University of Texas at El Paso Academic Catalog

Academic Catalog

M.A. in Leadership Studies

The Master in Leadership Studies (MLS) is a program preparing its graduates for positions of responsibility in education, military, private industry, government and the not-for-profit sectors dedicated to the improvement of both the substance and processes of leadership in a variety of roles. The Master in Leadership Studies degree provides professional education for students interested in leadership careers. The interdisciplinary program is designed to emphasize the knowledge, skills, values, and behaviors essential to the successful organizational leader. Some flexibility in curriculum is permitted to meet the diverse educational needs of students at different points of time in their careers and in need of specialization in light of their career goals. The curriculum components are designed to produce professionals capable of intelligent and creative analysis, communication, and action in leadership functions.

Admission Requirements 

  1. Submission of transcripts according to the requirements of the Graduate School.
  2. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
  3. Demonstration of academic achievement and potential as indicated by the results of the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and upper-level undergraduate and graduate coursework.
  4. A one- to two-page statement of purpose that addresses educational and career goals and reasons for pursuing an MLS degree.
  5. Three letters of recommendation from instructors, job supervisors, or others in a position to evaluate the student’s ability to succeed in a MLS program.
  6. A current resumé reflecting career and volunteer experience.
  7. For international students, a score of 600 on the TOEFL and an in-person or telephone interview.

Degree Plan

M.A. in Leadership Studies 

Required Credits: 33

Leadership Studies Core (All courses require a grade of C or better)
Required Courses:
MLS 5300Contemp Concepts of Leadership3
MLS 5303Applied Research Methods3
MLS 5315Org Theory and Behavior3
MLS 5321Leadership in Complex Org.3
MLS 5326Leadership-Organizatnl Change3
MLS 5331Leadership Communications3
MLS 5340Team Based Leadership3
MLS 5351Ethics & Leadership-Capstone3
Total Hours24

Concentrations

Communication

Communications (MLS) (All courses require a grade of C or better)
Select three courses from the following:9
Seminar-Contemporary Rhetoric
Sem./Organizational Comm.
Seminar - Communication Theory
Environmental Communication
Comm & Positive Deviance
Comm & Healthy Communities
Total Hours9

Community Engagement

Community Engagement
Select three courses from the following:9
Internship
Border Leadership
Lead. in Diverse Cultures
Lead. Sports, & Comm. Engage
Special Topics
Total Hours9

Public Administration

Public Administration Concentration (All courses require a grade of C or better)
Electives:
Select three courses from the following:9
Pub. Policy Process & Institut
Econ Anal for Public Admin
Pro-Seminar-Homeland Security
Legal Issues-Homeland Security
Risk Analysis
Crime and Border Security
Emergency Management
Public Hlth & Hmland Security
Critical Infrastructure Protec
Public Budgeting & Financ Mgmt
Admin Law and Regulation
Comparative Pub Administration
Soc Entrepren & Not/Prof Mgmt
Admin. Ethics & Responsibility
Regional and Urban Planning
Urban Administration
Political Economy of Borders
Intergovernmental Relations
Pub Part & Democratic Process
Pol Anal & Decision Making
Internship in Public Admin
Total Hours9

Intel & National Security Studies

Intel Natl Security Studies (All courses require a grade of C or better)
Electives:
Select three courses from the following:9
Histl Devlpmt of Intel Commty
INSS 5302
Legal Issues/Intel & Nat Sec
Intel & Natl Sec Pol & Proc
Intro to Intelligence Analysis
Contemporary Security Studies
Open Source Intel Analysis
Propaganda and Influence Ops
Intel & Counterterrorism
Intel & Counterproliferation
Counterintel & Security
Political Economy of Terrorism
Transnational Criminal Orgs
Professional Skills
Selected Problems in Intel
Total Hours9

Leadership Studies

The University of Texas at El Paso
Leadership and Community Engagement
Kelly Hall Room 215
500 W University
El Paso, Texas 79968

Andrea Tellez, MA
Program Advisor
Email: atellez5@utep.edu
Phone: 915-747-8580
Fax: 915-747-8504