Keuka College today announced the launch of its first-ever full-time intensive sequence for the Master of Science in Leadership (MSL) program, with the inaugural cohort beginning in August. The accelerated format is a direct response to a shortage of high-level managers across the Finger Lakes region and upstate New York.
“Our regional economy cannot expand without the management infrastructure to support it. Right now, the demand for leadership talent in the Finger Lakes is outpacing supply, creating a bottleneck for employers. Keuka College is addressing this bottleneck head-on. This intensive program doesn’t just educate students – it actively strengthens the leadership pipeline our region needs to stay competitive.”
Workforce needs are both acute and quantifiable. The New York State Department of Labor projects management positions will be among the state’s high-priority occupations through 2032, indicating both strong growth and premium compensation. But employers across the region struggle to fill these roles, despite high demand and attractive salaries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for management occupations was $122,090 in May 2024, more than double the median wage of $49,500 for all occupations.
Nowhere is the demand more pronounced than in healthcare, which, along with social assistance, makes up the top employment sector in every region of New York state. In the Finger Lakes, healthcare-related employment is projected to grow at a state-high 32.3 percent over the next eight years. Keuka College’s MSL Healthcare Leadership Track is engineered to meet this surge head-on, preparing professionals for roles such as medical and health services managers, who enjoy median annual salaries surpassing $118,000.
A Degree Built for Speed and Specialization
The full-time intensive MSL is a 31-credit degree that can be completed in just 10 months, a rapid return on investment that makes it an attractive program for employer tuition assistance. The 11 asynchronous courses – students take two courses per seven-week session – are designed for working professionals, enabling them to advance their careers without pausing them.
The program offers two specialized tracks:
- Management Track — concentrating on International Management and Human Capital, preparing leaders to manage talent and operations across increasingly global and complex organizations.
- Healthcare Leadership Track — addressing one of the region’s fastest-growing industries and equipping professionals to lead within hospitals, health systems, and care-giving organizations.
Neither a Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) nor a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required, and students have access to the College’s strong and supportive alumni network.
“We developed this program in direct response to what we’re hearing from employers throughout the region,” said Pete Bekisz, Vice President for Enrollment Management, Marketing, Conference Services, and Technology. “By offering an accelerated, flexible master’s degree that eliminates traditional barriers like entrance exams and lengthy completion timelines, we’re creating opportunities for working professionals to advance their careers while helping employers build the leadership capacity they need to grow and thrive.”
Accreditation and Enrollment
The MSL program is accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE). The inaugural full-time intensive cohort begins Aug. 24. Enrollment is now open, and there is no application fee.
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