Master of Science in Administrative Studies

Master of Science in Administrative Studies

The Master of Science in Administrative Studies is a cross-disciplinary program which features enhancement of administrative abilities with areas of emphasis in Applied Communication, Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, Environmental Management, Project Management, and Sports Management. 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 builds upon past work experience and allows participants to expand their knowledge base, abilities, and skills which can lead to enhanced administrative roles within organizations.

The Master of Science in Administrative Studies may be taken via the Internet. All of the required 24 hours of core courses and the Applied Communication, Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, Project Management and Sports Management options are available over the Internet. Currently, the 12-hour Environmental Management option is available only on campus. The Individualized option would depend on the selection of courses chosen.

The basic premise of the Master of Science in Administrative Studies (MSAS) 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 coursework 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. Option areas are available in Applied Communication, Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, Environmental Management, Project Management, Sports Management and an individualized option. The Master of Science in Administrative Studies courses may be taken via the Internet.

MSAS Option Areas

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 organisation 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 the workday 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.

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.

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.

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 a defence, 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.

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.

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! The Individualized option gives you the opportunity to work closely with your academic advisor 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.

Homeland Security Option

Homeland Security and Defense curriculum is structured around key policy and organizational problems involving homeland security. Each course prepares students to master core issues, principles, and problem-solving approaches that can be applied to specific challenges confronting their jurisdictions or sponsoring or sponsoring organizations.

Producing and Screenwriting Option

Producing and screenwriting is a 12 credit-hour option designed to teach students about the screenwriting craft. This involves developing each student's potential in finding their unique style; exposing students to the concept of "workshopping pages" by giving and receiving critical input on style, writing technique and structure; and providing insight into today's film and television market. Projects may include completing polished drafts on the following: multiple treatments/outlines, a short or full-length screenplay, and one to two dramatic teleplays.