles are often held by people with this type of degree:

• General Manager (GM)
• Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
• Executive Director
• Management Analyst
• Organizational Development Consultant

Employment Outlook

The employment outlook for occupational fields related to this degree is as follows:

• General and Operations Managers: 5.8% employment growth (10 years), 3,584,420 total employment
• Management Analysts: 10.6% employment growth (10 years), 893,900 total employment
• Chief Executives: 5.5% employment growth (10 years), 211,850 total employment

Career Services

The program offers career services to help students achieve their career goals. These services include:

• Opportunities to connect with employers
• Career counselor/coach support
• Occupation and salary information
• Internships
• Graduate school resources

Earn a Valuable Credential along the Way

Students can earn a certificate along with their degree in less time than if they earned them separately. The following certificate programs are related to this degree:

• Business Architecture (Graduate Certificate)
• Business Management Foundations (Graduate Certificate)
• Business Sustainability Strategy (Graduate Certificate)
• Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Graduate Certificate)
• Diversity and Inclusion as Strategy (Graduate Certificate)
• Management Consulting (Graduate Certificate)
• Negotiation and Influence (Graduate Certificate)
• Strategic Leadership (Graduate Certificate)

Who Should Apply?

The program is ideal for managers, executives, and directors with 7-10 years of work experience and at least five years in a managerial or organizational leadership role or supervisory role. The typical audience for this program includes working professionals who desire continued advancement into senior leadership positions.

AACSB Accredited

The Penn State Smeal College of Business is AACSB accredited, an honor reserved for the top 5% of business schools worldwide.

Global Immersion Program Opportunity

The program offers an optional Global Immersion trip, which is designed to enhance students' ability to communicate cross-culturally, adapt to evolving business environments, and manage the risks and benefits of operating on a global scale.

Set Your Own Pace

The program allows students to set their own pace, with many students taking one or two courses per semester. The majority of students finish the program in 20-28 months.

Convenient Online Format

The program's convenient online format gives students the flexibility they need to study around their busy schedule.

A Trusted Leader in Online Education

Penn State has a history of more than 100 years of distance education, and World Campus has been a leader in online learning for more than two decades.

Information for Military and Veterans

The program offers information and resources for military and veterans, including application instructions and financial aid opportunities.

How to Apply to Penn State

The application deadline is April 15 to start May 18. Students can apply online and must submit all required materials, including official transcripts, test scores, and program-specific questions/materials.

Learn from the Best

The program is offered in partnership with the Penn State Smeal College of Business, which has a faculty that ranks in the top 25 internationally for research productivity. The program's faculty includes:

• Eli Andrews
• Shawn Clark
• Jennifer L. Eury
• Jeffrey A. Krug
• Barrett Marshall
• Vilmos F. Misangyi

News

The program is featured in various news articles, including "How a Penn State education empowered this alum to dream big" and "Penn State featured in U.S. News' 2025 'Best Online Programs' rankings".

Testimonial

"Penn State's personalized career services and large and engaged alumni network were crucial to helping me achieve my career goals." - Drax P., World Campus Graduate

Explore Other Academic Programs

The program is part of a larger portfolio of academic programs offered by Penn State World Campus, including:

• Business Administration - MBA
• Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Strategic Leadership
• Business Architecture
• Business Management Foundations
• Business Sustainability Strategy
• Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Diversity and Inclusion as Strategy
• Management Consulting
• Negotiation and Influence
• Strategic Leadership