This program is not currently accepting applications.
The Master of Arts in Leadership (MAL) is a fast-track degree for working professionals that develops the knowledge, skills, and self-insights to lead others with confidence and impact.
Designed for working professionals, the master’s program in leadership is designed to advance careers within a profession, rather than providing entry to a new profession. Typically, students will have 5-20 years of work experience and will be seeking additional credentials to advance into more senior leadership roles. The MA in Leadership is a professional degree that is completely focused on leadership skills rather than the broad business training found in an MBA program.
Program Highlights
- Enjoy a hybrid program that is primarily online, with meaningful on campus class sessions held no more often than one weekend per month.
- Study Drucker principles integrated with positive psychology to develop both leadership skills and self-insight.
- Address leadership at levels of self, team, organization, and society along dimensions of people, purpose, and performance.
- Personalize your degree with elective offerings from throughout CGU.
- Increase personal growth through leadership assessments, applied experiences, and an international trip.
- Expand your leadership competencies with personalized, faculty-led coaching.
Program At-a-glance
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30 units
required units
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MA in Leadership (AACSB Accredited)
degree awarded
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Hybrid
modality
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Spring, Summer, Fall
program start
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12 months* | full time*
estimated completion time
Faculty
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Stephen Gilliland
University Professor
Research Interests
Organizational Justice, Employee Attitudes and Motivation, Leadership
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Michelle Bligh
Interim President
Professor of Organizational BehaviorResearch Interests
Leadership, Organizational Culture, Charismatic Leadership
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Katharina Pick
Academic Director, MBA Programs
Clinical Full ProfessorResearch Interests
Organizational behavior, Teams, Organizational theory, Leadership, Corporate governance, Power and influence
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Bernie Jaworski
Peter F. Drucker Chair in Management and the Liberal Arts
Research Interests
Client Management, Leadership, Management, Marketing, Strategy
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M. Gloria González-Morales
Associate Professor of Psychology
Director, Center for Academic & Faculty ExcellenceResearch Interests
Work stress; work-life issues; workplace victimization and incivility; relational practices and cultures; diversity; positive organizational interventions to enhance well-being and performance.
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Jeremy Hunter
Associate Professor of Practice
Founding Director, Executive Mind Leadership InstituteResearch Interests
Mindfulness, Self-management, Executive mind
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Lori Anne Ferrell
Dean, School of Arts & Humanities
Director, Early Modern Studies Program
Director, Kingsley & Kate Tufts Poetry AwardsResearch Interests
English Renaissance and Reformation Literature; Early Modern British and European History; Reformation Studies, Protestantism, the Bible and English-language Culture; the Bible in America; William Shakespeare
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Kristine Kawamura
Academic Director, Societal and Global Impact
Clinical Professor of ManagementResearch Interests
Responsible management, Care (as a strategic resource), Values-based management systems, Leadership, Organizational strategy and culture, Cross cultural competence, Human performance and resilience
Curriculum
Core Classes total 22 units
- Diversity and Team Leadership
- Drucker Philosophy
- Leadership Coaching
- LeadershipEthics and CSR
- Leading Change & Innovation
- Organizational Culture and Design
- The Practice of Leadership
- The Practice of Self Mastery
- Students will complete a minimum of 2 units from department-designated courses in each of the following areas of study:
- Communication
- Data
- Global
Customize Your Degree with Electives
8 units of electives* can be used to contextualize your degree based on your career focus (e.g., healthcare leadership, public policy leadership) or personal interests (e.g., positive psychology). You can take electives from programs across CGU or take full advantage of the unique CGU transdisciplinary experience with classes such as:
- Transdisciplinary tools for equity: Institutions, organizations, and systems
- Integrating Arts and Sciences
- Urban studies
- Data analytical tools, technologies, and applications
- Science of human flourishing
*Note that some electives may be offered as in-person classes only.
Cost & Aid
Tuition and Fees
ESTIMATED TUITION (CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS, NON-RESIDENTS, INTERNATIONAL)
*Based on 2025-2026 tuition rates.
STUDENT FEES (PER SEMESTER)
| $245 Student Fee |
| $150 Technology Fee |
| International Student Services Fee**: $802 fall semester, $898 spring semester **Applies to all international students (F-1 visa only) who are registered in coursework, doctoral study, or continuous registration. The fee is assessed each fall and spring semester for annual ISO accident and sickness plans and administrative fees. Subject to changes. |
For estimates of room & board, books, etc., please download CGU’s Cost of Attendance 2025-2026.
| Program | 30 units |
*Program completion times may vary depending on course registration, units transferred, and time to complete other degree requirements.