GW Graduate Programs Near You - Programs - Master of Professional Studies in Professional Service Firm Management

Program Format

Stackable Credentials

Upon successful completion of the certificateprogram, students successfully completing 12 credits of Law Firm Leadership coursework and a six-hour independent study segment, can qualify for a GW Master of Professional Studies in Law Firm Management

The Law Firm Leadership coursework is completed by attending two residencies at GWs Alexandria Graduate Education Center, with an online distance learning segment between residencies.

PROGRAM CURRICULUM

Segment 1: In-Classroom Residency

PSLM 203 Principles of Leadership (7 modules, 6 total credits)
Participants will focus on the theories and principles of leadership within law firms and the new demands on leaders of these firms. Modules consist of:

Emerging Market Trends and Their Challeges for Leading Law Firms
Developing a Personal Leadership Philosophy
Influencing through Motivation and Persuasion
Service Firm Leadership in Action
Using Conflict and Collaboration for Mutual Advantage Motivation for Performance
Leading High Performance Teams
Leading Organizational Change: Process, Culture and Structure

Segment 2: Online Distance Learning

PSLM 204 Application of Leadership Frameworks (3 total credits)
This course is designed to build and expand upon the knowledge gained during the first nine-day residency course. It focuses on the utilization of major concepts and frameworks to help each individual student understand his or her role as a leader in a professional service firm.

Segment 3: Capstone Residency

PSLM 205 Strategic Leadership for Sustainability and Change (6 modules, 3 total credits)
This course is designed to integrate the first two courses through a focus on strategic leadership of the professional service firm. This will include discussion and analysis of individual reflective application papers and change case projects, which will segue into the centrality of strategic leadership to the firm. After a review of the strategic framework, the course will conclude by highlighting the importance of ethics and strong client relationships for assuring the sustainability of a firm. Modules consist of:

Presentations and Discussions of Projects on Organizational Change
The Ethial Dimension of Strategic Leadership
Strategic Leadership in a Client-Driven Firm
Strategic Leadership and Management in Action
Conclusion and Future Directions

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Spring 2009 Law Firm Leadership Courses
In-Classroom Residency: January 31 - February 8
Online Dstance Learning: February 9 - April 30
Capstone Residency: May 1-4

The Independent Research Project serves as the capstone and concludes the requirements for the Master Professional Law Firm Management.

CPS 294 Independent Research (6 total credits)
Students demonstrate their ability to make independent use of the knowledge and discipline of thought acquired through the successful completion of the requirements of the two preceding graduate certificates, to undertake constructive work utilizing the concepts and techniques acquired in those programs, and to communicate the results of the work in the writing of a major research paper. Students may fulfill the Independent Research project in a one-semester course of six credits or in two semesters of three credits each. To participate, students must have successfully completed the graduate certificate and 12 credits of leadership coursework with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and have a letter of support from a faculty member, who will serve as director of the candidate's Independent Research project. Participants will work individually with this faculty member, who will supervise their research in the selected area of study. An additional faculty member will be appointed as a second reader for each research project.