Which came first, the chicken or the egg? A definitive answer has never been reached. How about followers and leaders? Followers need leaders, and a leader without followers will not be very effective. In many cases, an effective and strong leader emerges out of a group of loyal followers. But what does it take for that individual to stand out and assume a leadership role? Studies indicate that an effective leader must be task- and relationship-oriented and demonstrate active participation. It takes a person with special skills to create or preserve a structure within an organization and focus simultaneously on tackling the job, motivating the team to do their part, and jumping into the trenches alongside his or her subordinates. The strong leader puts the needs of the team before his own, and the successful leader makes sure that all eyes are on the task at hand—a job well done.
Shaine Bates earned his B.B.A. degree in Entrepreneurship at MTSU, but when he learned about the new M.S. in Management with a concentration in Organizational Leadership, “I knew I wanted to be a part of it.” Bates enjoys working with small teams and growing a business, and he knew his graduate degree would give him the skills and knowledge to lead teams of creative and innovative people to even greater heights. Today, Shaine is manager of photography at Jack Daniel’s Visitor Center, and he also oversees the company’s bottle engraving services. Shaine speaks highly of his MTSU education and professors, who, he says, are tough, great motivators who set high expectations. “I hope to start a new business one day, but until then I want to continue working with Jack Daniel’s to create innovative new ways for customers to experience the Jack Daniel’s Distillery when they take a tour.”
When Nelson Mandela died in December of 2013, he was heralded by world leaders as one of the greatest leaders ever. He was admired for being able to lead with his mere presence; his image and bearing had that much impact on the people around him. Mandela led a nation and served as a model to the world. He was an effective leader because he focused on the people and freedom and did not allow ego to be his driving force. A successful leader of any organization deflects praise and accolades and focuses his/her energies on the task of leading.
There will always be a need for effective leaders, those who have the vision to see farther down the road than most others. Most workers are concerned with doing a good job and being thought of as a competent team member. The leader of an organization is less concerned about his or her individual performance and more concerned about the direction of the enterprise and the ability of the team to work together to fulfill both the mission and the vision. Examples of career opportunities for individuals choosing the Organizational Leadership concentrations include areas such as
Because this program is relatively new, employer information is still being compiled. Following are examples of employers of Management graduates and Career Fair participants:
The Master of Science (M.S.) in Management is offered by the Department of Management in the Jennings A. Jones College of Business. This program, with three concentrations, offers students planning, communication, and ethical decision-making skills through experiential learning in which they will find themselves in the trenches of the real-world work environment. Each concentration—Organizational Leadership, Social Innovation and Not-for-Profit Management (provides students with business and management skills that can be applied to not-for-profit managerial work), and Supply Chain Management (provides students with business and operations management skills that can be applied to work in logistics, transportation, and supply chain management careers)—includes a capstone project in which students will partner with an organization in the industry or non-profit sector.
The undergraduate program in the Department of Management offers the Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) degree with majors in Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, and Management. Minors are available in Entrepreneurship and Management; the department participates in interdisciplinary minors in Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, and Leadership Studies.
The Department of Management offers the Master of Science in Management program with three concentrations: Organizational Leadership, Social Innovation and Not-for-Profit Management, and Supply Chain Management. The Master of Science in Management enhances students' planning, communication, and ethical decision-making skills and exposes them to real world experiences that help them mature as managers. The Management M.S. program allows students to develop the skills to be promoted into higher levels of management at different types of organizations.
Graduates of this program may work in a variety of positions, including mid-to upper-level management positions in corporate offices, healthcare facilities, distribution or logistics centers, manufacturing facilities, not-for-profit organizations, state or local government, and service industries such as banking, insurance, and real-estate.
Please see undergraduate catalog for information regarding undergraduate programs.
To be admitted to the Master of Science in Management program, applicants should have
Applicants with post baccalaureate managerial work experience may receive 10 points toward the GMAT score for each year of professional work experience; e.g., four years of work experience = 40 additional points toward the GMAT. GMAT waivers may be granted to applicants with more than ten years of professional work experience.
Applicants without related previous experience or academic preparation may be required to complete the following prerequisite courses: MGMT 6000 (or MGMT 3610 and MGMT 3620) and ACTG 3000 (or ACTG 6100).
All application materials are to be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies.
Applicant must
The Master of Science in Management with a concentration in Organizational Leadership requires completion of 33 credit hours.
Candidate must
The Organizational Leadership concentration provides students with business and leadership skills that can be applied in a variety of leadership roles in business, government, and/or education. In addition to 12 hours of core management courses, the concentration requires 12 hours of courses in behavioral aspects of leadership, including two required courses: organizational development and leadership and motivation. Leadership concentration electives (6 hours) are selected from among the following courses: negotiation, current issues in management, organization behavior, and international management. Students will also elect 6 hours of courses in a professional area that relates to their career interests.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: MGMT 3610 or MGMT 6000. Managerial theory and practice of solving problems, making decisions, and developing strategies for services and/or products. Emphasis on developing practical responses to decision issues using creativity and innovation in a team environment. (This course is not open to students earning a Master of Business Administration degree.)
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: MGMT 3620, MGMT 6000, or MGMT 6650.Theory and practice of managing projects for services, products, and/or events in the context of operations management methods. Emphasis on application of lean concepts to project management.
3 credit hours
Focus on the responsibility of all managers with respect to the effective development of human resources. The responsibility of all functional areas in the human resource department or impinging forces such as technology, organized labor, and government legislation examined along with the emerging concepts, problems, and theories supported by research in the field.
3 credit hours
Impact of individual values and ethics on the management of organizations. Topics include legal and ethical aspects of dealing with organization stakeholders: stockholders, consumers, employees, and the general community. Emphasis on using ethical theory to make good business decisions.
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Open only to M.S. in Management students who are in their last semester of coursework (must have completed 24 graduate level hours); permission of department required; must be completed with B- or better. Capstone course that provides students with the opportunity to integrate and synthesize knowledge gained throughout the graduate program. Development of a substantial project that demonstrates mastery of competencies, concepts, principles, and practices for success in their field of leadership, supply chain management, or not-for-profit management.
3 credit hours
Approaches for effecting change in organizations. Emphasis on the individual and personal development of the student to be more effective in managing change and innovation.
3 credit hours
Issues in leadership and motivation in business organizations. An examination of the theoretical framework for leadership and motivation processes serves as foundation. Emphasis on practical issues and applications of leadership development and motivation.
Choose two from the following:
3 credit hours
Behavioral science concepts and research in the management of organizations; theories dealing with interpersonal relationships, motivation systems, group dynamics, communications, and authority related to organizational behavior, control, and structure problems.
3 credit hours
A structured overview of the process of negotiation in organizations and manager development of improved negotiation skills. Topics include distributive negotiations, integrative negotiations, tactics, strategies, power dynamics, alternative dispute resolution, and negotiation ethics in an organization environment.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: MGMT 6600 or permission of department. Investigates current issues in management, using recent events and emerging theoretical developments to examine relevant complexities facing practitioners.
3 credit hours
Major issues associated with the formulation and implementation of corporate strategy for international and global operations. Emphasis on the understanding of global environmental forces surrounding international business operations and the management issues facing global organizations.
In consultation with their advisors, students will select and complete 6 hours of courses in a professional area that relates to their career interests, or they may select and complete 6 hours of business electives that apply to organizational leadership.
Candidate must
The Department of Management offers a limited number of assistantships each semester that are awarded on a competitive basis. An assistantship covers tuition, most fees, and a monthly stipend in return for 20 hours a week of service. Assistantships can be renewed for up to two years.
Dan Morrell
Dan.Morrell@mtsu.edu
615-494-7758
Business and Aerospace Building, N 134B
Dan Morrell
dan.morrell@mtsu.edu
Phone | 615-494-7758
Department of Management
Middle Tennessee State University
Box 75
1301 East Main Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37132
College of Graduate Studies
Middle Tennessee State University
MTSU Box 42
1301 East Main Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37132
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