Management Development Program

Designed for early-career leaders, MDP provides participants with the critical skills and mindsets needed to navigate complex institutional environments. Topics will include leadership effectiveness, negotiation tactics, fiscal decision-making, equity and inclusivity, ethics, and strategic planning.

A combination of case studies, small group discussions, interactive presentations, and immersive experiences will help you learn how to incorporate broader strategic considerations into your management decisions.

Throughout MDP, you will have the opportunity to learn and network with a diverse and dynamic cohort, deepen your working relationships through regular roundtable discussions, and continue these connections through a post-MDP participant webinar.

• Develop the capacity for you and your team to build greater individual and group effectiveness.
• Learn the frameworks, tools, and skills to manage negotiations effectively.
• Navigate fiscal decision-making by becoming familiar with higher education financial structures and economic concepts.
• Take proactive steps to transform colleges and universities into truly inclusive institutions, foster success for all students, and support faculty and staff from a range of backgrounds.
• Explore characteristics of effective and ethical leadership.
• Gain skills for planning, implementing, and evaluating a strategic direction for your department or unit.
• Establish connections and develop a lasting network with peers from around the world and throughout the United States.

• Early-career college and university administrators responsible for the strategic direction, administrative management, and local leadership of their respective departments and areas, including: 
  • Deans (also associate/assistant deans)
  • Department chairs
  • Program directors
  • Managing directors

This program only accepts individual applications. First-time applicants need to create a Professional Education account to apply.

Click the "Apply" button at the top of this page to log into your Professional Education account and access the application page. Proceed with the application form until submission. Please note that applicants should be prepared to submit their most recent CV with the application.

Invoices will only be available upon your acceptance.

The tuition covers all instructional materials, a daily continental breakfast and lunch, and beverages and light refreshments during our scheduled breaks between sessions.

Travel, lodging expenses, and most dinners are not included in this fee. We have blocked a limited number of rooms in select hotels in the Cambridge/Boston area. The daily rates for these hotels typically range from $250 to $375 per room, plus applicable taxes. Once your applicants are accepted into the program, they will receive detailed information about these hotel options.

Tuition Assistance

Tuition assistance is available for this program on a need and application basis. Tuition assistance is granted based on participant and institutional needs. Requests for tuition assistance do not affect an applicant's prospects for admission. You may access the tuition assistance application after you have submitted your program application. Tuition assistance applications should be submitted at least one month prior to the final application deadline.