MBA in Leadership Strategies

Become an agile and transformative leader with an MBA in leadership strategies

Master of Business Administration - Leadership Strategies Concentration (39 credits)

Learn how to define not only where an organization is headed, but how an organization will get there with Davenport University's Master of Business Administration in leadership strategies. The ever-changing global environment requires creative strategies for achieving organizational growth and development. Davenport's strategic leadership degree focuses on cultivating critical thinking, ethical decision-making and the integration of core business decisions to help you drive success in organizations.

Delivered on Davenport's W.A. Lettinga Campus in Grand Rapids or through our Global Campus, you'll learn from faculty members who are experts in their fields. In fact, many faculty members in Davenport's College of Business are entrepreneurs while others work for global companies like Amway and Herman Miller.

What is strategic leadership?

Strategic leadership is a mindset to adapt, innovate and succeed. Strategic leaders tackle problems efficiently and creatively. In addition, they identify what the organization needs to grow and can motivate, align ideas to strategy, and inspire employees to make significant contributions to the organization’s success.

Explore classes for Davenport’s master’s degree in leadership strategies

Depending on your business background, your MBA degree starts with foundational MBA courses, such as fundamentals of accounting principles and concepts, management and marketing, foundations of financial management and statistics for business. Through the leadership strategies concentration, students will develop skills to strategically innovate, plan and implement. This concentration emphasizes skills in project management, human capital structures and change management.

See Full Course List

Core Courses		24 Credits
ACCT640	Managerial Accounting Most of the information required to plan and control business operations, and the data required to create and sustain a competitive advantage, come from the accounting system and the reports that are generated. This course analyzes the management structure and process in which this information is generated, the construction and application of managerial accounting data, cost behavior and cost assignment. Students will also examine product cost within activity based costing, job order costing, and process costing. Controlling cost through the use of standard cost system and budgeting are explored. In addition, this course covers business decision-making using relevant information from activity costing, variable/fixed analysis, cost-volume-profit analysis, quality costing, and productivity analysis. Students will analyze and evaluate managerial accounting functions and decision cases in light of managing a business, making financing decisions, and generating growth and income within the	3
BUSN688	Quantitative Business Analysis This course provides the student with an understanding of quantitative analysis methods used in contemporary business to effectively determine business situations, prescribe needed data and develop decision-support data. Students apply regression and time-series analysis to develop business forecasts and develop probability assessments related to decision-making in a variety of business disciplines including marketing, finance, production, and human resources management. Note: A grade of C or better is required on the final assessment in order to earn a passing grade in this course. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): BUSN520 and STAT500	3
ECON625	Managerial Economics This course is an exploration of microeconomic theory and practices, which explain real-world behavior in a firm and society. A practical, problem-solving approach to decision-making is used to learn how economic concepts serve as the basis for many challenges and decisions that confront today’s managers. Topics to be covered include an overview of supply and demand, forecasting demand, production and cost analysis, statistical analysis of economic relationships, market structure and organization, the role of government in a market economy, pricing a firm’s output, risk analysis, and capital budgeting. Note: A grade of C or better is required on the final assessment in order to earn a passing grade in this course. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): STAT500	3
FINC620	Corporate Finance This course focuses on the application of financial theory and concepts for management decision making with emphasis on the practical aspects of finance. Students learn how to analyze a company’s financial information and practice financial planning. Students evaluate the capital investment process, the corporate restructuring process, as well as bankruptcy analysis. In addition, students explore the financial decision-making process relating to working capital management and international finance. Note: A grade of C or better is required on the final assessment in order to earn a passing grade in this course. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): FINC510	3
LEGL710	Ethical/Legal Frmwrk 21st Cent This application centered class explores business ethics as well as the legal environment of business in a number of contexts. Students will learn to apply employment laws and regulations to human resource decision making. The course will also relate the areas of contract and tort law to common business scenarios. The relationship between agency law and the fiduciary duties of corporate leaders will also be identified. The emphasis of the course will be on applying knowledge of various areas of law and ethics to strategic business decision making. Grade Note(s): A grade of C or better is required on the final assessment in order to earn a passing grade in this course.	3
MGMT653	Leading Organizations This course is designed to provide new ways of thinking about leadership philosophies and strategies to influence the behaviors of individuals and groups in organizations. Students begin with an exploration of the nature of effective leadership and leadership theories. Understanding power, creating change, developing teams, and guiding group decisions are examined in the context of the roles of a leader. Students learn how to recognize leadership traits and approaches so they can develop their own leadership style. Case studies involving real-world situations that confront leaders are used so that students can formulate strategies to improve the performance of followers through effective leadership. A grade of C or better is required on the final assessment in order to earn a passing grade in this course. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): BUSN520	3
MGMT757	Operations & Supply Chain Mgt This course is the study of how external influences and internal capabilities affect organizational strategies, tactics, and execution. This course covers topics surrounding supply chain management, process design, capacity planning and scheduling, inventory control, statistical process control, and quality assurance. Additionally, operations management's role in organizational performance is explored. Students will examine organizational challenges and opportunities in order to formulate strategies that sustain competitive advantage. In this course, students learn to apply the concepts by conducting a supply management simulation. Note: A grade of C or better is required on the final assessment in order to earn a passing grade in this course. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): ACCT640, BUSN688, ECON625, and FINC620	3
MKTG610	Marketing Strategies This course focuses on marketing strategies and tactics, which are the tools that managers use to increase sales and profits of products and services. Identifying and employing the most effective strategies are critical to the success of any firm. In this course, students explore market segmentation, product, price, distribution, promotion, international, and strategic marketing strategies and tactics. Case studies are used to provide an opportunity to conduct situation analysis, identify SWOTs (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats), and recommend appropriate strategies and tactics that will attract, satisfy, and retain customers. Note: A grade of C or better is required on the final assessment in order to earn a passing grade in this course. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): BUSN520	3

Concentration Courses		12 Credits
MGMT670	Enterprise Growth & Developmnt This course explores the entrepreneurial process and its applications in new ventures and other aspects of business management. It examines various approaches to building new venture teams, securing financial support and implementing strategies for sustainable enterprise growth and development. The student will develop the ability to recognize and promote opportunities for change in their organization. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.	3
MGMT732	Project Leadership Students will gain an understanding of the concepts and practices necessary to lead companies in a project environment; impacting all areas of the organization, such as operations management, technology initiatives, human resources policies and product development. The course will focus on translating global organizational objectives into project initiatives that meet corporate goals. Topics include leadership and communication skills, the role of the Project Management Office (PMO), and the associated processes and controls required to manage project portfolios in a coordinated global environment. Special focus is given to agile project management concepts necessary to operate in an ever-changing environment. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.	3
MGMT760	Organizational Design/Develop An interdisciplinary approach to organization design and development serves as the foundation to evaluate organization performance at many levels. This class emphasizes the alignment of organizational design objectives, which focus on structure and systems to improve efficiency, with organizational development objectives to improve individual performance, group effectiveness and organizational culture. Within the context of an organization’s mission and stakeholder set, the influence of different structures and systems on organizational culture and communication are evaluated to identify the optimum design that will support long term performance and development goals. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): HRMG700 or MGMT653	3
MGMT775	Leading Transformationl Change The nature of the global economy and constantly changing environments results in organizations that must be adaptable to be successful. Nothing changes until people’s behaviors change. This course will focus on the role a transformational leader plays in creating a culture of change and managing change. Transformational leaders direct change by creating a compelling shared vision and effectively communicating this vision to all stakeholders. The full range of transformational leadership behaviors and strategies to build and sustain a culture that embraces change will be explored. Case studies and real-life scenarios will be used to better understand resistance to change, change obstacles, ethical ramifications, and how a leader can anticipate and overcome these challenges. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): MGMT653 or MGMT760	3

Capstone		3 Credits
CAPS794	Business Integration Capstone This course provides the summative and integrative experience that serves as the capstone of the MBA program. Conducted in the form of an interactive business simulation, the student applies their knowledge of business principles and practices as they analyze conditions, develop appropriate strategies and make implementation decisions. In addition, comprehensive case studies are used to apply the strategic management process to a variety of business settings. Finally, this course serves as the student’s final assessment of overall program learning. A grade of C or better is required on the final assessment in order to earn a passing grade in this course. A grade of B or better must be earned to pass this course successfully. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): This class must be taken as the last class in the MBA program	3

Which class should I take? When should I take it?

See our Recommended Program Sequences:

Deep dive into leadership strategies with our 39-credit MBA

92%

of Davenport University students receive a scholarship or gift aid that, unlike student loans, does not have to be repaid

Why get a master’s degree in leadership strategies at Davenport?

Build competencies in conceptualizing and planning organizational systems and processes that integrate sustainable business practices for long-term success. The in-seat leadership strategies MBA program at Davenport was designed for working professionals just like you. You can also take your MBA courses full-time or part-time. Apply relevant work experience or certifications to earn credit toward your master's in leadership strategies degree, saving you time and money. And with a 96% graduate satisfaction rate, you can trust Davenport’s leadership MBA is worth your time, energy and effort.

Experience the Davenport difference:

No GMAT required

Get started on your master’s degree in leadership strategies at Davenport's W.A. Lettinga Campus – with no GMAT requirement.

Learn from leaders

Take MBA courses from industry-experienced leaders so you’re prepared to lead in any industry, anywhere in the world.

Hands-on MBA leadership course

Build real business skills through hands-on MBA courses and experiences, like a real-world capstone simulation project.

Six start dates

Begin your in-seat MBA in leadership strategies program whenever it’s best for you with Davenport’s six start dates.

Get started on your MBA in leadership strategies concentration

Take the next step toward earning your MBA in leadership strategies degree at Davenport.

Talk to a graduate admissions advisor

Davenport’s admissions team is here to answer your questions. Please call us at 800.686.1600 or email us at info@davenport.edu.

Apply now or request more information

Start or advance your leadership career. Request more information or begin your application now.

Davenport programs related to the master’s degree in leadership strategies

Leadership Strategies Graduate Certificate

Master of Management

Master of Business Administration

About Davenport University

Davenport is a private, not-for-profit university with more than 150 years of experience preparing students for successful careers.

Offering over 80 degree and certificate programs, we align with top employers to design degree programs that help you gain the skills and real-world experience you need to rise above the rest. With small class sizes and campuses across Michigan or online, you’ll earn a quality education on your schedule at Davenport University.*

Some programs require a student to complete a portion of their degree plan off-campus.
View a full list of those programs and courses

Sources:

DU Financial Aid Awards, 2022/2023
Davenport University, 2023/2024 Catalog