Resource guide for the MSLC program

What is the focus of the MSLC program? 

Our Master of Science in Leadership and Change program is designed for people who want to further develop their leadership to more effectively manage and lead through change.

I work full-time. How can I fit the MSLC into my schedule?

The MSLC program is designed for working adults. The classes for this program are offered in an accelerated seven-week format with one class at a time. Each three credit hour class meets one night per week. You complete one course in seven weeks and then start your next course the following week.

What kinds of jobs do MSLC graduate pursue? 

Graduates of the MSLC program are equipped to pursue leadership roles in any industry, including becoming a program officer for a charitable foundation, a human resources director for a university, a director of strategic planning for a financial institution, a chief of staff for a legislator, a change management consultant for a global enterprise, or a business manager for a tech startup.

Can I complete my degree online?

No; the discussions that happen in the classroom are an important part of your MSLC experience here at St. Edward’s University.

How long will it take me to complete the program?

This program is 30 credit hours (10 courses) and can be completed in 16 months.

Do I choose my classes or are they already selected for me?

You’ll start the program with a group of students and progress through the majority of the degree plan with that same group of students. The courses are taken in a prescribed order; however students have the opportunity to choose two electives as part of their degree.

Where are you located?

This program is offered at our main campus, located on South Congress Avenue in Austin.

I’m not sure if the MSLC program is right for me. How can I learn more?

We highly recommend that all prospective applicants speak with an Admission Counselor. Schedule a phone appointment with the Admission Counselor by calling 512-448-8500.

Where should I mail transcripts and recommendation letters? 

Application materials can be mailed to:

St. Edward’s University

Attn: Office of Admission

3001 South Congress Avenue

Austin, Texas 78704

Can my references email you their recommendation letter? 

Yes; the recommendation form and accompanying letter can be emailed as a scanned PDF to your admission counselor, Ross Nelson.

How much is tuition?

Graduate tuition for the 2015-2016 academic year is $1,321 per credit. The MSLC program is a 30 credit hour program. The graduate tuition is inclusive, as we do not charge additional fees for advising, career and professional development, the library, the recreation center, etc. However, there is a separate technology fee ($50 per term) and a $250 annual parking charge.   

Are there scholarships, fellowships or other types of aid available to help me pay for my degree?

We do not offer institutional scholarships or fellowships to incoming graduate students. However, after completing six credit hours with our program, graduate students are eligible to apply for a Presidential Fellowship if they have at least a 3.5 GPA. This fellowship is equivalent to the cost of one credit hour.

U.S. citizens and permanent residents can apply for federal financial aid in the form of student loans to help pay their tuition and fees. Students will be assigned a designated financial aid advisor upon admission to help answer questions about financing their education.

We also recommend that you research outside scholarship opportunities, such as the ones listed on our Student Financial Services page.

What is the St. Edward’s school code for the FAFSA form? 

003621

When is the application deadline? 

The MSLC program offers three semesters of entry each year. View the deadlines.

Is the GRE/GMAT required for admission? 

To apply for unconditional admission, either the GRE or GMAT is required. However, there are two scenarios in which we waive the GRE/GMAT requirement:

  1. If you have previously completed a graduate degree (or a minimum of 12 graduate-level semester hours) with a minimum GPA of a 3.0 and no individual grade below a B, the GRE/GMAT requirement is waived; OR
  2. If you have more than three years of consecutive, full time (40+ hours a week) work experience and a minimum 2.75 GPA in your last 60 undergraduate credit hours, you may apply for conditional admission without a GRE/GMAT score.

Is professional work experience required? 

Professional experience is desired, but not required.

Are recommendation letters required?

Recommendation letters are optional, but strongly recommended. Recommendations can come from a professor, supervisor or colleague. You should choose a recommender who can speak to either your professional or academic ability to complete a rigorous graduate program. 

Is there a required recommendation form? 

We do offer a recommendation form that you can give to your recommenders, which offers more structure. The recommendation form is posted on our website under “Additional Resources”.

How many recommendation letters should I send? 

We prefer between one and three recommendation letters.

I am an international student. Can I apply to the MSLC program?

Yes, we welcome a diverse student population and have a number of international students in our MSLC program. (Please note, as a part-time program, enrollment solely in the MSLC program will not meet F-1 visa requirements; contact your admission counselor for options.) In addition to the standard MSLC admission requirements, international students must submit:

-An official TOEFL or IELTS score dated within two years. We require a minimum score of 79 on the computer based TOEFL and 6.0 on the IELTS.

-An official course-by-course Foreign Credential Evaluation (FCE) dated within one year.

How will I know if my application is complete? 

Once you submit your application, you will receive an email within 48–72 hours that contains directions to "claim your account" and obtain access to the online status checker. The status checker will allow you to see when we receive documents, which items are missing, and when your file goes to the Admission Committee for review.

How long will it take for the admission committee to review my application? 

Once all required application materials have arrived, your application will go to the committee for review. The review process generally takes 3–4 weeks. You may be contacted by email if the committee has additional questions or a request for more information, in which case your file would be placed on “hold” status. Once the requested information is received, your application will return to committee review and will be reviewed within 2 weeks. It is best to apply early to ensure that the committee has plenty of time to review your application.

I’ve been admitted! What is my next step? 

Congratulations! Students who have been admitted will receive a Statement of Intent (SOI) form with their acceptance letter. To secure your place in the class, you will need to return the SOI form along with an enrollment deposit of $150. The $150 deposit will be credited to your student account and can go toward the payment of tuition or parking, etc. Once we receive the SOI and your deposit, your academic advisor will contact you to set up an advising appointment, go over your degree plan and clear you for registration.

My application was denied. Can I reapply? 

In order to re-apply to the MSLC program, the committee asks that you submit new information for them to review along with your second application. New information could take the form of a new GRE score, new/additional recommendation letters, and additional work experience; re-applicants should also include a new or updated essay. If denied, you may contact your admission counselor to ask for feedback from the committee.