Leadership, MA Frequently Asked Questions

The MA in Leadership program is 15 months long and consists of 8 courses (modules) taken sequentially (one course at a time).

Cohorts meet on campus at Saint Mary’s College for full-day sessions (9am – 5pm) on both Saturday and Sunday at the start of each course, and on Saturday and/or Sunday at the end of each course — these sessions are referred to as Leadership Immersion Classes. Participants will also meet two hours per week (on average) for online synchronous course meetings. The remainder of the time is spent learning asynchronously via a web-based learning management system. 

The program concludes with a multi-day Residential Executive Weekend.

The Sample Cohort Calendar below provides the program flow.

Sample Calendar:

New Student Orientation: Aug 16, 2025

Fall Term 2025 (September 6 – December 14)

• LDSH 601: Practice of Building a Learning Community
• LDSH 600: Values in Action

January Term 2026 (January 5 – February 1)

• LDSH 670: Art and Science of Coaching

Spring Term 2026 (February 2 – May 10)

• LDSH 605: Leadership, Innovation, and Systems Change

Summer Term 2026

• LDSH 671: Team Coaching/Group Facilitation
• LDSH 625: Equity, Creativity, Belonging and Liberation 

Fall Term 2026 (Program completion - In-person Commencement May, 2027)

• LDSH 620: Action Learning for Leadership and Change
• LDSH 630: Leadership, Systems and Interdependence 

This new format maintains the depth and rigor of our program while providing greater flexibility and accessibility to busy professionals.’

Cohorts start each year in our Fall Term.

To earn the Master of Arts in Leadership degree, learners must successfully complete all 8 courses and a Learning Portfolio. The Leadership Learning Portfolio is comprised of:

• 7 Reflection Papers
• A Case Study Report
• A Graduate Self-Assessment

Visit our Tuition and Fees page for the current unit rate. In addition to tuition, the following fees and costs apply:

• Course materials fee: $170 (approximately, for entire program)
• Tuition deposit: $250 (non-refundable, credited toward tuition)
• Cost of books per course: approximately $75-$150

Yes. Student loans, the most common form of financial aid for adult learners, are available regardless of income and in most cases will cover the full cost of the program. For more information about the types of financial aid available, take a look at our Financial Aid page or contact the College’s Financial Aid Office at (925) 631-4370.

Additionally, scholarships are available for both entering and continuing learners in the MA in Leadership program. For more information about how to apply for a scholarship, contact an Admissions Counselor at (925) 631-4199.

We consider applicants based on the quality of their composite applications. Successful applicants will have:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; and
• At least 3 years of work experience (paid or unpaid)

No, we don’t require any assessments such as the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) for admission to our program.

We accept applications on a rolling basis, so it is never too early to apply. Application deadlines can be found on our Admissions & Aid page.

Applications for admission are submitted online. The complete application consists of the following items:

• Online application
• Resume
• Personal Statement
• Two letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts showing your conferred undergraduate degree

Application instructions can be found on our Admissions & Aid page.

Once we receive your complete application, including official transcripts and letters of recommendation, you will be contacted to schedule an admissions interview with a member of our program faculty. We will contact you within one to two weeks after your admissions interview regarding an admissions decision and next steps.