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Master of Science in Administration
Master's

Move up with the Master of Science in Administration

This master's degree in administration has been one of our most popular and flexible programs for 50 years. If you want to move up to management, change your career path or expand your professional options; the MSA can help you get there. The program includes courses from many fields to give you a solid understanding of how organizations work and what makes them successful. You’ll learn to be an effective leader of both people and projects.

There are 11 concentrations to choose from to customize your degree to your career goals. Half of your courses will build a foundation in business administration while the other half will give you in-depth knowledge in your concentration. By giving equal time and care to the concentration courses, our MSA program is recognized as a strong, career-building program.

For example: As of November 2, 2023, Central Michigan University aligned it's Master of Science in Administration in Human Resource Administration with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) HR Curriculum Guidebook  and Template.

Logo showing that CMU's MSA program is academically aligned with the Society for Human Resource Management.

AT A GLANCE

Degree Type
Master of Science in Administration (M.S.A)
Format
On Campus
Online
Credit Hours
36 Credit Hours
Go To Why This Program Program Highlights Careers & Outcomes

What is an MSA degree?

The core part of the Master of Science in Administration program — about half your courses — teaches the basics of administration, like organizational theory, financial analysis, strategic planning, human resources and more. These courses cover everything you need to understand how businesses operate and how to manage people.

The other half of your courses — in your chosen concentration — allow you to tailor the curriculum to your interests and career goals. There are 11 concentrations to choose from.

For example:

  • If you want to apply for upper management in various industries, you might choose a broad concentration like general administration or leadership.
  • If you know you want to lead in health care, engineering or human resources, you can choose the concentration specific to your chosen field.

The MSA program includes a capstone project that you choose in consultation with your instructor. This final project brings together all that you've learned and highlights your problem-solving and critical thinking skills. The capstone often presents a well-crafted solution to a problem at your current workplace or within the field you wish to join. 

Courses What Will Transfer DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

Highlights of our MSA program

  • Certification to Credit: If you’ve earned an industry-recognized certification in some concentrations, you may already have completed one to three courses of your MSA degree. Check what qualifies for each concentration.
  • Stackable Format: The MSA degree allows you to take the core courses as an Administrative Essentials graduate certificate. Then, add the remaining courses of your concentration to complete the MSA degree if all courses are started and completed within seven years.
  • Graduate Certificates: You can take any of the concentrations as a stand-alone graduate certificate. In just five or six courses, you can add a new dimension to your skills and résumé.
  • Adult-Friendly Formats: Complete the program in a way that works for you — on campus, online or both. Most classes are scheduled during evenings and weekends, and you can take the program full-time or part-time.
  • Prior Learning Credit: By creating a Prior Learning Portfolio, you could qualify for credit toward your MSA degree when you document your work, training and life experiences that apply to your program. Your portfolio will be evaluated by CMU, and you could be awarded graduate credits at a substantial saving of both time and money.

Concentrations

Filter Concentrations by Location:
Leading in a digital environment is more important now than ever. Knowing how to manage remote teams, build a social media presence and effectively maximize your digital resources positions your organization as a force for the future.  Become a digital leader with this concentration in digital management.
Engineering managers are the link between the engineers and the business end of the organization. They need an in-depth knowledge of the needs of engineers and the decision-making talents of a management expert who understands workflows, budget restraints, deadlines and team-building. If you are an engineer who wants to move into administration or a manager who understands the needs of engineers, this concentration will help you add leadership and people skills to your technical expertise.
If you want to keep all your options open while preparing for an upper-level management role, the general administration concentration lets you design the perfect curriculum for your career. With the help of your academic advisor, you'll customize your program by choosing courses from multiple concentrations. Together you'll build a course of study that meets your needs and goals.
Become well-versed in the legal, financial, and policy aspects of the health care industry. Learn how to manage resources, navigate regulations and be a leader in this rapidly growing sector.  Those with an existing CMPE or FACMPE certification may have earned 6-9 credits toward your MSA degree through our Certification-to-Credit Program.
Master complex employment issues related to labor relations, staff, training, and organizational development. Those with a SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, and SPHR certification may have earned 6 to 9 credits toward your MSA degree through our Certification-to-Credit Program.
Yes, you can learn to lead. With this concentration, you’ll study group dynamics, organizational change, conflict management, negotiations, cultural diversity, communication and learn strategies to meet your organization’s goals. You'll broaden your knowledge of business management and build the people skills you need to create and maintain an effective and cohesive workforce.

Planes, trains, trucks and ships; logistics and acquisitions is all about the movement of goods. From the initial acquisition through the supply chain to final delivery, they keep materials and food flowing to consumers all over the world. The Logistics and Acquisitions concentration prepares administrators with a focus on purchasing, logistics and contracting. You'll select electives in a variety of related areas, such as government contracting, quality control, regulatory concepts and inventory management. Electives will be selected in consultation with your academic advisor.

Nonprofit organizations are operated for a public or social good. Any profit exceeding its expenses must be used for the nonprofit's stated purpose. If you want to pursue a career helping others through fundraising, philanthropy and nonprofit management, this concentration is for you. You'll learn about securing and managing grants, board governance, the administration of annual/capital campaigns as well as how to manage a nonprofit organization.

Learn to make projects and processes come together in a timely, cost-effective manner. To become an effective project manager, you’ll hone your multitasking, analytical thinking, leadership and communication skills. This program meets the educational requirements to take the prestigious Project Management Professional (PMP) or the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification exam from the Project Management Institute (PMI). Those with an existing PMP or PgMP certificate may have earned 9 credits toward your MSA degree through our Certification-to-Credit Program.
Public administration is all about managing public programs and policies for the benefit of society. This can include careers in local and state government, federal departments and agencies, nonprofit organizations, education, international relations and urban planning. Advance your career in public service with an in-depth understanding of the political, social and economic environments surrounding public and nonprofit organizations.
Learn effective ways to train and inspire employees and make sound, knowledge-based decisions to build and enhance the workforce. Developing workforce talent is a critical part of organizational success.  Those with an existing CPLP certification may have earned six credits toward your MSA degree through our Certification-to-Credit Program.

Master of Science in Administration careers and salaries

Our MSA graduates work in many different types of upper-level management roles across a wide variety of businesses and industries. This versatile degree and multiple concentrations allow you to align your education with your goals.

Career Projected Salary
Project Manager $98,580
General Manager $103,840
Business Analyst (General) $99,410
Human Resources Manager $136,350
Management Analyst $95,290
Financial Manager $139,790
Two female online students sit at a picnic table working on their assignments.

Ready to go back to college and earn your master’s degree?

Many people already in the workforce are finding that to advance in their career, they need a master’s degree. If you’ve earned any work-related certifications or participated in trainings, check out this blog to see some of the ways you can turn your life experience into college credit.

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