Master of Science in Organizational Leadership

Admission Requirements

• A baccalaureate degree earned from a regionally accredited institution, evidenced by a transcript.
• Validated minimum undergraduate grade-point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale (students below 2.75 will be considered for provisional acceptance)
• One year of full-time employment or approval of the Graduate Committee
• Complete the application for admission

Submit the following:

• Include a statement of purpose with application that addresses:

1. The student’s interest in the program, including the identification of short-term and long-term career goals
2. The skills and experiences the student will contribute to the program
3. Expectations the student has of the program

• A professional resume
• Provide two references (academic or professional) who will complete an online recommendation form
• Transcript from institution where bachelor's degree was earned

In addition to learning about leadership in your classes, Grand View’s Mentoring Course pairs you with a professional business leader/life coach who will work with you personally on developing your leadership skills. The course includes seven weeks of online work, plus a three-day residency intensive at Grand View's campus. You can also opt for an online version to include virtual appointments with life coach.

This three-day intensive will cover leadership theory, leadership skill development, and the creation of your personal leadership plan. You will identify desired areas of growth, collaborate with a mentor/coach and develop skill sets for personal leadership development and for developing leadership in others.

The three-day intensive also includes:

• Dinner with MSOL faculty, coaches, and other students in the program 
• Four individual coaching sessions with a professional leadership coach (in-person and virtual options available)
• Real perspective and examples from coaches and instructors (virtual if you opt for the online course)
• Network with the faculty and your fellow classmates (virtual if you opt for the online course) 

Leadership Coaches

Chad Borgestad is a Principled Leadership Coach, CPCC, and has 24 years of experience across the country developing leaders and training individuals to reach their full potential. He has overseen the startup of three non-profits, raising over $3 million. Chad has served as a Campus Minister at the Largest ELCA church in America. Chad’s greatest joy is in serving others, helping others win and creating healthy leadership structures.

Chad is a 1995 graduate of the University of Minnesota, earning a bachelor of science degree in sociology. He is currently working towards becoming a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC).

Chad lives in Des Moines, Iowa, with his wife of 24 years, Misti. They have three sons. In his spare time, you will often find him working out at the YMCA, running, biking, or reading a good book.

Mark Hicks earned his bachelor’s degree from Loras College. He has more than 30 years of experience building and leading high performing teams in a broad variety of business disciplines in the private label credit card industry.

Throughout his career, Mark has developed future leaders through individual strength-based coaching and team development via coaching clinics, mentoring programs and a variety of skill development programs. He also has experience leading teams in credit risk management, statistical scorecard development and implementation, sales relationship management, compliance and operational risk management, quality control testing, operational control development and governance, project management, data analytics, business operations technology support, and technology user acceptance testing.

Born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, Mark has been married for 40 years with four adult children and three grandchildren.

Erin Lego's greatest passion is coming alongside leaders to help them find their right fit and lead with confidence. Erin has spent nine years working with a non-profit developing college leaders and staff by growing their leadership skills on campuses in Wisconsin and Minnesota. She has now brought her coaching skills to Iowa.

In her current role with the Corporate Learning team at ITA Group, she has been able to successfully pilot and launch a coaching program at the leadership level within the organization. She is working to create a coaching culture as they work to grow their coaching skills. 

Erin has completed a coaching certification with LeaderBreak Thru, Essential and Associate Certification with the Center for Coaching Excellence and will be applying for certification with the International Coach Federation (ACC) in 2019.

Erin is newly married to Dave, and become a stepmom to three great kids. In her free time, Erin enjoys catching up with friends and reading books.

Paul Leavenworth is the president of The Convergence group, which help facilitate leadership growth and effectiveness for high capacity, highly motivated leaders who want to finish well and leave a lasting legacy.

Paul earned his bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University, a master’s degree in theology from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a doctorate in counseling from the College of William and Mary in Virginia. He is also a certified Life Coach with CoachNet and Leader Break/thru. He currently serves as an adjunct instructor in philosophy and religion at DMACC. He has self-published several books and discovery learning workbooks on spiritual formation, discipleship and leadership development. 

Paul currently lives in West Des Moines, IA with his wife Leslie, an artist and retired nurse, and they have three adult children and two grandchildren.

• Offered at Grand View University.
• TheMSOL prepares graduates for mid-level managerial roles or organizational leader roles in private as well as public organizations.
• Program of study emphasizes leadership, decision-making, evidence-based management, practice of managing and changing people and organizations, and promoting positive growth in the context of dynamic organizations. Curriculum blends theory and application via casework, professional articles and team projects.

• Not offered at Grand View, but many other universities have the program available.
• The MBA prepares graduates for mid-level managerial roles within a private organization.
• Program of study includes significant quantitative components, including economics and finance, as well as exposure to multiple functions within business. Frequently case driven, MBA programs blend the various functions of business through discussion and decision-making simulations.

•  Not offered at Grand View, but some other universities include it in their graduate course options.

• The MPA prepares graduates for mid-level managerial roles within public and non-profit organizations.
• Program of study includes management and operations within the context of governmental or nonprofit organizations. Greater emphasis on diversity, ethics, policy making and influencing societal goals.