Overview
Central Michigan University's Nationally Acclaimed Interdisciplinary Master of Science in Administration Programs
Central Michigan University's interdisciplinary Master of Science in Administration (MSA) programs prepare students for successful careers in administration in private, public, and non-profit settings. Since 1975, Central Michigan's 36-credit M.S. in Administration program has earned an international reputation for excellence. Over 30,000 American and international students have graduated from the program.
Over the decades, the MSA program has grown into an impressive roster of interdisciplinary administration degrees with 11 concentrations in specific fields. Students can choose concentrated studies in acquisitions administration, general administration, health services administration, human resources administration, information resource management, international administration, leadership, organizational communication, public administration, recreation and parks administration, and sports administration.
Students enjoy the flexibility of earning their degree full-time or part-time at the main campus in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, or through off-campus or online course options.
MSA Graduates Become Skilled Administrators in Private, Public, and Nonprofit Settings
The main thrust of Central Michigan University's Master of Science in Administration degrees is action-oriented, forward-looking management within a broad organizational perspective. Graduate studies provide insights into human and organizational relationships and encourage students to develop the ability to see the "big picture" as it relates to an organization and its environment.
Students develop skills in oral and written communication and hone their ability to make sound, analytical judgments. MSA graduates are prepared to be ethically-responsible administrators who are able to work effectively in a variety of private, public, and nonprofit settings at all levels of business administration.
Learning the Ropes to Administer Effectively in Rapidly Changing Environments
The interdisciplinary administration program's uniqueness is its ability to readily adapt the coursework and processes to reflect an organization's rapidly changing information and technology needs. Graduate studies reflect sensitivity to the various constituencies, their demographics, and cultures.
The MSA faculty brings together accomplished professors from several Central Michigan University departments. The interdisciplinary collaboration gives students an invaluable understanding of an administrator's complex responsibilities from different, critical viewpoints.
One graduate student's comments are representative of how many others feel about their MSA professors: "My professors inspire me. In their job, they juggle teaching, research, and meetings, and make the time to mentor students. Having great faculty allows students to have a much smoother college career."
MSA Core Curriculum
With an emphasis on integrative learning, critical thinking and creative problem solving, the 36-credit MSA curriculum includes 15-21 hours in core business administration courses. One core course, "Financial Analysis, Planning and Control," helps students build a skill-set to oversee the administration of an organization's financial management and accounting practices and functions, describe the financial objectives of modern organizations, and identify the similarities and differences between the financial objectives of private, public, and non-profit organizations.
Other administrative skills learned include the ability to explain budgeting's role in financial decision-making for long-term and short-term financial planning and explaining various sources of capital and how funds are raised by organizations.
Another powerful core MSA course is "Quantitative Applications in Decision Making," which helps students develop the capacity to work in situations requiring quantitative analysis, conceptualize the problems within a statistical and analytical framework, and understand basic statistical and analytic models. Typical topics covered in the course include analysis of variance, regression, Bayesian decision theory, linear programming, PERT/CPM, queuing theory, time series, and forecasting.
Central Michigan University graduate students select one of 11 MSA concentrations and complete 15-18 credits of coursework in that specialty. The concentrations are: acquisitions administration, general administration, health services administration, human resources administration, information resource management, international administration, leadership, organizational communication, public administration, recreation and parks administration, and sports administration.
Internships and Capstone Research Projects
Students who are not currently working in administrative positions take a graduate internship course, which includes a 12-hour workshop and a 300-hour internship experience. The workshop teaches students research methodology and the Institutional Review Board process. The internship culminates with the completion of a research paper.
Instead of the internship course, working students who have administrative jobs take "Integrative Analysis of Administration." This graduate course teaches students vital business administration skills such as: developing generalizations and conceptual frameworks for organizing thought, applying critical and creative analysis of administrative issues, applying decision-making concepts and theory, using quantitative techniques in managerial decisions, resolving issues through the use of research methods, and effectively presenting recommendations to senior management. The course includes a workshop in which students learn research methodology and the Institutional Review Board process. The course culminates with the completion of a research paper.
Graduate Certificate Programs in Administration
CMU also offers several 15-credit graduate certificate programs in administration for students who desire advanced administration training. Graduate certificates are offered in acquisitions administration, general administration, health services administration, human resources administration, information resource management, international administration, leadership, organizational communication, and public administration.
About Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University is a nationally distinguished institution of higher education with award-winning faculty and over 200 academic programs at the bachelor's, master's, specialists, and doctoral levels, including over 30 interdisciplinary degrees.
Central Michigan University's main campus is located in Mt. Pleasant, 61 miles north of the state capital of Lansing. The university's campus is situated on 480 acres in a scenic park-like setting. The Chippewa River, a popular recreational waterway, flows through the charming college town of 26,000 residents. Over 20,000 students attend classes at the main campus. Many programs and courses are also available online and at more than 60 locations throughout Michigan and North America.
