University of Mount Olive Offers New Degree in Leadership
University of Mount Olive Offers New Degree in Leadership
MOUNT OLIVE – While there may be some truth in the old adage, “Great leaders are born, not made,” learning to be a more effective leader is within everyone’s grasp. This is the principle behind the new leadership degree at the University of Mount Olive.
Designed and developed for busy adults, this leadership degree program provides students with the ability to determine the appropriate situations to effectively apply leadership models in a value-added manner. The major courses within the multidisciplinary degree will include courses from both the School of Arts and Sciences and the Tillman School of Business. Courses will include such topics as public speaking, critical thinking, sociology, leadership through innovation, creating effective teamwork, etc. The degree program will culminate in a capstone project, which will provide students with the opportunity to engage in action research and observations while embedded in a real life business setting. The goal of this project is to allow students to further understand contemporary leadership practices by being actively engaged in a robust business setting that allows them to participate under the tutelage of an experienced faculty member.
Dr. Ron Pressley, dean of the Tillman School of Business, said, “In today’s complex society, businesses, government, law enforcement agencies, nonprofit groups, and other organizations need more than just managers—they need real leaders who can mentor and motivate fellow team members in a very results-oriented world. This program prepares students to think critically and react to any situation.”
According to Dr. David Hines, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, one of the major advantages of the leadership degree is the opportunity for students to bring in transfer credits. “Often adult learners have taken a range of college classes, but these may not fit into a specific degree plan,” Hines said. “With this program, we intentionally built 34 elective hours into the degree so that we can help transfer students find a clear path to graduation.”
The leadership degree will be offered in a hybrid format with seated and online classes. The core courses will be taught by instructors, who have professional career experience in the fields they teach, offering valuable industry insights that will prepare students with effective critical and creative thinking, strategic and tactical decision making, and global awareness.
The University is actively recruiting students for the leadership degree, with classes beginning in January 2015. For more information, contact the Office of Admissions at 1-844-UMO-GOAL or email admissions@umo.edu.
The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University, sponsored by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists, has locations in Mount Olive, New Bern, Wilmington, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Research Triangle Park, Washington, Jacksonville, and in Smithfield at Johnston Community College. For more information, visit old.umo.edu.