Keuka College is launching its first full-time intensive Master of Science in Leadership program this fall, aiming to help address a growing shortage of management professionals across the Finger Lakes and upstate New York.
The inaugural cohort will begin classes in August. College officials say the accelerated format was developed in response to employers’ increasing demand for qualified leaders, particularly in healthcare and business management.
“Our regional economy cannot expand without the management infrastructure to support it,” said Steve Griffin, CEO of the Finger Lakes Economic Development Center. “Right now, the demand for leadership talent in the Finger Lakes is outpacing supply, creating a bottleneck for employers. Keuka College is addressing this bottleneck head-on.”
According to the New York State Department of Labor, management occupations are expected to remain among the state’s high-priority careers through 2032. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median annual wage for management occupations was $122,090 in 2024, compared with $49,500 for all occupations.
Healthcare represents one of the region’s greatest workforce needs. The college noted that healthcare and social assistance are the largest employment sectors in every region of New York, with healthcare employment in the Finger Lakes projected to grow by 32.3% over the next eight years.
The new program includes two specialized tracks: Management, with a focus on international management and human capital, and Healthcare Leadership, designed to prepare professionals for leadership positions in hospitals, health systems, and other healthcare organizations.
The 31-credit master’s program can be completed in 10 months through 11 asynchronous online courses. Students will take two courses during each seven-week session, allowing working professionals to continue their careers while earning a graduate degree.
Keuka College also announced that applicants will not be required to submit GMAT or GRE scores for admission.
“We developed this program in direct response to what we’re hearing from employers throughout the region,” said Pete Bekisz, the college’s vice president for enrollment management, marketing, conference services, and technology. “By offering an accelerated, flexible master’s degree that eliminates traditional barriers like entrance exams and lengthy completion timelines, we’re creating opportunities for working professionals to advance their careers while helping employers build the leadership capacity they need to grow and thrive.”
