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Lead with vision, purpose, and heart.

In our fast-changing world, organizations need highly skilled, adaptable leaders who can meet today’s unique challenges with innovation and integrity. With specialized tracks for both early-career and executive leaders, the Woods College of Advancing Studies’ Master of Science in Leadership combines Boston College’s Ignatian philosophy of action and reflection with new concepts and tools you can apply immediately in your career. GRE and GMAT scores are not needed to apply.

Elevate your career

Study at your own pace

Earn an M.S. within budget

Build your network

With tracks for emerging leaders (fewer than eight years  experience) and executive leaders (more than 8 years experience), our cutting-edge curriculum prepares working professionals at all stages of their careers to make a real-word impact.

Depending on your schedule, you can enroll either full-time or part-time. In-person courses are taught in the evenings and on the weekend, and you can also complete the program online or in a hybrid format. 

BC Woods’s tuition rates are competitive with other top-flight M.S.L. programs, at $1076 per credit. Financial Aid is available, and full-time students can finish the 30-credit program for less than $40,000.

As part of the diverse Woods community, you will be connected with Boston College’s 204,000+ member alumni network, the Boston College Career Center, and the industry leaders who teach in our program.

Two Tracks. Three leadership competencies. Three concentrations. One highly respected degree.

In addition to our tracks for early-career and executive leaders, you can select leadership electives focused on leading change, people, and results. Or choose from four in-demand focus areas that can be taken as a concentration. Our M.S. in Leadership enables you to tailor your education toward your organization's goals and your professional journey. 

M.S. in Leadership & M.S. in Leadership: Executive Track

The introduction of two core tracks delivers a more nuanced curriculum based on where you are in your professional journey and enhances the classroom experience by maximizing your opportunities to learn from peers. The Leadership Track is designed for early-career professionals with less than eight years of experience, and the Executive Track is for mid-career professionals who are looking to take their leadership to the next level.

  • M.S. in Leadership core courses: Daring to Lead, Leadership Fundamentals, Leading Change from the Middle, The Self-Aware Leader, Problem Solving Through Critical Thinking, Women and Men for Others
  • Executive Track core courses: Leading Thinking, Leading Change and Execution, Strategic Management of Innovation, Emotional/social Intelligence Deep Dive, Fostering Dignity and Belonging, The Just Leader

Leadership Competencies

In today's uncertain world, leaders need to be able to adapt, innovate, and inspire the people around them. In addition to the core requirements, students can select electives focused on fostering persuasive, ethical leadership in a data-driven era.  

  • Competencies: Leading Change, Leading People, and Leading Results
  • Sample courses: Leading with Resilience, Data Driven Decision Making, Leading High Performing Teams, GenAI Basics for Leaders, Creating Trust Through Accountability

In-Demand Concentrations

Our comprehensive courses cater to diverse career aspirations and are tailored to match both your interests and industry requirements. In addition to the core requirements, students can select a concentration in order to navigate challenges in these competitive and creative sectors.

  • Concentrations: Corporate Communications & Marketing, Human Resource Management, and Project Management
  • Career options: Editor, communications specialists, HR manager, recruiting specialists, program manger, analyst
Learn more

The BC Woods MSL, by the numbers

10

9,343

204,235

$1,124

Courses

Woods College Alumni

Total BC Alumni

Cost per credit

“There’s no check-the-box approach to leadership here. We’re taught to be flexible and open to change. Through the program’s focus on ethical leadership, we’re not just learning the skills to move up in our careers; we’re also looking beyond our individual goals to help employees and organizations succeed.”

AMANDA PAGLIA, M.S. ‘17, Director, Employee Relations at DentaQuest

Ready for the next step?

You can apply now to start your degree in the summer, fall, or spring semesters. 

Learn more

WOODS COLLEGE OF ADVANCING STUDIES

Saint Mary's Hall South, Ground Floor

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467

617-552-3900

woodscollege@bc.edu

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