Missouri State University

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Administrative Studies 

MSAS Option Areas

Option Area ContactsThese faculty members are responsible for supervising each of the option areas and are available to answer any specific questions you might have.

 

Communication Dr. John Bourhis (417) 836-4423 or (417) 836-6390
Criminal Justice Dr. Karl Kunkel (417) 836-5640
Environmental Management Dr. Robert Pavlowsky (417) 836-8473
Project Management Dr. Shawn Strong (417) 836-5121
Sports Management Dr. Gerald Masterson (417) 836-5251
Individualized Dr. John Bourhis (417) 836-4423 or (417) 836-6390

 

 

 APPLIED COMMUNICATION OPTION

 The 12 credit hour Applied Communication Option provides advanced study in the analysis and practice of effective professional communication. The courses in this option reflect the critical communication challenges facing organization leaders today: understanding and managing diversity in the workplace; leading teams and small groups; negotiating and mediating conflict; using media technologies to communicate with diverse audiences; and developing oral and written communication skills for a variety of organizational roles. Research shows that managers spend as much as 80% of their work day communicating with others and that communication abilities are positively related to managers' job performance and upward mobility. Anyone responsible for supervising or coordinating the work of others can benefit from the Applied Communication Option. Individuals with advanced training in communication find employment in a wide variety of professional fields, including management, training and development, public relations, public information/community relations, human resources management, communication management and nonprofit administration. A background in communication (e.g., speech communication, media, journalism, business communication) is ideal but not essential. Students with backgrounds in the social sciences (e.g., psychology, sociology) humanities (English, languages, arts) or business will find that courses in the Applied Communication Option complement their earlier academic training and professional experiences.

REQUIRED COURSES:

  • COM 611 Communication, Community & Conflict (3 cr)
  • COM 617 Communication and Diversity in the Workplace (3 cr)
  • COM 613 Media Resources for Organizations (3 cr)
  • COM 732 Theories and Concepts of Small Group Communication (3 cr)

 

 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE OPTION

Along with the core courses in the MSAS, the Criminal Justice Option is designed to prepare students for leadership and administrative roles in criminal justice agencies. The 12 credit hour Criminal Justice Option should be relevant for students seeking advanced positions in law enforcement, institutional and community-based corrections, and juvenile justice agencies.  The Criminal Justice Option stresses the utility of the scholarly study of crime and criminal justice for administration. Through meshing necessary management skills with an appreciation for empirical research, the MSAS with a Criminal Justice Option seeks to inform and prepare tomorrow's leaders in the criminal justice system.
 
  • CRM 710 Justice Administration (3 cr)
  • CRM 740 Foundations of Homeland Security (3 cr)
  • CRM 750 Law Enforcement and Community (3 cr)
  • CRM 770 Correctional Theory and Practice (3 cr)

 

 

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT OPTION 

 The Environmental Management Option is designed to meet the needs of established professionals who have some responsibility for managing environmental issues, broadly defined. The option assumes that the student has an appropriate academic background in the natural and applied sciences to qualify for graduate level work. Environmental protection, conservation, and resource planning issues are addressed in this 12 credit hour option.  Please NOTE: This option is NOT available via the internet. 

REQUIRED COURSES:

  • ECO 640 Economics of the Environment (3 cr)
  • GRY 731 Environmental Assessment (3 cr)

ELECTIVE COURSES - CHOOSE TWO OF THE FOLLOWING (6 hours):

  • BIO 632 Principles of Fisheries Management (3 cr)
  • BIO 662 Limnology (3 cr)
  • BIO 689 Game Management (3 cr)
  • BIO 726 Advanced Limnology Methods (3 cr)
  • CHM 760 Chemistry of Environmental Systems (3 cr)
  • GRY 748 Physiography and Resource Conservation (3 cr)
  • PLN 671 Land Use Planning (3 cr)
  • PLN 674 Open Space and Recreation Planning (3 cr)
  • PLN 670 Planning Law (3 cr)

 

 

PROJECT MANAGEMENT OPTION

The 12 credit hour Project Management Option is designed to meet the needs of individuals who are established in careers and are seeking professional growth and advancement within their professions. During the past decade,  the concepts behind project management have been applied in such diverse industries and organizations as defense, construction, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, banking, hospitals, advertising, law, state and local governments.

Projects have the following characteristics: (1) specific objectives to be completed within certain specifications, (2) defined start and end dates, (3) funding limits (if applicable), and (4) consumable resources.  The project management approach is a departure from the traditional vertical business organizational form which emphasizes a strong superior-subordinate relationship.  It is characterized by new methods of restructuring management and adapting special management techniques with the purpose of obtaining better control and use of existing resources.   

REQUIRED COURSES (6 hours):

  • IDM 701 Project Management (3 cr)
  • IDM 750 Project Management Implementation (3 cr)

  ELECTIVE COURSES - CHOOSE TWO OF THE FOLLOWING (6 hours):

  • IDM 611 Product Design and Development (3 cr)
  • IDM 645 Project Control Systems (3 cr)
  • IDM 651 Cost Analysis for Industrial Management (3 cr)
  • IDM 710 Project Leadership (3 cr)

Recommended sequence: IDM 701, two electives, IDM 750

 

 

SPORTS MANAGEMENT OPTION

Sports Management is a 15 credit hour option, which includes a 6 credit hour field experience course. The Sports Management Option is designed to provide for preparation for management positions in professional, collegiate, and international sports, as well as, campus and community wellness/sports programs.
 
REQUIRED COURSES:

  • PED 733 Current Problems in Sports Administration (3 cr)
  • PED 739 Principles of Sports Management (3 cr)
  • PED 780 Legal Aspects in Sports, Physical Ed., Recreation, and Wellness Programs (3 cr)
  • PED 798 Field Experience in Sports Management (6 cr)

 

 

INDIVIDUALIZED OPTION 

 The Administrative Studies program is designed to meet your particular educational needs. Don't see an option that meets your needs? Propose your own to the MSAS Program Director! The Individualized option gives you the opportunity to work closely with your academic adviser to develop a 12 credit  hour option tailored to your specific situation and career path. Students have completed the Administrative Studies degree with individualized options in Health Care Administration, Entertainment Management, Theater Management, Public Relations and others.