Graduate Academics

Guiding Principles

The concept of "transformational leadership" has become an increasingly popular topic of conversation in recent years, especially in the business world. In reality, however, transformational leadership is a theme grounded in the ancient wisdom of sacred Scripture (Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18), and cannot be accurately understood or faithfully practiced apart from its biblical context. With this in mind, the Master of Arts in Transformational Leadership, with a concentration in Spiritual Formation (MATL-SF), is built around the following core convictions...

• Leaders must be transformed in order to be transforming. Organizations grow and change as their leaders grow and change. We must become the change we want to see in the world. (Philippians 2:5-11)

• Leaders must give equal time to both vertical and horizontal transformation. The Great Commandment is the non-negotiable mark of maturity for disciples of Jesus Christ. (Mark 12:28-31)

• Being precedes and supersedes doing. The depth of our character determines our capacity for competence. (Psalm 78:70-72)

• Effective leadership requires strenuous, faithful followership. Jesus rarely called his disciples to lead, but he constantly called them to follow. When we follow well, others will follow our lead. (1 Corinthians 11:1)

Objectives

Students who complete the MATL-SF will be able to...

• Practice spiritual disciplines that enable them to sustain intimacy with God
• Gain a better understanding and acceptance of their own identity in Christ
• Engage in the study and application of biblical, historical and theological truth
• Recognize the impact of culture upon themselves and the people they serve
• Develop a greater appreciation for the value of Christian community
• Articulate the mission of God in the world and their place in it
• Apply new knowledge to real life situations with wisdom, skill and grace
• Prepare for Christ-centered leadership in the public square as well as the local church

Distinctives

With its intentional integration of Christian theology, Christian spirituality and Christian community, core values that are embedded in the very fabric of Barclay College, the MATL-SF would appear to be somewhat unique within the academic arena, including the realm of Christian higher education. The fact that it is being offered by a Friends-related college, with courses taught by a predominantly Friends-related faculty, also adds to its distinctive character and, presumably, its unique value and appeal.

The MATL-SF is designed to maximize the learning experience for adult students. With its unique blend of online community, on-site coaching and ongoing companionship, the MATL-SF seeks to integrate the best of all possible learning environments - the convenience of flexible, distance education mixed with intensive, face-to-face interaction and personal, practical support.

• Online Community: The bulk of the MATL-SF coursework will be completed at a distance, utilizing a web-enhanced cohort model of learning. Individual study will be supported through participation in weekly, synchronous, online discussion forums with a small group of peers. Many of these fellow students will become dear friends and partners by the end of the program.

• On-site Coaching: Distance learning will be supplemented by week-long, intensive, "face2face" class sessions held each semester at Quaker Ridge Camp & Conference Center in Woodland Park, Colorado. Led by a gifted team of scholar-practitioners, students will have a unique opportunity to engage in strenuous, life-changing conversations in the midst of a supportive Christian community.

• Ongoing Companionship: Realizing that learning must be contextual in order to be sustainable, each student will meet regularly with a ministry mentor in their home environment in order to receive supervision, support and spiritual direction throughout the program. This "apprenticeship" will help to ensure that theory remains grounded in practice, and that leaders care adequately for themselves even while they are striving to care for those they serve.

face2face@Quaker Ridge

The on-site, residential portion of the MATL-SF will be held at Quaker Ridge Camp & Conference Center in Woodland Park, Colorado. Nestled among the aspen and Ponderosa pine in the high country adjacent to Pike’s Peak, Quaker Ridge offers an ideal environment for the cultivation of physical, spiritual, intellectual and vocational transformation. Led by gifted team of scholar-practitioners, students will have a unique opportunity to engage in strenuous, life-changing conversations in the midst of a supportive Christian community.

In keeping with this retreat setting, each face-to-face experience will be guided by a “monastic rhythm” which incorporates fixed hours of prayer, community meals and opportunities for spiritual direction into the daily schedule. As a general rule, class sessions will be held every day from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., with a lunch break at noon and several shorter breaks throughout the day. Evenings will be free for rest and recreation. These eight-day intensives will begin on a Tuesday and continue through the following Tuesday, with Sunday set aside for Sabbath rest.

The days immediately before and after “face2face” will be travel days, for most students. Colorado Springs (COS) is the closest airport to Quaker Ridge for those who are flying (45 minutes), but Denver (DEN) is a viable alternative as well (2 hours). Shuttle service will be available upon request. Dinner will be served on arrival days (Monday evenings before each intensive), and breakfast will be served on departure days (Wednesday mornings after each intensive). Students are encouraged to coordinate travel plans whenever possible in order to reduce costs.

For additional information, contact Dr. David Williams, MATL-SF Director at david.williams@barclaycollege.edu or call 800-862-0226.

Graduate School Catalog (2011-2013)

 

Guiding Principles

There is an increasing demand for leaders today with exceptional leadership, vision casting, cultural awareness, spiritual and emotional intelligence, and effective communication and listening skills. The MATL-PS will focus on the human component of leadership by integrating solid leadership credentials and character development with a firm biblical foundation. The Master of Arts in Transformational Leadership with a concentration in Professional Studies (MATL-PS) is a 36 credit hour online graduate degree that is academically designed to develop effective twenty-first century professional leaders for the glory of God. Classes will begin the fall of 2012. The MATL-PS is built on the following core components...

• Transforming leadership is transcendent. Transformational leaders of faith are called into a variety of fields and professions.  It is in the crucible of culture that we fulfill our missional purpose and calling. (Mark 16:15)

• Transformational leadership is Christ-like. Recent leadership literature has noted the characteristic of humility as a key component of the transformational leader.  No leader in history demonstrates this more than Jesus.  (Mark 9:35)

• Transformational leaders model commitment to the organization. Valuing of colleagues is a pivotal mark of the transformational leader.  (Luke 10:27)

• Transformational leaders transform. Transformational leadership is a relationship by which leaders and followers raise one another to higher levels of morality and motivation.  (I Thessalonians 5:11)

Objectives

Students who complete the MATL-PS will be able to...

• Practice intentional character development
• Understand and demonstrate team building skills and designs
• Engage in an academically rigorous study of the leadership research and literature
• Recognize the impact transformational leadership principles upon culture and the people they serve
• Develop a greater appreciation for the value of Christian community
• Articulate a biblical perspective of current leadership models
• Contrast and compare contemporary leadership practice and theory
• Demonstrate Christ-centered leadership in the public square as well as the local church

Distinctives

In the 1970’s James McGregor Burns hypothesized that leadership is the key to organizational renewal and global transformation and developed an effective leadership model for the twenty-first century. The transformational model motivates followers beyond expectations and exhibits characteristics of charisma, inspiration, intellectual stimulation, individual consideration for followers, and motivation (Bass 1985). In developing his transformational leadership model, Burns (1978) referenced Jesus Christ and “His miraculous transforming leadership” (p. 243), as well as Moses, Martin Luther and other key leaders of faith who helped shape history.

With its intentional integration of the rich history of Quaker leaders who have transformed culture, Barclay College has positioned the MATL-PS as a rich blend of theory, history, faith, and personal development.  The Christian scholar community is the very fabric of Barclay College and the MATL-PS presents this unique blend as a crucible for both personal learning and growth.  The program is distinctive in the world of Christian higher education and is uniquely different from programs being offered by a Friends-related college, with courses taught by a predominantly Friends (Quaker) faculty.  All of these elements contribute to create a distinctively professional program with uncommon value and appeal.

The MATL-PS is designed to meet the exceptional needs of nontraditional adult students. Students can access assignments at times that fit with their demanding schedules.  Yet, the asynchronous nature of the program does not compromise the scholarly rigor of graduate educational models.  Students will find a challenging scholar community that values faith and vision.  The MATL-PS is flexible, personal, and practical.  Other characteristics of the program include…

• A balanced concentration of theory, theology, and research designed to create professional leaders of transformation throughout the world.
• Christ centered and biblically based
• Fully accredited
• Affordable: $375 per credit hour. Total cost for the program is under $14,000
• Approved for financial aid
• Multi-vocational in perspective and designed for anyone with a bachelor’s degree who desires to be a transformational leader in the twenty-first century.
• Convenient: Asynchronous online classes
• Concentrated, four semesters, 21 months.
• Non-thesis
• Fully online (no residency required)
• Personal (instructors are available for one-on-one consultation)

Click here to see what a sampling of research reveals about the use and effectiveness of transformational leadership theory.

What are the Benefits of Earning the MA with a Concentration in
Transformational Leadership Theory?

(copied from Biola University)

• 75% were promoted after earning a graduate degree in transformational leadership
• 69% expanded their professional networks
• 65% experienced increased responsibilities at work
• 30% received a pay increase after completing the program

For additional information, contact Dr. Jim Le Shana, MATL-PS Director at jim.leshana@barclaycollege.edu or call 800-862-0226.

Graduate School Catalog (2011-2013)