Master of Science in Management

The Master of Science in Management is for professionals who seek to develop the interpersonal, organizational and problem-solving skills needed to lead in complex contemporary organizations. If you’re currently managing—or interested in managing—in a business, non-profit or government organization, NLU's program can improve your performance as an effective leader.

Consider getting your Master of Science in Management at National Louis University (NLU) if you:

• Are ready to advance from a functional or technical role to a management position
• Want to develop your communications skills to effectively influence and lead across an organization
• Seek to be a change agent who can implement cross-functional solutions
• Want to evaluate and address your personal strengths and areas for development to position yourself for greater success

Why NLU for Management

Led by well-credentialed faculty with business experience across industries and sectors, NLU's MSM program offers a practical, applications-oriented curriculum that builds leadership skills and knowledge that managers can implement in real-time in their working environments. Students' own professional environments and challenges provide case study contexts for class learning in addition to course materials that expose students to developing trends and forces operating in organizations today.

Meeting in one intensive session per week over approximately 18 months, the program is tailored to meet the needs of busy adults juggling personal and professional commitments. Fellowship with classmate-colleagues is also promoted. Master of Science in Management students generally stay with one group of classmates through the whole program, building a professional network and a deep understanding of comparative organizational environments from peers.

NLU's Master of Science in Management is professionally accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE).

What You Will Learn

• Proven methods in leadership and employee development
• The principles and practice of strategic planning and implementation
• How to enhance your personal leadership style
• The art of public speaking and presenting
• How to craft effective professional communications
• Frameworks for ethnical decision-making and action
• How to adapt within and effect change in today’s businesses and public sector organizations

Career Outlook

Administrative management positions are expected to grow by 12 percent between 2008-18, with even stronger growth in the human resources and training function, and in the communications and IT industries.

NLU's Master of Science in Management degree is aligned against the employment sector's expectations for top managers. According to a 2009 survey of top CEOs by the Center for Creative Leadership, seven leadership skills are consistently viewed as most important now and in the future. They are: leading employees, strategic planning, inspiring commitment, managing change, resourcefulness, being a quick learner, and "doing whatever it takes."

Graduates are prepared to advance in a wide range of management positions including:

• Department or group manager
• Leadership coaching
• Organizational consulting
• Project management
• Organizational design

Program Requirements

Curriculum: The Master of Science in Management curriculum includes 11 courses totaling 33 credits. It can be completed in 1-1.5 years.

Transfer Credit: The College of Management and Business will review graduate hours completed at accredited institutions and may transfer up to 9 maximum hours toward the Master of Science in Management.

Admission Requirements

All applicants must meet NLU's general admission requirements. Refer to the appropriate application checklist available online at www.nl.edu/applyonline.

In addition to NLU’s general admission requirements, applicants to the Master of Science in Management program must also satisfy the following:

1. A degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning with a GPA of 3.0 or better
2. A score of 4.0 or better on the Criterion writing assessment test administered by National Louis University (visit www.nl.edu/cad for test information)
3. 3 years of full-time profession, technical or managerial work experience (or the equivalent in part-time work)
4. A list of 3 academic or professional references
5. Submit a professional resume
6. If the applicant does not have English as his/her first language or if his/her undergraduate degree was earned outside the U.S., a score of 550 or better on the paper-based version of the TOEFL or the equivalent on the computer based or internet versions