Part-time Study
Executive Leader Service Leadership and Innovation
Program Overview
The service sector has been the leading performers in the US economic sector for some time. As such, this program fills an emerging need in service businesses and industries that focus on understanding a variety of customer relationships (B2B, B2C, C2C). Such businesses will find this program in tune with their educational and training investments. Attention is focused on the service sector integration between the customer and the service provider, innovation of products and services, and building customer relationships and service metrics. This program provides individual students access to interdisciplinary expertise of a technological university.
The degree emphasizes service sector strategies, service innovation, human capital development, leadership, customer relationship management, and the development of service metrics for the 21st century. It is designed to enhance the continued lifelong learning and career development of executives and midlevel service organization professionals without disruption of employment. Graduate credit is granted for life and management experiences.
Candidates interested in the online learning track of the MS Service Leadership and Innovation Executive leader program take two online courses per quarter beginning in the fall, and finish their degree the following summer quarter. This accelerated schedule allows the working professional to complete his/her degree in one calendar year and grants up to twelve course credits for related work experience. Students joining the program in the fall quarter will work together throughout the whole four-quarter program. During the year of study, students will complete a business-oriented project targeted at their work environment.
Curriculum Review
The program is available through part-time online study, and is best suited for fall term entry. The course calendar is as follows:
Fall
0625 750 Elements of Service Management
0624 825 Strategy Process of Service Firms
Winter
0625 842 Customer Relationship Management
0681 710 Project Management
Spring
0624 770 Service Leadership: Examining & Implementing Change
0625 849 Service Performance Metrics
Summer
0625 844 Breakthrough Thinking
0626 735 Human Capital Strategies
The service leadership and innovation program includes a minimum of 48-quarter credit hours of graduate credit, up to twelve of which may be granted for life experience in the executive leader format.
Students who already are qualified for one or more required courses may substitute other course work with the permission of the program chair. Students whose prior undergraduate work has not been in the service industries field may be required to complete additional courses and/or a cooperative educational experience. Applicants without requisite background may be considered for the traditional campus program but are not admissible to the online learning executive leader track of the program. A thesis or final project also is required for all students.
Admission Requirements
To qualify for admission to the executive leader program track, candidates should possess three to five years of experience beyond the baccalaureate degree in the service sector. Certification through various professional associations is accepted as documentation of professional commitment. Endorsements from senior management and administrators are preferred. An Executive Leader Portfolio Assessment determines graduate credit granted for life and professional experiences.
The complete list of admission requirements includes:
• Graduate application
• Baccalaureate degree or equivalent from an accredited institution
• Official transcripts
• Two professional recommendations
• An on-campus interview (when possible)
• A resume
• Undergraduate CP of 3.0 or higher (a GPA of 2.75 will be considered, given superior recommendations, GRE or MAT scores and length of time since the candidate’s college graduation)
• Foundation course work with grades of 3.0 or higher (if required)
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of at least 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), 89 (Internet-based) and 6.0 to 6.5 (ITEL) for international students is required. All international students will take the Michigan Test at entry unless approved otherwise. International students should arrive on campus early enough to guarantee they have sufficient time to take the English test before starting their normal graduate course work.