{"id":14478,"date":"2021-08-11T10:48:57","date_gmt":"2021-08-11T15:48:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/?post_type=program&#038;p=14478"},"modified":"2026-07-15T16:07:35","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T21:07:35","slug":"mba-leadership","status":"publish","type":"program","link":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/program\/mba-leadership\/","title":{"rendered":"Master of Business Administration with Business Leadership Emphasis"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Influence\u00a0change\u00a0and\u00a0inspire\u00a0excellence. The\u00a0<strong>MBA with a Business Leadership Emphasis<\/strong>\u00a0at Southern Arkansas University is designed for professionals who aspire to move beyond management into visionary leadership. This program combines core business mastery with specialized psychological and strategic insights into organizational behavior.<\/p>\n<h3>Program Format &amp; Flexibility<\/h3>\n<p>We understand the demands of today\u2019s workforce. Our\u00a0MBA with\u00a0a\u00a0Business Leadership\u00a0Emphasis\u00a0is\u00a0built for versatility:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Online<\/strong>:\u00a0Access 100% of your coursework from anywhere in the world.<\/li>\n<li><strong>On-Campus<\/strong>:\u00a0Join us in Magnolia for evening classes that\u00a0facilitate\u00a0face-to-face networking.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Hybrid<\/strong>:\u00a0Mix and match formats to create a schedule that works for\u00a0you.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>Program Duration &amp; Start Dates<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Duration<\/strong>:\u00a0Can be completed in as little as 12\u201324 months\u00a0depending on course load.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Start Dates<\/strong>:\u00a0Rolling admissions with intakes for Fall, Spring, Summer<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Deadlines<\/strong>: * Fall: July 20 | Spring: December 1 | Summer I: April 1 | Summer II: June 1<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"3\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Accelerated Master\u2019s Option<\/strong>:\u00a0SAU undergraduates can fast-track their education by starting\u00a0our Business Leadership MBA\u00a0courses during their senior year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Why Choose SAU for your\u00a0Business\u00a0Leadership\u00a0MBA?<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Human-Centric Strategy<\/strong>:\u00a0Move beyond spreadsheets to understand the &#8220;why&#8221; behind employee engagement and organizational culture.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Elite Accreditation<\/strong>:\u00a0Your degree carries the weight of AACSB accreditation, ensuring it is respected by global recruiters.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Incredible ROI<\/strong>:\u00a0Gain a high-tier leadership credential at one of the lowest tuition rates in the country.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Skills You Will Gain<\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Organizational Theory<\/strong>:\u00a0Analyze the structural and psychological components of successful companies.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Human Resource Management<\/strong>:\u00a0Master the art of talent acquisition, development, and retention.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ethical Leadership<\/strong>:\u00a0Navigate complex moral dilemmas in a modern business environment.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Strategic Change Management<\/strong>:\u00a0Learn how to lead teams through transitions.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3>Faculty &amp; Learning Experience<\/h3>\n<p>Our faculty\u00a0aren&#8217;t\u00a0just academics; they are mentors.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Expert Instruction<\/strong>:\u00a0Learn from PhD-level faculty with real-world corporate leadership experience.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Collaborative Learning<\/strong>:\u00a0Work on case studies that mirror the current challenges of the Fortune 500.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Global Networking<\/strong>:\u00a0Build relationships with a diverse cohort of peers from various industries.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Influence\u00a0change\u00a0and\u00a0inspire\u00a0excellence. The\u00a0MBA with a Business Leadership Emphasis\u00a0at Southern Arkansas University is designed for professionals who aspire to move beyond management into visionary leadership. This program combines core business mastery with specialized psychological and strategic insights into organizational behavior. Program Format &amp; Flexibility We understand the demands of today\u2019s workforce. Our\u00a0MBA with\u00a0a\u00a0Business Leadership\u00a0Emphasis\u00a0is\u00a0built for versatility: Online:\u00a0Access&#8230; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/program\/mba-leadership\/\"> Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":17951,"menu_order":0,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":"","_genesis_title":"","_genesis_description":"","_genesis_noindex":"","_genesis_nofollow":"","_genesis_noarchive":"","_genesis_canonical_uri":"","_open_graph_title":"","_open_graph_description":"","_twitter_title":"","_twitter_description":"","_social_image_url":"","_social_image_id":"","redirect":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"college_department":[71766,18307],"delivery":[28836,255,28834],"types":[28851],"class_list":["post-14478","program","type-program","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","college_department-college-of-business","college_department-school-of-graduate-studies","delivery-hybrid","delivery-on-campus","delivery-online","types-graduate","entry"],"acf":{"page_layout":"standard","landing_page_url":"","department_college":"<a href=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/business\/\">Rankin College of Business<\/a>","badge_text":"","Number_of_Hours":"33 (24 core + 9 emphasis)","tuition_instate":"$329\/credit hour","tuition_outstate":"$516\/credit hour","estimated_total_tuition":"~$10,857 (In-State) to ~$17,028 (Out-of-State)","start_dates":"Rolling admissions (Fall, Spring, and Summer)","duration":"As little as 12\u201324 months","Degree Plans":"<a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.saumag.edu\/preview_program.php?catoid=9&amp;poid=2120&amp;returnto=346\">2025-2026<\/a>","Program_Contact_Info":"[dirswitch contacts=\"mead-esther\"]","Catalog Entry":"<strong>Core Courses (24 hours)<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>ACCT 6003 - Accounting for Decision-Making<\/li>\r\n \t<li>ECON 6003 - Managerial Economics<\/li>\r\n \t<li>FIN 6003 - Managerial Finance<\/li>\r\n \t<li>MGMT 6003 - Strategic Planning and Analysis<\/li>\r\n \t<li>MGMT 6013 - Human Behavior in Organizations<\/li>\r\n \t<li>MGMT 6043 - Business Analytics<\/li>\r\n \t<li>MKTG 6023 - Strategic Marketing<\/li>\r\n \t<li>SCM 6003 - Enterprise Resource Planning<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<strong>Emphasis Courses (6 hours)<\/strong>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>MGMT 6083 - Leadership Development<\/li>\r\n \t<li>MGMT 6093 - Leadership Action Project<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<strong>Elective Course (3 hours)<\/strong>\r\n\r\nSelect 3 hours from the following:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>MGMT 6033 - Creativity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship<\/li>\r\n \t<li>SCM 6013 - Project Management<\/li>\r\n \t<li>IS5313 Data Visualization<\/li>\r\n \t<li>IS 5323 - Information Systems Analysis<\/li>\r\n \t<li>IS 6023 - Research Project<\/li>\r\n \t<li>MGMT 6101\/6102 \u2013 International Studies and Field Experience<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","minor_requirements":"","Admission Requirements or Deadlines":"<ol>\r\n \t<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Online Application:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Start by submitting the\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/apply.saumag.edu\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Graduate Studies Application<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Transcripts:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Send official transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">GPA Requirement:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Minimum\u00a0cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (Conditional admission may be available).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<h3><strong>Prerequisites:\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nBachelor\u2019s degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university regardless of the undergraduate field of study.\r\n\r\nUndergraduate degree other than business, prerequisites would include:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Six hours Principles of Accounting (or three hours of Survey of Accounting)<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Three hours of upper-level Business Finance or Financial Management<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Three hours of upper-level Statistics<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Three hours of upper-level Microeconomics<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nNote: <span data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">In many cases students can be conditionally admitted and complete the prerequisites while beginning the Master\u2019s classes.<\/span>","careers":"A\u00a0Business\u00a0Leadership-focused MBA prepares you for high-impact roles such as:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or\u00a0Chief Operating\u00a0Officer\u00a0COO<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Director of Organizational Development<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Human Resources Executive<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Project Management Lead<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Non-Profit Executive Director<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<strong>Did you know?\u00a0<\/strong>According to national data, MBA graduates specializing in leadership or management often see a significant salary bump, with median executive roles reaching well into six figures.","faq":[{"faq_question":"Do I need the GMAT? ","faq_answer":"No GMAT required.  "},{"faq_question":"How does the \"Business Leadership\" emphasis differ from the Traditional MBA? ","faq_answer":"While you take the same core business classes (Accounting, Finance, Marketing, etc.), your electives focus specifically on Leadership Development and Organizational Theory. "},{"faq_question":"Is the online program viewed differently by employers? ","faq_answer":"No. Your degree and diploma are identical to the on-campus version. There is no \"online\" designation on your transcript. "},{"faq_question":"Can I transfer credits? ","faq_answer":"Yes, you can transfer up to 9 credit hours (with a grade of B or higher) from an accredited MBA program. "},{"faq_question":"Is there financial support available?  ","faq_answer":"Graduate assistantships are available. These assistantships are awarded competitively based on factors such as GPA, test scores, applicant skills, departmental needs, and application timing. Application can be found here - <a href=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/graduate\/forms\/ga\/\">https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/graduate\/forms\/ga\/<\/a>.  RCB scholarship applications can be found at - <a href=\"https:\/\/saufoundation.org\/scholarships\/\">https:\/\/saufoundation.org\/scholarships\/<\/a>."}],"Accreditations":"<a href=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/files\/2015\/03\/aacsb-e1506099670767.jpg\" data-featherlight=\"image\"><img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-11384\" src=\"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/files\/2015\/03\/aacsb-300x101.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"264\" height=\"89\" \/><\/a>\r\n\r\nThe MBA in Leadership Emphasis is offered by the Rankin College of Business at SAU and is fully accredited by AACSB International, the premier accrediting body for colleges and schools of business. Fewer than 6% of all business programs worldwide are accredited by AACSB, which indicates the quality of our program.","Testimonials":"","student_information":"","Advisors":"","rankings":"","keywords":"chief, technology, officer, cto, computer, consultant, information, systems, manager, financial, health, technology, director, investment, banker\r\n","custom_tab_title":"","custom_tab_text":"","rfi_shortcode":"[gf_embed site=\"1\" id=\"88\" prog=\"MBA Business Leadership\" type=\"Graduate\" comments=\"true\" notify_emails=\"elmead@saumag.edu\"]"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/programs\/14478","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/programs"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/program"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/programs\/14478\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17953,"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/programs\/14478\/revisions\/17953"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17951"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14478"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"college_department","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/college_department?post=14478"},{"taxonomy":"delivery","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/delivery?post=14478"},{"taxonomy":"types","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types?post=14478"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}