M.A. Leadership
Online

Leadership is more than just what you do; it’s who you are. Bushnell University’s Master of Arts in Leadership is 100% online and designed for seasoned leaders and aspiring leaders to engage with principles of best practice, sharpen their own self-understanding as leaders, and refine their skill set for more effective leadership in the groups and organizations where they serve.
Credits 36 | Cost/Credit $655 | Completion 12-24 Months | Format Online | Starts Per Year Three
Graduate Programs
Contact
JaiLeigh Wiren
Admissions Counselor, MAL Program
541-349-5284
jwiren@bushnell.edu
Latrissa Lee Neiworth, Ed.D.
Dean, School of Business, Leadership & Technology
541-684-7251
lneiworth@bushnell.edu
Why Choose Bushnell?
The School of Business, Leadership, and Technology brings together all the critical elements needed to be successful in today’s world — business acumen, inclusive leadership, and cutting-edge technology. When combined with our mission of wisdom, faith, and service, we offer an experience unparalleled by any other university of our size across the U.S.
Bushnell University’s online M.A. in Leadership is unique and different from other programs, allowing you to customize your education. You’ll be able to choose from five concentrations: Business Administration, Church Leadership, Higher Education Leadership, Non-Profit, and Interdisciplinary.
Program Overview
- 3 starts per year
- No GRE or GMAT required
- No previous business or leadership coursework required
- 8-week courses
- 100% online
Concentrations
- Business Administration
- Church Leadership
- Higher Education
- Non-Profit
- Interdisciplinary
Program Objectives
Graduates of this program will:
- Facilitate personal growth and leadership effectiveness
- Integrate wisdom, faith, and service in the leadership of complex organizations
- Impact positive change and empower mission fulfillment
- Nurture, mentor, and develop leadership skills in other members of the organization
- Navigate complex social and cultural systems on a local and global spectrum
- Practice principled stewardship of organizational resources (people and systems)
FAQ's
- How much does the program cost?
Current tuition and fees are listed here. The MAL program is 36 credits. Students should also factor in the cost of textbooks.
- How long does it take to complete the program?
The MAL program can be completed on either a 12-month or 24-month track. Students doing the 12-month track take 2 classes at a time. The 24-month track is just 1 class at a time. Classes are 8 weeks long.
- Is Christianity a part of the curriculum?
The MAL curriculum has significant faith aspects interwoven into the curriculum. Students will be asked to read portions of biblical text and look at several leadership qualities demonstrated by Jesus. Students are welcome to incorporate their personal faith or belief system into the program as much, or as little, as they are comfortable with. However, they should be comfortable having discussions surrounding faith and leadership throughout Christianity, even if they do not consider themselves religious. Students with questions about the aspects of Christianity in the curriculum should reach out to an admissions counselor, who will connect them with a faculty member that can answer more specific or in-depth questions about this topic.
- Can I work while doing this program?
Absolutely! Most of our online MAL students are simultaneously working part or full time while attending. Courses can be completed 100% online and there are no required log-on times.
- Is Bushnell accredited?
Yes. Bushnell University is regionally accredited with the Northwest Commission on Colleges & Universities (NWCCU). Additionally, the School of Business Leadership and Technology has received specialized accreditation for its business programs (including the Master of Arts in Leadership) through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).
Have other questions? Contact our admission counselor for the MAL program at 541-684-7201.
Admissions Requirements
Application Requirements
- Free application for admission
- Official transcript showing completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited four-year college or university (3.0 cumulative GPA) and transcripts for any subsequent academic work
- A Statement of Purpose (500 words) showing skills in written communication, addressing how the online Master of Arts in Leadership relates to your personal and professional goals
- Current resume
Special Considerations
Students who do not meet GPA requirements may apply for conditional admission to the program. Bushnell University evaluates applicants holistically, evaluating academic progress, as well as work and personal experience in the admissions process. Students may provide a one-page description of the previous academic history results, with an explanation of how they intend to be successful at the graduate level.
Questions?
JaiLeigh Wiren
Admissions Counselor, MAL Program
541-349-5284
jwiren@bushnell.edu
Larry Coburn, M.S.
Program Director, MAL Program
503-432-3220
lcoburn@bushnell.edu
Accelerated Dual Pathway (4+1)
Students are able to obtain two degrees (B.S. and MBA) online or in person in five years by enrolling in our Accelerated Dual Pathway.
Click HERE for more information.
Courses
For full course descriptions, visit our academic catalog.
- Leadership, Wisdom, Faith, and Service
- Leadership, Self-assessment, and Self-care
- Organizational Leadership
- Leadership, Diversity, and Globalization
- Leadership and Mission Fulfillment
- Stewardship of Financial Resources
- MAL Portfolio
- Choose one course from the following:
- Organizational Leadership
- Organizational Behavior
- Choose one course from the following:
- Leadership Strategies
- Leadership and Management
Business Administration Concentration Courses (choose 4 courses)
- Leadership Strategies
- Marketing Strategy
- Managerial Statistics
- Business Ethics
- Managerial Accounting
- Organizational Behavior
- Human Resource Management
- Corporate Sustainability
- *Managerial Economics
- *Managerial Finance
- *Strategy and Managerial Decision Making
- *Operations and Service Management
Church Leadership Concentration
- Biblical Theology of Leadership
- Ministry as Mission: Church Leadership in Changing Times
- Choose two additional courses from the following:
Higher Education Concentration
- History of Education and Current Practice
- Programs and Functions of College Student Personnel
- Law and Ethics in Higher Education
- Choose one additional course from the following:
- Vocational Calling
- Any Business Administration Course
- Any Non-Profit Course
Non-Profit Concentration
- Volunteer Leadership
- Legal and Ethical Issues for Non-Profit Organizations
- Marketing Strategy
- Choose one additional course from the following:
Interdisciplinary Concentration (choose additional 12 credits)
All courses are subject to change.
*The following business courses may be available but could impact your course rotation. Please inform your admission counselor or academic advisor if you wish to enroll in one of these courses.
Accreditation
Bushnell University has received specialized accreditation for its business program through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE), located in Lenexa, Kansas. For a list of accredited programs, refer to our IACBE member status page.
Pepperdine University Partnership
Bushnell University offers an accelerated program where students enrolled in the online MBA or Master of Arts in Leadership (MAL) can also pursue conditional enrollment in the hybrid EDOL (Ed.D.) Doctorate Program at Pepperdine University. This program allows students to take up to two doctoral-level courses from Pepperdine, which can be counted towards their master’s degree at Bushnell, providing a head start on a prestigious doctoral degree. Additionally, students in this program benefit from expert faculty mentorship, access to professional seminars and virtual learning opportunities, and the integration of Christian values in their education.
Academic Catalog
Academic Calender
Tuition & Fees / Financial Aid
Military & Veteran Benefits

Meet the Faculty
Larry Coburn, M.S. Program Director
“The MAL program at Bushnell University engages you in a journey of leader formation as you learn leadership approaches and skills. We aim for you to discover and strengthen the leader you were made to be.
We go beyond leadership theory and techniques on this journey, challenging you to clarify the connection between what you believe and how you lead. You will emerge from this program with a stronger and clearer leader identity, and the skills and understanding to lead more effectively in your leadership context.”