Our advanced Associate-to-Master’s degree pathway in Management & Leadership allows you to earn multiple credentials quickly. If you already have an Associate degree,** you can earn an Executive Leadership Certificate, Human Resources Management Certificate, Bachelor’s degree and a Masters in Strategic Leadership in approximately two and a half years.***

Gain a competitive edge over your peers and enter the workforce equipped with an advanced degree to set yourself apart.

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Elevate your associate’s degree to a master’s degree and gain new skills while earning multiple degrees at a top-ranked university! The Associate-to-Master’s Pathway in Management & Leadership… a streamlined approach to quickly pursuing your career!

Upon completion, learning outcomes align for students to attain:

• SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) Certification 
• HRCI’s Associate Professional in Human Resources® (aPHR®) Certification 
• Strategy Planning Professional (SPP) Certification
  (Industry certification exams are an additional cost) 

This pathway offers a streamlined option for students who already hold an associate degree and want to continue their education without starting over. Instead of completing each credential separately, students follow one guided plan that allows them to move from an associate degree to a master’s degree while earning additional credentials along the way.

The accelerated structure helps students make efficient use of prior coursework while staying focused on long-term academic and career goals. It also gives students a clear path forward, with each step building on the last to create momentum toward leadership and management roles. For working adults, that can mean less uncertainty, a more organized academic experience, and a faster route to expanded qualifications.

By combining stackable credentials with a defined academic pathway, the program helps students turn an existing associate degree into continued progress toward a bachelor’s or master’s-level achievement. The result is a practical option for students who want to advance their education, strengthen their leadership abilities, and prepare for more professional opportunities.

NCWU’s Associate-to-Master’s Degree Pathway in Management & Leadership is designed to help students build practical skills for a wide range of professional settings. Coursework focuses on topics that support career growth in leadership, communication, organizational development, and strategic planning. Students study topics such as strategic leadership, leadership communication, organizational change, human resources, and ethical decision making. These subjects help prepare graduates to lead teams, support employees, and contribute to organizational success in a wide range of industries.

As students move through the pathway, they strengthen both management knowledge and leadership skills that can be applied in real-world professional settings. The curriculum is built to support working adults who want to grow professionally while continuing their education in a structured and career-focused format. Students also gain experience with the kinds of workplace challenges leaders face every day, including guiding teams, improving processes, communicating clearly, and making informed decisions that support organizational goals.

*Wesleyan 2+ Scholarship available for select NC Community Colleges, additional scholarships may also be available.

**All AA/AS and most AAS graduates qualify 

***Time of completion varies based on full-time or part-time study. Other bachelor to master pathways are available but length of completion may be longer than 2.5 years.