Leadership and Talent Development Master of Science
The Master of Science in Leadership and Talent Development at Southern Miss is a 30-credit hour, fully online program designed for working professionals who want to lead people-centered change, strengthen workforce capability, and improve organizational performance.
Students gain practical tools in organizational needs assessment, learning and development, workforce strategy, leadership, change, evaluation, and performance improvement. Through consulting-focused projects and applied learning experiences, students learn to translate leadership and development theories into real-world solutions across industries and sectors.
The Leadership and Talent Development 果冻传媒麻豆社 program prepares practitioners to lead organizational growth and transformation. Through applied learning and consulting-focused experiences, students develop the ability to design workforce initiatives, implement evidence-based solutions, and integrate ethics and global perspectives into leadership practice.
To be a nationally recognized graduate program that develops innovative leaders and consultants who drive organizational excellence, foster inclusive workplaces, and shape the future of work through research-informed practice and global engagement.
- Apply leadership and organizational theories to advance organizational performance.
- Design and implement workforce and talent development initiatives.
- Lead organizational change using systems thinking and inclusive practices.
- Use consulting skills to assess needs and deliver evidence-based recommendations.
- Integrate ethics and global perspectives into organizational decisions.
Flexible Format
Choose a graduate program designed to fit your professional and personal responsibilities.
- Fully online: Complete coursework from wherever you are.
- Designed for working professionals: Balance graduate study with career and family commitments.
- Flexible pacing: Work with an advisor to plan a course sequence that supports your goals while maintaining continuous enrollment.
- Affordable: Southern Miss waives out-of-state tuition for fully online programs.
Program Structure
- Total hours: 30 credit hours
- Professional core: 6 courses
- Electives: 4 courses
- Culminating requirement: Mastery project and comprehensive examination
Admissions
- Start Terms: Fall, Spring, and Summer
- Applicants should have a minimum GPA of 2.75 on the last 60 hours of undergraduate study.
- Applicants must submit a resume or CV, three letters of recommendation, and a Statement of Qualification.
Built on Excellence
Earn your degree from a university recognized for research excellence and a college committed to preparing leaders for today鈥檚 workforce needs. The University of Southern Mississippi holds a Carnegie R1 designation, reflecting its status as a top-tier research institution.
The School of Leadership, housed in the College of Business and Economic Development, prepares students to lead, develop talent, support workforce growth, and improve organizational performance through programs grounded in applied learning, evidence-based practice, and human-centered leadership.
Program Details
Core Course Overview
Foundations of Leadership and Talent Development
Design and Development for Performance Improvement
Emerging Technologies for Talent Development
Evaluation and Analysis
Research Foundations in Leadership
Mastery Project
Expert Faculty & Staff
Who Are There to Help
Our faculty and staff bring expertise in leadership, workforce development, talent development, learning, organizational change, performance improvement, and applied research. Students learn from professionals who are committed to helping them connect theory, research, and practice in ways that support meaningful workplace impact.
Dr. Amin Alizadeh
Assistant Professor
Area of Expertise: Business Ethics, Corporate Social Responsibility, Employee Well Being
Dr. Vishal Arghode
Associate Professor
Dr. Jon Beedle
Associate Professor
Area of Expertise: Instructional Technology and Design
Dr. Jacob Breland
Associate Professor and Interim Program Coordinator
Area of Expertise: Human Resources, Organizational Behavior, Talent Management, Workplace Civility, Bullying,
Sexual Harassment, Performance, Turnover
Dr. Quincy Brown
Associate Professor
Area of Expertise: Human Resource Development Research, Instructional Technology
Dr. Emma Draper
Graduate Programs Success Coordinator
Dr. Casey Maugh Funderburk
Associate Professor
Area of Expertise: Workplace/Organizational Communication, Persuasion, Leadership, Gender, Coaching,
and Mentoring
Dr. Shinhee Park
Assistant Professor
Dr. Shuyan Wang
Professor
Area of Expertise: Technology in Curriculum Development, Educator and Employee Training, Online Course
Design, Effective Technology in Teaching, Learning Outcome Assessments, Program Evaluation
- Leadership Development
- Organizational Development
- Training and Development
- Organizational Effectiveness
- Talent Development
- Learning and Development
- Change Management
- Human Resource Development
- Workforce Development
- Performance Improvement
- Employee Development
- Consulting
Honoring Our Human Capital Development Roots
The Master of Science in Leadership and Talent Development honors the strong foundation of the former Master of Science in Human Capital Development, a program founded through the vision and leadership of Dr. Cyndi Gaudet and Dr. Heather Annulis. Their work helped establish a people-centered graduate program focused on developing individuals, strengthening organizations, advancing workforce development, and improving workplace performance.
The new program name reflects the continued evolution of the field while preserving the values at the heart of Human Capital Development. Leadership and Talent Development continues to emphasize learning, workforce development, organizational growth, talent strategy, and evidence-based practice. This updated name more clearly communicates the program鈥檚 focus to today鈥檚 students, employers, and industry partners while honoring the program鈥檚 original commitment to helping people, workplaces, and communities thrive.
Dr. Cyndi Gaudet, Professor Emerita
Dr. Heather Annulis, Professor Emerita
How Do I Get Started?