Master of Arts in Global Leadership and Sustainable Development

The MAGLSD program at HPU emphasizes leadership development in the increasingly critical field of sustainability. Through an interdisciplinary approach, the GLSD program builds students’ conceptual and practical skills to think and work holistically across human, social, economic and ecological systems.

HPU attracts students from all fifty United States and more than 65 countries, providing a truly international feel. The GLSD program reflects that diversity. By joining our program, you will share your commitment to sustainability with fellow GLSD students from a wide range of geographic areas and cultural and professional experiences. Furthermore, the environmental surroundings and cultural settings of our unique location in Hawaii provide a rich microcosm in which to explore and implement sustainable practices.

Students who successfully complete the Master of Arts in Global Leadership and Sustainable Development program will:

• Think systemically and thus identify and analyze the structural causes that underlie global issues and problems.

• Search collaboratively for solutions to global problems and issues that meet the expectations of multiple stakeholders within ecological limits.

• Critique events decisions, and issues related to globalization in terms of both their short and long-term consequences across multiple stakeholders, including the natural world.

• Recognize that the dynamic, complex and interdependent nature of globalization forces requires transparency and democratic processes for optimum solutions if social justice is to be achieved.

• Analyze global issues using systems thinking concepts and tools, e.g. causal-loop diagrams, timeline analysis, structural analysis.

• Engage in self-reflection of their leadership potential and put in place a personalized plan to develop the leader within.

• Conceptualize, initiate, and lead change programs that enhance the sustainable development dimension of human systems.

Individuals wishing to apply to the MAGLSD degree program at HPU are required to submit the following:

• Application

• Transcripts

• Two Letters of Recommendation

• Statement of Purpose

• Resume

• $55 Application Fee

Students from a variety of backgrounds are attracted to this graduate program. Therefore, to ensure each student is adequately prepared for the academic rigors of a graduate-level program, the following courses (or an undergraduate equivalent) must be satisfactorily completed as a foundation for graduate studies:

CSCI 3201 Info Mgmt Using Spreadsheets and Databases or MIS 2000 Info Tools for Business
SOC 3100 Methods of Inquiry
SOC 3200 Social Statistics

Dr. ADAM BURKE
Assistant Professor of Anthropology & Sustainability
Program Director, Global Leadership and Sustainable Development Program
Hawai’i Pacific University

Dept. of History & Int'l Studies
500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 6313 (WP5-360-B)
Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone:  808.544.0815 | E-mail: aburke@hpu.edu