Online Master's in Leadership Studies
Learn To Lead Through Transformation and Innovation
100% Online
As Few As 12 Months
30 Credits
$480 per Credit
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Gain Interdisciplinary Skills To Thrive in Any Field
- Apply By: 08/14/2026
- Start Class: 08/25/2026
Whether you’re an emerging or seasoned leader, you can advance professionally thanks to the online MS in Leadership Studies program from Delaware State University. Move beyond managing tasks and step into positions where you shape vision, culture and results. Through a blend of theory and application, our courses will help you hone skills that position you for supervisory, senior management and executive roles.
Program Details
- Develop leadership expertise regardless of your background
- Complete online courses when it’s convenient
- Learn from DSU’s expert faculty
- Build a strong foundation for the next step in your career
More Information About This Program
Click on each tab below to learn additional details regarding the program requirements and features.
Curriculum
Take an Experiential Approach to Leadership Studies
10 Courses
30 Credits
In the online master’s in leadership studies program, you’ll explore leadership theory, organizational leadership, decision science, adaptive leadership and more. Coursework also focuses on solving problems with strategic decision-making so you emerge as a more confident leader who considers diverse perspectives while maintaining strong teams and meeting organizational objectives.
Leadership Studies Degree Curriculum Highlights
Focus on Real-World Issues
All coursework includes practical components applicable to contemporary workplace challenges.
Gain Hands-On Experience
In a capstone service-learning project, you’ll examine and address a leadership issue in an organization or community relevant to you.
Develop a Leadership Style
Explore leadership frameworks and ethics to determine your personal leadership style, so you can expand your influence and lead with integrity.
Admission Requirements
Apply to the Online Master’s in Leadership Studies – No Test Scores Required
Application Deadline 08/14/26
Start Date 08/25/26
When you’re ready to apply for the online MS in Leadership Studies program, gather your materials and prepare to fill out the online application.
| Online Application Form | Apply Now |
|---|---|
| Degree and Minimum GPA | A baccalaureate or higher degree with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale |
| Transcripts | Send official transcripts from any institution you’ve attended |
| Transfer Credits | DSU accepts up to nine graduate credits in a related discipline within the last 10 years |
| Test Scores | Not required |
| Resume | Submit an up-to-date resume |
| Letters of Recommendation | Provide two letters of recommendation |
| Letter of Intent | A letter of intent in which you introduce yourself, show what you’ve accomplished, summarize your career goals and explain why you’re a strong fit for the online master’s in leadership studies program |
International Students
DSU offers an empowering community to students from around the world. In addition to the basic admission requirements, you’ll submit the following items with your application. Be sure to apply at least 90 days before classes start so that you have ample time to fulfill these requirements.
| Visa | Only F-1 visas are accepted for international admission to degree programs. If you’re an F-1 transfer student, we require a copy of your I-20 form upon admission |
|---|---|
| Financial Documentation | International applicants must submit proof of funds to cover at least their first year of study. If living with a friend or relative in the U.S., students must submit additional documentation such as an affidavit of free room and board with supporting documents. For financial documentation, international students must forward the required financial evidence to the Office of International Affairs |
| Transcript Evaluation | Transcripts must be evaluated by a recognized credential evaluation agency (such as WES or ECE) and sent to DSU |
| Standardized Test Scores | Acceptable tests include TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, ACT or ELI |
Begin Your Journey to Delaware State University
Each student follows a unique path to DSU, and we’re here to make your journey a success. Visit our Admissions Hub to explore the steps you’ll complete when applying for an online program. You can also learn about transferring credits, using military benefits and taking the next step as an international student.
AdmissionsTuition & Aid
Tuition and Fees for the Online MS in Leadership Studies Program
Calculate your cost for attending Delaware State University Use our tuition calculator to help you estimate your total tuition costs.
Education is an important investment in your future, so at Delaware State University, we’re committed to transparency surrounding our tuition and fees. Please see the tuition breakdown for the online MS in Leadership Studies program below.
| Cost per Credit Hour | $480 |
|---|---|
| Total Number of Credit Hours | 30 |
| Total Estimated Tuition | $14,400 |
| Additional Fees |
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| Other Costs to Budget For | The estimated tuition does not include expenses incurred during the online program |
Supporting the Ambitions of Military Students
DSU is proud to support the educational goals of active-duty and veteran service members. Here, you’ll receive guidance for your mission to continue your education, and you can make the most of the benefits available through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Plus, learn how you can receive credit for the knowledge and skills gained through your military service.
Tuition & Financial Aid
When you succeed professionally, your entire community rises with you. Knowing that education plays a central role in that success, DSU offers cost-effective tuition so that financial barriers don’t stand between you and your goals. Visit our Tuition and Aid page to learn how to make online education fit your budget.
Tuition Details
Apply Your Skills Across Industries
The online Master of Science in Leadership Studies prepares you for advanced roles across industries — from corporate and nonprofit settings to healthcare, education, government and more. Nearly all organizations rely on ethical, adaptive and informed leaders to stay competitive. You can pursue several roles including operations manager, administrative services manager, management analyst, and training and development manager — all high-growth careers that earn over $100,000.1
High-Level Positions for Those With Leadership Expertise
Human Resources Managers $140,030 per year2
Top Executives $105,350 per year3
What You’ll Learn
Your coursework emphasizes leadership competencies that today’s employers value and expect, making you a formidable contender in a competitive job market. These include:
- Academic research
- Adaptability
- Leadership communication
- Organizational development
- Resilience
- Risk assessment
- Strategic decision-making
- Team building
Program Outcomes
- Theoretical Application: Analyze and apply major leadership theories to solve complex problems
- Strategic Change Leadership: Design and implement strategic change initiatives
- Research and Critical Inquiry: Conduct scholarly research that synthesizes leadership concepts
- Ethical and Inclusive Leadership: Articulate and apply personal ethical leadership philosophy
Learn From Faculty Who Believe in Your Potential
Our faculty will welcome you like family and provide personalized mentorship to bring your goals to life. They understand your perspective and experiences — after all, many of our instructors walked similar paths before becoming leaders in their fields. Rely on their professional expertise as you prepare to advance in the career that interests you.
Dr. Phyllis Brooks Collins, Founding Program Director and Assistant Professor, Liberal and Integrated Studies program
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Phyllis Brooks Collins
Phyllis Brooks Collins is the founding program director and assistant professor for the Liberal and Integrated Studies program at Delaware State University. With over 30 years of extensive experience in traditional higher education environments, she has had direct responsibility for implementing several university retention plans and program activities.
Dr. Brooks Collins is the former Executive Director of the Division of Academic Enrichment. She holds a Bachelor of Technology, a Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in Curriculum and Instruction from Delaware State University, and a PhD in Organizational Leadership from the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore. While serving as the executive director of Academic Enrichment, she provided innovative leadership and administrative management over the divisions’ programs and activities. In this role, she implemented various academic programs, grants and best practices to enrich and support undergraduate learning, thereby increasing persistence, retention and completion rates. Dr. Brooks Collins has served as a subject matter expert, consultant and trainer for an educational technology company, focusing on the integration of student success strategies with technology systems and data management.
In June 2020, the university approved a new degree program, the Liberal Studies program, a student-centered academic degree that allows students to develop a program of study relevant to their personal and professional interests. Recently, the University approved the addition of a Leadership Studies Minor undergraduate program to augment and enhance the Liberal Studies curriculum, as well as a Master of Science in Leadership Studies, for which Dr. Brooks Collins serves as the founding program director.
She teaches at the undergraduate and graduate levels in several subject areas: interdisciplinary studies, the interdisciplinary research process, research methods, leadership and global societies. To date, Dr. Brooks Collins has taught and advised over 300 undergraduate students, facilitating the completion of their interdisciplinary capstone papers on various topics that combine several disciplinary focus areas at the university. Since its inception, the INST program has had over 250 undergraduate students graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Dr. Brooks Collins is a member of several national, state and local organizations and committees, including the International Leadership Association (ILA), Braven Faculty Council, Association of Interdisciplinary Studies, DSU Chapter of the American Association of University Professors, Dover (DE) Chapter of the Links, Inc., National Association of Black Veterans (NABVETS), Delaware Chapter, Parliamentarian Dover/Kent County Metropolitan Planning Organization Public Advisory Board, Chairperson and the board member and Treasurer for the Central Delaware Housing Collaborative House of Hope Women’s Shelter.
Sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Management Occupations.” August 28, 2025. Retrieved February 18, 2026, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Human Resources Managers.” August 28, 2025. Retrieved February 19, 2026, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/human-resources-managers.htm.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Top Executives.” August 28, 2025. Retrieved February 19, 2026, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/top-executives.htm.