• What does MSAS stand for?
• Is the MSAS an accredited program?
• Is the MSAS offered online?
• Who is the MSAS Program Director?
• Would the MBA be a better degree?
• How does the MSAS degree differ from the MBA?
• Who teaches the MSAS courses?
• Do I have to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)?
• Where can I get additional information about the option areas?
• How difficult is this program?
• What does the program cost?
• How do I enroll for a course?
• Do I have to be a full-time student?
• Can I take courses in the summer?
• What does a grade of "C" mean?
• Is the program approved for my VA benefits?

What does MSAS stand for?
MSAS stands for Master of Science in Administrative Studies. The MSAS is the only interdisciplinary graduate program of its kind offered at Missouri State University. The program currently involves 10 academic departments located in 5 colleges (College of Arts and Letters, College of Business Administration, College of Health and Human Services, College of Natural and Applied Sciences and the College of Public Affairs). It is the only Missouri State degree that can be earned entirely online.

Is the MSAS an accredited program?
Yes. Missouri State University is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. This insures that the program you are considering/completing has met rigorous standards for excellence in higher education.

Is the MSAS offered online? All of the core courses that comprise the MSAS are available both online as well as on campus. The following option areas are available online and on campus: Communication, Criminal Justice, Project Management, and Sports Management. The Environmental Management option is only available on campus.

Who is the MSAS Program Director?The current MSAS Program Director is Dr. John Bourhis from the Department of Communication, 901 South National, Springfield, Missouri, 65897. (417) 836-5218 or (417) 836-6390. (417) 889-1523 Fax.

Who teaches these courses?
This is an extremely important question when choosing an online program. All of the courses in the MSAS program are taught by Missouri State University faculty.

Do I have to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)?
The applicant must have taken the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with a combined score of 1300 or better or equivalent percentile score on the Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT). Students may be admitted to the program conditionally until test scores have been received. Don't delay your application simply because you haven't taken either the GRE or GMAT. Complete and submit the rest of your application materials and plan on taking your test as soon as possible.

Would an MBA be a better degree?
It isn't a question of "better" or "worse," it's a question of which is more appropriate for your particular career path? Missouri State has many excellent graduate programs including one of the best MBA programs around. You need to decide which program best meets your particular needs and then make a selection based on quality, cost and accessibility. 

How does the MSAS degree differ from the MBA?

MSAS	Broad preparation for a variety of administrative positions in a wide range of organizations.
MBA	More specialized preparation for positions that concentrate on finance and economics as well as other business-related jobs.
MSAS	Combines courses from a variety of disciplines -- accounting, communication, computer information systems, political science, psychology and sociology.
MBA	Majority of courses come from finance, accounting, marketing, economics and management.
MSAS	Designed for individuals with established career paths and a minimum of three years of professional experience.
MBA	Also designed for individuals who have not yet determined a career path.
MSAS	Requires the Graduate Record Examination OR the Graduate Management Admission Test.
MBA	Requires the Graduate Management Admission Test.
MSAS	Does not require a specific undergraduate degree.
MBA	Usually requires undergraduate degree in Arts, Science, Engineering, Law or Business Administration.
MSAS	Has option areas in Applied Communication, Criminal Justice, Environmental Management, Project Management, and Sports Management.
MBA	Does not have these areas of concentration.

 

How difficult is this program?"
Some online programs are nothing more than "pay your money and get your degree." This graduate degree makes no compromises in quality or rigor. Online or on campus, you can expect the same demanding standards. This is a serious graduate degree for serious students. Combine the program's rigor with the challenge of learning in an online environment and you can expect to be tested. If you want "easy" go elsewhere. If you're looking for a real graduate degree, consider carefully what we have to offer. Here is some additional information about being a Successful Online Student.

What does the program cost?
The MSAS degree at Missouri State University is extremely cost competitive. In fact, you won't find another online degree offered at this price. On campus or online, the costs are the same! We don't charge a premium for the convenience of taking courses online. Our online students pay the same per credit hour fee as do our traditional on campus student population. Some of our competitors are charging two and three times what Missouri State charges.

Do I have to be a full-time student?
No. You can complete the program at your own pace. The courses are offered frequently enough that a student can complete the program in four semesters (two years). Most MSAS students have very demanding careers and will take three to four years to complete the program. You have a maximum of eight years or thirty-two semesters to finish the program.

How do I enroll for a course?
You can enroll for a course by using the Missouri State University web registration system.

Where can I get course materials?
Textbooks can be ordered through Missouri State Online. Supplemental reading materials will be available through Missouri State's Meyer Library Electronic Reserve.

Can I take courses in the summer?Historically, Missouri State has not had a robust offering of graduate level courses in the summer for any of its graduate programs. Why, because graduate student demand has been too low to make it economically feasible. You would think there would be great demand for summer offerings. Unfortunately, that isn't the case. The university simply can't afford to be offering a graduate level course to a handful of students, especially when demand for summer undergraduate courses remains strong. Some of the MSAS courses in the program may be offered on campus. Check the summer bulletin for a complete listing of all courses being offered for graduate level credit.

What does a grade of "C" mean?
The Graduate Catalog specifies that a graduate student becomes ineligible for graduate study if more than nine credit hours of C or lower grades are earned in graduate courses.  Any grade of C or below will generate a policy reminder letter from the Graduate College.

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Is the program approved for my VA benefits?
The MSAS Program is approved for veteran benefits. For more information please contact:

V.A. Certifying Official
Office of the Registrar
320 Carrington Hall
Missouri State University
901 South National Avenue
Springfield, MO 65897
Telephone: (417) 836-5520
e-mail: VeteransServices2@missouristate.edu

Where can I get additional information about the option areas?
Contact the individuals who are directly responsible for supervising each of the option areas. These faculty are available to answer any specific questions you have about their options:

Program Director	Dr. John Bourhis	(417) 836-4423 or (417) 836-6390
Administrative Assitant	David Pennington	(417) 836-6390
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