Middle Georgia State University (MGA) will soon launch a fully online master’s degree designed for professionals who want to advance as leaders for various private- and public-sector employers. 

The University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents approved the Master of Business in Professional Leadership, a business and interdisciplinary studies degree, at its meeting on May 10, 2022. MGA will house the program in the School of Business and begin offering classes in January 2023. 

“The idea for this degree program goes back several years, when the Robins Air Force Base workforce development office approached us about establishing a continuing education program to help emerging leaders grow their leadership abilities,” said Dr. David Jenks, MGA provost. “The popularity of that program showed us there could be substantial interest in a graduate program that, more so than a traditional business degree, focused on qualitative leadership. We designed the program in consultation with regional employers, and we feel confident the degree will appeal to professionals in any industry, who want to harness their leadership potential for their specific career tracks.” 

Jenks added that input from local government and business leaders identified an unaddressed demand for more people-centric leadership in the community and workplace focusing on the human dynamic of management.  

The Master of Business in Professional Leadership will require students to complete 30 hours of coursework. Core instruction will establish a foundation of both business and leadership in the human dynamic of organizations.  

Electives will be drawn from across other graduate programs at MGA in management, IT, technical writing, public relations, sport management, and aviation management. Under the supervision of the course instructor, the program’s final course will involve a practical project in engagement with and in collaboration with a client. 

Details about the new program are at https://www.mga.edu/business/professional-leadership.php. Prospective students interested in learning more may contact MGA’s Office of Graduate Studies at [email protected]. 

The new master’s degree will bring to 12 the number of graduate programs MGA offers. The offerings include a Doctor of Science in Information Technology, and master’s degrees in nursing, public relations, teaching, technical and professional writing, and the first master’s based out of the Cochran Campus, an innovative bridge program in occupational therapy beginning fall 2022. Most of MGA’s graduate degrees and certificates are fully online. Learn more at mga.edu/graduate-studies.