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Gain Strategic Leadership Skills to Drive Peak Performance
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 your 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
Unique and Flexible Online Management and Leadership Courses and Concentrations
This 30-credit master’s program adopts 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.
Tailor your degree by selecting from one of four concentrations to suit your unique career goals, play to your strengths, and/or improve your overall marketability.
This specialized master’s degree builds on your extensive experience and previous education to help you transition to an executive leader who rises above the day-to-day operations.
You can acquire in-depth expertise in leading an organization at the highest level; enhance your ability to formulate, articulate, and implement strategy; and learn to lead ethically and responsibly. As a student of the program, you will join a community of other driven business leaders who value collaboration. You can participate in small group discussions and case analysis teams and engage in interactive online discussion forums.
The program ends with a capstone course that entails a comprehensive analysis of your company and yourself, drawing upon your experience and lessons learned.
Customize Your Master's Degree with a Concentration
Architecting Strategy and Innovation
Advance the knowledge, perspectives, and skills needed to effectively execute business strategy and implement effective corporate innovation strategies.
Business Sustainability Strategy
Gain the knowledge to implement sustainability practices into core business strategy and operations.
Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Explore the principles of innovation and entrepreneurship so you can support a corporate culture that fosters positive change and forward thinking.
Negotiation and Influence
Develop critical negotiation skills and knowledge that can help you identify and gain sources of power at work.
Core Courses (15 credits)
- 3credits
Enhances the student's ability to deal with the complexities of ethical decision making in today's dynamic business environment by clarifying and applying personal values.
- 3credits
Provides the fundamental concepts, frameworks, and principles underlying the formulation of successful strategies. Integrates multiple functional business areas to resolve global business problems and improve organizational performance.
- 3credits
Addresses the managerial challenge of strategy implementation, particularly by examining the organizational elements that must be drawn into line to support a strategy, as well as the immense difficulties of changing an organization. Relies on two overarching frameworks: a model of organizational alignment and a model for managing the change process.
- 3credits
Provides students with the frameworks, concepts, and tools that allow them to diagnose individual and organizational sources of power and influence, as well as to wield these sources of power and influence in an ethical and responsible way.
- 3credits
Emphasizes how leading across differences and diversity is a core leadership competency in organizations today.
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)
- 3credits
Focuses on the development and application of business architecture as a holistic discipline that produces a common understanding of the organization that is used to align strategic objectives and tactical initiatives.
- 3credits
Explores the methods used to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in a corporate setting, with a special emphasis on how organizations foster creativity, innovation, and new venture creation.
Business Sustainability Strategy (6 credits)
- 3credits
An overview of the economic, social, and environmental drivers of the transformation to sustainable business models and practices; identification of best practices and frameworks for assessing organizational engagement with sustainability; development of a strategic sustainability plan.
- 3credits
Introduction to new business models and sustainable design principles for reinventing products and services to drive business value while reducing environmental and social impact, sourcing raw materials and working effectively with suppliers to safeguard labor and human rights and protect and restore natural resources, and managing total cost and risk. Special focus on circular economy strategies and closed loop supply chains.
Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship (6 credits)
- 3credits
Understanding, exploring, and applying innovation-related concepts, principles, and practices to corporate environments involved with new venture creation and other contexts.
- 3credits
Explores the methods used to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in a corporate setting, with a special emphasis on how organizations foster creativity, innovation, and new venture creation.
Negotiation and Influence (6 credits)
- 3credits
Delivers an overview of the difference between traditional (distributive) bargaining and interest-based (or integrative) negotiations; learn to identify their own and others' interests, to create and claim value, and to craft constructive agreements for all parties.
- 3credits
Introduces the theory and practice of negotiation in a variety of settings, with specific emphasis on multiparty context; the course will allow students to develop these skills experientially and to understand negotiation in useful analytical frameworks.
- Prerequisite
BA 805
Electives (select 6 credits)
Students may select any two courses from the following list of electives maintained by the program. This list may change over time in response to market demand.
- 3credits
Delivers an overview of the difference between traditional (distributive) bargaining and interest-based (or integrative) negotiations; learn to identify their own and others' interests, to create and claim value, and to craft constructive agreements for all parties.
- 3credits
Focuses on the development and application of business architecture as a holistic discipline that produces a common understanding of the organization that is used to align strategic objectives and tactical initiatives.
- 3credits
Emphasizes identity issues that are critical to understanding individual and collective processes in organizational life.
- 3credits
Explores the use of descriptive analytics concepts, tools, and techniques throughout a wide range of business scenarios and problems.
- Prerequisite
previous work experience and/or academic background with statistics
- 3credits
Focuses on the process of launching a new venture, in a corporate setting or as a new start-up, including identifying a problem or market opportunity, developing business models, forming a team, financing, analyzing markets, assessing the competitive environment, and planning to acquire leadership talent.
- 3credits
Surveys emerging trends and disruptors in technology and industry that create new markets and influence decision-making, product development, business models, and business practices associated with innovation.
- 3credits
Explores the methods used to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in a corporate setting, with a special emphasis on how organizations foster creativity, innovation, and new venture creation.
- 3credits
Accounting rules, practices, and applications that characterize the accounting presentations that for-profit organizations provide to the public.
- 3credits
Overview of human behavior in organizations, and implications for managing and leading individuals, teams, and organizations.
- 3credits
Understanding, exploring, and applying innovation-related concepts, principles, and practices to corporate environments involved with new venture creation and other contexts.
- 3credits
An overview of the economic, social, and environmental drivers of the transformation to sustainable business models and practices; identification of best practices and frameworks for assessing organizational engagement with sustainability; development of a strategic sustainability plan.
- 3credits
Introduces the theory and practice of negotiation in a variety of settings, with specific emphasis on multiparty context; the course will allow students to develop these skills experientially and to understand negotiation in useful analytical frameworks.
- Prerequisite
BA 805
- 3credits
Provides an understanding of key issues, concepts, and methodologies associated with business transformation and management consulting; helps students identify and define organization problems, highlight pain points, map workflows, explore business models, investigate strategic alignment, develop recommendations, present business cases, and deliver prototype solutions.
- 3credits
Explores the methods and tools commonly used in the practice of management consulting and is intended for students interested in working in this field or working in organizations that hire management consultants.
- 3credits
Prepares students with the knowledge and skills to gather data that is credible, targeted, and actionable; covers techniques and tools for gathering quantitative and qualitative data, including sampling, questionnaire design and administration, experiments for ad and product testing, and interview guides for focus groups.
- 3credits
Introduction to new business models and sustainable design principles for reinventing products and services to drive business value while reducing environmental and social impact, sourcing raw materials and working effectively with suppliers to safeguard labor and human rights and protect and restore natural resources, and managing total cost and risk. Special focus on circular economy strategies and closed loop supply chains.
Capstone Experience (3 credits)
- 3credits
Presents a senior executive perspective on the key opportunities and challenges faced by business leaders; includes discussions on the changing context for setting strategy and leading organizations in an evolving business environment.
Course Availability
If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.
Start or Advance Your Career
Start or Advance Your Career
You can use the knowledge gained from this program and the support of Penn State career resources to pursue careers in a variety of fields, depending on your goals.
Job Titles Related to This Degree
The following roles are often held by people with this type of degree:
- Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
- Executive Director
- General Manager (GM)
- Management Analyst
- Organizational Development Consultant
Employment Outlook for Occupational Fields Related to This Degree
Estimates of employment growth and total employment are provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and are subject to change. While these occupations are often pursued by graduates with this degree, individual outcomes may vary depending on a variety of factors. Penn State World Campus cannot guarantee employment in a given occupation.
General and Operations Managers
Management Analysts
Chief Executives
Career Services to Set You Up for Success
From the day you're accepted as a student, you can access resources and tools provided by Penn State World Campus Career Services to further your career. These resources are beneficial whether you're searching for a job or advancing in an established career.
- Opportunities to connect with employers
- Career counselor/coach support
- Occupation and salary information
- Internships
- Graduate school resources
Ready to Learn More?
Get the resources you need to make informed decisions about your education. Request information on this program and other programs of interest by completing this form.
Ready to take the next step toward your Penn State master's degree?
Costs and Financial Aid
Costs and Financial Aid
Learn about this program's tuition, fees, scholarship opportunities, grants, payment options, and military benefits.
Graduate Tuition
Graduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register. Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.
2024–25 Academic Year Rates
How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | Cost |
---|---|
11 or fewer | $1,260 per credit |
12 or more | $15,130 per semester |
2025–26 Academic Year Rates
How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | Cost |
---|---|
11 or fewer | $1,273 per credit |
12 or more | $15,281 per semester |
Financial Aid and Military Benefits
Some students may qualify for financial aid. Take the time to research financial aid, scholarships, and payment options as you prepare to apply. Federal financial aid may only be used to pay for credits used to satisfy program requirements.
Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.
Additional Cost of Attendance Details
To view the detailed list of cost of attendance elements:
- visit the Tuition Information site
- click the plus sign to expand the table
- select a semester from the World Campus row
Technical Requirements
Review the technical requirements for this program.
Penn State Smeal Advantage
Penn State Smeal Advantage
Smeal College of Business is committed to being your partner in lifelong learning. Smeal offers programs, support, and resources for every career stage and life circumstance that will prepare you not only for your next great opportunity but also for the one after that.
More options, greater flexibility, and a commitment to lifelong learning
The desire for knowledge and professional growth spans a lifetime. That is why the Penn State Smeal College of Business offers a portfolio of professional graduate programs for all stages of your career. In partnership with Penn State World Campus, Smeal makes it easy to customize a learning plan to your unique career aspirations and busy schedule. Penn State Smeal offers you a lifetime of learning with more concentrations and one of the most integrated, flexible offerings of online and residential programs in the United States.
An entire team dedicated to your success
Personal advising — Our experts will explain the many options that Penn State Smeal offers and will help you refine your career strategy and craft the educational experience best suited to your interests. It all starts with a simple, but critical question: “What are your goals?”
Career coaching* — Our Alumni Career Services team will support you across all career stages with professional advancement opportunities and coaching to help you stay focused on achieving your goals.
Delivering the best of online and in-person learning for a rich educational experience
We understand that today’s professional learners want meaningful discussion and interaction with faculty and classmates along with the technologies and flexible approaches of contemporary online learning. By aligning the best of both worlds, we bring richness, depth, and diversity to the overall educational experience.
Courses designed to engage and motivate the professional student
Creative Teams consisting of a lead faculty member, a Teaching Support Specialist (TSS), and an Instructional Designer use advanced analytics to develop and deliver contemporary graduate courses that promote application and engagement. We strive to innovate in ways that others don’t.
A real-world perspective
- Industry professionals inside the virtual classroom — Many of Penn State Smeal’s courses feature industry professionals who have been in the trenches and work hard to make an impact every day. These individuals, most of whom hold a Smeal graduate degree, partner with our renowned faculty to provide a rich academic context with real-world application.
- Global immersion* — This unique, optional experience will enhance your ability to communicate cross-culturally, adapt to evolving business environments, and manage the risks and benefits of operating on a global scale. Any student pursing a full degree from Smeal may participate in this optional, faculty-led experience for elective credit. Previous destinations have included Shanghai, China; Johannesburg, South Africa; Prague, Czech Republic; Santiago, Chile; and Zagreb, Croatia.
One of the largest and most influential networks in the country
At Penn State, you are part of a worldwide community of instructors, learners, and more than 775,000 alumni who support one another and make a meaningful impact. Whether studying on campus or online through Penn State World Campus, all Penn State students can experience a sense of community and belonging. You’ll have opportunities to engage with your peers, faculty, and alumni through virtual and in-person, on-campus events such as Impact Smeal Day, WE ARE Weekend, THON™, and the Blue-White game.
More than 94,000 Smeal alumni benefit from connections around the globe as well as networking events, podcasts, webinars, a powerful LinkedIn community, and opportunities for volunteerism.
* Services are available only to students and alumni of Penn State Smeal’s degree programs and online degrees led by Smeal and delivered through the World Campus. Students and alumni of online graduate certificates are not eligible to receive these benefits unless they are also enrolled in a degree program.
Earn a Valuable Credential along the Way
Earn a Valuable Credential along the Way
Show mastery of specific subjects before your degree is complete. Thanks to shared courses across programs, students can often earn a certificate along with their degree in less time than if they earned them separately.
Certificate Programs Related to This Degree
Progress toward the following certificates can be earned while completing this degree program:
Gain the expertise to align your organization's higher-level strategic objectives with tactical enterprise-level projects and technology initiatives to improve overall effectiveness and efficiency. This program is recognized by the Business Architecture Guild.
Learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Business ArchitectureBuild a strong foundation across a wide range of business disciplines, including management, accounting, finance, leadership, and marketing. This interdisciplinary certificate is ideal for graduate professionals who desire more formal business training or education.
Learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Business Management FoundationsLearn sustainable business practices that can drive environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance while improving profitability, reducing cost and risk, and building competitive advantage. Prepare to develop and implement a sustainability strategy for any type of organization.
Learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Business Sustainability StrategyBuild the business, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills needed to develop groundbreaking products and services and manage high-performance teams. This online program is ideal for entrepreneurial-minded, creative thinkers who want to understand the principles of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Corporate Innovation and EntrepreneurshipDevelop the in-demand leadership skills and knowledge needed to effectively manage diversity and inclusion as strategic imperatives, as well as the competencies needed to lead diversity-related change initiatives.
Learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion as StrategyGain the knowledge and skills required to succeed as an independent management consultant, member of a consulting firm, or in-house advisor in a corporate or public sector setting with this online graduate certificate program in management consulting.
Learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Management ConsultingAcquire the skills you need to gain support for your ideas, influence the outcome of negotiations, and successfully implement your solutions. This program can help you learn to identify personal interests and gives you the opportunity to practice strategies though multi-party negotiation scenarios.
Learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Negotiation and InfluenceExplore the challenges that managers face when implementing corporate strategy and learn to shape organizational cultures that facilitate change with this online graduate certificate program in strategic leadership.
Learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Strategic LeadershipWho Should Apply?
Who Should Apply?
This fully online 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. They have their sights set on taking a primary guiding role in their organization and therefore want to develop their ability to think strategically and position their organization for growth and success in a changing environment. Individuals with extensive military leadership experience are also encouraged to apply.
The students you will learn with in your program will come from a variety of backgrounds, including business, IT, engineering, life sciences, and more. They will likely have at least five years of team management experience and knowledge of organizational change, and while not required, may already possess an MBA or other graduate-level degree.
AACSB Accredited
The Penn State Smeal College of Business is AACSB accredited, an honor reserved for the top 5% of business schools worldwide. This program is competitively priced compared to other AACSB–accredited programs.
Global Immersion Program Opportunity
Global Immersion Program Opportunity
You will have the opportunity to participate in an optional Global Immersion trip. For one week, join fellow Penn Staters from the Smeal College of Business to visit a pivotal global business region to develop a critical awareness of international business practices and diverse cultures.
Optional Global Immersion Experience
This learning experience is designed to enhance your ability to communicate cross-culturally, adapt to evolving business environments, and manage some of the key risks and benefits of operating on a global scale. The Global Immersion trip may include visits to corporate headquarters and manufacturing facilities, as well as meetings with executives and government officials to learn about international business from those experiencing it firsthand in the country you are visiting.
The Global Immersion trip and corresponding course(s) will be offered each spring. Please note that course work is required both before and after the trip. Online students may pursue the Global Immersion experience/courses in one of two ways:
- Option 1: Take BA 836 for 1 credit in a spring semester. The 1-credit course will include the trip and associated pre/post-work. BA 836 would be an additional credit on top of the 30 required to graduate.
- Option 2: Take BA 836 for 1 credit AND BA 835 for 2 credits during spring semester. Together, the 3 credits will involve more extensive course work in this subject area and will include the trip. The 3 combined credits for BA 835 and 836 may replace one 3-credit program elective course with approval. Please contact the program office with any questions.
We aim to have enough students across programs to allow students to choose from 3–4 locations each spring. Past trips for the full-time and executive students have included Johannesburg, South Africa; Shanghai, China; Prague, Czech Republic; and Santiago, Chile. The trip choices will be made by the program faculty directors based on global business climate and corporate and alumni relationships that will allow for the most fruitful experience. Please contact the program office for more details, including fee structure, upcoming dates, and locations. Please note that students pay course tuition as well as an additional trip fee to participate in the Global Immersion experience.
Set Your Own Pace
Set Your Own Pace
Whether you are looking to finish your program as quickly as possible or balance your studies with your busy life, Penn State World Campus can help you achieve your education goals. Many students take one or two courses per semester.
Our online courses typically follow a 12- to 15-week semester cycle, and there are three semesters per year (spring, summer, and fall). The majority of students finish the program in 20–28 months.
Convenient Online Format
This program's convenient online format gives you the flexibility you need to study around your busy schedule. You can skip the lengthy commute without sacrificing the quality of your education and prepare yourself for more rewarding career opportunities without leaving your home.
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. Our online learning environment offers the same quality education that our students experience on campus.
Information for Military and Veterans
Are you a member of the military, a veteran, or a military spouse? Please visit our military website for additional information regarding financial aid, transfer credits, and application instructions.
How to Apply to Penn State
How to Apply to Penn State
Apply by April 15 to start May 19
Application Instructions
Deadlines and Important Dates
Complete your application and submit all required materials by the appropriate deadline. Your deadline will depend on the semester you plan to start your courses.
Summer Deadline
Apply by April 15 to start May 19Fall Deadline
Apply by July 20 to start August 25Spring Deadline
Apply by November 15, 2025, to start January 12, 2026
Space is limited and you are encouraged to apply early. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all seats are filled.
Steps to Apply
For admission to the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School, an applicant must hold either (1) a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates.
Applicants may come from diverse backgrounds and disciplines and typically have about 7-10 years of current managerial or team leadership experience. Extensive leadership experience in the military will also be considered. Exceptional students that fall outside of these general guidelines may be considered.
You will need to upload the following items as part of your application:
Official transcripts from each institution attended, regardless of the number of credits or semesters completed. Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. If you are a Penn State alum, you do not need to request transcripts for credits earned at Penn State but must list Penn State as part of your academic history.
Test Scores — GRE/GMAT scores are not required and will not be accepted.
English Proficiency — The language of instruction at Penn State is English. With some exceptions, international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum test scores and exceptions are found in the English Proficiency section on the Fox Graduate School's "Requirements for Graduate Admission" page. Visit the TOEFL website for testing information. Penn State's institutional code is 2660.
Program-Specific Questions/Materials
Vita or Résumé — A listing of your professional experience and education
Statement of Purpose — A 2–3 page essay articulating career and educational goals
Additional Information — May be requested by the program
To begin the online application, you will need a Penn State account.
Create a New Penn State Account
If you have any problems during this process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected].
Please note: Former Penn State students may not need to complete the admissions application or create a new Penn State account. Please visit our Returning Students page for instructions.
You can begin your online application at any time. Your progress within the online application system will be saved as you go, allowing you to return at any point as you gather additional information and required materials.
- Choose Enrollment Type: "Degree Admission"
- Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus
Checking Your Status
You can check the status of your application by using the same login information established for the online application form.5. Complete the application.
Admissions Help
If you have questions about the admissions process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected].
Applicants who are in the military qualify for an application fee waiver. Please contact the program office at [email protected] to request the military waiver code.
Contact Us
Contact Us
Have questions or want more information? We're happy to talk.
For questions about the curriculum, you may contact the academic home directly:
Penn State Smeal College of Business
Professional Graduate Programs Office
814-865-5290
[email protected]
For general questions about the application process, please contact:
World Campus Admissions Counselors
Phone: 814-863-5386
Email: [email protected]
Learn from the Best
Learn from the Best
The Master’s in Strategic Management and Executive Leadership is offered in partnership with the Penn State Smeal College of Business. Smeal faculty rank in the top 25 internationally for research productivity, according to the UT Dallas Business School Research Rankings.
Faculty
Jennifer L. Eury
- DegreePh.D., Higher Education, Penn State
- DegreeM.S., Business Administration, Penn State
- DegreeM.Ed., Higher Education, Penn State
- DegreeB.A., Advertising-Public Relations, Penn State
Dr. Jennifer Eury is a clinical assistant professor of management and organization at the Smeal College of Business, and an affiliate faculty member in the Rock Ethics Institute at Penn State. She teaches courses in ethical leadership, leadership and change in organizations, and management and organization. Her research focuses on individuals’ and organizations’ responses to identity threat, and organizational culture, specifically how culture can foster integrity and ethical behavior.
Jeffrey A. Krug
- DegreeMLE, Institute for Management and Leadership in Education, Harvard University
- DegreePh.D., Strategic Management, Indiana University Bloomington
- DegreeM.S., International Business, Penn State
- DegreeB.A., Economics, Penn State
Dr. Jeffrey A. Krug is an adjunct professor of management in the Smeal College of Business, where he teaches courses in strategic management, leadership, and innovation & technology. His research focuses on corporate strategy, mergers and acquisitions (M&As), global strategy, and the effects of M&As on acquired top management teams.
Vilmos F. Misangyi
- DegreePh.D., Strategic Management, University of Florida
- DegreeB.A., Financial Administration, Michigan State University
Dr. Vilmos F. Misangyi is a professor of strategic management, the BNY Mellon Fellow, and chair of the Management and Organization Department of the Smeal College of Business. He teaches courses in corporate strategy, strategic management, and power and influence. His research seeks to contribute to an understanding of strategy that extends beyond standard economic and financial accounts by taking a social and behavioral approach to examining how executive and organizational actions influence, and are influenced by, their surrounding environments.
Al Vicere
- DegreeD.Ed., Higher Education, Penn State
- DegreeM.Ed., Counselor Education, Penn State
- DegreeB.A., Advertising, Penn State
Dr. Albert A. Vicere is the program director for the Master’s in Strategic Management and Executive Leadership program in the Penn State Smeal College of Business and a teaching professor of business administration in the Smeal College, where he teaches courses in strategic leadership. He has served as Smeal's associate dean for executive education, faculty director of the Smeal Executive MBA program, and director of the College's Institute for the Study of Organizational Effectiveness. His research interests focus on leadership development and strategy implementation.