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Application Process
Drake University's Master of Science in Leadership program is specifically crafted for those eager to master leadership across various dimensions, including self-leadership, team dynamics, and organizational influence. This program is ideal for individuals aiming to excel in leading themselves and others, fostering a culture of empowerment, collaboration, and effective change within any organization or team setting. Engage with our curriculum designed to unlock your leadership potential and amplify your impact in any professional landscape.
Maintaining a work-life-study balance is streamlined at Drake University, where our Master of Science in Leadership program is structured for your convenience. Cohorts begin in the fall, with courses running on three non-consecutive weekends during the fall and spring, allowing for immersive, in-depth learning without disrupting your professional commitments. Summer courses are delivered online, providing further flexibility. This format ensures that you can seamlessly integrate your educational journey with your personal and professional life, making it feasible to advance your degree on your terms.
To enroll in Drake University's Master of Science in Leadership, candidates need a bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.5 GPA. If you do not meet the minimum GPA criteria, please contact the Coordinator of Graduate Admissions for further assistance. Our holistic review process considers all your application materials, including your statement of interest, resume, professional background, and recommendations, to make an informed admissions decision.
Application materials required for an admission review include:
Application for Admission
Complete and digitally sign our online Application for Admission.
Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
A current professional résumé or curriculum vitae is required. Please include information regarding current and/or past employment history as well as professional development and internships completed.
Statement of Interest
A statement of interest (double-spaced, approximately two pages) is required. The statement of interest should address the following questions:
- What drives you to pursue an advanced degree in leadership development?
- What particularly intrigues you or interests you about the MSLD program? Visit www.drake.edu/leadership for additional information?
- How does your background, experiences, or personal characteristics (for example, values, traits, or motivations) help you be successful as a graduate student?
- How does the MSLD support your personal and professional goals?
Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendations are required. When selecting your references, choose individuals such as professors and employers who can attest to your potential for success in a graduate program.
You will enter the names and email contacts for your two references into the online application. Your references will be contacted electronically with directions for submitting our letter of recommendation form on your behalf.
Official Transcripts
We require official transcripts from:
- Any institution where you earned (or will earn) a bachelor’s degree.
- Any institution where you earned a post-bachelor’s (graduate) degree.
- Any institution where you earned credit you would like considered toward an endorsement or graduate degree.
Upon application review, you may be required to provide additional transcripts, including those with courses taken while in high school or at a community college.
Those with college credit from non-U.S. institutions are required to submit an official International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP) Course-by-Course Evaluation (preferred) or a Basic Course-by-Course Evaluation from World Education Services (WES). The evaluation must come directly from WES to Drake. If you submit an official ICAP Course-by-Course Evaluation, you do NOT need to submit transcripts from non-U.S. institutions to Drake.
Official transcripts are designated as those coming directly from the university or college of attendance to Drake University.
Official transcripts may be sent via secure electronic transmission from the issuing institution to soegradadmission@drake.edu. This is preferred and will expedite the admission process.
Official transcripts may also be sent via postal mail to:
Graduate Admission Coordinator
School of Education Drake University
Collier-Scripps Hall Room 221
2702 Forest Ave.
Des Moines, Iowa 50311-4505
Transcripts and other supporting materials are not returned to the applicant and become the property of Drake University.
No Testing Requirement
No standardized test is required to complete the MSLD degree.
Writing Sample Requirement
The essay requirement is automatically waived if your overall undergraduate GPA is 3.0 or higher.
A writing sample of 2-3 pages, double spaced, addressing one of the two prompts identified below is required. There are no right or wrong answers. The purpose of this exercise is to demonstrate your ability to express and support your ideas. No specific number of sources is required but please clearly cite any sources used.
Email the essay to the Coordinator of Graduate Admission, soegradadmission@drake.edu.
PROMPT 1:
A common leadership image is that of a visionary and charismatic hero, one who can guide followers to an exciting future. For example, Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner state:
Leaders passionately believe that they can make a difference. They envision the future, creating an ideal and unique image of what the organization can become. Through their magnetism and quiet persuasion, leaders enlist others in their dreams. They breathe life into their visions and get people to see exciting possibilities for the future. Kouzes & Posner, 2017, para. 4.
Do you agree or disagree with this image of a leader? Please justify your answer.
Source: Kouzes, J., & Posner, B. (2017). The five practices of exemplary leadership model. Retrieved from http://www.leadershipchallenge.com/about-section-our-approach.aspx
PROMPT 2:
Pick a quote related to leadership that means something to you. Please explain:
- Why you find that quote particularly appealing or intriguing
- How the quote relates to your own leadership style or the leadership style you admire in others
International Candidates
International applicants follow the standard application process with three additional requirements:
1. Language Proficiency: Applicants whose native language is not English must submit a valid language proficiency test score. The minimum accepted scores are:
- TOEFL iBT: 79
- IELTS: 6.5
- Duolingo English Test: 110
Test scores must be from within the last two years and reported directly by the testing agency. Exemptions are granted to those who hold a U.S. bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, or an equivalent degree from a university in a country where all instruction is in English.
2. Credential Evaluation: Those with college credit from non-U.S. institutions are required to submit an official International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP) Course-by-Course Evaluation (preferred) or a Basic Course-by-Course Evaluation from World Education Services (WES). The evaluation must come directly from WES to Drake. If you submit an official ICAP Course-by-Course Evaluation, you do NOT need to submit transcripts from non-U.S. institutions to Drake.
3. Financial Information: Applicants must submit a financial information form indicating the source and amount of anticipated funding for educational expenses. To ensure visa approval by the U.S. Department of State, a minimum of $25,000 in self or sponsor funding must be demonstrated.
Questions?
Coordinator of Graduate Admission
soegradadmission@drake.edu
515-271-2552
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