$500 Priority Submission Scholarship*
New students who submit their completed application by Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, will receive a $500 scholarship toward their first course starting in January 2026 (Spring I). Start your no-fee application today.
Master of Science in Leadership
100 Percent Online or Hybrid | Full Time or Part Time | No GRE or GMAT Required
Learn to Lead in a Changing World
Across industries, organizations are experiencing significant leadership gaps, increasing the demand for capable and inspiring leaders.
Merrimack’s M.S. in Leadership is designed to close that gap, equipping professionals at all career stages with the tools, strategies and mindset needed to lead effectively and drive meaningful results.
Through a dynamic and practical curriculum, students develop key leadership competencies in strategic decision-making, change management, vision setting, team guidance and conflict resolution, while fostering high morale and creating a positive workplace culture.
This program takes a holistic approach, focusing on leadership development at the individual, team and organizational levels, and preparing graduates to lead with clarity, confidence and purpose.
Quick Facts:
100 percent online or hybrid
Tuition under $24K
Complete in 12 months full time or 16 months part time
No prerequisites needed
No GRE or GMAT required
Financial aid eligible
Learn more about Merrimack’s M.S. in Leadership.
Why Earn a Merrimack MSL?
Tailored to Your Industry
Align your studies with your career goals by pursuing an optional concentration in Human Resource Management and build robust skills that help you excel in your field.
Affordable
With tuition under $24K, you’ll benefit from a high-quality education that provides exceptional value without compromising academic excellence.
Built for Working Professionals
Complete your degree in 12 months full time or 16 months part time while you balance your other commitments.
What Can I Do With a Master of Science in Leadership?
Leadership skills are the cornerstone of success in any industry, and Merrimack’s Master of Science in Leadership program prepares students and working professionals for roles such as:
Change management consultant
$123,000
Median annual salary
Training and development manager
$127,090
Average annual salary
Human resources manager
$140,030
Median annual salary
Sources: U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics, 2025; Glassdoor, 2025
Customize Your MSL With an Industry-Focused Concentration in Human Resource Management
Merrimack’s MSL program offers a concentration in Human Resource Management, so you can align your studies with your professional goals to excel in HR — or choose another area of business or a general MSL path without a concentration.
The courses are taught by expert faculty working in the industry and are designed with workforce needs in mind.
Master of Science in Leadership Coursework
Merrimack’s 32-credit M.S. in Leadership coursework was designed in consultation with industry experts and includes 20 credits of core coursework, and 12–16 credits of electives. The required core introduces key concepts enveloping leadership theory and practice, effective emotional intelligence and communication skills.
Elective courses are used to develop competencies in additional areas of business tailored to your unique professional journey. You can choose open electives from the Girard School of Business that fit your goals or earn a concentration in HR Management.
Required Core (20 credits)
Leaders must address the continuing challenges of change and organizational adaptation. This course provides students with practical skills and tools for planning, managing, evaluating and surviving small and large-scale organizational change with applications to emerging business issues, including knowledge management, “learning organizations” and network management. Additionally, students will explore the determinants of creativity and innovation at the individual, group, organizational and inter-organizational levels and will become skilled at how to generate novel and useful ideas, how to implement their ideas and how to maximize organizational performance through psychological and sociological perspectives on management. Credits: 4
Designing, building and sustaining high-performing teams is essential to the success of an organization and can only happen as a result of intentional, strategic work on the part of the team leader. Based on micro and macro management theories and concepts, students gain advanced insight and develop skills to design effective work teams and both motivate and facilitate teams to achieve high performance. Topics to be covered include: team composition, diversity management, task design, team development, team competence, team leadership and inter-team relationships. Credits: 4
This course offers students opportunities to apply analytical methods to enhance people-related decision-making in organizations. Students will use Human Resource (HR) data to evaluate critical HR Management questions and issues such as workforce planning, legal compliance, recruiting, hiring and promotion, performance management, training, job design, compensation and career planning. Students will learn to solve organizational HR challenges using analytics, identify the advantages and disadvantages of analytic options, evaluate scholarly reports and studies, use key analytic tools, and understand how to gather, track, store, retrieve, organize, analyze, interpret and present HR data that leads to actionable business decisions. Credits: 4
Open Electives or Concentration (12–16 credits)
Choose any 12 credits of open electives from the Girard School of Business that fit your goals. Options include coursework in business analytics, finance, accounting, marketing, general management and more. Some advanced elective courses may require prerequisites.
Human Resource Management Concentration (12–16 credits)
Complete 12 credits of HR management coursework to earn a concentration in Human Resource Management. For students aiming to obtain HR certification from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) or similar agencies, additional courses aligned with the required competency framework may be necessary. While the curriculum provides essential knowledge, it does not guarantee eligibility for any certification exams — eligibility depends on the certifying organization’s specific criteria. It is your responsibility to consult directly with the relevant examining agency to confirm which courses or credentials are needed to qualify.
This course explores the nuances of negotiation and conflict resolution in organizational settings. Students will study the theory and research on effective negotiating strategies to build their understanding of, and skills for, managing differences and negotiation situations. The course considers, among other topics, the issues of negotiating across functions, between levels, across national and cultural differences, over race and gender differences, and between organizations. Students will also master conflict management styles and response alternatives along with various modes of resolution, including alternative dispute resolution, third-party intervention, mediation and arbitration. Credits: 2
This course explores a variety of topics relevant to diversity in organizations. Students will learn cultural and psychological processes that influence how people deal with one another. Students will apply them to discussions of specific dimensions of diversity, including race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and physical and mental ability. Students will also learn ways in which organizations can and do manage diversity toward the development of inclusive workplaces. Credits: 2
The workplace is home to a wide range of legal, compliance and policy challenges that HR professionals must navigate. This course provides an in-depth examination of key U.S. employment laws and regulations. Students will gain the skills to address labor-related legal issues in the workplace through a structured analysis approach. Topics covered include employment law fundamentals, compensation and benefits, leave policies, equal employment opportunity, workplace safety and more. Students will also explore how employment law shapes HR policies and practices and contributes to fostering a positive and compliant workplace culture. By the end of the course, students will be equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to mitigate risks for both employees and the organization.
This course explores the strategic role of human resources in modern organizations, with a focus on two critical components of the talent lifecycle: talent acquisition and performance management. Designed for future leaders in business and HR, the course provides a comprehensive understanding of how human resource management (HRM) can drive business results. Students will examine how to align these two key elements of HR practice with management and organizational objectives. Key topics include talent acquisition strategy and employee performance management best practices. By the end of the course, students will gain the skills necessary to effectively manage these two critical HR functions that enhance organizational performance and deliver long-term value for employees and the business.
Master the Skills of Effective Leadership
Merrimack’s M.S. in Leadership degree program focuses on building communication skills while providing techniques for mentoring and coaching at the personal, team and organizational levels. Throughout this degree, students will learn to:
Set goals, delegate tasks, build teams and guide through change
Motivate others and inspire trust
Understand emotional competencies around self-management, self-awareness, social awareness and relationship management
Manage conflict effectively and engage in conflict resolution productively
Communicate effectively, develop relationships and navigate cross-cultural differences
Student Support Resources
Students in the Girard School of Business benefit from a dedicated success team.
Support includes:
- 1:1 advising and mentoring from the Girard School of Business graduate advising team
- Access to LinkedIn Learning and Handshake
- Professional development workshops
- Math, writing and accessibility services through the Academic Success Center
Optional Executive Coaching Add-on Package
Unlock your full potential with executive coaching designed for career advancement.
- Two executive coaching sessions focused on professional profile enhancements, including resume review, job search, elevator pitch and networking strategies (online, 50 minutes each)
- Cost: $1,250
Jill Huggett, Career Coach
Jill Huggett is a certified professional career coach and certified professional resume writer for MCG Partners. Huggett also serves as a career coach with the Harvard Business School for their global network of alumni and current MBA students.
Tuition and Financial Aid
$725
per credit*
32
credits
$23,200
tuition
*Tuition is based on 2025–2026 academic year.
Tuition and fees are subject to change annually.
Additional program fees may apply.
Financial Aid
As a graduate student, you may qualify for federal support in the form of loans. We strongly encourage all eligible graduate students to apply for federal financial aid, even if they don’t demonstrate an exceptional financial need.*
All graduate students also have the option of obtaining private loans and/or enrolling in an institutional payment plan.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Merrimack College’s FAFSA school code is 002120.
*Certificate programs do not qualify for federal financial aid.
Tuition Assistance, Scholarships and Discounts
- Employer tuition assistance: Many employers offer tuition reimbursement — check with your HR department.
- Alumni discount: Double Warrior Scholarships are available to all Merrimack graduates. New alumni automatically receive a 33 percent savings on tuition if they begin a graduate degree program within two terms following graduation. All other alumni (i.e., those with an earlier graduation date) are eligible for a tuition discount of 25 percent.
- Partnership discount: Employees of affiliated companies may qualify for discounted tuition rates. Partners include Blue Cross Blue Shield, Citizens Bank, Mass General Brigham, New Balance and many more. Contact us or ask your employer whether your organization is an official partner with Merrimack’s online programs.
It’s Easy to Apply Online
A complete application includes:
- Online application (no fee)
- Official college transcripts from all institutions attended
- Resume or LinkedIn profile
- Interview or personal statement
GRE and GMAT scores are not required. Additional materials may be requested.
One year of relevant work experience is preferred (relevant work experience includes full-time work, internships and co-ops).
Key Dates and Deadlines
This program enrolls six times a year. Each term is eight weeks.
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Accolades and Accreditation
At Merrimack College, we’re proud of our long history of providing quality degrees to students entering the job market. Our faculty are more than just teachers. We are committed to helping you grow — academically, personally and spiritually — so that you may graduate as a confident, well-prepared citizen of the world.
U.S. News & World Report | Best Regional Universities North (2026)
- Most Innovative Schools (No. 8)
- Regional Universities North (No. 38)
- Best Undergraduate Teaching (No. 20)
- Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs (No. 82)
(at schools where doctorate not offered) - Best Colleges for Veterans (No. 16)
- Best Value Schools (No. 52)
NECHE-Accredited
- Merrimack College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
Tell me more about Merrimack’s programs.
*This applies to new students entering the Spring I 2026 term. Does not roll over to subsequent terms. MBA excluded. Not combinable with other offers (i.e. Double Warrior, Fellowship, Partnership Discounts, etc). For CSC 6000, credit will be applied to their second course.