MSA Program

The Master of Science in Administration is an interdisciplinary degree perfect for anyone in management or administration who wants to increase their skill sets and knowledge to advance in their profession. The MSA was developed to hone leadership, management, and organization skills for professional administrators in both the public and nonprofit sectors. 

The MSA degree is a 36-credit-hour program, with 18 hours of core classes and 18 hours based on your selected concentration. Graduates must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA in the course work.

Program Information

    MSA 600: Foundations of Research Methods in Administration
    MSA 601: Organizational Behavior and Leadership
    MSA 602: Financial Fluency for Leaders
    MSA 603: Leading through Strategic Planning and Implementation
    MSA 604: Inclusive and Intercultural Leaders

    Select one of the following:

    MSA 698: Directed Administrative Portfolio OR
    MSA 699: Applied Research Project in Administration


    Master of Science in Administration concentrations and graduate certificates

    You can also have the option of taking these concentration courses and receiving a graduate certificate.  Pair them with the MSA core courses for your MSA degree. Learn more about these graduate certificates

      Effectively managing the digital transformation process is imperative to meeting organizational objectives. You will gain comprehensive knowledge about digital leadership, virtual communication, digital ethics, and how to foster an online culture. These enhanced digital management skills are currently needed in all sectors and industries. This is a STEM program. 18 credit hours.

      Sample courses in this concentration:

      Required:
      Com 525 Virtual Team Communication
      MSA 520 Ethics in Digital Transformation
      MSA 521 Digital Culture & Social Media Strategies
      MSA 522 Digital Leadership

      Electives:
      CPS 603 Computer Information Systems
      CPS 510 Software Systems Engineering
      CPS 612 Software Project Management
      EDL 760 Leadership Theory and Practice
      MSA 677 Disruption, Innovation, Transformation and Change
      PAD 585 Public Sector Information Technology Management
      PAD 785 Strategic Leadership
      *For a specific academic plan, consult your MSA academic advisor.

      Learn more about the Digital Management Program

      Build on your problem-solving savvy with courses designed for management in a variety of engineering fields with a focus on strategic planning and best practices. (International students will need some online coursework) This is a STEM program,18 credit hours.

      IET 500 Production Concepts
      IET 501 Application of Industrial Management Principles
      IET 524 Technology and Environment
      IET 650 Project Management
      IET 670 Lean Manufacturing & Six Sigma Quality
      IET 680 Sustainability and Green Technology

      Learn More about the Engineering Management Program

      With the ability to select courses across multiple concentrations, the degree is easily customizable to align with your career goals. 15-18 credit hours

      Sample courses in this concentration:

      CPS 603 Computer Information Systems
      EDL 760 Leadership Theory and Practice
      IET 500 Production Concepts
      MSA 510 The Culturally Intelligent Organization
      MSA 609 Ethical and Legal Dimensions of Private Sector Organizations
      CED 555 Human Relations Skills
      MSA 501 Managing Change with Emotional Intelligence
      MSA 502 Workforce Improvement Strategies in Corporate/Non-profit Organizations
      MSA 503 Gender and Generational Supervision
      MSA 647 People and Project Administration
      PHL 518 Professional Ethics
      PSC 514 American Public Policy Making


      Learn More about the General Administration Program

      As a student in the health services administration program, you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary for leadership within the rapidly growing health care sector. 15-18 credit hours.

      Sample courses in this concentration:

      Required:

      HSC 520 Health Services Administration
      HSL 611 Healthcare Administration and Ethical Compliance
      HSL 631 Healthcare Law, Compliance and Risk Management
      HSL 651 Fundamentals of Healthcare Finance

      Electives:

      HSC 572 Quality Improvement in Health Services
      HSC 617 Community and Public Health
      MSA 501 The Emotionally Intelligent Organization
      MSA 608 Succession Planning


      Learn more about the Health Services Administration Program

      Through the human resources concentration, you will master complex employment issues related to labor relations, staff, training and organizational development. 15-18 credit hours.

      Those with a SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, and SPHR may have earned 6 to 9 credits toward your MSA degree through CMU's Certification-to-Credit Program.

      Sample courses in this concentration:

      Required:

      MGT 643 Human Resource Management
      PAD 711 Public Personnel Management

      Electives:

      MSA 502 Workforce Improvement Strategies in Corporate/Non-profit Organizations
      MSA 503 Gender and Generational Supervision
      COM 561 Communication in Conflict Management
      MSA 647 People and Project Administration
      MGT 645 Personnel Compensation Practice and Process
      MGT 647 Employee Selection and Evaluation


      Learn more about the Human Resources Administration Program

      You will learn to leverage group dynamics, organizational change, conflict management, negotiations, cultural diversity and communications to efficiently meet organizational objectives. 15-18 credit hours.

      Sample courses in this concentration:

      Required:
      MSA 677 Disruption, Innovation, Transformation and Change OR
      PAD 785 Strategic Leadership

      Electives:
      MSA 501 The Emotionally Intelligent Organization
      MSA 510 The Culturally Intelligent Organization
      MSA 502 Workforce Improvement Strategies in Corporate/Non-profit Organizations
      MSA 503 Gender and Generational Supervision
      MSA 510 The Culturally Intelligent Organization
      MSA 573WI Workplace Violence: Awareness and Prevention
      MSA 647 People and Project Administration
      COM 561 Communication in Conflict Management
      CED 555 Human Relations Skills
      COM 667 Seminar in Intercultural Communication
      MGT 646 Labor Relations Issues

      Learn more about the Leadership Program


      Become an invaluable asset to employers with your enhanced knowledge in logistics, purchasing, regulatory concepts, administrative law, strategic planning and acquisitions best practices. (hybrid only, not available for International Students) 18 credit hours.

      Sample courses in this concentration:

      Required:
      MGT 533 Purchasing Strategy
      MKT 631 Lean Logistics Operations
      MSA 611 Contract Administration

      Electives:
      MSA 504 Strategies and Proposals in Government Acquisitions
      MSA 540 Legal Considerations of Contract Administration
      IET 500 Production Concepts
      MGT 542 Inventory and Materials Management
      MGT 543 Management and Control of Quality
      MKT 555 Market and Sales Forecasting
      MKT 632 Integrated Logistics Strategy
      PSC 514 American Public Policy Making


      Learn more about the Logistics and Acquisitions Program

      Make a difference and become an invaluable asset to your organization with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead in the nonprofit sector. (hybrid only, not available for International Students) 18 credit hours.

      Sample courses in this concentration:

      Required:
      MSA 612 Grants Fiscal Administration
      MSA 643 Administration of Annual, Capital Campaigns and Major Gifts
      PAD 523WI Fundamentals of Grant Writing and Management
      PAD 620 Nonprofit Management
      PAD 621 Board Governance and Executive Leadership

      Electives:
      EDL 610 Grants and Fund Procurement
      EDL 751 Program Evaluation and Review
      RPL 521 Fund Development & Grant Writing for Public & Non-profit Organizations


      Learn More about the Philanthropy and Nonprofit Organizations Program

      Hone your multitasking, analytical thinking, leadership and communication skills to become an effective manager. This is a STEM program, 15-18 credit hours.

      Sample courses in this concentration:

      Required:
      BUS 501 Project Management Fundamentals
      BUS 505 Application of Project Management Principles
      BUS 507 Advanced Project Management Methodologies
      MSA 647 People and Project Administration

      Electives:
      COM 560 Communication and Social/Organizational Change
      COM 667 Seminar in Intercultural Communication
      MSA 609 Ethical and Legal Dimensions of Private sector Organization
      MSA 611 Contract Administration


      This is a STEM program. 18 credit hours.

      Learn More about the Project Management Program

      Develop an advanced understanding of the political, social and economic environments surrounding public service through a focus on public policy, strategic planning, fiscal management and leadership. 15-18 credit hours.

      Sample courses in this concentration:

      PAD 610 Foundations of Public Administration
      PAD 711 Public Personnel Management
      PAD 713 Public Budgeting and Finance
      PAD 714 Program Analysis and Evaluation
      PAD 622 Strategic Planning for Public/Non-Profit Organizations
      PAD 785 Strategic Leadership
      PSC 514 American Public Policy Making
      PSC 522 Regulatory Processes and Administrative Law
      PSC 566 Intergovernmental Relations in the United States

      Learn More about the Public Administration Program

      Learn skills to position you as a training & development specialist, organizational development consultant, performance technologist and more. This program is designed to develop practitioners with the knowledge and skills to lead, support, diagnose problems and implement solutions that enhance organizational performance. (hybrid) 18 credit hours.

      Sample courses in this concentration:

      Required:
      EDL 612 Methods and Techniques of Training and Development
      HED 626 The Adult Learner
      MSA 502 Professional Development in Organizations
      MSA 506 Evaluation, Coaching and Mentoring
      MSA 608 Succession Planning

      Electives:
      COM 560 Communication and Social/Organizational Change
      COM 667 Seminar in Intercultural Communication
      HED 680 Foundations of Teaching College and Adult Learners
      MSA 501 The Emotionally Intelligent Organization
      MSA 522 Digital Leadership
      MSA 530WI Foundations of Wellness Administration
      MSA 573WI Workplace Violence: Awareness and Prevention

      Learn More about the Talent Development Program

      Graduate Certificate only: 


        Ensures that administrators are prepared to be effective leaders in the corporate and non-profit worlds. It can be earned as a stand-alone certificate and also forms the base of a unique "stackable" program where you can transfer credits into a Master of Science in Administration (MSA) degree program. 18 credit hours.

        MSA 601 Organizational Dynamics and Human Behavior
        MSA 602 Financial Analysis, Planning and Control
        MSA 603 Strategic Planning for the Administrator
        MSA 604 Administration, Globalization and multiculturalism
        MSA 501 Managing Change with Emotional Intelligence
        MSA 609 Ethical and Legal Dimensions of Private Sector Organizations

        Learn More about the Administrative Essentials Program