FAQs

The Master's in Communication & Leadershipteaches you to understand leadership as fundamentally rooted in communication. You'll develop the strategic thinking, creative capacity, and relational skills that distinguish exceptional leaders—going beyond technical expertise to cultivate your authentic voice and ability to inspire meaningful change. Whether navigating crisis communications, crafting organizational strategy, or building inclusive teams, you'll learn to analyze diverse audiences, leverage multiple platforms, and communicate with purpose and integrity. The program challenges you to harness communication on all levels and in all types of organizations, whether through a crisis communication plan, an internal strategic plan, or a social media strategy. This program transforms how you think about leadership, equipping you to translate ideas into impact across corporate, public, and nonprofit sectors.

The Master's in Organizational Leadership teaches you to understand leadership as a comprehensive practice that encompasses multiple approaches—from servant and transformational leadership to adaptive and strategic leadership. You'll develop the systems thinking, ethical grounding, and human-centered skills that enable you to inspire teams, navigate change, and build thriving organizations. Whether leading organizational transformation, fostering inclusive cultures, or developing others, you'll learn to analyze complex dynamics, leverage diverse leadership frameworks, and lead with purpose and integrity. This program transforms how you think about organizations, equipping you to create positive change across corporate, public, and nonprofit sectors.

You can take elective courses within either program to fulfill your elective credit requirements, allowing you to customize your learning experience and draw from the strengths of both programs.

For more information, watch this video:

Our flexible format puts you in control of your timeline.

Most students complete one of the master's programs in 2 to 2.5 years while maintaining their career momentum.

However, if you're ready to accelerate, you can take additional courses each semester and finish in as little as 15 months.

The program's 8-week course structure and year-round offerings give you the freedom to adjust your pace based on your professional and personal commitments.

If you are interested in our dual degree option you can learn more here.

No, students come from all backgrounds looking to develop their leadership capabilities and make a greater impact.

Whether you're from education, healthcare, nonprofit work, technology or any other field, our program helps you build on your unique expertise while developing the leadership skills to guide teams and transform organizations.

Concentrations are optional specializations that allow you to deepen your expertise in highly sought-after leadership capacities.

By structuring your electives around one of six focused areas, you'll develop advanced skills that are broadly prized across industries, with this specialization formally recognized on your transcript.

While many students appreciate the flexibility to explore broadly, those who choose a concentration gain the depth of knowledge that distinguishes them as specialists in areas of high demand.

You do not have to choose a concentration.

Explore concentration options here.

The Student Services team is available to answer your questions and connect you to the resources you need.

You will also be assigned a faculty advisor to help you meet your academic goals.

Online students have access to all of Gonzaga's resources including:

• Foley Library
• IT Help Desk
• Writing Center
• Career and Professional Development Center
• Grad Student Association
• Disability Access
• University Ministry

We are all here to help you succeed.

Jesuits have been educating people since 1540 with a focus on the whole person, not just your mind.

Gonzaga was founded in 1887 and continues to pursue a mission of educating leaders with the capacity for reflective and critical thought.

Gonzaga's graduate programs offer you the opportunity to pursue a degree that strives to educate you intellectually, spiritually, physically and emotionally.

You can learn more about Gonzaga's Jesuit mission and values here.

Design your learning journey to fit your life.

Our flexible format lets you complete your degree entirely online while engaging with a vibrant community of professionals.

For those seeking experiential learning, we offer optional immersion experiences that blend the best of both worlds.

Choose From:

• Fully Online
  • Complete your entire degree from anywhere while maintaining career momentum
• On-Campus Immersions
  • Join us in Spokane for intensive 3-day experiences combined with online coursework
• Other Domestic Immersions
  • Discover leadership through unique experiences from building resilience while climbing mountains to exploring community with a monastic order in the desert
• Study Abroad
  • Expand your perspective through short-term programs in Italy, Colombia, Spain or Belgium

This flexibility means you never have to choose between advancing your education and living your life.

Whether you're leading from Seattle or Dubai, managing family responsibilities or accelerating your career, you'll find a path that works for you.

You will take ten classes to complete the degree.

Four core classes to set the foundation of your organizational leadership education along with five elective courses that can be customized to your interests and goals, plus one capstone course.

On average, 2 classes per semester, but you control your pace.

Our unique 8-week format means you focus on one course at a time, allowing for deep engagement without overwhelming your schedule.

Fall and Spring semesters are broken up into two sections, Fall A and Fall B and Spring A and Spring B.

Typically you will take two 8-week courses for the full semester, for example one during Fall A and one during Fall B.

Summer provides either an 8-week or 12-week option and students usually take one class during the summer.

You can speed up or slow down your progression to meet your needs.

Your capstone is where you apply and showcase your education in action as a professional communicator and leader.

In this culminating experience, you'll craft your personal leadership philosophy, design and implement a real-world applied project that demonstrates your ability to turn ideas into action and master the art of translating academic achievements into compelling professional narratives.

Through creating a polished digital portfolio and professional materials, you'll emerge with a clearly articulated leadership identity, proven competencies and the communication skills to connect with diverse audiences and create opportunities.

Past students have launched organizational initiatives, authored thought leadership pieces, developed strategic communication campaigns and positioned themselves for significant career advancement.

The capstone runs for 16 weeks (full semester) or 12 weeks (summer option), giving you time to develop substantial work that positions you to lead effectively in your chosen field.

Most students pair their capstone with one elective in their final semester, allowing them to focus deeply on this transformative project.

Immersions blend the flexibility of online learning with the power of intensive, experiential education.

These hybrid courses combine online coursework with in-person or synchronous virtual experiences that deepen your learning through direct engagement with faculty and peers.

Your immersion options range from 3-day on-campus experiences in Spokane to unique longer domestic settings including a Mt. Adams expedition or a trip to an abbey in southern California.

We also offer short-term study abroad opportunities in Italy, Colombia, Belgium or Spain, designed for working professionals.

Each immersion integrates pre- and post-session online work with transformative face-to-face learning.

Both COML and ORGL require one immersion experience offered with a 3-day on-campus experience or a 3-day synchronous virtual experience.

No, a visit to campus is not required.

We've designed our program to be fully accessible from anywhere.

While there is one required immersion experience, COML 599 or ORGL 605, you choose the format that works for your life.

Required immersion offered multiple times a year:

• Virtual immersion: Participate in 3 days of synchronous online sessions from your location
• Campus immersion: Join us in Spokane for 3 days of intensive, in-person learning

Both formats deliver the same transformative experience of exploring how communication, creativity and imagination are essential to leadership.

You'll build lasting connections with peers and faculty while developing your creative capacity and professional portfolio.

While our virtual experience creates genuine community through dynamic online engagement, many students find the campus option offers unique value through face-to-face collaboration and the full Gonzaga experience.

The choice is your, we ensure excellent outcomes either way.

15-20 students are in a course, which is often split into smaller discussion groups.

Class sizes are kept small to allow professors more one-on-one time with you.

Plan to invest approximately 10-15 hours per week in your coursework, though this varies based on your learning style and the specific courses you're taking.

Some weeks, particularly when completing major projects or during immersions, will require more intensive engagement, while others may be lighter.

The program is designed for working professionals, with flexibility built into the curriculum and each course.

You will be learning from world-class scholars and accomplished practitioners who are equally distinguished by their dedication to transformative teaching.

Our faculty bring cutting-edge research and real-world expertise to every class, while maintaining Gonzaga's tradition of personalized mentorship and engaged learning.

Each holds advanced degrees or has achieved distinction in communication practice, but what truly sets them apart is their commitment to your success, combining academic rigor with practical application to develop you as a complete professional.

Our asynchronous format puts you in control, engage with coursework when it fits your schedule, not when a clock dictates.

You'll follow a clear syllabus with meaningful deadlines while participating in dynamic discussions, conducting research, crafting strategic communications and collaborating on projects that mirror real-world leadership challenges.

Your instructors are committed to your individual success, working closely with you throughout your academic journey.

They provide personalized feedback, adapt to your learning needs and serve as mentors who understand the demands of balancing education with professional life.

This support extends beyond coursework, faculty help you connect concepts to your career goals and guide you in applying new skills immediately in your workplace.

Immersion courses blend online learning with either in-person or virtual intensive experiences, adding experiential depth to your education.

Tuition is based on the cost of a credit.

Currently a credit costs a competitive $1,065*.

Both the COML and ORGL programs are 30-credits, so a total tuition cost of $31,950**.

Many students finish the program in approximately two years, so the program ends up running approximately $16,000** per year.

Explore Gonzaga's cost of attendance page for more information.

*Tuition rates subject to change.

**Does not include additional fees or travel for immersions.

There are multiple options for you to finance your degree, including scholarships, employer tuition reimbursement, payment plans and federal financial aid.

We have a number of resources to help you fund your education, which you can find on our tuition and financing page.

Yes, we offer several funding opportunities.

The School of Leadership Studies provides new student scholarships for both the Master's in Communication and Leadership and the Master's in Organizational Leadership.

You will apply for these scholarships when submitting your program application and learn about awards upon acceptance.

Additionally, Gonzaga's Financial Aid Office maintains a comprehensive database of scholarships for you to explore, you can explore more resources on our tuition and financing page.

Graduate Assistantships are available on a competitive basis.

As a graduate assistant, you'll work directly with faculty and/or School of Leadership Studies staff, gaining valuable experience while supporting teaching, research, and strategic initiatives.

These positions offer both financial support and professional development opportunities, allowing you to deepen your academic engagement while building practical skills in higher education leadership and administration.

Yes we do offer a discount to the military and other groups.

10% Discount

• Active members of the military, their spouses and veterans
• Federal employees
• Boeing employees
• Bank of America employees

50% Discount

• Diocese of Spokane - qualified full-time teachers, principals and Pastoral/Diocesan Ministers working in schools or parishes in the Spokane Diocese