What Is a Master's in Management and Leadership (MSML)?

A Master’s in Management and Leadership (MSML) helps you build the skills to lead teams, manage change, and drive strategy with confidence. You’ll learn how to motivate people, make ethical decisions, and lead high-performing organizations. Whether you’re aiming to inspire others, create a strong workplace culture, or guide teams through change, this degree prepares you to lead with impact. Dive in here with us and discover what an MS in Management and Leadership can do for you.

Understanding the MSML Degree

The Master of Science in Management and Leadership at Bellevue University blends the best of management and leadership skills with essential data and analytics. It provides a focused alternative to an MBA and a broader scope than a leadership degree, targeting the functional skills needed for today's complex managerial roles.

What You’ll Learn in a Master's in Management and Leadership Program

Bellevue University’s fully online MS in Management and Leadership is built to help future leaders thrive in today’s fast-moving workplaces. You’ll gain practical tools to lead teams, solve complex challenges, and make smart, strategic decisions. The curriculum blends theory with real-world application, helping you grow into a strategic thinker, effective communicator, and purpose-driven leader. You’ll build skills in organizational strategy, change management, ethical decision-making, and team leadership—ready to make an immediate impact in your workplace.

Here’s what you can expect to learn:

• How to manage people, teams, and business processes effectively
• Talent development strategies that inspire growth and performance
• Project management fundamentals to lead initiatives from start to finish
• Data-driven decision-making for real-world business problems
• Evidence-based approaches to address organizational challenges
• How to use generative AI to enhance leadership, project execution, and business intelligence

Why Is This Degree Different? Benefits of Earning an MS in Management and Leadership

Bellevue University faculty and curriculum in the management and leadership master’s program focus on essential management topics, preparing you to lead, organize, and plan in diverse organizations. You'll gain skills in:

• Business intelligence and finance
• Project management fundamentals
• Talent development
• Business ethics
• Organizational change management

Bonus: Earn Stackable Graduate Certificates

As you progress through the program, you'll also earn four graduate-level certificates at no extra cost:

• Management and Organizational Leadership
• Quantitative Tools for Managers
• Managing Change with Integrity
• Managing People and Processes

These credentials can boost your resume or LinkedIn profile even before you graduate—giving you a competitive edge right away.

Our program is designed with working adults in mind. There is no GMAT or GRE requirement for admission, no group projects, and no APA-style research papers. Instead, the focus is on practical application and demonstration of skills to prepare you for real-world leadership challenges.

Additionally, the integration of generative AI tools throughout the curriculum prepares students to lead in AI-augmented workplaces, reflecting current and future workforce trends.

The MSML degree equips you for various managerial paths or to become a well-rounded general manager. If you have the drive to lead, organize, and manage, you’ll gain the tools and real-world business knowledge to help you reach your goals.

I did an 18-month, accelerated Leadership Master's course, where we had the same cohort of students the entire time. The relationships I built during the course were incredible, and we were able to apply our learning instantly into our day-to-day work lives. Examples we discussed solutions for were real-time and real-life. I use my Master's in Leadership degree every day, and will continue to be an advocate for Bellevue University and lifelong learning!

– Jeff West, MS, Bellevue University alum

Career Paths with an MS in Management and Leadership (MSML Degree)

The Master’s in Management and Leadership degree prepares you with the tools to become a confident, effective leader ready to make an impact in any organization. Serving a diverse community of learners-from military members and their families to career changers and seasoned professionals, it offers a rigorous, yet flexible, hands-on curriculum that builds the strategic, managerial, and interpersonal skills needed to lead with purpose and drive meaningful results.

Graduates of this program are prepared for a wide range of leadership roles across industries, including:

• Operations Manager
• Project Manager
• Human Resources Manager
• Organizational Development Manager
• Training and Development Manager
• Program Director
• Business Development Manager
• Management Analyst
• Nonprofit or Government Administrator
• Military Officer

With a strong foundation in both people and process leadership, you'll be equipped to take on roles that demand strategic thinking, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to lead teams through growth and change.

Related reading: What Can You Do With a Master’s in Management and Leadership?

Your Questions, Answered By The Experts

Q: How long does it take to earn a master’s in management and leadership?

A: Most students complete a master’s degree in 2-3 years, depending on several factors—how many credits you take per term, and how many are required (part-time students will take longer).

Here’s how Bellevue University’s cohort Master’s in Management and Leadership works:

• Bellevue’s Master’s in Management and Leadership program requires 32 graduate credits and is designed for working professionals

• The cohort is only available full-time. The program is structured with one course at a time, consisting of eight consecutive 4-credit-hour courses. Each course runs for eight weeks with short breaks in between, enabling you to balance education with work and personal commitments.

• The cohort model encourages collaboration and peer support throughout the program.

• At this pace, it is possible to finish in 4 terms or about 1- 1/2 years if you are continuously enrolled and progress according to the cohort degree plan.

Q: What are the requirements to enroll in a management and leadership master’s program?

A: Depending on the school, you may need to submit scores from the GRE or GMAT exam.

Bellevue University does not require test scores.

You will typically be required to 1 ) Apply, 2) submit all official transcripts from previous accredited colleges, and 3) submit grades from your most recent 60 credit hours from a conferred bachelor’s degree or from a completed master’s degree. 4) Some programs may require a resume, letter of recommendation, or other documentation. See Bellevue University’s graduate admission requirements.

Our program is designed with working adults in mind. There is no GMAT or GRE requirement for admission, no group projects, and no APA-style research papers. Instead, the focus is on practical application and demonstration of skills to prepare you for real-world leadership challenges. Additionally, the integration of generative AI tools throughout the curriculum prepares students to lead in AI-augmented workplaces.

Q: Are there any additional certifications that complement a master’s in management and leadership?

A: While this program does not directly lead to professional certifications or licenses, students earn four stackable graduate Certificates of Completion (CoCs) throughout their studies. These certificates provide immediate, recognized credentials that showcase specialized skills in management and leadership. Earning these credentials early offers a tangible return on investment (ROI) by enhancing your resume and professional profile well before degree completion, giving you a competitive advantage in today’s job market.

Students may consider pursuing a Project Management Professional (PMPⓇ) certification or one of several Project Management certifications offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI).

Q: Can I earn a master’s in management and leadership online?

A: Yes, you can earn Bellevue University’s Master's in Management and Leadership 100% online. See how online learning works here.

Q: Are there scholarships available for management and leadership master’s students?

A: Yes. Graduate students are eligible for various scholarships and federal student aid. You can also research scholarships specific to your interests or your affiliations. Apply for scholarships here.

Explore a Master's in Management and Leadership at Bellevue University

The Master’s in Management and Leadership (MSML) degree is designed to empower you with the tools to lead effectively in today’s fast-changing business world. Whether you're advancing in your current field, transitioning from the military, changing careers, or seeking to sharpen your leadership skills, this program offers the flexibility and relevance to support your goals. Strengthen your leadership skills and become a leader who can guide your organization through whatever changes the future holds.

Learn more about the Master's in Management and Leadership today.

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