Michigan Ross Leader Endorsement Requirements

The Leader Endorsement is meant to be obtained over two years and includes a wide range of experiences, many of which are already part of the Michigan Ross MBA program. In total, the Leader Endorsement will take most learners approximately 65 hours to complete. While all MBAs complete the same requirements, some programs have Sanger touchpoints embedded in the curriculum which enables them to complete requirements without additional sign-ups. Locate your MBA program below and review the table for your specific requirements.

The suggested timeline for each program is only a guideline. Students may complete requirements at different times and can always reach out to us for advice on their learning path.

If a program requires additional sign-up, students are expected to RSVP for the program and report their attendance in the Leader Endorsement Canvas module. All MBAs are notified via email when Sanger program registration opens each semester.

Full-time MBA & Global MBA - Requirements

ACTIVITYDESCRIPTIONDURATIONSUGGESTED TIMELINEREQUIRES ADDITIONAL SIGN-UP?
Michigan Model of Leadership ModuleLearn more about our leadership framework at Michigan via this engaging Canvas module.1 hourY1 – Part of Orientation
Leadership
Pre-assessment
Determine your strengths and areas to improve using the Michigan Model of Leadership.1 hourY1 – Part of Orientation
Legacy LabComplete this two-part session any time it is offered.4 hoursY1 – Fall or WinterYes
Story Lab RetreatMust complete the retreat. Not necessary to participate in the kick-off or public showcase.4.5 hoursY1 or Y2 – Fall or WinterYes
Leadership Crisis Challenge10 hoursY1 or Y2 – WinterYes
Leading Inclusive TeamsA six-week learning community, combining asynchronous modules, small group peer-coaching, and live workshops.12 hoursY1 – Winter or the non-credit Coursera course or MO 605Yes
Leadership ElectiveDuring the course of your degree, participate in one class from the list of courses.-Y2Electives are part of the curriculum, be sure to take one on the approved list
Action-Based Learning AssignmentParticipate in an action-based learning activity and design a leadership experiment around it, reflecting before and after the experience.4+ hoursY1 or Y2 – Anytime

We suggest using MAP, your  internship, or current job
No sign-up required, but additional pre and post-assignments in Canvas are due
Leadership
Post
assessment
Repeat the leadership assessment to find areas where you’ve grown and changed. Administered in the Winter.1 hourY2 – End

Capstone AssignmentReflection upon your leadership experiences.2 hoursY2 – EndAssignment located in Canvas

Weekend MBA - Requirements

ACTIVITYDESCRIPTIONDURATIONSUGGESTED TIMELINEREQUIRES ADDITIONAL SIGN-UP?
Michigan Model of Leadership ModuleLearn more about our leadership framework at Michigan via this engaging Canvas module.1 hourY1 – Part of Orientation
Leadership
Pre-assessment
Determine your strengths and areas to improve using the Michigan Model of Leadership.1 hourY1 – Part of Orientation
Legacy LabComplete this two-part session any time it is offered.4 hoursY1 – Fall or WinterYes
Story Lab RetreatMust complete the retreat. Not necessary to participate in the kick-off or public showcase.4.5 hoursY2 Winter

Embedded in WMBA 604 Leadership Development
Leadership Crisis Challenge10 hoursY1 or Y2 – WinterYes
Leading Inclusive TeamsA six-week learning community, combining asynchronous modules, small group peer-coaching, and live workshops.12 hoursY1 – Winter or the non-credit Coursera course or MO 605Yes
Leadership ElectiveDuring the course of your degree, participate in one class from the list of courses.-Y1 or Y2 - Fulfilled by curriculum (e.g., WMBA51, WMBA604, or WMBA605)
Action-Based Learning AssignmentParticipate in an action-based learning activity and design a leadership experiment around it, reflecting before and after the experience.4+ hoursY1 or Y2 – Anytime

We suggest using MAP or your current job
No sign-up required, but additional pre and post-assignments in Canvas are due
Leadership
Post
assessment
Repeat the leadership assessment to find areas where you’ve grown and changed. Administered in the Winter.1 hourY2 – End
Capstone AssignmentReflection upon your leadership experiences.2 hoursY2 – EndAssignment located in Canvas

Online MBA - Requirements

ACTIVITYDESCRIPTIONDURATIONSUGGESTED TIMELINEREQUIRES ADDITIONAL SIGN-UP?
Michigan Model of Leadership ModuleLearn more about our leadership framework at Michigan via this engaging Canvas module.1 hourY1 - Part of Leadership Residency
Leadership
Pre-assessment
Determine your strengths and areas to improve using the Michigan Model of Leadership.1 hourY1 - You will be emailed after your Leadership Residency with a link to the assessment
Legacy LabComplete this two-part session any time it is offered.4 hoursY1 - Winter or Y2 - Winter

Offered online in Winter semester
Yes
Story Lab RetreatMust complete the retreat. Not necessary to participate in the kick-off or public showcase.4.5 hoursY1 - Winter or Y2 - Winter

Offered online in Winter semester
Yes
Leadership Crisis Challenge10 hoursY1 - Embedded in Leadership Residency
Leading Inclusive TeamsA six-week learning community, combining asynchronous modules, small group peer-coaching, and live workshops.12 hoursComplete MO730 for credit or the non-credit Coursera coursePart of OMBA curriculum when MO730 is taken as elective
Leadership ElectiveDuring the course of your degree, participate in one class from the list of courses.-Anytime
(e.g., MO700, MO711, MO712; Cannot be MO730 if M0730 is taken for Leading Inclusive Teams)

Electives are part of the curriculum, be sure to take one on the approved list
Action-Based Learning AssignmentParticipate in an action-based learning activity and design a leadership experiment around it, reflecting before and after the experience.4+ hoursAnytime

We suggest using MAP or your current job

No sign-up required, but additional pre and post-assignments in Canvas are due
Leadership
Post
assessment
Repeat the leadership assessment to find areas where you’ve grown and changed. Administered in the Winter. If you plan to graduate in December, please contact us.1 hourMonth before graduation

Capstone AssignmentReflection upon your leadership experiences.2 hoursMonth before graduationAssignment located in Canvas

One-Year Master's Requirements

ACTIVITYDESCRIPTIONDURATIONSUGGESTED TIMELINEREQUIRES ADDITIONAL SIGN-UP?
Michigan Model of Leadership ModuleLearn more about our leadership framework at Michigan via this engaging Canvas module.1 hourStart of credentialNo - assignment located in Canvas.
Leadership
Pre-assessment
Determine your strengths and areas to improve using the Michigan Model of Leadership.1 hourFallNo - administered by the Sanger team at the start of MRLE.
Legacy LabComplete this two-part session any time it is offered.4 hoursFall or WinterYes
Story Lab RetreatMust complete the retreat. Not necessary to participate in the kick-off or public showcase.4.5 hoursFall or WinterYes
Leadership Crisis Challenge10 hoursWinterYes
Leading Inclusive TeamsA six-week learning community, combining asynchronous modules, small group peer-coaching, and live workshops.12 hoursWinter or the non-credit Coursera courseYes
Leadership ElectiveDuring the course of your degree, participate in one leadership-focused class that is part of your curriculum.-Fall or WinterNo - courses for each OYM program that fulfill requirement are as follows:

MM - MO577 (Positive Leadership & Organizing)
MSCM- TO 616 (Project Management)
MBan - MBan 501 (Software Teams & Project Management)
MAcc - ACC 695 (EY Accounting and Public Policy Symposium)
Action-Based Learning AssignmentParticipate in an action-based learning activity and design a leadership experiment around it, reflecting before and after the experience.4+ hoursAnytime -
We suggest using your Consulting Studio project or a Sanger event.
No sign-up required, but additional pre and post-assignments in Canvas are due.
Leadership
Post
assessment
Repeat the leadership assessment to find areas where you’ve grown and changed. Administered in the Winter.1 hourEndNo - administered by the Sanger team in the Winter semester.
Capstone AssignmentReflection upon your leadership experiences.2 hoursEndNo - assignment located in Canvas.

Action-Based Learning Assignment Details

At Michigan Ross, we believe in learning by doing. The action-based learning component of your Leader Endorsement is an opportunity for you to practice new behaviors and skills in functioning teams, whether they be during your MAP project, your internship, or club or volunteer leadership.

How to complete the requirement:

Pre-assessment reflection

Reflect on the results of your leadership pre-assessment and any feedback you’ve received along the way in your Sanger programs. What areas could you improve in? What type of leader do you want to be known as?

  • TIP: Consider thinking about your skills in three key areas of the Michigan Model of Leadership: mastering and developing yourself, empowering peers & employees, and building teams & organizations. Choose skill areas from the Model to focus on within each of these.

Intention Setting

Before you embark on your Action-Based Learning (ABL) experience, you will fill out an Intention Setting form in Canvas. In addition to collecting basic information about the ABL experience you chose, the form will ask you to commit to a learning goal specific to how you want to grow as a leader during your experience.

Leadership Journey

Once you commit to a goal, use the Sanger Leadership Journey worksheet to track at least three experiments during your ABL experience.

After Action

Upon completion, you will fill out the After Action form. This will ask you to briefly reflect on your experience and your learning goal, as well as attach and summarize your Journey experiments.

Capstone Assignment Details

The purpose of the Capstone Assignment is to reflect upon all of your leadership development experiences and build a narrative of what you learned and the type of leader you are and strive to be. The assignment is dual purpose: it is intended to demonstrate to the Sanger team that you have completed your endorsement requirements, but it also is a tool for you as you prepare to interview for jobs, graduate, and work and lead in your own team, and continue to grow personally and professionally.

You may opt to complete the capstone after completing all of the required Leader Endorsement requirements, or you may work on it as you complete experiences.

The capstone should take you approximately two hours to put together. This means that you do not want you agonizing over perfection: prepare something that speaks to you while sharing your journey. The capstone will be evaluated by a team of faculty and staff.

Requirements

The submission can be in any format you wish. Most conventionally, it will be a written essay or narrative, but could also take on the form of videos, audio logs, slide decks, artwork, or more. Anything that captures the bullets below in a manner that speaks to you. A template for a written submission is available here.

The submission should include:

  • Your purpose and values (completed during Legacy Lab)
  • Your vision for your leadership capacities going forward, including what strengths can you leverage to make that vision a reality. (pre-assessment, Michigan Model of Leadership module, any programs or courses that helped you improve your skills)
  • A brief summary of your ABL assignment and the results of your leader behavior experiments (Action-Based Learning (ABL) assignment)
  • A final reflection on the following:
    • What are your unique contributions as a leader?
    • How have the experiences that are part of the Leader Endorsement helped you learn and grow? How are you different now than you were at the start?

Written submissions do not have a specific style guide to follow. If you choose to use our template, your submission will likely be around 2-3 pages.

Elective Requirements

Classes for the leadership elective requirement must be courses with an explicit emphasis on leadership and which incorporate reflection and action-based learning.

Typical electives include:

  • BA655 – Living Business Leadership Experience
  • BCOM561 – Management Presentations
  • BCOM524 – Persuasive Management Communication
  • BCOM530 – Positive Busines Communication
  • BCOM710 – Communicating in a Virtual World
  • EAS677.089 – Environmental Communication Studio
  • ES569 – Managing the Growth of New Ventures
  • MLaw765 – Leadership Bootcamp
  • MLaw667 – Leadership for Lawyers
  • MO512 – Bargaining and Influence Skills
  • MO555 – The Science of Flourishing at Work and Beyond
  • MO600/700 – The Science of Success
  • MO603 – Navigating Change: Skills & Strategies for Consultants
  • MO605 – Leading Inclusive, High-Performing Organizations
  • MO611 – Business Leadership in Changing Teams
  • MO615 – Leading Without Authority
  • MO617 – Developing and Managing High-Performing Teams
  • MO620 – Leading a Good Life
  • MO625 – Leadership Coaching Practicum
  • MO637 – Social Intrapreneurship: Leading Social Innovation in Organizations
  • MO711 – High Stakes Leadership
  • MO712 – Bargaining and Influence Skills
  • MO 730 – Leading Diverse Teams and Organizations: A DEI Toolkit
  • PUBPOL 586 – Leading Organizations
  • PUBPOL 750.008 Topics – DEI Across Sectors: Public, Private, Non-Profit Sectors in Transition
  • PUBPOL590 – Public Affairs Management and Leadership
  • PUBPOL583 – Negotiation Basics for Public Policy
  • PUBPOL587 – Public Management: Leadership Skills for Mission-Driven Organizations
  • WMBA513 – C-Level Thinking
  • WMBA604 – Leadership Development
  • WMBA605 –  Coaching and Mentoring