Accelerated Master of Science in Administration

(Currently enrolled CMU Undergraduate students only)

Undergraduate students majoring in the following Global Campus majors: Integrated Leadership Studies, Community Development, or Administration, or any main campus major with the approval of the Registrar's Office may pursue a Master of Science in Administration degree in any selected concentration, while fulfilling the final year requirements for their Bachelor’s degree. The Accelerated Master of Science in Administration program allows students to reduce the total number of credits to complete their undergraduate degree and graduate level degrees by applying up to 12 credits toward the graduation requirements on both degree programs.

Admission Criteria

To be eligible for the Accelerated Master of Science in Administration program, the student must have:

1. An overall cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 including all General Education requirements (including transfer and AP credits), the semester that they apply for admission to the Accelerated MSA program. This includes all forms of credit to include transfer credit from another institution.
2. CMU undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 the semester that they apply for admission to the Accelerated MSA program
3. Minimum of 86 credit hours toward a Bachelor’s degree with no less than 18 remaining credit hours to complete the undergraduate degree.

During the final academic year, students will complete 12 credits of MSA coursework that will be the final courses taken and counted toward both the undergraduate and graduate degrees. The student must earn a minimum of a 3.0 GPA or higher in each course below. If the student does not earn a 3.0 GPA or higher in each course that is intended to be applied to the graduate degree, the student will be dematriculated from the accelerated program and the MSA courses taken in the accelerated MSA program can only be used on the student’s undergraduate program. The student may apply for regular admission to the MSA program and will need to retake or replace the previous credits. The following courses are used for dual counting for the Bachelor’s degree and the Accelerated MSA Program:

First Semester

Second Semester

Program Requirements

Concentrations

Note: Some concentrations are not available at the main campus location.

Select one of the following:

Acquisitions Administration

The Acquisitions Administration concentration prepares administrators with a focus on acquisitions by providing a knowledge base in purchasing, regulatory concepts and related factors in acquisitions administration. Students will select 15-18 credits in consultation with their advisor.

Required Core I (15 hours)

Required Core II (3 hours)

Select one of the following:

Required Courses (6 hours)

Electives (9-12 hours)

Select three or four of the following:

Cognate Courses (0-3 hours)

Select any course offered within any MSA degree program concentration or one of the following courses, in consultation with an academic advisor and approved by the MSA Director:

Total: 36 semester hours

Engineering Management

The purpose of the concentration is to provide a program of study for the students who intend to pursue a career in this field or for engineers who have the need to acquire managerial skills. Students will gain the knowledge needed to manage industrial, engineering, high tech and "green" energy organizations. The concentration combines the analysis and integration of theory, principles, and research in technology, industrial and engineering management with administrative science.

Required Core I (15 hours)

Required Core II (3 hours)

Select one of the following:

Required Courses (18 hours)

Total: 36 semester hours

General Administration

Statement of Purpose for the Concentration

The General Administration concentration is designed to serve the needs of a very heterogeneous group of students. The intent is to offer a program of study which provides moderate structure through study in areas that are applicable to a wide variety of administrative settings. In addition, the student is afforded considerable flexibility in designing a program of study which avoids duplication of previous course work, training, or experience by allowing additional study in areas of choice.

Required Core I (15 hours)

Required Core II (3 hours)

Select one of the following:

General Administration Concentration Areas (15-18 hours)

Guide to Choosing Courses

Students are encouraged to complete courses listed within a broad range of categories. Students may substitute up to six (6) credits of courses on this concentration providing the courses are consistent with one or more of the categories listed below. The use of the substitutes must be recommended by the advisor and approved by the MSA Director.

Concentration Courses I

Information Systems and Analysis

The integration of computer and production systems into administrative decision making.

Concentration Courses II

International Systems, Issues, and Problems

The study of systems, issues, and problems that impact upon dynamic organizations operating within a global environment.

Concentration Courses III

Legal and Political Systems

The nature of legal and political systems and how they impact the operation of organizations and individual decision making.

Concentration Courses IV

Organizational Behavior/Human Resources Administration

The study of individuals within the work organization and the systems and processes that affect their behavior.

Concentration Courses V

Organizational Communications

Improving communication of individuals and groups within and between organizations.

Concentration Courses VI

Social and Economic Systems

The nature of social and economic systems and how they constrain, control, and impact the operational effectiveness of operations.

Cognate Courses (0-3 hours)

Select any course offered within any MSA degree program concentration or one of the following courses, in consultation with an academic advisor and approved by the MSA Director:

Total: 36 semester hours

Health Services Administration

The Health Services Administration concentration is designed to provide the knowledge and skills required for directors, administrators and supervisors in health services. Students will select 15-18 credits in consultation with their advisor.

Required Core I (15 hours)

Required Core II (3 hours)

Select one of the following:

Required Courses (12 hours)

Electives (3-6 hours)

Select from the following:

Cognate Courses (0-3 hours)

Select any course offered within any MSA degree program concentration or one of the following courses, in consultation with an academic advisor and approved by the MSA Director:

Total: 36 semester hours

Human Resources Administration

The Human Resources Administration concentration provides a program of study for the student who is pursuing, or intends to pursue, a career in the field of Human Resources. The concentration is designed to provide students with an overall background in the field as well as in the specific areas of Labor Relations, Staffing, Training and Organization Development. Students will select 15-18 credits in consultation with their advisor.

Required Core I (15 hours)

Required Core II (3 hours)

Select one of the following:

Course Requirements (15-18 hours)

Guide to Choosing Courses:

Students are required to take one course from Category 1, preferably before taking other courses in the concentration. In order to produce the strongest preparation, it is recommended that students take one course from Categories 2 and 3 and two courses from Category 4.

Category 1 - Survey of Human Resources Administration Courses (Required)

Take one of the following, preferably before taking other courses in the concentration.

Category 2 - Labor Relations Courses

It is recommended that students take one of the following:

Category 3 - Training and Organization Development Courses

It is recommended that students take one of the following:

Category 4 - Staffing Courses

It is recommended that students take two of the following:

Cognate Courses (0-3 hours)

Select any course offered within any MSA degree program concentration or one of the following courses, in consultation with an academic advisor and approved by the MSA Director:

Total: 36 semester hours

Information Resource Management

The Information Resource Management Concentration is designed to enable students to develop a comprehensive management approach to the introduction of information systems in an organization, in order to ensure that the information technology solution which is chosen will be deemed the one most appropriate. Students will select 15-18 credits in consultation with their advisor.

Required Core I (15 hours)

Required Core II (3 hours)

Select one of the following:

Required Courses I (3 hours)

Required Courses II (3 hours)

Select one of the following:

Required Courses III (3 hours)

Select one of the following:

Required Courses IV (3 hours)

Select one of the following:

Electives (3-6 hours)

One to two specialized courses determined by the MSA Director.

Cognate Courses (0-3 hours)

Select any course offered within any MSA degree program concentration or one of the following courses, in consultation with an academic advisor and approved by the MSA Director:

Total: 36 semester hours

Integrated Homeland Security

Required Core I (15 hours)

Required Core II (3 hours)

Select one of the following:

Required Courses (15 hours)

Electives (3 hours)

Select one of the following:

Total: 36 semester hours

International Administration

The International Administration concentration is designed to provide the appropriate educational background for students who are interested in practicing administration in international settings. Those who have administrative responsibilities with international dimensions, but work in the United States, would also find it helpful.

Students will demonstrate a sensitivity to contemporary cultural variations and the need for understanding them. This may be evidenced by graduate or undergraduate coursework, experience or other appropriate means.

Required Core I (15 hours)

Required Core II (3 hours)

Select one of the following:

Required Courses (15-18 hours)

Select from the following:

Cognate Courses (0-3 hours)

Select any course offered within any MSA degree program concentration or one of the following courses, in consultation with an academic advisor and approved by the MSA Director:

Total: 36 semester hours

Leadership

The Leadership Concentration enables students to enhance their knowledge and skills in the area of leadership, group dynamics, organizational change, management of conflict, negotiation, cultural diversity and communication. Students will select 15-18 credits in consultation with their advisor.

Required Core I (15 hours)

Required Core II (3 hours)

Select one of the following:

Required Course (3 hours)

Select one of the following:

Electives (12-15 hours)

Cognate Courses (0-3 hours)

Select any course offered within any MSA degree program concentration or one of the following courses, in consultation with an academic advisor and approved by the MSA Director:

Total: 36 semester hours

Philanthropy and Fund Raising

The purpose of the concentration is to provide an appropriate educational experience for students who intend to pursue careers in the field of philanthropy, fundraising and nonprofit management. Students will gain an understanding of grants management, board governance, and the administration of annual/capital campaigns, as well as the knowledge to manage non-profit organizations. Decision-making skills, analysis and integration of theory and application will strengthen students' understanding of the roles, influence and impact of the discipline in the economic, political, and social arena

Required Core I (15 hours)

Required Core II (3 hours)

Select one of the following:

Required Courses (15 hours)

Electives (3 hours)

Select one of the following:

Total: 36 semester hours

Project Management

This program is designed to develop practitioners in the field of project management. Curricula focuses on project management fundamentals, such as decision making, planning, scheduling, risk management, quality assurance, cost and value management, and organizational behavior. The program will integrate theory with the development of both hard skills- budgeting, planning and technical knowledge and soft skills such as motivation, community relations, communication and conflict resolution. Graduates will prepare for leadership positions as project management professionals and gain important preparation for the Project Management Professional certification exam.

Required Core I (15 hours)

Required Core II (3 hours)

Select one of the following:

Required Courses (12 hours)

Electives (3-6 hours)

Select from the following:

Cognate Courses (0-3 hours)

Select any course offered within any MSA degree program concentration or one of the following courses, in consultation with an academic advisor and approved by the MSA Director:

Total: 36 semester hours

Public Administration

The Public Administration Concentration is designed to prepare students for careers in public sector administration. Broadly, the objectives of the program are to provide students with background and competency in five areas including:

1. the political, social, and economic environment of public administration;
2. public management process;
3. public policy analysis;
4. research and analytic methods; and
5. organization theory and behavior.

Required Core I (15 hours)

Required Core II (3 hours)

Select one of the following:

Required Courses (15-18 hours)

Select five or six from the following:

Cognate Courses (0-3 hours)

Select any course offered within any MSA degree program concentration or one of the following courses, in consultation with an academic advisor and approved by the MSA Director:

Total: 36 semester hours

Recreation and Park Administration

The Recreation, Parks, and Leisure Administration concentration is designed to provide students with background and competencies in administration, grant writing, evaluation, current issues, as well as areas of individualized interest. Students will select 15-18 credits in consultation with their advisor.

Required Core I (15 hours)

Required Core II (3 hours)

Select one of the following:

Required Courses (6 hours)

Electives (9-12 hours)

Select from the following:

Cognate Courses (0-3 hours)

Select any course offered within any MSA degree program concentration or one of the following courses, in consultation with an academic advisor and approved by the MSA Director:

Total: 36 semester hours

Research Administration

The purpose of the concentration is to provide an appropriate educational experience to Research Administration professionals that will allow them to gain insight into the most recent developments in the field, gain practical experience, meet the growing data and informational needs and demands in their respective organizations, and to advance in the research administration profession.

Required Core I (15 hours)

Required Core II (3 hours)

Select one of the following:

Required Courses (12 hours)

Electives (6 hours)

Select from the following:

Total: 36 semester hours

Training and Development

This program is designed to develop practitioners with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead, support, diagnose problems and implement solutions that enhance organizational performance. Graduates will prepare for leadership positions as human resource professionals, training and development specialists, organizational development consultants, instructional designers, and performance technologists.

Required Core I (15 hours)

Required Core II (3 hours)

Select one of the following:

Required Courses (12 hours)

Electives (6 hours)

Select two of the following:

Total: 36 semester hours