Combining the business acumen and knowledge of faculty from Olin with the Brookings Institution’s research and policy expertise, this degree is one of the few offered in the United States specifically intended for leaders in the public sector.
The curriculum is based on the Office of Personnel Management’s
Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs). Upon completing the program, graduates will be thoroughly grounded in the competencies deemed essential for effective leadership in the federal government.
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If you are interested in receiving more information on the Master of Science in Leadership, please send your complete contact information to masters@brookings.edu. You will be contacted regarding future information sessions and the application process.
Requirements
The accredited MSL curriculum centers on a series of executive education classes—Executive Pathways—that can be taken in any order and spread over the course of several years. Twenty-two short programs two to three days in length are required, plus a two-week capstone for a total of 33 credit hours. The Executive Pathways programs are all held on weekdays in Washington, D.C., primarily at Brookings. The capstone course is held at the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis and will precede graduation and awarding of the degree.
Unlike other graduate programs for working professionals, this degree’s requirements are fulfilled by attending the daytime executive education programs, thereby leaving evenings and weekends free for other commitments. Credit is received upon completion of a short paper after each class that demonstrates how the participant applied classroom learning in the workplace. A $300 fee is required for each course, in addition to course tuition, to pay for faculty assessment of content comprehension and application of the curriculum—a double feedback loop for the participant.
Who should apply?
Prime candidates include:
- Federal managers and executives GS-13 to GS-15
- SES members
- SES candidates
- State, local, and county government managers
Alumni may be granted credit for up to three courses once corresponding assessments have been completed. Applicable courses are determined on a case-by-case basis.
U.S. Military Veterans
The Olin Business School is a full participant in the Post 9/11 GI Bill Yellow Ribbon Program. We are proud to be able to extend this benefit to the Master of Science in Leadership. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs determines candidates’ eligibility for this benefit.
Applications
Applicants are required to provide:
- An MSL application form
- Transcripts
- A resume
- A personal statement about why you are interested in pursuing the MSL degree
- $100 application fee
Following receipt of the application materials, a phone interview will be scheduled with a member of our faculty.
The MSL Journey
While a major advantage of Brookings Executive Education’s MSL program is its flexibility, we do recommend starting the course requirement at one of our residential programs—Executive Leadership for America or Public Leadership 21C—in order to develop a network of peers early in the MSL experience. Each class provides two credits toward the degree. We also encourage MSL students to take classes related to competencies needing more development so that they have time to strengthen their leadership abilities in these areas.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who should apply for the MSL?
Our goal is to identify and develop tomorrow’s leaders. Prime candidates include federal managers and executives GS-13 to GS-15, Senior Executive Service members and SES candidates. Private-sector applicants with several years of management experience are also encouraged to apply.
What are the MSL admission criteria?
Admission decisions are based on past career accomplishments, past educational attainment and performance, a personal statement, a short online assessment, and an interview. The application fee has been lowered to $100.
How do I apply for the program?
Applications will be available on the website by the beginning of September 2010.
When are the application deadlines?
Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis. You may apply at any time throughout the year.
What is the total cost for the program?
The total cost of the program (tuition plus the assessment fee for all of the courses, including the residential capstone course) is approximately $59,000.
Do I need to take all of the courses in the Executive Pathways series to earn the degree?
All of the courses in the Executive Pathways series plus a two-week residential capstone at Washington University in St. Louis are needed to complete the degree requirements.
How fast can I complete the program?
The courses can be taken at your own pace. The fastest you can complete the program is approximately three years.
How long can I take to complete the program?
The courses can be taken at your own pace over several years. The credits do not expire.
From which institution will the degree come?
The degree awarded will be a Master of Science in Leadership from Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis, which holds the accreditation, and is the only degree offered through Brookings Executive Education. Olin Business School’s MBA program ranks among the top 20 in the country; the Brooking Institution consistently ranks as the most influential, most quoted and most trusted think tank.
Will all of the courses be offered every year?
The majority of the courses will be offered every year. All courses will be offered within any two-year period.
Do my previous Brookings Executive Education courses count toward the degree?
Credit for up to three previous courses may be transferred to your degree by taking and passing the appropriate post-course assessments.
Can my employer-provided funds pay for these courses?
The courses in this program can be paid for by training allowances provided by your employer.
Why is there an additional fee for each course?
The $300-per-course fee covers the assessment that you will complete after each course. The assessment allows the faculty to assess your understanding of the course material and is needed to earn degree credits for the course.
Are books and course materials included in the tuition price?
Yes, all materials are included in the tuition price.
How are grades determined? Will I receive letter grades or is the program pass/fail?
The faculty will assess your participation during the program as well as your understanding of course concepts and award a grade of: high pass, pass, low pass, or fail. Each course will have an assessment at the end of the course, completed outside of the course dates.
For More Information
Contact Mary Ellen Joyce, Senior Director, at masters@brookings.edu or 800.925.5730.
Strategies for Leadership Development in Austere Times
Mary Ellen Joyce, Senior Director
November 15, 2011
In an era of austerity when resources for training and development are increasingly scarce, Brookings Executive Education has launched a Masters of Science in Leadership program (MSL) that we believe has significant value for current and future federal executives. Training and education dollars can be dedicated for learning that will have an immediate impact; and the class assessments provide the participant and his or her organization with demonstrable results on the investment. Most important, the curriculum is designed to instruct to the Office of Personnel Management's competencies and executive core qualifications, not just reference them. Class instruction focuses on the behaviors deemed necessary for executive success.
We are delighted with the success of the first year of the program. We’re hearing from students that the content – and its applicability – is ideally suited for government managers and executives. The degree is granted by Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL) Olin Business School and delivered via Brookings Executive Education. WUSTL is ranked 11th in the nation and Olin’s executive programs have been ranked #1 worldwide. The curriculum is based on the OPM’s Executive Core Qualifications and all competencies are covered in the series of 22 executive education courses (most are 2-days in length) conducted at Brookings. A two-week capstone in St. Louis completes the requirements.
We have a wide range of students in the MSL. Many already have advanced degrees; several are members of the Senior Executive Service; and all come from a wide range of agencies. At the request of current and interested students we are grouping our courses together so that people who live and work outside of DC can participate in the program. There is no time limit within which to complete the courses - you attend as time and resources allow. And, because there are no set semesters we accept candidates throughout the year. Veterans benefits can be applied toward the MSL and we can advise interested candidates about their options. Several of our current students are taking advantage of the Post 9-11 GI Bill and WUSTL’s support of the Yellow Ribbon Program.