Applications are being accepted now for the Master of Leadership Development program at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC). The program is open to women and men, and the accelerated format allows students to complete the program in one year while continuing to work full time.

Derek Dabrowiak of Hobart, Ind., is a 2008 graduate of the Master of Leadership (MLD) program. Dabrowiak said the accelerated format and flexibility allowed him to take advantage of an advancement opportunity with his current employer.

“Being able to complete the MLD program in just one year allowed me to be eligible for a site management position at my current company,” Dabrowiak said. “The hybrid design also enabled me to juggle the demands of this new position with the requirements for class.”

The MLD program, which was launched in February 2007, is designed for professionals in all types of organizations and businesses including for-profit, not-for-profit, civic, religious, and government. Students can complete their coursework in one year by taking two courses every eight weeks, one from the Integrative Core and one from the Focus Area. The core courses focus on subjects such as culture, creativity and leadership, leadership identity, ethical decision-making and critical analysis of research; focus areas are offered in organizational leadership and not-for-profit leadership.

D. J. Wasmer, Ph.D., director of the MLD program, says the program is designed to develop leaders with critical thinking and problem-solving skills who can effectively and ethically lead an organization in the global environment today and in the future.

“When we did our labor market research, employers indicated a need for self-aware leaders who have a knowledge base of critical business or management functions and an understanding of the human and cultural dimensions of organizations,” Wasmer said. “Businesses today are looking for leaders who have strong analytical and communications skills and dispositions required for working collaboratively. The MLD program at SMWC is designed to develop those types of leaders.”

In addition to offering students quality graduate education in a convenient distance format, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is committed to making higher education affordable. To assist students who wish to pursue graduate studies, SMWC is awarding 12 need-based scholarships to students who are admitted to the College's graduate programs. Each year, SMWC awards six $6,000 scholarships and six $3,000 scholarships to graduate students who demonstrate financial need as assessed by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) results.

To qualify for the need-based awards, students must be admitted to one of the College's graduate programs, they must complete the FAFSA, and their FAFSA results must be sent to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. The Graduate Student Need-Based Scholarships will be awarded to those students who have the greatest financial need, and each scholarship recipient will be notified 30 days before the start of his/her graduate program.

SMWC has also partnered with several businesses to provide their employees with a 10 percent tuition discount when they enroll in either the Woods External Degree (WED) program or one of SMWC's graduate programs.

Applications for the Master of Leadership Development program at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College are being accepted until Nov. 1. Classes will begin the first weekend of February. To obtain an application, or to receive more information, call 1-800-499-0373 or 812-535-5242, or e-mail leadership@smwc.edu. More information can also be found online at www.smwc.edu.

In addition to the Master of Leadership Development program, SMWC offers graduate degrees in art therapy, earth literacy, education, music therapy and pastoral theology, and all programs allow students to get a quality education in a flexible format. To learn more about the graduate programs at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, or to receive more information about scholarships, financial aid or the Corporate Connection program, call 1-800-499-0373 or e-mail gradadms@smwc.edu. Additional information can be found online at www.smwc.edu.

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.