Missouri State University

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Administrative Studies 

MSAS Program Description

The Master of Science in Administrative Studies is a cross-disciplinary program which features enhancement of administrative abilities with areas of emphasis in Communication, Criminal Justice, Environmental Management, Project Management, Sports Management and an individualized option. The program is designed to meet the needs of individuals who are established in careers and are seeking professional growth and advancement within their vocations. The 33 hour program values past work experience, and allows participants to expand their knowledge base, abilities and skills, which can lead to enhanced administrative roles within organizations. People who are working in, or anticipate, positions in government, military, educational support systems, sports and various human service areas will find the program useful in expanding their administrative knowledge and supervisory skills.

A basic premise of the program is that for individuals to be effective in their career paths, they need to build from a core of courses designed to impart various skills common to effective administration and successful goal achievement. Hence, all students will take course work that builds competencies in Organizational Communication, Information Systems, Personnel Issues, Legal/Political Issues, Budgeting, and Research Design/Methods. For an additional 12 hours of the program, students will select, with advisement, a discipline-option area that focuses on one application of administrative services. Six options are available: Communication, Criminal Justice, Environmental Management, Project Management, Sports Management and an individualized option. The Master of Science in Administrative Studies may be taken via the Internet. Specifically, the twenty-one hours of core courses of the program and the twelve hour concentration areas in Communication, Criminal Justice, Project Management and Sports Management will be available via the Internet.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

(Minimum of 33 hours) 

1. Core Competency Requirements Total Credits (18 hours)

All students must complete the following core requirements. Students who have a very strong background in one core competency area will be allowed to enroll for a higher-level course, or substitute one additional course in a second competency area, or in the option they have chosen.   

CORE COMPETENCIES

REQUIRED COURSES

Budgeting

ACC 500

Financial Accounting Concepts for Managers

3

PLS 656

Financial Management for State & Local Government

3

Communication

COM 636

Concepts & Analysis of Communication in Organizations

3

Information Systems

CIS 500

Information Systems in Business Organizations

3

Legal/Political Issues

PLS 551

Administrative Law

3

Personnel Issues

PSY 676

Personnel Selection, Placement & Classification

3

 

2.  Research Methods/Research Requirement Total Credits (3 hours)

Research Methods Requirement

The research method requirement may be fulfilled by selecting a graduate methods course at the 500 or 600 level from among the several currently offered at Missouri State. Selection of a methods course must be done in consultation with a student's advisor. Typically, students will take a methods course within their program option. (3) Sports Management students must complete PED 633 Current Problems in Sports Admnistration.



3
 

Research Requirement

Students satisfy the research requirement by submitting a paper/project completed in one of the four option area courses that demonstrates mastery of a research method appropriate to the degree.

 

3.  Option Areas Total Credits (12 hours)

Five option areas exist for the Master of Science in Administrative Studies. Students must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours in an option.  Options include Communication, Criminal Justice, Environmental Management, Project Management and Sports Management. Under special circumstances and close supervision of an academic advisor, a graduate student may be allowed to develop a specialized course of study (Independent option) to complete the degree. 

4.  Candidates must pass a comprehensive examination.

 The comprehensive examination is a test designed to access your "mastery" of the material comprising your Option Area.