Military Leader Development, MA

About

The Military Leader Development Program is a one-year, comprehensive curriculum for developing selected Majors in the US Air Force and US Space Force for the important responsibility of leading a cadet squadron at the United States Air Force Academy. Upon successful completion, participants earn a Master of Arts degree in Military Leader Development from the College of Education at UCCS.

This training program was piloted in 1999, formalized in 2003, and is a sustained collaboration between the UCCS College of Education and the United States Air Force Academy.

Focus of Study

This inclusive program includes graduate curriculum, fieldwork, ongoing and topical colloquia, and personal and professional assessments designed to support coaching and leadership development. This degree program facilitates critical thinking, enhances interpersonal effectiveness, broadens perspectives on coaching and mentoring, develops influencing skills, and improves the student's ability to lead change and development among cadets.

The job description of a Squadron Commander, from COCI 36-3522, requires officers to be competent in mentoring, capable of leading, teaching, and evaluating cadets through all aspects of cadet and military life, able to enforce standards, demonstrate nearly impeccable role modeling, competent in guiding the squadron's leadership team, and skilled in working with cadets, individually and as a group.

Program Requirements

Students are tapped by the United States Air Force and United States Space Force for admission to this select program. Once enrolled, this one-year program features training with faculty from both the College of Education (UCCS) and the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership (USAFA).