MLD Banner
LD Logo

Master of Arts
Leadership Dynamics

The program is designed to provide professional training broadly based upon knowledge and research in:

  • leadership principles
  • organizational functioning
  • business
  • economics
  • communication
  • psychology
  • political science
Students have the opportunity to develop and refine administrative knowledge and leadership skills in a variety of modern public and private sector organizations.



MLD Logo Small



-- Core of Required Courses --
(21 hours)

Students may choose from a variety of classes in topics such as communicating in a global world, theories in economics, organizational communication, methods of research, and ethics in leadership.

  • COMM 531: Global Leadership Communication
  • ECON 501: Survey of Economic Theory
  • COMM581: Applied Organizational Communication
  • EDFN500: Research Methods
  • LEAD500: Effective Leadership Studies
  • LEAD525: Leadership Ethics
  • LEAD597: Capstone in Leadership Studies


-- Track: Strategic Leadership --
(12 hrs)

Students will learn the competencies necessary for strategic leadership in diverse settings. Students may choose from a variety of classes in topics such as social diversity, cultural diversity, and the relationship between communication and conflict. Three courses are required from the Strategic Leadership track (9 hrs) and one additional course must be chosen from the available General Electives or Applied Administration track (3 hrs), totaling 12 hours.

  • CNS555: Social and Cultural Diversity
  • COMM565: Communication and Conflict
  • LEAD575: Special Topics in Leadership
  • 1 course – free elective (chosen from list of General Electives or Applied Administration track)


-- Track: Applied Administration --
(12 hrs)

Students will gain an understanding of organizational administration and how to apply effective leadership practices. Students may choose from a variety of classes in topics such as managing resources, managing levels of quality, business on a multinational scale, and public administration. Three courses are required from the Applied Administration track (9 hrs) and one additional course must be chosen from the available General Electives or Strategic Leadership track (3 hrs), totaling 12 hours.

  • AMS520: Resource Management OR AMS671 Quality Management
  • COMM561: Multinational Business Communication
  • PS440G: Elements of Public Administration
  • 1 course – free elective (chosen from list of General Electives or Strategic Leadership track)


-- General Electives --

Students may choose from a variety of classes in topics such as communicating during crises, the principles of accounting, the development and learning tendencies of adults, mediating and negotiating, ethics, and political geography.


  • ADED611: Adult Development and Learning
  • BA505: Survey of Accounting Principles
  • BA592: Special Topics In Business
  • CNS585: Leadership and Administration in Student Affairs
  • COMM564: Crisis Communication
  • COMM565: Communication and Conflict
  • COMM586: Processes of Group Communication
  • COMM587: Mediation and Negotiation in Intercultural Settings
  • GEOG525: Seminar in Political Geography
  • HCA540: Health Care Organization and Administration
  • PS538: Ethics and Bureaucracy
  • PS541: Public Personnel Administration

Other electives may potentially be utilized within the degree program to meet specific student needs with prior approval of advisor.

MLD Logo Small


For information or to make an appointment, contact:

Nevil Speer, Ph.D., Director
Master of Arts in Leadership Dynamics
Center for Leadership Excellence, Western Kentucky University
1906 College Heights Blvd., #11067
Bowling Green, KY 42101-1067
Phone: (270) 745-8973
Fax: (270) 745-5150


Email: nevil.speer@wku.edu

Girl at bookshelf


Cherry Hall


Smith and Dr. Speer


Campus Photo


WKU Campus Photo


WKU Campus Photo


WKU Campus Photo


WKU Campus Photo


WKU Campus Photo


WKU Campus Photo


WKU Campus Photo


WKU Campus Photo