Center for Leadership Formation

Marilyn Gist, PhD, Executive Director

Seattle University’s Center for Leadership Formation offers graduate programs with an intense focus on leadership formation and responsible business impact. These programs are developed for experienced professionals who are seeking to make greater impact in their personal life, at work, and in the larger society. Depending on the program, participants may earn a master’s degree or professional certificate.

The Executive Leadership Program (ELP) is an 8-month, graduate certificate program which carries 20 graduate level credits. ELP enables deep learning about complexities of leadership at the individual, organizational, and societal level. In addition to leadership, students will take courses focusing on team building, strategy, innovation and ethical leadership and engage in a social justice service project. The ELP program serves as the foundation for the following two master’s degree programs.

The Leadership Executive MBA program (LEMBA) and Health Leadership Executive MBA program (HLEMBA) are both 20-month master’s degree programs. Participants complete ELP during the first two quarters. The next three quarters emphasize advanced business education-principles, tools and practices relevant to general business or specific to the health industry. The final quarter challenges participants to explore and elevate their positions of influence, social responsibility and impact in both their professional and personal lives by asking students to integrate their business and leadership education to execute an original and personally significant project that is of substantial strategic benefit to their organization and/or society. LEMBA and HLEMBA participants comprehend and plan for ongoing globalization and ensure future successes by gaining a balanced emphasis on leadership formation and the core business acumen including:

Strategic Skill
Collaborative Influence
A Drive for Excellence
Results Orientation
Agility and Courage
Integrity

ELP, LEMBA and HLEMBA operate on a concentrated schedule in which classes are typically offered every three to four weeks, for three full, consecutive days (e.g., Thursday through Saturday). All programs are taught in a lock-step cohort fashion with all students progressing through the program at the same time and rate. This model helps students to build strong relationships and networks among class members.

Admissions Requirements

The Admissions Committee reviews applicant’s materials and decisions are made based on an applicant’s entire portfolio. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis with priority deadline of January 15. Qualified applicants are accepted on a first-come first-served basis. The following items are required for application to all of the Center’s programs:

Complete Application for Graduate Admission, indicating the program code ELP, EMBA, HEMB, and a $55 nonrefundable application fee (fee waived for Seattle University alumni, including ELP alumni)
Evidence (degree-posted transcript or degree certificate) of a four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution or U.S. equivalent. Exceptions considered on an individual basis by the executive director.
Official transcripts of all post-secondary educational institutions attended in the last 90 quarter/60 semester credits of the bachelor’s degree, including any transfer credits earned during this time, and any post-baccalaureate credits. Exceptions considered on an individual basis by the dean.
Current résumé reflecting at least seven years of progressively responsible professional work experience. Applicant’s experience should represent a mid-to-senior level role.
Two recommendations from supervisors using forms supplied in the application packet
*Official GMAT score report taken within the last five years. Exceptions considered on an individual basis by the program director.
Four- to five-page, double-spaced essay to serve as a writing sample and statement of intent/interest in this academic program. See Application for Graduate Admission for specific essay questions to be addressed.
If English is not the applicant’s native language, official English proficiency scores meeting the University entrance requirements are necessary. See policy 2008-01 in Admissions Policies for exceptions.

Applicants who reach the final screening will be invited to participate in a group interview with the program admissions committee.

*Not required for ELP only candidates