Organizational Leadership

The Master of Professional Studies (MPS) degree in Organizational Leadership program helps students advance in their careers by utilizing a collaborative, applied-concepts approach to leadership studies offered in a hybrid format and entirely online. Each course emphasizes ethics, application, and professional relevance by addressing leadership components commonly found in businesses and organizations. The program offers a concentration in Organizational Development. Courses are offered entirely online. Program Learning Outcomes are facilitated by an accelerated 33-credit program and are assessed using a final examination and a capstone research project.

Mission Statement.

The MPS program provides students with the knowledge and understanding necessary to become effective and ethical leaders in a complex and dynamic work environment. Through interdisciplinary methods, students develop an understanding of the organization and apply practical approaches to problem-solving based upon leadership paradigms, through coursework, experiential learning, and personal development.

Program learning objectives.

• Demonstrate knowledge of leadership theories by linking educational and professional experiences to accomplish organizational goals.
• Examine the components of ethical leadership and its influence on values and decision- making.
• Critically analyze the inter-relationships, both historical and current, between the leadership and the organization to strategically address the needs of the global organizational community.
• Analyze the different methodologies of research, including the preliminary considerations in selecting a quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods research design.
• Apply effective communication by utilizing appropriate resources and technology to plan and deliver prepared presentations confidently and persuasively to diverse audiences.
• Design, execute, and present a field-specific research project that synthesizes organizational leadership elements and applies selected knowledge, skills, and experiences.

To be considered for admission into a graduate degree program, students must hold at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited higher education institution. Students applying with an overall GPA of 2.75 or higher may be considered for regular admission. Students applying with a GPA below a 2.75 from another college or university, if accepted, will be admitted conditionally.

All core and concentration courses are offered in an online format only. The MPS in Organizational Leadership program follows a specific course rotation based on a cohort model (6 credits per term for five terms and one term of 3 credits).

This program has Fall start. Upcoming start dates: October 11, 2027.

Tuition. Graduate tuition is $693 per credit; a Student/Technology Fee of $360 applies each term. Graduating students pay a $150 fee.

Estimated costs. Variable expenses per term: textbooks (estimated) $50–$250; personal $150–$250; transportation $150–$300. The catalog estimates the first term (tuition + fees + books) at $4,642.

Financial aid. A graduate student may borrow up to $20,500 per academic year via the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan Program; students must be degree seeking and enrolled in a minimum of six credits. Complete the FAFSA using Central Penn’s school code 004890.

Payment options. Tuition and expenses are paid each term approximately three weeks before the term starts. Central Penn has a short-term three-month payment plan through CASHNet that divides the balance of the tuition owed by three payments; there is a $35 non-refundable application fee paid with the first payment. An Employer Reimbursement Tuition Agreement Plan lets students who receive tuition reimbursement from their employer defer payment until the specified dates.

Military benefits. Military benefits accepted include the Montgomery GI Bill® (Chapters 30 and 1606), Veterans Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31), the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) and Yellow Ribbon Program, Dependents’ Education Assistance (Chapter 35) and Tuition Assistance.

Net price calculator. Use Central Penn’s Net Price Calculator at https://npc.collegeboard.org/app/centralpenn for an early estimate of your total annual cost.

Careers you can pursue. Upper-Level Manager, Organizational Development Specialist, Management Analyst, Financial Advisor/Consultant, Risk Analyst, Corporate Financial Leader, Business Owner.

College-wide outcome. 89.2% of Central Penn graduates were employed in their chosen field or continuing their education within one year of graduation (graduates July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025; One-Year Graduate Follow-up Report published July 1, 2026).