NLA-APproved Programs
The National Leaderology Association maintains a list of leadership degree programs that meet its minimum expectations for disciplinary clarity, curricular rigor, and alignment with leadership science. This page is designed to help prospective students and institutions identify programs that treat leadership as a distinct discipline, not as a rebranded form of management.
Purpose of NLA-Approved Programs
The purpose of the NLA-Approved designation is to provide students, professionals, and institutions with a reference point for programs that take leadership education seriously. The leadership degree landscape is crowded, and many programs marketed as “leadership” are, in practice, traditional management or general business curricula with limited focus on leadership theory, research, or leader development. NLA-Approved programs have passed an association review indicating that leadership is central to their curriculum rather than incidental.
Approval Criteria
Programs considered for NLA-Approved status are evaluated against NLA expectations for leadership education. These expectations include clear differentiation between leadership and management, a substantial proportion of coursework in leadership theory and practice, evidence of engagement with current leadership research, and the presence of faculty with formal preparation in leadership or closely related disciplines. While programs may include management, business, or administrative content, the core emphasis must remain on leadership as a primary focus of study.
Important Disclaimer
The NLA-Approved list is informational, not regulatory. Inclusion reflects the association’s professional judgment based on available information at the time of review. It does not constitute a guarantee of outcomes, employment, or individual experience. Prospective students are strongly encouraged to review curricula, speak with program advisors, examine course lists, and compare offerings against NLA education standards and their own goals before enrolling.
Guidance for Prospective Students
Students should treat NLA-Approved programs as a starting point, not an endpoint. A program’s presence on this list indicates alignment with leadership education principles, but it remains the student’s responsibility to confirm that the program fits their career plans, learning preferences, and financial situation. Particular attention should be paid to how much of the curriculum is dedicated to leadership, how clearly leadership is distinguished from management, and whether the program engages with leadership as a scientific and interdisciplinary field.
Invitation to Academic Institutions
Institutions that offer leadership degree programs and wish to be considered for NLA-Approved status are invited to contact the association. The NLA reviews programs for alignment with its standards, including curriculum design, leadership content, faculty qualifications, accreditation status, and overall coherence as a leadership program. Programs that meet the criteria may be listed as NLA-Approved, signaling to prospective students that the institution is committed to serious leadership education.
Support for Program Development
The National Leaderology Association also offers guidance to institutions seeking to build or refine leadership degrees. Support may include input on curriculum design, alignment with leadership science, integration of behavior and cognition, and differentiation from management programs. Institutions that wish to strengthen their leadership offering may engage with the NLA to ensure their programs reflect current disciplinary standards.
Review and Inclusion
Inclusion on the NLA-Approved list depends on the association’s review and ongoing adherence to NLA criteria. Programs may be re-evaluated periodically to ensure continued alignment. As the discipline evolves, the NLA will continue to refine its expectations and update the approved list accordingly, with the goal of advancing leadership education and protecting students from misrepresented or poorly structured programs.
The NLA's Top 5 Approved Leadership Programs - Doctoral
University of Charleston - Doctor of Executive Leadership (DEL)
The DEL degree at the University of Charleston is designed for individuals who already have leadership experience and are seeking further preparation for high-level executive roles. The curriculum features courses with a heavy focus on leadership theory, philosophy, and research application.
Louisiana State University - Doctorate in Leadership Studies (EdD)
The EdD in Leadership Studies at Louisiana State University features the opportunity to learn within one of three concentrations: Leadership Studies, Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Management, or Health Communication & Leadership. All concentration areas come along with a required core course lists that features multiple classes in leadership theory, practice, and change.
Gonzaga University - Doctorate in Leadership Studies (Ph.D.)
The PhD in Leadership Studies at Gonzaga University begins with a group of foundational courses focusing on leadership and organizational theory. From there, students are exposed to a wide variety of course options that allows individuals to tailor their learning to their own leadership interests while remaining true to the study of leadership as a science.
Indiana Wesleyan University - Doctorate of Organizational Leadership (Ph.D.)
The PhD in Leadership Studies at Indiana Wesleyan University focuses on the development of students’ leadership philosophies to build their capacity as effective leaders in a variety of disciplines. This course work, while research based, is designed to challenge the personal growth of students.
Liberty University - Doctorate of Strategic Leadership (DSL)
The DSL degree at Liberty University is tailored specifically for those individuals interested in leadership skills in the business world. Coursework in leadership theory and organizational change is designed for practical business management.
The NLA's Top 5 Approved Leadership Programs - Master's
Southwestern College - Master’s of Science in Leadership
The MSL at Southwestern College focuses on the practical application of research-based leadership styles and practices. The program claims a specific focus on developing leaders in military, government, health care, and education.
Austin Peay State Univ - Master's of Science in Leadership
The MSL at Austin Peay provides concentrations in Strategic Leadership, Community Leadership, and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. The program description highlights a focus on the growth of personal leadership skills.
University of Wisconsin–Madison - Master's of Science in Sports Leadership
Unlike many other Masters programs that focus on the management aspects of athletic administration, the University of Wisconsin offers coursework with a focus on leadership, particularly among coaches.
Johns Hopkins University - Master's of Science in Organizational Leadership
The Johns Hopkins program focuses their core coursework on the behavior of leaders as change agents and crisis managers. The additional elective courses allow students to choose a focus between heath care leadership, business or project management, or general leadership development.
University of Colorado Boulder - Master's of Science in Organizational Leadership
The University of Colorado’s MSOL program seeks to differentiate itself from the traditional MBA by focusing on leadership skills instead of management skills. The program allows for students to focus on one of four areas: strategic leadership, human resources, leading innovation, or organizational communication.
The NLA's Top 5 Approved Leadership Programs - Bachelor's
Penn State - B.S. in Organizational Leadership
Coursework in this BSOL focuses on organizational theories as well as leadership skills such as decision-making, critical thinking, and conflict management.
Austin Peay State Univ - B.S. in Leadership Science
The BS in Leadership Science at Austin Peay specifically targets student learning in the area of leading operations and leading people. The long list of leadership courses includes classes in the use of power, innovation, and studying the science of leadership.
Arizona State - B.A. in Organizational Leadership
Rather than focusing on business and management, the BA program at Arizona State is designed to provide students education and strategies to enhance strategic planning and employee motivation in an organization.
The University of Texas at San Antonio - B.A. in Strategic Defense and Leadership
Limited to students enrolled in the school’s ROTC programs, the UTSA bachelor’s degree in Strategic Defense and Leadership is designed to enhance student’s leadership skills for service in public or private sectors.
UMass Global - B.A. in Organizational Leadership
The UMass program includes two emphasis areas to complete the core coursework in their bachelor’s program. Students can select a focus in Organizational Administration or Supply Chain Systems to supplement their core learning in leadership theory and organization behavior.
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