Leadership Studies Programs School of Liberal Arts Saint Mary's College of California

Graduate Leadership Studies within a Values-Based Environment

St. Mary's College of California, located in Moraga, California, offers master's degrees in leadership (general) and leadership (social justice concentration) which reflect the school's guiding values. Saint Mary's is part of a network of Catholic "Lasallian" educational institutions throughout the world.

These schools, based on the vision of St. John Baptiste de la Salle, follow 5 core principles: faith in the presence of God, quality education, concern for the poor and social justice, respect for all persons, and inclusive community.

Saint Mary's, which welcomes students of all faiths, encourages learning outcomes that include self-awareness and critical reflection, interpersonal and cross-cultural competency, collaboration, and creativity.

Programming Designed for Working Professionals

The programs are designed to meet the needs of working professionals from the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Instruction and learning take place through a combination of web-based programming and face-to-face class meetings.

Saint Mary's graduate leadership programs are delivered via 11 courses over a 19-month period. Each course consists of an 8-week online module using web-based exercises and discussion boards.

Online activities include discussion on readings, individual and small group presentations, short reflection, academic papers and discussion with peers and faculty members on the theory and practice of leadership.

Face-to-face "executive meetings" bring faculty, students, and influential thought leaders together for 2 or 3 days at the beginning and end of each module, enabling the development of personal networks and enhanced learning opportunities. The student-to-faculty member ratio is just 7 to 1.

Both degree programs emphasize critical reflective thinking, communication and relational skills and emotional intelligence as essential components of effective leadership.

Master's in Leadership Program

The Master's in Leadership (general) teaches collaborative leadership to create sustainable change within organizations and communities. A goal of the program is to build skills in creative and collaborative problem solving, change implementation, critical and creative thinking, communication and facilitation, values-based policymaking, and teambuilding.

Coursework covers many areas, including: building a learning community; values, ethics, and decision-making; leadership theory, global contexts for 21st century leadership, and leadership in action; sustainable organizational change; building cross-cultural capacity; public policy making process; future of leadership; personal and organizational learning, and project proposal development.

Master's in Leadership, Social Justice Concentration

The Master's in Leadership (social justice concentration) focuses on helping non-profit managers, community organizers, direct service providers, and others to practice leadership for social change.

The program employs the process of "praxis" -- a continuing cycle of action and reflection. Students explore theories of leadership, justice, and change, as well as learn how to create and sustain just relationships, organizations, and structures.

Coursework for this program covers such topics as social justice in the context of self; group and community; foundations of justice; leadership theory; social movements; personal and professional ethics; social justice research and action; building cross-cultural capacity; imagining organizations; global perspectives on human rights; equity and justice; policy analysis and action; and praxis learning.

Faculty Actively Involved in Leadership Scholarship and Practice

Professor Jennifer Pigza is Chair of the Graduate Program in Leadership and reflects St. Mary's values through her scholarship in social justice and student service learning.

Similarly, Professor Marguerite Welch, chair of the Master of Arts in Leadership, conducts advanced research into the subject of transformative learning and change.

Lecturer Pete Constant, City Councilmember for the City of San Jose, provides real-life insights as he teaches leadership students about the public policy making process.

Expertise in Working with Law Enforcement Professionals

Saint Mary's Master of Arts in Leadership program has developed an expertise in working with law enforcement professionals, such as police and probation officers. Embracing the idea of leadership versus authority, students in this program develop skills in non-violent communication, problem-solving teamwork, and working one's sphere of influence.

College Leadership Center Offers Expert Outreach

Hosting the 2 master's programs is the Saint Mary's College Leadership Center, which also offers leadership coaching, workshops such as "Creativity for Leadership Effectiveness" and "Storytelling and Leadership," presentations, and webinars that explore topics such as values-based leadership and a certificate in global leadership.

Nationally Recognized for Community Service

Saint Mary's commitment to community service has been nationally recognized.

The school has been named a Presidential Award finalist on the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). The college was one of 17 US institutions considered for the award -- the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to community service.

Located in the Beautiful Bay Area

The St. Mary's campus is located 20 miles east of San Francisco in the scenic Moraga Valley. The nearest airport is Oakland International Airport, which is approximately 40 minutes away. The school is also accessible by public transportation.

Saint Mary's was recently named to the 2012-2013 Colleges of Distinction List, a grouping that "features some of the best colleges and universities across the country." The college will be featured in an upcoming e-book this fall, and potential students can see the college's appearance online.

• Degrees Offered
• Major Degree Levels Offered
• Master of Arts (MA)

• Degrees Awarded
• Master's Degrees 37
• Doctoral Degrees Not reported
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees Not reported
• * Shows the number of degrees awarded for the last academic year that data was reported.

• Earning Your Degree
• Part-time study available? Yes
• Evening/weekend programs available? Yes
• Distance learning programs available? Yes
• Terminal master's degree available? Not reported

• Degree Requirements
• Master's Degrees Research project
• Doctoral Degrees Not reported
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees Not reported

• Acceptance Rate
• AppliedNot Reported
• AcceptedNot Reported
• Acceptance RateNot Reported
• EnrolledNot Reported
• Applying
• Application Fee - Domestic $50
• Application Fee - International $50
• Electronic applications accepted? Yes
• Applications processed on a rolling basis? Yes
• Application Deadlines
• Type Domestic International Priority Date
• Fall deadline August 1st Not Reported Yes
• Winter deadline December 1st Not Reported Yes
• Spring deadline March 31st Not Reported Yes
• Entrance Requirements
• Master's Degreesletters of recommendation, interview
• Doctoral's DegreesNot Reported
• First-Professional's DegreesNot Reported
• Other Advanced DegreesNot Reported
• International DegreesNot Reported

• Tuition & Fees
• In-state tuition *Not Reported
• Out-of-state tuition *Not Reported
• International student tuitionNot Reported
• * Tuition for full-time graduate student per academic year
• Fees
• Per-academic year feesNot Reported
• Per-term feesNot Reported
• One-time feeNot Reported
• * Fees for full-time graduate students
• Financial Support
• Financial award applicants must submitFAFSA
• Application deadlines for financial awardsNot Reported
• Types of financial support availableFinancial Support for Part-time Students

• Gender
• Total Graduate Students62
• Female Percentage58%
• Male Percentage42%
• Participation
• Total Graduate Students62
• Part-time Percentage76%
• Full-time Percentage24%
• Ethnicity
• Hispanic / Latino28%
• Black / African American21%
• White / Caucasian26%
• American Indian / Alaskan Native0%
• Asian16%
• Native Hawaiian / Other Pacific Islander0%
• Two or more races0%
• Unknown9%

• Existing Research
• Focus of faculty researchLeadership, organizational change, values, adult learning, transformative learning
• Externally sponsored research expenditures last yearNot Reported