Selecting Your MSA Capstone

Select the capstone course that best meets your needs

Two capstone courses are available in the MSA Program:

  • MSA 698, Directed Administrative Portfolio
  • MSA 699, Applied Research Project in Administration

The MSA Program does not require a thesis. However, the capstone courses allow you to demonstrate the integration of your learning throughout the program.

Your instructor will develop their teaching syllabus from the Master Course Syllabus (MCS). The teaching syllabus will be used for your specific course section. There are two resources listed on the MCS. Most students will have a copy of the APA Style Guide from taking the MSA 600 course. The Student Guide to the MSA Capstone Project is free and the link can be found on the research approval webpage. 

MSA 698: Directed Administrative Portfolio

  • 16 weeks.
  • Five short papers (typically under ten pages) with a paper due every 2-3 weeks.
    • The first four papers evaluate an issue/problem through the lens of MSA 601, MSA 602, MSA 603, and MSA 604. The fifth paper (including a presentation) is a critical analysis.
  • APA required.
  • IRB/RRA approval is not necessary.
  • Secondary research accepted.
  • Is not related to the proposal developed in MSA 600.
  • Rubric scoring.
  • Second review not required.
  • Must be related to your MSA concentration.
  • Potential impact on an organization by focusing on organizational issues.
  • Prerequisites will not be waived and may not be taken concurrently.
  • In order to register, you will need to be on track and successfully pass 27 credits in the MSA program, which include MSA 600, MSA 601, MSA 602, MSA 603, and MSA 604 by the time the course begins.

MSA 699: Applied Research Project in Administration

  • 16 weeks.
  • One 50-75 page research paper.
  • APA required.
  • IRB/RRA approval required.
  • Primary research is required.
  • Rubric scoring.
  • A second review is required.
  • Must be related to MSA concentration.
  • Potential impact on an organization by focusing on organizational issues.
  • In order to register, you will need to be on track and successfully pass 24 credits in the MSA program which include MSA 600, MSA 602, and MSA 603 by the time the course begins.

Refer to the Central Michigan University Library's website for samples and additional helpful materials.