Excellence in education and an unwavering commitment to student success.
Graduate Programs
Master of Science in Organizational Leadership
Through this program, individuals distinguished by their caring concern for and commitment to helping others will gain the valuable professional knowledge and leadership skills to achieve mission accomplishment and impactful management in community, faith-based, human protection, social services, and athletic organizations. The Wheeling University Master of Science in Organizational Leadership degree also empowers graduates as fully prepared, mission-focused professionals to assume the leadership and management of government, secular, faith-based, and athletic organizations worldwide.
Career Focus: The program is ideal for entry-level and working professionals seeking to serve and advance organizations as:
- Practitioners in and Directors of community, human protection, and social services agencies and consultant groups.
- Practitioners in and Directors of local and world-wide government-based and non-government-based (NGO) agencies and organizations.
- Founders, managers, or supervisors of nonprofit, religious, charitable, and other 501(c)(3) organizations.
- Sports and Athletic Administration professionals seeking coursework leading to NIAAA certifications.
Admissions Requirements
- Complete and online application free of charge at http://applygrad.wheeling.edu/apply/.
- Admission to the MSOL program is open to qualified graduates of regionally accredited colleges or universities with at minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA and a minimum of three years full time professional experience or evidence of significant work/life experience documented by a current resume.
- An interview may be required to finalize the admissions process.
- Request official transcripts from any college/university you have attended and have them sent electronically to grad@wheeling.edu or mailed directly to: Wheeling University Graduate Admissions, 316 Washington Avenue, Wheeling, WV 26003
- Submit one completed recommendation.
- Submit a copy of your resume.
- If applicable, apply for federal student loans and grants by completing the FAFSA online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. School Code is #003831
- International students presenting transcripts from institutions outside the U.S. must have their transcripts evaluated by WES (or comparable service) and must submit an official Test of English and a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score. Generally, a score of at least 650 is required; however, otherwise exceptional applicants with a score of 550-600 may be accepted conditionally. Please note: this program is entirely online, therefore students in the US on a F1 Visa are not eligible to enroll.
Program & Required Courses
Curriculum Length: 30 Credit Hours
Curriculum Tracks: Community, Social, Government and Faith-Based Services (CSGFS) Athletic Administration
Students pursuing the Community, Social, Government, and Faith-Based Services (CSGFS) track can expect to do the following:
- Demonstrate leadership and team membership skills needed for implementing and coordinating organizational activities and managing change.
- Demonstrate analytical skills to understand what information is required and how to structure information in order to generate the best possible decisions from clients/consumers/ participants, organizational stakeholders, or senior leadership.
- Exhibit the ability to integrate organizational mission/history/communication and management techniques to aid communities/organizations/government entities to respond ethically, impactfully, and responsively to changing public conditions and environments.
- Demonstrate mastery of core business concepts and build key management competencies/skills to aid performance as social entrepreneurs; change agents, visionary thinkers, problem-solvers, and foundational leaders in support of mission advancement, community change, and social and environmental justice.
Students pursuing the Athletic Administration (AA) track can expect to do the following:
- Investigate the interrelationship between athletic administration, sport, culture, and society through leadership perspectives and professional development standards.
- Interpret and analyze the role and responsibilities of human resources, finance, governance, compliance, risk management, operations, technology, and the management, planning, organization, and administration in intercollegiate athletics and the sport industry as a whole.
- Distinguish between key aspects of various careers within athletic administration and the sports industry and how an effective leader approaches decision making in these dynamic environments.
- Identify and evaluate career options in athletic administration and the sports industry as well as formulate transferable skills, gain NIAA/NSCA certifications, and construct successful job search strategies.
Curriculum
Required Core Courses (Both Tracks)
12 cr
MSL 500
Concepts of Leadership
3 cr
This course provides an in depth analysis of the philosophical and psychosocial principles underlying classic and contemporary theories of organizational leadership and their application to today’s and future workplaces form the basis upon which the degree program is built.
MSL 515
Leadership: Mission and Spirituality
3 cr
This course traces the principles of St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Spiritual Exercises as they relate to modern day leaders. Leadership role models are studied as expressions of an integrated life’s core values: self-awareness, ingenuity, love, and heroism
MSL 521
Building Multicultural Communities and Organizations
3 cr
This course explores the many issues faced by organizations and communities due to the global nature of the increasing cultural diversity in today’s environments. Students will example the many examples, models and visions of multiculturalism in the context of personal, community, and organizational development.
BUSN 236
Management of Human Resources
3 cr
This course is concerned with the management and development of human resources. Considers topics such as the determination of personnel needs; selection of employees; the designing of effective personnel policies; compensation; health and safety; Equal Employment Opportunity Programs; and labor relations. Elective D
Prerequisite: MBA 500. Elective Course Offered: On Demand
Pick one of the following courses (Both Tracks)*
cr
MBA 508*
Management of Financial Resources
3 cr
A study of the financial decision-making process within the business firm. Analyzes the problems, policies and functions involving financial management. Topics include capital market theory, cost of capital and capital budgeting decisions, capital structure and dividend policies and financial planning models.
Course Offered: Spring Session I
MBA 531*
Effective Managerial Communications
3 cr
Successful communication is frequently a causal factor in organizational effectiveness. This case-oriented course examines the fragile nature of the communication process. Opportunities for students to learn and practice techniques for improving their communications skills are provided.
Prerequisite: MBA 500. Course Offered: Fall Session II
Social, Government and Faith-Based Services track
12 cr
MSL 503
Human Protection Services and Law Enforcements: Issues, Practice and Policy
3 cr
This course focuses on human protection services and law as it relates to the environment in which organizations operate. Topics include coverage of the construction, organization, and management of policies and procedures in correctional and court agencies. Topics also may include state, federal, and private resources as well as approaches to problems in correctional and court room settings.
MSL 504
Governmental/Non-Governmental Public Policymaking, Legal and Services Frameworks
3 cr
This course explores the interrelationships between government, politics, and organizations. Local, national, and international cases are studied. Leadership strategies to influence public policy are considered.
MSL 505
Community and Organization Building: Opportunities/Challenges
3 cr
This course studies the relationship between organizations and their local/regional communities. Techniques for the development of community assessment instruments are studied and tests. An organization’s social responsibility to its community is developed.
MSL 506
Topics, Methods, and Practice in Community and Social Services Administration
3 cr
This course applies marketing and fundraising, budgeting, personnel management and supervision, strategic planning, program evaluation and other topics to case studies, assignments, and projects in the context of social services administration.
Pick one of the following courses*
cr
MSL 511*
Public and Mission Services: Operations Management
3 cr
MSL 516*
Leading and Managing Faith-based Organizations and Charitable Foundations
3 cr
This course emphasizes the moral, ethical, and social responsibilities of organizational leaders in faith-based and charitable contexts while applying these principles to behavior and decision-making. Students will apply current research trends regarding ethical issues in organizational contexts.
Total
30 cr
Athletic Administration Track (Aligned with NIAAA certifications (RAA, CAA, and CMAA) and required NIAAA Leadership Training (LTI) Courses:
12 cr
MSL 520
Foundations of Interscholastic Athletic Administration
3 cr
This course provides an overview of the foundations of interscholastic athletic administration, including the roles, responsibilities, and professional preparation of the interscholastic athletic director, the purpose of education-based athletic programs and methods for assessing their effectiveness.
MSL 522
Facility and Event Management in Interscholastic Athletic Administration
3 cr
This course highlights issues related to managing athletic facilities and planning athletic events. This includes strategic management of athletic facilities, maintenance of facilities and equipment, scheduling facilities, and planning and executing interscholastic athletic events.
MSL 523
Governance and Legal Regulation for Interscholastic Athletics
3 cr
This course examines legal and policy issues related to interscholastic athletics, including the regulation of policies for interscholastic, youth, and intercollegiate athletics at the local, state, and federal levels. Coverage of legal system foundations, risk management, constitutional law, negligence, and Title IX will also be emphasized.
MSL 524
Operations Management in Athletic Administration
3 cr
This course provides preparation for becoming an effective event and facility manager in the athletic arena. Topics include operations strategy, process design, capacity planning, facilities location and design, forecasting, scheduling, and project management. These topics are integrated using a systems model of the operation of athletics-specific organizations and events.
MBA 503
The Ethical Environment of Business
3 cr
Philosophical study of the nature, types and criteria of human value with a study of ethical principles and major philosophies in the area. Special emphasis will be paid to the analysis of contemporary ethical problems in the world of work. Discusses the importance of management decisions in a business-centered society, such as the United States; the desire of businessmen to do what is right; the difficulties they sometimes encounter in acting ethically; and the complexity of their ethical dilemmas. Case studies will be extensively used.
Course Offered: Summer Session I
Total
30 cr
Additional Course: (Prepares students for gaining certification in ACSM, NSCA, or personal fitness.
3 cr
MSL 586
Advanced Strength, Speed, and Conditioning
cr
This course provides a thorough examination of the theoretical and practical concepts of exercise assessment, exercise interpretation, and exercise preparation. Students in this course will develop appropriate techniques used to recommend exercise prescription for healthy and unhealthy clients.