MSA Program
The Master of Science in Administration is an interdisciplinary degree perfect for anyone in management or administration who wants to increase their skill sets and knowledge to advance in their profession. The MSA was developed to hone leadership, management, and organization skills for professional administrators in both the public and nonprofit sectors.
The MSA degree is a 36-credit-hour program, with 18 hours of core classes and 18 hours based on your selected concentration. Graduates must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA in the course work.
MSA required core courses
MSA 600: Foundations of Research Methods in Administration
MSA 601: Organizational Behavior and Leadership
MSA 602: Financial Fluency for Leaders
MSA 603: Leading through Strategic Planning and Implementation
MSA 604: Inclusive and Intercultural Leaders
Capstone courses
Select one of the following:
MSA 698: Directed Administrative Portfolio OR
MSA 699: Applied Research Project in Administration
Master of Science in Administration concentrations and graduate certificates
You can also have the option of taking these concentration courses and receiving a graduate certificate. Pair them with the MSA core courses for your MSA degree. Learn more about these graduate certificates.
Digital Management
Effectively managing the digital transformation process is imperative to meeting organizational objectives. You will gain comprehensive knowledge about digital leadership, virtual communication, digital ethics, and how to foster an online culture. These enhanced digital management skills are currently needed in all sectors and industries. This is a STEM program. 18 credit hours.
Sample courses in this concentration:
Required:
Com 525 Virtual Team Communication
MSA 520 Ethics in Digital Transformation
MSA 521 Digital Culture & Social Media Strategies
MSA 522 Digital Leadership
Electives:
CPS 603 Computer Information Systems
CPS 510 Software Systems Engineering
CPS 612 Software Project Management
EDL 760 Leadership Theory and Practice
MSA 677 Disruption, Innovation, Transformation and Change
PAD 585 Public Sector Information Technology Management
PAD 785 Strategic Leadership
*For a specific academic plan, consult your MSA academic advisor.
Engineering Management
Build on your problem-solving savvy with courses designed for management in a variety of engineering fields with a focus on strategic planning and best practices. (International students will need some online coursework) This is a STEM program,18 credit hours.
IET 500 Production Concepts
IET 501 Application of Industrial Management Principles
IET 524 Technology and Environment
IET 650 Project Management
IET 670 Lean Manufacturing & Six Sigma Quality
IET 680 Sustainability and Green Technology
General Administration
With the ability to select courses across multiple concentrations, the degree is easily customizable to align with your career goals. 15-18 credit hours
Sample courses in this concentration:
CPS 603 Computer Information Systems
EDL 760 Leadership Theory and Practice
IET 500 Production Concepts
MSA 510 The Culturally Intelligent Organization
MSA 609 Ethical and Legal Dimensions of Private Sector Organizations
CED 555 Human Relations Skills
MSA 501 Managing Change with Emotional Intelligence
MSA 502 Workforce Improvement Strategies in Corporate/Non-profit Organizations
MSA 503 Gender and Generational Supervision
MSA 647 People and Project Administration
PHL 518 Professional Ethics
PSC 514 American Public Policy Making
Health Services Administration
As a student in the health services administration program, you will gain the skills and knowledge necessary for leadership within the rapidly growing health care sector. 15-18 credit hours.
Sample courses in this concentration:
Required:
HSC 520 Health Services Administration
HSL 611 Healthcare Administration and Ethical Compliance
HSL 631 Healthcare Law, Compliance and Risk Management
HSL 651 Fundamentals of Healthcare Finance
Electives:
HSC 572 Quality Improvement in Health Services
HSC 617 Community and Public Health
MSA 501 The Emotionally Intelligent Organization
MSA 608 Succession Planning
Human Resources Administration
Through the human resources concentration, you will master complex employment issues related to labor relations, staff, training and organizational development. 15-18 credit hours.
Those with a SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, and SPHR may have earned 6 to 9 credits toward your MSA degree through CMU's Certification-to-Credit Program.
Sample courses in this concentration:
Required:
MGT 643 Human Resource Management
PAD 711 Public Personnel Management
Electives:
MSA 502 Workforce Improvement Strategies in Corporate/Non-profit Organizations
MSA 503 Gender and Generational Supervision
COM 561 Communication in Conflict Management
MSA 647 People and Project Administration
MGT 645 Personnel Compensation Practice and Process
MGT 647 Employee Selection and Evaluation
Leadership
You will learn to leverage group dynamics, organizational change, conflict management, negotiations, cultural diversity and communications to efficiently meet organizational objectives. 15-18 credit hours.
Sample courses in this concentration:
Required:
MSA 677 Disruption, Innovation, Transformation and Change OR
PAD 785 Strategic Leadership
Electives:
MSA 501 The Emotionally Intelligent Organization
MSA 510 The Culturally Intelligent Organization
MSA 502 Workforce Improvement Strategies in Corporate/Non-profit Organizations
MSA 503 Gender and Generational Supervision
MSA 510 The Culturally Intelligent Organization
MSA 573WI Workplace Violence: Awareness and Prevention
MSA 647 People and Project Administration
COM 561 Communication in Conflict Management
CED 555 Human Relations Skills
COM 667 Seminar in Intercultural Communication
MGT 646 Labor Relations Issues
Logistics and Acquisitions
Sample courses in this concentration:
Required:
MGT 533 Purchasing Strategy
MKT 631 Lean Logistics Operations
MSA 611 Contract Administration
Electives:
MSA 504 Strategies and Proposals in Government Acquisitions
MSA 540 Legal Considerations of Contract Administration
IET 500 Production Concepts
MGT 542 Inventory and Materials Management
MGT 543 Management and Control of Quality
MKT 555 Market and Sales Forecasting
MKT 632 Integrated Logistics Strategy
PSC 514 American Public Policy Making
Philanthropy and Nonprofit Organizations
Make a difference and become an invaluable asset to your organization with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead in the nonprofit sector. (hybrid only, not available for International Students) 18 credit hours.
Sample courses in this concentration:
Required:
MSA 612 Grants Fiscal Administration
MSA 643 Administration of Annual, Capital Campaigns and Major Gifts
PAD 523WI Fundamentals of Grant Writing and Management
PAD 620 Nonprofit Management
PAD 621 Board Governance and Executive Leadership
Electives:
EDL 610 Grants and Fund Procurement
EDL 751 Program Evaluation and Review
RPL 521 Fund Development & Grant Writing for Public & Non-profit Organizations
Learn More about the Philanthropy and Nonprofit Organizations Program
Project Management
Hone your multitasking, analytical thinking, leadership and communication skills to become an effective manager. This is a STEM program, 15-18 credit hours.
Sample courses in this concentration:
Required:
BUS 501 Project Management Fundamentals
BUS 505 Application of Project Management Principles
BUS 507 Advanced Project Management Methodologies
MSA 647 People and Project Administration
Electives:
COM 560 Communication and Social/Organizational Change
COM 667 Seminar in Intercultural Communication
MSA 609 Ethical and Legal Dimensions of Private sector Organization
MSA 611 Contract Administration
Public Administration
Develop an advanced understanding of the political, social and economic environments surrounding public service through a focus on public policy, strategic planning, fiscal management and leadership. 15-18 credit hours.
Sample courses in this concentration:
PAD 610 Foundations of Public Administration
PAD 711 Public Personnel Management
PAD 713 Public Budgeting and Finance
PAD 714 Program Analysis and Evaluation
PAD 622 Strategic Planning for Public/Non-Profit Organizations
PAD 785 Strategic Leadership
PSC 514 American Public Policy Making
PSC 522 Regulatory Processes and Administrative Law
PSC 566 Intergovernmental Relations in the United States
Talent Development
Learn skills to position you as a training & development specialist, organizational development consultant, performance technologist and more. This program is designed to develop practitioners with the knowledge and skills to lead, support, diagnose problems and implement solutions that enhance organizational performance. (hybrid) 18 credit hours.
Sample courses in this concentration:
Required:
EDL 612 Methods and Techniques of Training and Development
HED 626 The Adult Learner
MSA 502 Professional Development in Organizations
MSA 506 Evaluation, Coaching and Mentoring
MSA 608 Succession Planning
Electives:
COM 560 Communication and Social/Organizational Change
COM 667 Seminar in Intercultural Communication
HED 680 Foundations of Teaching College and Adult Learners
MSA 501 The Emotionally Intelligent Organization
MSA 522 Digital Leadership
MSA 530WI Foundations of Wellness Administration
MSA 573WI Workplace Violence: Awareness and Prevention
Graduate Certificate only:
Administrative Essentials
Ensures that administrators are prepared to be effective leaders in the corporate and non-profit worlds. It can be earned as a stand-alone certificate and also forms the base of a unique "stackable" program where you can transfer credits into a Master of Science in Administration (MSA) degree program. 18 credit hours.
MSA 601 Organizational Dynamics and Human Behavior
MSA 602 Financial Analysis, Planning and Control
MSA 603 Strategic Planning for the Administrator
MSA 604 Administration, Globalization and multiculturalism
MSA 501 Managing Change with Emotional Intelligence
MSA 609 Ethical and Legal Dimensions of Private Sector Organizations