Business Leadership
Master of Science (M.S.)
Graduate Major
Grand Rapids • Face to face • Hybrid • Low Residency • Online • 35 Credits
If you're ready to take the next step after graduation, a Master’s in Business Leadership can help you turn ambition into real-world impact. It's designed to equip you with the strategic thinking, communication skills, and leadership mindset needed to guide teams and drive results. Through hands-on learning and real-world applications, you’ll develop tools to prepare you for long-term growth as a future leader.
Overview
The Master of Science in Business Leadership (M.S. in Business Leadership) is designed for graduates from non-business undergraduate programs or those graduates with little to no work experience. This degree allows students to gain knowledge, skills, and experiences that will enable them to contribute to a variety of entry-level business roles in a variety of industries. Students bring diversity of academic backgrounds, making the classroom a dynamic environment for the exchange of perspectives and ideas.
The M.S. in Business Leadership program provides students with a solid foundation in business fundamentals and leadership while allowing them to customize their degree by selecting emphasis areas based on their professional interests and career goals. The program consists of six required Seidman business courses focused on business fundamentals and business leadership (16 credits total). Students then select two additional emphasis areas to specialize in that can include sales, business process, or other related GVSU emphasis areas (16 credits total). A capstone project integrates learning across all required and elective courses, combining theoretical knowledge with practical application from the electives (three credits total).
Faculty members actively consult with local and national businesses, ensuring a dynamic exchange that keeps students current and connected through a blend of theory and applied practice. The Seidman College of Business is accredited by AACSB International, reflecting the highest standards of excellence in teaching, research, curriculum, and learner success. Regularly recognized as a top business school, Seidman offers classes in the thriving business community of downtown Grand Rapids, MI.
Admission Information
The admissions committee takes a holistic approach to candidate evaluation. An undergraduate degree in any major will be considered for students applying to the MS in Business Leadership. To apply, students should:
- complete the MS in Business Leadership application (including essays/personal statement);
- submit official transcripts;
- submit a recent resume;
- provide two references.
International students may be required to submit additional documents as part of their admission materials. Individuals who submit all required documents may be selected for an interview if additional information is needed to render an admission decision.
Seidman College of Business
gvsu.edu/seidmangrad
50
Front Ave SW, suite 1031
(616) 331-7400
Graduate Program Director
Erika Morrison, SHRM-SCP
(616) 331-7026
Application Deadline:
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; deadline for fall
semester start is June 15 and November 15 for winter. There is a $30
GVSU application fee, waived if you have previously applied to GVSU.
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The L. William Seidman Center
The center of all things business at Grand Valley, the L. William Seidman Center houses the Seidman College of Business and features multipurpose room for lectures and events, a state-of-the-art trading room, and student collaboration and study spaces.
Career Advising
Whether you are a first-year student, a transfer student, or a current student thinking about your career options, advising is an important part of your academic journey.
Graduate Assistantships
Seidman College offers several assistantships for full-time graduate students (enrolled in at least 9 credit hours/semester) in good academic standing. Full-time graduate assistantships require a 20-hour per week work assignment for 16 weeks per semester. GA's receive tuition credit for up to 9 credits and receive a $4,000 stipend each semester (fall and winter).
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