Use your influence to grow organizations and develop people.
For individuals who want to become experts in management and communication processes in public or private organizations, this program focuses on essential skills and knowledge with a balance of practical and theoretical training. You'll learn to inspire, grow, and motivate individuals and teams in support of strategic organizational development.
Employers want people they can trust to handle leadership responsibilities ethically and skillfully. This degree will develop and equip you to lead with excellence using biblically-based models. You'll gain an understanding of how organizations work, how to provide leadership to a company, and how to implement ethical business practices.
Schedule a Call or Request Information
Apply Now
Program Length & Course Format
MS Program: 30 credit-hour program.
This program can be completed in less than two years.
MBA program: 36-45 credit hours, depending on whether a student has undergraduate coursework in a business-related field.
Program length is typically two years.
MBA vs. MS: What's the difference?
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Leadership concentrates more on ethical decision making and leading the organization as a whole. It also focuses more on technical business skills. The Master of Science (MS) in Leadership is a broad degree that focuses more on the people side of this concentration than the business side of leadership. For more details, view the degree requirements for both programs.
"Becoming a leader is synonymous with becoming yourself. It is precisely that simple and it is also that difficult."
Why Study Leadership at JBU?
At JBU, you’ll not only master the business skills needed to successfully lead a corporation or organization, you’ll also learn how to lead with integrity.
At JBU, you’ll learn from men and women who have extensive academic training and years of real-world experience working at companies like Walmart, Procter & Gamble, Saatchi and Saatchi X, Li & Fung and ServiceMaster.
3
Unique Focus on Christian Values
At JBU, we believe in education of the whole person – head, heart, hand. All of our courses are taught from a Christian worldview, with faculty who are committed to the academic and spiritual growth of our students.
With a flexible online course format, small class sizes, and professors that have real-world business and leadership experience, you will be equipped with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in your career.
Derek Riggs '20
"I am truly excited and thankful to have been a part of the graduate program at JBU. It was tough and challenging at times but well worth the time and energy that went into obtaining my degree. Even though I was 100% online, the instructors and class interactions made it feel as though we were meeting in person and I appreciate the wonderful mentors and friends I've had along the way."
Barretta Robinson '20
"I have really enjoyed being apart of JBU! When I researched colleges to pursue my Masters, JBU really won me over when I began to read their focus and the blend of course curriculum that teaches us how to lead small to large organizations in the spirit of humbleness with a Christian mind-set relying on God's Word and the knowledge gained here at JBU to ultimately make the best ethical decisions in business. I am excited about my future as a Transformational Leader."
Tabitha McFadden '05, M.S. in Leadership & Ethics
“I really consider JBU to have been a launch pad for my growth and development. I learned so much about operating in leadership from a place of humility and integrity. . . some of those early experiences have shaped my perspectives and helped me to develop into the person I am today. I would encourage anyone who is interested in going back to school or in furthering their education to go for it. The learning and the connections made are well worth the investment.”
Graduate Business Faculty
Kirk Jackson
Department Chair, Graduate Business & Online Undergraduate Business
Associate Professor of Accounting
Dr. Kirk Jackson is an experienced professor of finance and accounting. His previous positions include serving on the faculty at Oklahoma Wesleyan University where he was also a dean and chairing an academic department at Southwestern Christian University. His research interests focus on corporate finance, central banking policy, agency theory, managerial accounting, capital markets, and faith integration. He has a Doctor of Business Administration in finance from Anderson University, an M.B.A. from the University of Oklahoma, and a M.A.C.C. from Emporia State University.

Ryan Ladner
Dean, College of Business
Associate Professor of Marketing
Dr. Ryan Ladner moved to Northwest Arkansas in 2015 to teach at JBU and lead the undergraduate department in the College of Business. In 2017, he transitioned from the department head for undergraduate studies to the department head for the Graduate Business Programs. He has a B.S.B.A., in Personal Financial Planning from The University of Southern Mississippi, an M.B.A., from Mississippi College, an M.A., in Theological Studies from Liberty University, and a D.B.A., in Marketing from George Fox University.
Before his role at JBU, Dr. Ladner was a District Sales Leader in the Frito-Lay division of PepsiCo North America. After leaving PepsiCo, he served in various roles in higher education including Director of Enrollment and Assistant Professor of Business at Bryan College and Assistant Professor of Marketing at Palm Beach Atlantic University.
Dr. Ladner teaches courses in strategy and marketing at the undergraduate and graduate levels and he conducts research as well as presents in the areas of active learning, college choice theory, team-based learning, and digital marketing. He also earned the online marketing certified associate designation and serves as the Director of Marketing for the Christian Business Faculty Association.
Dr. Ladner enjoys working out, playing sports and competing in intramurals. He is married and has two children – one boy and one girl. He and his family reside in Siloam Springs.

Randall Waldron
Professor of Economics and International Business
After teaching at the University of South Dakota for 18 years, Dr. Randall Waldron moved to Northwest Arkansas in 2012 to teach at JBU. He has a B.A. degree with majors in Economics and Political Science from Northwestern University and a Ph.D. in Economics from Vanderbilt University. Prior to attending graduate school, he worked as an analyst for the market research firm, Market Facts, Inc., in Chicago and Los Angeles.
Dr. Waldron’s teaching interests include a variety of fields within Economics and International Business. Specializing in applied microeconomics, he has published papers on game theory, experimental economics, business competition, and economic impact analysis. He brings extensive experience in these fields as well as in managerial economics.
Dr. Waldron is a Fulbright Scholar and has lived and taught in China, first at Beijing Jiaotong University and more recently at Yunnan Province at Honghe University. His work has also taken him to Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Thailand, as well as to Europe. With his experience in the Asian culture, he was co-founder of the East Asian Institute at the University of South Dakota.

Joe Walenciak
Dean, Business Development and Strategic Partnerships
Professor of Business
Distinguished Professor
Dr. Joe Walenciak holds a Ph.D. in Strategic Management from the University of Arkansas and has been a member of the business faculty at John Brown University since 1982. During that time, he has taught business classes in the undergraduate, online and graduate programs. He has also chaired the undergraduate, graduate and online business programs and is currently serving as the Dean of the College of Business.
While at JBU, Dr. Walenciak has developed and led mission trips and studies programs in Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras, Jordan, China, Brazil, and several other countries. He has received recognitions as SIFE USA Sam Walton Fellow of the Year, SIFE USA Hall of Fame, CBFA Richard C. Chewing Award, Teacher of the Year, and Outstanding Alumnus. He has also been named Ambassador of the Peace of Guatemala by the Guatemalan Government on two separate occasions.
With interests in community development and business accreditation, Dr. Walenciak has held national leadership roles with the Christian Business Faculty Association and with the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.
Brad Gatlin
Associate Dean, College of Business
Department Chair, Undergraduate Business
Associate Professor of Business

DeNisha McCollum
Associate Professor of Business
Mrs. DeNisha McCollum teaches both graduate and undergraduate courses for the College of Business. Prior to her current faculty role, she served as the Director of Graduate Business Programs for three years. As an instructional designer, she also worked on the development and implementation of online course and program offerings for graduate business students. She has a B.A., in Criminal Justice from the University of Arkansas, an M.S. in Leadership and Ethics from JBU, and an M.Ed. in Organizational Leadership from Northcentral University.
Prior to coming to JBU, Mrs. McCollum worked for 12 years with Walmart Stores, Inc. in the areas of Corporate Risk Management and Associate Health Benefits. She has also provided consulting and facilitation services for Walmart and Milestone Leadership.
Mrs. McCollum brings her professional experience and passion for the promotion of ethical leadership into the classroom and online courses and works diligently to engage learners and fulfill the mission of JBU to provide Christ-centered education that prepares people to honor God and serve others by developing their intellectual, spiritual, and professional lives.

Gerald Reimer
Associate Professor of Accounting
Mr. Gerald Reimer teaches both graduate and undergraduate courses in accounting for the College of Business. He has a B.S. in Accounting from JBU, an M.B.A. from Washburn University in Kansas, and is also a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Arkansas.
Prior to teaching, Mr. Reimer spent 13 years in the professional world of accounting with over 11 of those years in public accounting at a national CPA firm in Kansas. His main focus was in leading audits and reviews for construction industry and financial institution clients. Then, Mr. Reimer made both a career and culture change by moving with his wife and two young daughters to Morocco to teach accounting at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, a university that follows the American system. He spent 11 years there on the business faculty and also coordinated the MBA program before leaving Morocco and coming full circle back to JBU in 2017, his alma mater. He enjoys bringing real-life experience in accounting and an international perspective into the classroom.

Sam Heinrich
Associate Professor of Business
As a JBU alum, Dr. Sam Heinrich returned to JBU in 2014 to accept a position as Associate Professor of Business and Department Head for Online Undergraduate business programs. He now focuses solely on teaching traditional and graduate courses in the areas of Finance, Economics and Marketing. Along with a B.S. from JBU, Dr. Heinrich has an M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and a D.B.A. in Marketing from George Fox University.
Prior to coming to JBU, Dr. Heinrich spent 20 years in management and the financial services industry. He worked in commercial lending, as a banker, during the first half of his industry related career and then transitioned into the role of President for a medium-sized electric utility contracting firm. His industry experiences include leading and supporting small, mid and large business enterprises in private and public forums both as a banker/lender/consultant and in a management role.
In 2001, Dr. Heinrich left industry to pursue his passion for teaching. Initially, he taught in a private Christian high school and then moved into Christian higher education in 2007 where he’s able to bring his real-life experience in the business world into the classroom.
Traci Pierce
Assistant Professor of Marketing
Dr. Traci Pierce teaches graduate marketing, research, and ethics courses, and appreciates the opportunity to integrate the Christian faith within each discipline. She holds a DBA in Marketing from George Fox University, and an MBA and BA in Religion from Campbell University.
Dr. Pierce has served as an administrator or professor in higher education for over 20 years. Prior to joining the JBU faculty, Dr. Pierce taught at Campbell University, Regent University, and Milligan College.
In addition to teaching graduate courses, Dr. Pierce also feels a calling to homeschool her twins. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and children and teaches graduate online courses remotely. She enjoys her annual visits to the Siloam Springs, AR campus as well as connecting with her colleagues at professional conferences.

Greg Robinson
Associate Professor of Outdoor Leadership Ministries
Dr. Greg Robinson is currently the Associate Professor of Outdoor Leadership Ministries at John Brown University. Previously, he was the Program Director for HoneyRock, the Outdoor Center for Leadership Development of Wheaton College, as well as President of Challenge Quest, LLC in Pryor, Oklahoma, the Managing Member of Adventure Quest Recreation, LLC.
Dr. Robinson has a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and Leadership from The Union Institute and University in Cincinnati, Ohio. He also has a M.S. in Counseling from John Brown University.
Dr. Robinson's professional career has concentrated in the areas of experiential learning, team development, leadership development, facilitation and consulting with organizational change efforts. He is the author of A Leadership Paradox: Influencing Others by Defining Yourself; Teams for a New Generation: A Facilitator’s Field Guide; Adventure and the Way of Jesus, Lessons of the Way: Using experiential activities to explore the way of Jesus; and Leading from Where You Are: How Every Person Can Help or Hinder a Collaborative Culture.
His family includes his wife of 28 years Jeannie, his daughter Keely and her fiancée Nick LaTurner, his sons Kobe and Kyle, as well as two grandsons Lucas and Max.

Kai Togami
Director of ENACTUS
Professor of International Business
Mr. Kai Togami is the Sam Walton Fellow for the JBU Enactus Program, Professor of International Business in the University’s Soderquist College of Business and an organizational effectiveness consultant. Previously, he served as the Department Head for Graduate Business Programs at JBU and brought the Global Leadership Summit Simulcast to JBU to impact leaders across NWA. He has a B.S. from Wheaton College and an M.S. from Illinois State University.
Prior to JBU Mr. Togami worked in retail with Walmart Stores Inc. as Senior Director of Global Organizational Effectiveness, served as VP of Learning and Organizational Development in the construction industry for Neumann Homes, and worked in the service industry as Senior Director for Organizational Development and Change with The ServiceMaster Company.
Before entering the business world he was a coach, educator and then assistant professor at Wheaton College in Illinois.
Mr. Togami consults with executive leadership teams in areas of organizational effectiveness and counts it a privilege to be able to interact with students, leaders and organizations around the world. He currently serves as a Faculty Advisor Committee member for Enactus USA, a Board member for Ezekiel Rain and Lake Geneva Foundations and co-Director and VP of the Stenkirke Family Foundation.
Linda Vytlacil
Professor, Data Analytics
Dr. Linda Vytlacil, former Vice President for Data Science/Global Data & Analytics Platforms for Walmart Labs, is a recognized people leader and commercial manager with extensive experience in building teams and creating analytics capabilities to harness profitably the power of big data analytics. With business development experience and P&L responsibilities in global consulting services, Dr. Vytlacil is a successful and award-winning team leader who is skilled at identifying and developing talent. She brings numerous skills to the classroom including technical credentials in advanced analytics across customer domains such as strategy, loyalty, digital marketing, pricing strategy, retail, product innovation, market research, econometrics, demand forecasting and performance measurement.