The Master of Science in Global Leadership (MSGL)
The Master of Science in Global Leadership (M.S.G.L.) is a cohort-based program where students progress together through a 16-month course study. The 31-unit curriculum integrates content of 14 courses within three main thematic areas:
- Leadership and ethics
- Global, geopolitical, environment and cultural
- Best business practices and processes
Delivered in a flexible, executive education format, students begin with online studies prior to an intensive session lasting one week during which time students complete most of the classroom work for three courses. This begins a period of independent and team-based studies that include classroom sessions, guest speakers, and a variety of remotely-delivered educational exercises.
Following the initial week-long session, students may choose one of three continuation paths:
- Attendance at monthly on-campus sessions
- Course completion via distance learning methods
- A combination of the above two options
At the conclusion of this course of study, all students return to the campus for one week final session. This final week includes participation in a capstone experience, M.S.G.L. 509, wherein the students complete a two-day exercise serving in key positions of a simulated international corporation.
The M.S.G.L. offers many of the topics included in graduate business programs, and concentrates on those most valuable to mid-level executives. The typical candidate for the M.S.G.L. program will have four to five years of experience as an executive and be expecting to assume positions of increasing responsibility with time.
This new version of the M.S.G.L. program includes a three-course sequence designed to prepare students to pass the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification examination. This specific portion of the master’s program is timed to end during the final week of classes so that students can finish this requirement in a timely fashion if desired. All students completing these three courses will be awarded a Certificate in Project Management from the University of San Diego’s School of Business Administration in addition to the Master of Science in Global Leadership degree.
This course of study has been created specifically for a busy working professional whose work demands make attending a full time, campus-based program difficult. The incorporation of distributed education technologies will enable students to continue their academic efforts while faced with challenging and changing work schedules.
Qualifications for Admission
The first requirement for admission is the demonstration of the ability to successfully complete the program based on prior academic performance. Normally this performance will demonstrate a minimum 3.0 GPA (4.0 basis) in last 60 units.
In addition, candidates will be expected to provide:
- A letter of recommendation by their immediate supervisor (commanding officer for military personnel)
- A brief essay discussing reasons for wanting to complete the M.S.G.L. program
- A résumé describing work experience to date
Applicants should request a copy of the application form unique to this program from the M.S.G.L. Program Office located in Olin Hall. The application form contains further contact information, and a phone interview with the program director or assistant director is expected prior to submission of the application form.
Requirements for the M.S.G.L. degree
The following courses are all required. Their order of delivery may vary slightly from cohort to cohort. No substitutions are allowed and no credits may be applied from other courses of study to meet the M.S.G.L. requirements. The units for each course are shown in parentheses following the course title.
MSGL 502 – Foundations of Ethical Leadership (2)
MSGL 503 – International Comparative Leadership and Management (2)
MSGL 506 – Leading Others: Individuals, Teams, and Organizations (3)
MSGL 507 – Understanding Organizations (3)
MSGL 509 – Integrating Leadership Project (1)
MSGL 510 – Global Society (2)
MSGL 512 – Global Politics, Policy, and Law (2)
MSGL 513 – Understanding International Business (3)
MSGL 522 – Project Management (2)
MSGL 523 – Finance and Accounting for Global Business (2)
MSGL 526 – International Negotiations (2)
MSGL 527 – Strategic Planning and Management (2)
MSGL 528 – Applied Project Management (3)
MSGL 529 – Project Leadership (2)
Course Descriptions
Please Note: Course descriptions list the course
number, the course title and the number of semester-units in parentheses.
MSGL 502 Foundations of Ethical Leadership (2)
This course examines ethical principles and theories, ethical decision-making techniques and obstacles to ethical behaviors. Practical comprehension, empathic reasoning, and applications to military, government, business and international agencies are emphasized. Topics include traditional ethical theories, relativism, values, character development, stakeholder theory and psychological aspects of moral development. Teaching methods include lecture, case studies, discussions and debate.
MSGL 503 International Comparative Leadership and Management (2)
This course will prepare participants to recognize the differences in cultural value systems and behaviors in the global environment, and how they affect leadership. Practical suggestions on how to succeed as a manager in foreign cultures and as a manager of foreign nationals will be examined. The course compares and contrasts the styles and effectiveness of leadership practices of contemporary and historical leaders. Teaching methods will include lecture, discussion, group exercises and case study.
MSGL 506 Leading Others: Individuals, Teams and Organizations (3)
This course explores multiple leadership models and examines their applicability to diverse global situations. It also trains participants in essential skills for leading individuals, teams and organizations. Topics include power and influence, transactional versus transformational leadership, emotional intelligence, leadership styles, situational contingencies, team facilitation, process analysis and strategic planning. Teaching methods include self-assessment, lecture or discussion, team projects, film analysis, role-plays, process observation, case analysis and experiential exercises.
MSGL 507 Understanding Organizations (3)
This course develops an understanding of fundamental organizational concepts to include basic organization theory, structures of organizations, the learning organization and organizational change techniques. The course begins by establishing knowledge of basic definitions and structures, moves to build an understanding of organizational cultures and concludes by discussing strategies for change — building more effective organizations. Teaching methods include lecture, discussion, exercises, team assignments and various audio and video sources.
MSGL 509 Integrating Leadership Project (1)
This course is the capstone of the global leadership program. Each master’s candidate will participate in an international business simulation that will model the challenges and behaviors of a realistic corporation involved in the global arena. The simulation will serve to exercise skills and knowledge gained during the completion of the entire curriculum, integrate the essence of all courses and serve as a realistic bridge between academic study and practical experience.
MSGL 510 Global Society (2)
This course will focus on the historical, cultural, ethical, leadership and religious traditions of the major countries within each region. Topics include rituals, value systems, interpersonal interactions, customs, attitudes, social organizations, etiquette, protocols and gender relations. Teaching methods include lecture, case studies and discussion.
MSGL 512 Global Politics, Policy and Law (2)
This course examines the complex array of politics, ethics and law in the global environment, the influence of culture on ethics and law, international organizations, and methods for resolving international disputes. Topics include national security issues, international law and policy making, labor and employment issues, strategic alliances, human rights, state sovereignty, intellectual property rights and aspects of foreign commercial and investment activities. Teaching methods include lecture, case studies, discussion and debate.
MSGL 513 Understanding International Business (3)
This course develops an understanding of the global environment in which international business takes place as well as the role and behavior of the international firm as it responds to the environment. The course provides the knowledge, skills and sensitivities that help manage business operations more proactively in the turbulent international environment. Through cases and discussions within a social and ethical framework in the international marketplace, aspects of production, research, marketing and finance — along with their interrelationships — are studied.
MSGL 522 Project Management (2)
This course explores the problems, responsibilities, and opportunities associated with leading and managing a project. Topics include project team organization, project selection, statements of work, work breakdown structures, project planning and scheduling tools, cost analysis, project management software, resource allocation and scheduling, project monitoring and control, status reports and communication, and project closure. Participants learn how to take a project through its life cycle, structure and lead a project management team, and successfully complete a project. Teaching methods include lecture and experiential exercises (management and completion of a major project, periodic status reports, presentations, and post-project analysis).
MSGL 523 Finance and Accounting for Global Business (2)
This course in finance and accounting will cover topics in corporate finance such as the time value of money, ratio analysis, capital budgeting and international finance. Additional topics include the structure of basic financial accounting statements, a comparison of cash flow to accounting profit, and the analysis of financial derivatives and their use in currency risk management. You will learn some of the financial tools used by professionals and also increase your understanding of the tasks and issues that are relevant to conducting business globally.
MSGL 526 International Negotiations (2)
This course examines the science and art of negotiation. The science will be learned largely through readings and discussions of the readings. The art will be learned through experience gained in simulated negotiations. These negotiations normally are set in a foreign country, exposing the participants to nuances of different cultures. Teaching methods will include lecture, discussion, group exercises and case study.
MSGL 527 Strategic Planning and Management (2)
This course examines strategic planning including the development of appropriate mission statements, international and global environmental analyses, the establishment of objectives, and the development of appropriate strategies and tactics to fulfill the objectives. In a military context, these principles can be applied to situations such as disaster relief, drug interdiction, border security and regional military actions. Teaching methods include lecture, discussion, group exercises and case studies.
MSGL 528 Applied Project Management (3)
This course will take a detailed look at the five phases of project management: initiating, planning, executing, controlling, and closing. Deliverables from M.S.G.L. 522 will be revisited with a focus on the best tools available to the project manager for perfecting the skills needed to accomplish the desired outcomes. Students will also gain additional expertise with MSProject® through in-class exercises and outside assignments. Emphasis in the course will be on the nomenclature and skills needed to successfully pass the PMP® certification examination in project management. Teaching methods include lecture, case studies and experiential exercises.
MSGL 529 Project Leadership (2)
This course will examine the relationships a project manager has with all project stakeholders. A strategic approach will be taken on successfully managing within the larger organization, leading the project team, and satisfying the customer. Topics will include responsibilities and authority, staffing projects, project communications, managing conflict, and time management. Emphasis in the course will be on the nomenclature and skills needed to successfully pass the PMP® certification examination in project management. Teaching methods include lecture, case studies and experiential exercises.
