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MBA

MBA with a Leadership Specialization

Build next-level skills with a Leadership Specialization

Leadership Specialization at a glance:

  • Pursue this specialization as part of our MBA program or choose our Leadership Specialization, which allows you to automatically earn a Graduate Certificate in Leadership.1  

  • Build AI fluency and earn digital “AI & Leadership” and “AI & Productivity” badges from your specialization course options to showcase your new skills to potential employers. 

  • Gain the confidence to develop teams, drive innovation, and navigate complex challenges in the workplace.  

  • Apply today with no GRE or GMAT scores required.

Get to know our Leadership Specialization

Take your goals to the next level with our Master’s in Business Administration with a Leadership Specialization. Here at DeVry University and our Keller Graduate School of Management, we prepare you with the knowledge, skills, and forward-thinking mindset essential for success in today’s tech-driven business world.

Through hands-on, real-world application, you'll develop the confidence to lead diverse teams, implement strategic goals, and drive growth. Learn how to ethically leverage AI as a leader and get job-ready experience using artificial intelligence tools to drive efficiency and problem-solving. Join a community of empowered individuals focused on reshaping the future of leadership and unlock your ability to energize and inspire your employees.

Classes start every 8 weeks
Request info
Course Waivers at Keller

Master’s advantage: Are you eligible?

If you’ve earned an undergraduate degree in business or technology, or a degree with a technology specialization, you may be eligible to waive up to 3 courses (or 9 credit hours). We call this our Master’s Advantage. With these prior learning credits,2 you can earn your graduate degree with fewer courses, allowing you to put a master’s degree to work for you even sooner.

Accelerated Schedule
1 year
4 months
Average 10 credit hours per semester + 9 hours prior learning credit
OR
Normal Schedule
2 years
8 months
Average 6 credit hours per semester

Accelerate on your schedule

Whether you want to complete your program faster or prefer a slower pace, we can help you choose the schedule that best fits your goals and commitments:

  • Accelerated schedule: Earn your certificate in as little as 1 year and 4 months when you enroll full-time, completing 3 semesters at an average of 10 credit hours each per 12-month period with no breaks and apply 9 hours of qualifying prior learning credit. 

  • Normal schedule: Earn your certificate in 2 years and 8 months when you enroll full-time, completing 3 semesters at an average of 6 credit hours each per 12-month time period with no breaks. 

  • 01 Knowledge & skills
  • 02 Stackable programs
  • 03 Career
  • 04 Catalog download
  • 05 FAQs
Knowledge & skills

What you'll learn

Our Leadership Specialization includes business and leadership courses that cover the following skills:

Artificial intelligence and digital leadership

Gain the skills to lead organizational change within the digital business environment, apply artificial intelligence tools and methods to solve problems, and promote innovation.

Strategic decision-making

Develop critical thinking and strategic decision-making strategies to plan and execute organizational change with risk management, core values, and technology in mind.

Performance analysis

Learn to analyze internal and external factors that contribute to organizational performance.

Intercultural leadership

Build skills to employ various leadership and communication styles across a global and culturally diverse workforce.

Accreditation matters

Being accredited means we’ve met rigorous quality standards and are committed to giving you the education you deserve. Our accreditations and recognitions include:

  • Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP): Our Master of Business Administration is accredited by ACBSP, acbsp.org, demonstrating it has met standards of business education that promote teaching excellence. Learn more about program outcomes and student achievement.3 

  • The Higher Learning Commission (HLC): Institutionally, DeVry University is accredited by HLC, www.hlcommission.org. Our Keller Graduate School of Management is included in this accreditation. 

Student achievement
At-a-glance
Stackable and embedded programs

Build your resume — and your skills

Automatically earn a resume-boosting Graduate Certificate in Leadership1 when you pursue a Master’s of Business Administration with a Leadership Specialization.

Career

Career opportunities in leadership

With our Leadership Specialization program, you may consider careers including:

  • Company leader or manager

  • General manager

  • Management consultant

  • Operations manager

  • Organizational development manager

  • Strategic planning manager

FAQs

How much do leaders with an MBA earn?

How much leaders with an MBA earn can vary based on experience, location, education, and the company or industry in which they are employed. For a general understanding of a leadership professional’s earning potential, we recommend referencing data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Is an MBA in leadership worth it?

An MBA with a Leadership Specialization can absolutely be worth it if your goal is to pursue management or more senior roles in an organization. In fact, demand for management professionals is increasing: While actual local growth may vary, the BLS projects a national average of 1.1 million openings each year for management occupations between 2024 and 2034.

What is the difference between an MBA in leadership and a master’s in leadership?

The primary difference between an MBA with a Leadership Specialization and a Master’s in Leadership is the core program focus:

  • Master’s in Leadership: Focuses on leadership theory, style, and organizational behavior.
  • Master’s in Business Administration with a Leadership Specialization: Focuses on standard business functions like finance, marketing, analytics, and operations while equipping you with essential leadership skills like communication, team building, AI, and problem-solving.

Do you need certification after an MBA in leadership?

No, you don’t need a certification after an MBA in leadership. However, depending on your career goals, there are optional, industry-specific certifications you can pursue. Take advantage of our robust career resources and reach out to your career advisor to get guidance on which certifications may align with your professional aspirations.

Can an MBA in leadership help with career advancement?

An MBA with a Leadership Specialization can help with career advancement because it prepares you with both interpersonal skills and practical, applied experience with AI technology — a combination that can help with short and long-term job mobility.

Is leadership an in-demand skill for management roles?

Yes, leadership is an in-demand skill for many management roles. Our third annual research study found that 46% of employers see leadership as the most valuable skill for workers to have, and 70% say that durable skills (like leadership) are often the deciding factor in promotions.

How do I apply to Keller?

Applying is quick and easy:

  1. Talk to an admissions representative: Fill out a brief form, and we’ll reach out to walk you through the process.
  2. Submit your application: We’ll take you through the application over the phone. If you prefer, you can apply online. It only takes 5-10 minutes.
  3. Enroll in your first courses: Once everything is submitted and verified, we’ll help you build your schedule.

Learn more about admissions.

Academic catalog
Academic catalog
View academic catalog
Program overview
View program guide

1Future programmatic changes could impact the ability to earn additional credentials en route to an eligible degree program. Refer to the academic catalog for details.

2Eligibility for and application of course waivers vary based on the type and level of course, credit earned, enrolled location and/or state of residence. For more information, please refer to the Course Waiver section of the Keller academic catalog.

3Conferral and assessment data is available for all DeVry and Keller ACBSP-accredited programs. For a full list of our ACBSP-accredited programs, visit our Accreditation page.