at Central Michigan University

The Master of Science in Administration degree is an interdisciplinary program that was developed in the early 1970s to meet the educational needs and interests of administrators in both the public and nonprofit sectors. The primary focus of the degree program is applied action grounded in theory. The principal elements of this degree are knowledge, competencies, and practical processes needed for successful careers in administration.

The qualities fostered in this program include insight into human and organizational relationships; the capacity for sound analytical judgment; competence in oral and written communication; and the ability to see the “big picture” as it relates to the organization and its environment.
The program is founded on high academic standards. It embraces fundamental educational principles applicable to administrative issues in the public and nonprofit sectors, and it stresses the ethical responsibilities of administrators.

The program includes a core of courses that provides the students with a base of common knowledge and competencies required for successful administration. In addition, the program provides a concentration of specialized courses in the student's area of professional interest. The program culminates in an integrative applied project that links the concepts of the program to the world of work and demonstrates the unity and coherence of the student’s course of study.
(Top of page)

Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the Master of Science in Administration program, a candidate must meet the requirements for regular admission to the College of Graduate Studies. Applicants who possess an undergraduate GPA less than 2.7 may be considered for conditional admission. A maximum of six hours taken before admission to the MSA program may be counted toward the degree.

MSA Prerequisite Courses
Several MSA administrative core courses have prerequisites. These prerequisite courses are Accounting 201, Economics 600 and Statistics 282 or their equivalents. Students can satisfy the prerequisites for MSA 600, MSA 634, MSA 635, and MSA 640 in the following ways:

Successful completion of the course (grade of "C" or better) or its equivalent within three years prior to admission to the MSA program;
Pass a competency assessment exam, only offered if the student has previously taken the course; or
Take the course or its equivalent at CMU or another accredited institution.
(Top of page)

English Language Requirements for International Students
Students admitted with TOEFL scores of 213 CBT or 550 PBT and above are required to complete a Written and Oral Proficiency exam during orientation week. If a satisfactory score is not achieved in one or both exams, the student will be required to take additional course work as recommended by the English Language Institute. This course work can be taken along with MSA classes and must be completed by the end of the second semester on campus. Students with TOEFL scores between 173 and 210 CBT should review the International Student Admission section on TOEFL scores in this Bulletin. ELI course work must be completed by the end of the second semester on campus.
(Top of page)

Advising
Upon admission to the MSA program, the student will be assigned an advisor. The student is required to meet with his or her advisor to determine prerequisite(s) and core area requirements and to select the courses to meet the concentration's requirements. A record of the program authorization will be placed in the student's file in the College of Graduate Studies. Any course taken without the express written consent of the MSA Director may not be approved for fulfillment of the degree requirements.
(Top of page)

Degree Requirements
All MSA students are required to take three courses: (1) MSA 600; (2) MSA 634 or MSA 635; and (3) MSA 640. Other core courses must be selected in consultation with the student's academic advisor. See below.

No student may count toward the MSA degree more than 15 hours from the following:
a. courses carrying designators from the College of Business Administration;
b. MSA 634, MSA 635, MSA 660, and MSA 675;
c. prior learning credits having business titles (EDP only), and;
d. transfer credit of courses with a business connotation from other universities.

In addition:
a. MSA Certificate programs may not use more than 12 credits in College of Business Administration courses;
b. must be completed within four years prior to the awarding of the graduate certificate;
c. business courses taken on any certificate program will not apply to any business degree program at CMU; and
d. courses with MSA designators may not be used toward an MBA degree and courses with MBA designators may not be used toward the MSA degree.

I. Administrative Core (15-21 hours)
Required:
MSA 600 (3) Administrative Research and Report Methods *
MSA 634 (3) Managerial Accounting Concepts *
OR MSA 635 (3) Financial Management *
MSA 640 (3) Quantitative Applications in Administrative Decision Making *

Other Core Courses:
MSA 610 (3) Environments in Administration *
MSA 620 (3) Effective Administration and Organizational Behavior **
MSA 650 (3) Organization Theory: Strategy and Structure
MSA 660 (3) Marketing Administration*
MSA 675 (3) Strategic Policy Administration*
MSA 696 (3) Special Topics
* Has prerequisites.
** Students may not count both MSA 620 and PSY 535 on a certificate or degree program.

II. Area of Concentration (12-18 hours)
Upon admission, each MSA candidate will have an advisor appointed by the MSA Director. At this time, the specific courses needed to fulfill the area of concentration requirements will be identified. (See Concentration Requirements below.)

III. Integrating Experience (3-6 hours)
This requirement may be met by either MSA 685 or MSA 690. These courses are designed to combine practical experience, integrate knowledge from the academic program, and demonstrate ability to design and execute a research project. This requirement includes all Institutional Review Board (IRB) requirements including the End of Data Collection Report.

Total: 36 credit hours
(Top of page)

Concentrations and Sponsors
General Administration - College of Graduate Studies
Health Services Administration - School of Rehabilitation & Medical
     Sciences
*Hospitality and Tourism Administration - Marketing and Hospitality
     Services Administration Department
Human Resources Administration - College of Graduate Studies
*Information Resource Management-College of Graduate Studies
International Administration - College of Graduate Studies
Leadership - College of Graduate Studies
Organizational Communications - Speech Communication and Dramatic
     Arts Department
Public Administration - Political Science Department
Recreation and Park Administration - Recreation, Parks, and Leisure
     Services Administration Department
*Software Engineering Administration - Computer Science Department
Sport Administration - Physical Education and Sport Department
*Vehicle Design and Manufacturing Administration - College of Graduate
     Studies
*Note: Not available at the Mount Pleasant Campus.
(Top of page)

General Administration Concentration
(12-18 credits)

Statement of Purpose for the Concentration
The General Administration concentration is designed to serve the needs of a very heterogeneous group of students. The intent is to offer a program of study which provides moderate structure through study in areas that are applicable to a wide variety of administrative settings. In addition, the student is afforded considerable flexibility in designing a program of study which avoids duplication of previous course work, training, or experience by allowing additional study in areas of choice.

Guide to Choosing Courses
Students are encouraged to complete courses listed within a broad range of categories. If not taken as part of the core curriculum, any one (1) MSA designator course may be completed to partially fulfill the requirements of the General Administration concentration.

Students may substitute up to six (6) credits of courses on this concentration providing the courses are consistent with one or more of the categories listed below. The use of the substitutes must be recommended by the advisor and approved by the MSA Director.

International Systems, Issues and Problems
The study of systems, issues, and problems which impact upon dynamic organizations operating within a global environment.
FIN 573 (3) International Finance
IPC 667 (3) Advanced Studies in Intercultural Communication
MGT 667 (3) International Business
MKT 560 (3) International Marketing
PSC 555 ( 3) International Law I

Information Systems and Analysis
The integration of computer and production systems into administrative decision-making.
CPS 603 (3) Computer Information Systems
ECO 532 (3) Economic Forecasting
IET 500 (3) Production Concepts
MKT 555 (3) Market and Sales Forecasting
BIS 601 (3) Management Information Systems

Legal and Political Systems
The nature of legal and political systems and how they impact the operation of organizations and individual decision making.
ECO 515 (3) Collective Bargaining and Labor Law*
PSC 514 (3) American Public Policy Making
PSC 522 (3) Regulatory Processes and Administrative Law

Organizational Behavior/ Human Resources Administration
The study of individuals within the work organization and the system and processes which affect their behavior.
IPC 665 (3) Seminar in Communication and Negotiation in Employee Relations
MGT 643 (3) Personnel Management
MGT 646 (3) Labor Relations Issues*
PSC 711 (3) Public Personnel Administration Practice
PSC 785 (3) Strategic Leadership
PSY 535 (3) Organizational Psychology **

Organizational Communications
Improving communication of individuals and groups within and between organizations.
EAD 610 (3) Grants and Fund Procurement
IPC 560 (3) Communication and Change: The Diffusion of Ideas and Information
IPC 561 (3) Communication in Conflict Management
IPC 667 (3) Advanced Studies in Intercultural Communication
JRN 670 (3) Public Relations Management
MKT 555 (3) Market and Sales Forecasting

Social and Economic Systems
The nature of social and economic systems and how they constrain, control and impact the operational effectiveness of organizations.
ECO 603 (3) Economic Effects of Urbanization and Technology
ECO 625 (3) Market Structure and Government Policy
ECO 660 (3) Public Finance and Fiscal Policy
IET 524 (3) Technology and Environment
PHL 518 (3) Professional Ethics
PSC 774 (3) Strategic Planning for Public and Non- Profit Organizations
SOC 512 (3) Industrial Sociology

* Students may not count both ECO 515 and MGT 646 on a certificate or degree program.
** Students may not count both MSA 620 and PSY 535 on a certificate or degree program.
(Top of page)

Health Services Administration Concentration
(15-18 credits)

Statement of Purpose for the Concentration
The Health Services Administration concentration is designed to provide the knowledge and skills required for directors, administrators and supervisors in health services.

Required Courses (12 hours):
HSC 520 (3) Health Services Administration*
HSC 570 (3) Financial Aspects of Health Services Organizations
HSC 571 (3) Legal Aspects of Health Services Organizations
HSC 607 (3) Health Service Organizations: Origins,
Systems, and Applications

Elective Courses (3-6 hours) selected with advisor:
HSC 538 (3) Development of Proposals and Reports in Health Administration
HSC 544 (3) Biostatistics
HSC 545 (3) Health Planning
HSC 572 (3) Quality Improvement in Health Services
HSC 601 (3) Computerized Health Care Systems
HSC 617 (3) Community and Public Health
HSC 680 (3) Managed Care: Origins, Organizations, and Operations
HSC 700 (3) Program Evaluation in the Health Fields

*Advisors may recommend to the MSA Director the substitution of another course for HSC 520, if the student has appropriate management experience.
(Top of page)

Hospitality and Tourism Administration Concentration
(12-15 credits)

Statement of Purpose for the Concentration
The Hospitality and Tourism Administration Concentration is designed to enable students to examine suppliers of hospitality service including: hotel/resort facilities, passenger transportation carriers, food/beverage providers, and conference and event providers. Students are provided with background and competency in the following areas: hospitality service provider processes and organization, governmental regulation of the industry and international tourism controls, managerial tools and techniques, and pricing considerations.

Hospitality and Tourism Administration Concentration Courses
Required Courses (12 hours):
HSA 542 (3) International Tourism
HSA 543 (3) Hospitality Industry Organizations and Operations
HSA 544 (3) Current Research Issues in Hospitality and Tourism
HSA 546 (3) Management in the Hospitality Service Sector

Electives (0-3 hours):
One specialized course determined by the MSA Director.

Note: No more than a total of 15 hours of College of Business Administration courses may be used on the program plan.
(Top of page)

Human Resources Administration Concentration
(12-18 credits)

Statement of Purpose for the Concentration
The Human Resources Administration concentration provides a program of study for the student who is pursuing, or intends to pursue, a career in the field of Human Resources. The concentration is designed to provide students with an overall background in the field as well as in the specific areas of Labor Relations, Staffing, Training and Organization Development.

Guide to Choosing Courses
Students are required to take one course from Category A, preferably before taking other courses in the concentration. In order to produce the strongest preparation, it is recommended that students take one course from Categories B and C and two courses from Category D.

Human Resources Administration Concentration Courses
Category A: Survey of Human Resources Administration
MGT 643 (3) Personnel Management
PSC 711 (3) Public Personnel Administration Practice

Category B: Labor Relations
ECO 515 (3) Collective Bargaining and Labor Law*
   OR MGT 646 (3) Labor Relations Issues*
IPC 665 (3) Seminar in Communication and Negotiation in Employee Relations

Category C: Training and Organization Development
IPC 560 (3) Communication and Change: The Diffusion of Ideas and Information***
   OR IPC 561 (3) Communication in Conflict Management***
MGT 649 (3) Seminar in Organizational Development
PSY 736 (3) Strategies for Interventions in Social Systems

Category D: Staffing
ECO 614 (3) Seminar in Labor Economics
MGT 645 (3) Personnel Compensation Practice and Process
MGT 647 (3) Employee Selection and Evaluation**
   OR PSY 536 (3) Personnel Psychology**
PSY 636 (3) Organizational Applications of Personnel Psychology

Note: No more than a total of 15 hours of College of Business courses may be used on the program plan.
* Students may not count both ECO 515 and MGT 646 on a certificate or degree program.
** Students may not count both MGT 647 and PSY 536 on a certificate or degree program.
*** Students may not count both IPC 560 and IPC 561 within the HRA certificate or concentration.
(Top of page)

Information Resource Management Concentration
(12-18 credits)

Statement of Purpose for the Concentration
The Information Resource Management Concentration is designed to enable students to develop a comprehensive management approach to the introduction of information systems in an organization, in order to ensure that the information technology solution which is chosen will be deemed the one most appropriate.

Information Resource Management Concentration Courses
BIS 634 (3) Information Resource Management
CPS 603 (3) Computer Information Systems*
   OR BIS 601 (3) Management Information Systems*
CPS 510 (3) Software Systems Engineering**
   OR BIS 630 (3) Systems Analysis and Design**
CPS 612 (3) Software Project Management***
   OR BIS 635 (3) Business Systems Applications***
One specialized course determined by the MSA Director

Note: No more than a total of 15 hours of College of Business courses may be used on the program plan.

* Students may not count both BIS 601 and CPS 603 on an IRM concentration or IRM certificate.
** Students may not count both BIS 630 and CPS 510 on an IRM concentration or IRM certificate.
*** Students may not count both BIS 635 and CPS 612 on an IRM concentration or IRM certificate.
(Top of page)

International Administration Concentration
(12-18 credits)

Statement of Purpose for the Concentration
The International Administration concentration is designed to provide the appropriate educational background for students who are interested in practicing administration in international settings. Those who have administrative responsibilities with international dimensions, but work in the United States, would also find it helpful.

International Administration Concentration Courses
ANT 506 (3) Comparative Cultural Systems
ECO 655 (3) Seminar in International Economics
FIN 573 (3) International Finance
IPC 667 (3) Advanced Studies in Intercultural Communication
MGT 667 (3) International Business
MKT 560 (3) International Marketing
PSC 551 (3) Seminar in International Relations
PSC 555 (3) International Law I
PSC 651 (3) Comparative Economic and Political Systems
When appropriate, other courses may be substituted with the approval of the MSA Director.

Students will demonstrate a sensitivity to contemporary cultural variations and the need for understanding them. This may be evidenced by graduate or undergraduate coursework, experience or other appropriate means.
(Top of page)

Leadership Concentration
(12-18 credits)

Statement of Purpose for the Concentration
The Leadership Concentration enables students to enhance their knowledge and skills in the area of leadership, group dynamics, organizational change, management of conflict, negotiation, cultural diversity and communication.

Electives (9-15 credits)
ECO 515 (3) Collective Bargaining and Labor Law*
OR MGT 646 (3) Seminar in Labor Relations*
IPC 560 (3) Communication and Change: The Diffusion of Ideas and Information
IPC 561 (3) Communication in Conflict Management
IPC 665 (3) Seminar in Communication and Negotiation in Employee Relations
IPC 667 (3) Advanced Studies in Intercultural Communications
MGT 649 (3) Seminar in Organizational Development
MSA 696 (3) Special Topics (Possible topics: Cultural Diversity, Managing information Technology)
PSY 531 (3) Group Dynamics
MSA 620 (3) Effective Administration and Organizational Behavior**
OR PSY 535 (3) Organizational Psychology**
One specialized course determined by the MSA Director

When appropriate, other courses may be substituted with the approval of the MSA Director.

*Student may not count both ECO 515 and MGT 646 on a certificate or degree program.
**Student may not count both MSA 620 and PSY 535 on a certificate or degree program.
(Top of page)

Organizational Communication Concentration
(15-18 credits)

Required Courses: (9 credits)
IPC 661 (3) Contemporary Communication Theory
SDA 601 (3) Research Design in Speech Communication
OR IPC 750 (3) Rhetorical Criticism
SDA 600 (3) Introduction to Research and Graduate Study in Speech and Dramatic Arts

Electives: (6-9 credits)
IPC 555 (3-9) Special Topics in Interpersonal and Public Communication
IPC 560 (3) Communication and Change: The Diffusion of Ideas and Information
IPC 561 (3) Communication in Conflict Management
IPC 660 (3-9) Seminar in Interpersonal Communication
IPC 662 (3) Advanced Persuasion
IPC 790 (1-4) Advanced Independent Study
(Top of page)

Public Administration Concentration
(15-18 credits)

Statement of Purpose for the Concentration
The Public Administration Concentration is designed to prepare students for careers in public sector administration. Broadly, the objectives of the program are to provide students with background and competency in five areas including (1) the political, social, and economic environment of public administration; (2) public management process; (3) public policy analysis; (4) research and analytic methods; and (5) organization theory and behavior.

Public Administration Concentration Courses
PSC 511 (3) Personnel and Organization in Public Bureaucracies
PSC 514 (3) American Public Policy Making
PSC 515 (3) Comparative Public Policy
PSC 520 (3) American National Government and Politics
PSC 522 (3) Regulatory Processes and Administrative Law
PSC 561 (3) American State Government and Administration
PSC 563 (3) Politics and Policy in Urban Communities
PSC 565 (3) Managing Modern Local Government
PSC 566 (3) Intergovernmental Relations in the U.S.
PSC 585 (3) Computer Applications for Public Administrators
PSC 610 (3) Foundations of Public Administration
PSC 615 (3) Politics and Regulation of Health Care Policy
PSC 710 (3) Seminar on Public Bureaucracies and Policy Formation
PSC 711 (3) Public Personnel Administrative Practice
PSC 712 (3) Implementation and Reform of Public Programs
PSC 713 (3) Public Budgeting and Finance Budgeting
PSC 714 (3) Program Analysis and Evaluation
PSC 773 (3) Public Administration and Public Interest
PSC 774 (3) Strategic Planning for Public and Non- Profit Organizations
PSC 775 (3) Organization Theory in Public Administration
PSC 780 (3) Research in Public Administration in Political Science
PSC 785 (3) Strategic Leadership
Choice of one of the following three courses:
ECO 515 (3) Collective Bargaining and Labor Law
OR IPC 665 (3) Seminar in Communication and Negotiation in Employee Relations
OR MGT 646 (3) Labor Relations Issues
(Top of page)

Recreation and Park Administration Concentration
(15-18 credits)

Statement of Purpose for the Concentration
The Recreation, Parks, and Leisure Administration concentration is designed to provide students with background and competencies in administration, grant writing, evaluation, current issues, as well as areas of individualized interest.

Recreation and Park Administration Concentration Courses
Required Courses (9 hours):
RPL 605 (3) Administration of Leisure Services
RPL 611 (3) Evaluation in Recreation and Leisure Services
RPL 618 (3) Issues in Leisure

Select 6-9 hours (dependent upon which course is taken, MSA 685 or MSA 690)
RPL 508 (3) Budgeting for Leisure Service Agencies
RPL 511 (3) Risk Management and Loss Control for Recreation and Parks
RPL 521 (3) Financial Assistance for Recreation and Parks
RPL 545 (3) Promoting Leisure Service Agencies
RPL 552 (3) Environmental Interpretations
RPL 600 (1-6) Advanced Issues in Recreation
RPL 620 (3) Planning for Parks and Recreation Facilities
RPL 652 (3) Outdoor Recreation
RPL 754 (2) Seminar in Recreation
RPL 791 (2) Independent Study
(Top of page)

Software Engineering Administration Concentration
(18 credits)

Statement of Purpose for the Concentration
The Software Engineering Administration program provides software managers with concepts, analytical skills, and methods of software engineering management of large, complex software systems, including those embedded in other systems. Graduates are prepared for positions requiring the management of people and resources in software intensive organizations.

To be admitted to this concentration, the student must have completed the equivalent of MTH 175, MTH 132 or 136, CPS 180, CPS 181, CPS 210 and CPS 340. In addition, the student must have completed one year of work in which his or her major assignment dealt with program design or development. Completion of a computer science major may be substituted for the one year experience.

Software Engineering Concentration Courses
The concentration consists of six tightly integrated courses taught in a compressed weekend format. The curriculum begins with a course which introduces the student to the major issues in software engineering and how software engineering addresses those issues. The concentration continues with a course in software project management. This course provides analysis techniques and tools which manage and control the software development process. The remaining four courses continue to discuss the major software development activities in more detail.
CPS 510 (3) Software Systems Engineering
CPS 611 (3) Software Verification and Validation Design
CPS 612 (3) Software Project Management
CPS 613 (3) Specifications of Software Systems
CPS 614 (3) Principles and Applications of Software
CPS 615 (3) Software Generation and Maintenance
(Top of page)

Sport Administration Concentration
(15-18 credits)

Statement of Purpose for the Concentration
The Sport Administration concentration is designed to prepare the student for a career in administration in college, professional, or commercial sport.
15-18 hours to be selected with the consent of a PES Graduate Faculty Advisor. Course substitutions may be made upon recommendation of the PES Graduate Advisor and approval of the Graduate Office if the course content of the course to be substituted is essentially the same as the course it will replace.

Sport Administration Concentration Courses
PES 603 (3) Administration of Sport and Physical Education
PES 620 (3) Sport: An Interdisciplinary Study
PES 625 (3) Facilities for Sport and Physical Education
PES 630 (3) Analysis of Sport Administration Literature
PES 640 (3) Sport and the Law
PES 650 (3) Sport Marketing
PES 665 (3) Computer Applications in Sports Administration
PES 690 (1-3) Practicum
(Top of page)

Vehicle Design and Manufacturing Administration Concentration
(18 credits)

Statement of Purpose for the Concentration
The Vehicle Design and Manufacturing Administration (VDMA) concentration prepares students to take leadership responsibility in vehicle design and manufacturing administration.

The Vehicle Design and Manufacturing Administration Courses (18 credits)
IET 500 (3) Production Concepts
IET 501 (3) Application of Industrial Management Principles
MSA 610 (3) Environments in Administration
MKT 665 (3) Management of Integrated Logistics Systems
MGT 542 (3) Inventory and Materials Management
MGT 543 (3) Management and Control of Quality

Note: No more than a total of 15 hours of College of Business courses may be used on the program plan.
(Top of page)