BS in Leadership and Management Studies

Leadership and management studies focus on understanding and developing the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary for effective business management in various organizational settings. The field explores the principles, theories, practices, and strategies related to leading and managing individuals, teams, and entire organizations.

Leadership and management skills are foundational to successfully lead, guide, and manage organizations. Here are the in-demand skills you’ll sharpen in our program:

1. Achieving Organizational Goals: In a business context, the primary goal is to achieve success, growth, and profitability. Leadership and management skills are crucial for setting strategic direction, establishing clear objectives, and effectively coordinating resources to accomplish these goals.
2. Team Motivation and Productivity: Effective leaders and managers inspire and motivate teams to perform at their best. They create a positive work environment, provide guidance, and offer support, which leads to higher employee morale, increased productivity, and better overall performance.
3. Decision-Making: Business leaders and managers are frequently faced with complex decisions that impact the organization's success. Strong decision-making skills, including critical thinking and problem-solving, are essential to navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and make informed choices.
4. Resource Optimization: Business management leaders must allocate resources such as budgets, personnel, and time efficiently. Effective resource management ensures that the organization operates efficiently, minimizes waste, and maximizes profitability.
5. Adaptation to Change: In the dynamic business world, change is constant. Leaders and managers play a pivotal role in guiding organizations through change, whether it's adapting to market shifts, implementing new technologies, or responding to crises. Their ability to lead through change is critical for the organization's resilience and competitiveness.
6. Customer Satisfaction: Satisfied customers are essential for business success. Leadership and management skills are essential in creating a customer-centric culture within an organization, ensuring that products and services meet customer needs and expectations.
7. Innovation and Creativity: Business management leaders who encourage innovation and creativity within their teams can drive business growth and competitiveness. They create an environment where employees feel empowered to suggest new ideas and solutions.
8. Conflict Resolution: Conflicts can arise in any business setting, and leaders and managers need strong conflict resolution skills to address these issues promptly and constructively. Effective conflict resolution maintains a harmonious work environment and minimizes disruptions.
9. Risk Management: Business leaders and managers are responsible for assessing and managing risks, whether related to financial decisions, market changes, or compliance issues. Effective risk management helps protect the organization's assets and reputation.
10. Ethical Conduct: Ethical leadership and responsible business management are critical for maintaining trust and credibility both within and outside the organization. Leaders and managers who prioritize ethical behavior contribute to a positive organizational culture and reputation.
11. Talent Development: Investing in talent development and succession planning is essential for business continuity and growth. Effective leaders and managers identify and nurture the potential of employees, using human resources management expertise to build a strong and skilled workforce.
12. Stakeholder Relationships: Leaders and managers interact with various stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, investors, and regulators. Building and maintaining positive relationships with these stakeholders is crucial for long-term success and sustainability.
13. Competitive Advantage: Businesses with effective leaders and managers are better positioned to adapt to market changes, innovate, and outperform their competitors.

A bachelor's degree in leadership and management studies is similar to a business administration major. While both cover fundamental skills and prepare students for business settings, a business management degree program focuses more on leadership skills specifically and prepares students for upper management and leading organizations. A business administration program doesn't have the same emphasis on leadership and focuses on the basic concepts of a business education. In addition, a degree in leadership and management will introduce students to advanced topics in global business environment, trade, and talent management. Here are the main differences between the two degrees:

1. Focus and Emphasis:

• Leadership and Management Program: This degree program is primarily focused on developing business management and leadership skills. It emphasizes topics related to leadership theory, organizational behavior, team dynamics, conflict resolution, and strategic management theories. It aims to prepare students for leadership roles within organizations and often explores leadership styles and the psychology of leadership.
• Business Administration Program (BBA): While it includes some management and leadership coursework, its primary emphasis is teaching the fundamental concepts of a business education.

2. Career Options:

• Leadership and Management Program: Graduates of this program are often well-prepared for successful careers in leadership roles and management occupations. They may pursue careers as team leaders, supervisors, project managers, human resources managers, or even enter fields like nonprofit management.
• BBA: Business administration graduates will have many career opportunities in finance, marketing, sales, operations, entrepreneurship, and more. They may work in a wide range of industries and have the flexibility to adapt to different business functions.

Core business management competencies include effective communication, problem solving, leadership, teamwork, project management, innovation, and data analysis.

This degree provides a wide range of business management internships in organizations of different sizes and across industries. These include global businesses, law firms, public relations and marketing firms and agencies, non-profits, hospitals, and start-ups.

Yes, this degree will prepare you to continue your studies for an MBA. Business management graduates are able to build upon the strong foundations in finance, accounting, business management, and communications that they received in this leadership and management degree. Whether you study in person or complete your degree as an online student, you'll be prepared to pursue an MBA.

Most full-time students complete the program in 2 years.

The cost of attendance varies depending on the number of credits (units) and whether you are attending part-time or full-time. Please visit the NYU SPS Tuition page for information regarding tuition.

A degree in business management and leadership can open up a broad range of employment opportunities across various industries in the business world. It provides you with the skills to effectively lead teams, conduct expert strategic planning, and manage resources. Here are some of the career opportunities and jobs you can pursue with a management and leadership degree:

1. General Manager or CEO: With strong leadership skills and a deep understanding of management principles, you can aspire to become a general manager or chief executive officer (CEO) of a company or organization in your business career.
2. Team Leader or Supervisor: You can take on jobs as a team leader, supervisor, or department manager in various organizations. These positions involve overseeing the work of a specific team or department.
3. Project Manager: Project managers are responsible for planning, executing, and monitoring projects. A management degree equips you with the skills needed to manage projects effectively.
4. Human Resources Manager: Human resource management professionals are responsible for talent acquisition, training, and managing employees within an organization. A management and leadership degree can be beneficial in this role, as it provides the skills needed to manage and guide a team in doing their jobs effectively.
5. Operations Manager: Operations managers oversee the day-to-day operations of a company or department, ensuring efficiency and productivity. They play a critical role in supply chain management and logistics, developing strategies to optimize processes.
6. Consultant: Management consultants offer their expertise to organizations seeking to improve their operations, organizational performance, strategic planning, or overall performance in national or international markets. A degree in management and leadership can play a crucial role in helping businesses navigate the decision-making process.
7. Entrepreneur or Business Owner: If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, you can start and manage your own business. Your management and leadership skills will be essential in running a successful venture.
8. Nonprofit Management: Many nonprofit organizations require skilled managers and leaders to oversee their operations, fundraising efforts, and program development.
9. Government or Public Sector: You can pursue management and leadership roles within government agencies or public-sector organizations, such as city management, public administration, or policy development.
10. Academia and Education: If you have a passion for teaching and research, you can pursue employment in academia and become a professor or lecturer in management and business programs, doing in-person or online education.
11. Healthcare Administration: Healthcare facilities, such as hospitals and clinics, often require skilled managers to oversee their operations and ensure the delivery of quality patient care.
12. Supply Chain Manager: This role involves strategic thinking to manage the flow of goods, services, and information from suppliers to consumers.
13. IT Project Manager: Oversee management information systems, data management, planning, execution, and completion of information technology projects, ensuring they align with organizational goals and are delivered on time and within budget. This role may also use business analytics to examine and interpret data.
14. Retail Management: Retail managers are responsible for overseeing store operations, sales teams, customer service, and sometimes even customer relationship management. A management degree can help you excel in this field.
15. Financial Services: In the financial industry, you can combine your leadership skills and financial forecasting to guide an organization's financial decisions. Pursue roles such as financial manager, investment analyst, financial forecasting, financial planner, financial analyst, and financial accounting.
16. Hospitality Management: This field involves managing hotels, restaurants, and other hospitality-related businesses. A management degree can be beneficial in roles like hotel manager or food and beverage manager.
17. Marketing Manager: Marketing managers develop and implement marketing strategies to promote products or services in traditional and digital marketing plans by studying consumer behavior and  selecting strategic channels for a marketing mix.
18. Business Analyst: A business analyst analyzes data to identify trends, patterns, business statistics, and insights relevant to the organization's goals. They use various tools and techniques to extract, clean, and interpret data, providing valuable information for strategic business decisions.

A management and leadership degree provides a versatile foundation, allowing you to adapt to various industries and career paths. The specific job opportunities available to you will depend on your skills, experience, interests, and the industry in which you choose to work after graduation.

The NYU SPS Admissions team carefully weighs each component of your application during the admissions review process to evaluate your ability to benefit from and contribute to the dynamic learning environment and the challenging curriculum that the NYU School of Professional Studies offers.

Application Requirements:

• Free online application form
• Transcripts
• Statement of purpose
• One recommendation (optional)
• Resume

The median annual salary for management roles was $107,360 in May 2022 according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The same labor statistics report showed this average salary was higher than the national average. The median annual wage for all occupations in May 2022 was $46,310.

Yes. Accredited online bachelor's degrees, such as the online program for leadership and management from NYU, an Accredited University Program, are credible and valuable in the professional world. Our online education offerings are high-touch and offer the same quality of education as our on-site programs.