Program Overview

Master of Science in Administration

The Master of Science in Administration (MSA) is a versatile degree that has been one of the most popular and flexible programs for 50 years. It is designed to help individuals move up to management, change their career path, or expand their professional options. The program includes courses from many fields to give students a solid understanding of how organizations work and what makes them successful.

Program Overview

The MSA program is a 36-credit hour program that can be completed on campus or online. It is designed to be flexible, with classes available in the evening, on a full- and part-time basis. The program includes a capstone project that allows students to apply what they have learned and demonstrate their problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

Concentrations

The MSA program offers 11 concentrations, allowing students to customize their degree to their career goals. The concentrations include:

• Digital Management: Learn how to maximize digital resources, manage remote teams, and build a social media presence.
• Engineering Management: Forge the link between engineers and organizational business needs by adding leadership and people skills.
• General Administration: Customize the program by choosing courses from multiple concentrations to design a curriculum that meets career goals.
• Health Services Administration: Take courses on the legal, financial, and policy aspects of the health care industry.
• Human Resource Administration: Master complex employment issues, including organizational development, labor relations, and staff training.
• Leadership: Learn how to lead, including communication strategies, group dynamics, conflict management, cultural diversity, and organizational change.
• Logistics and Acquisitions: Develop the skills needed for purchasing, logistics, and contracting.
• Philanthropy and Nonprofit Organizations: Prepare for a career helping others, including securing and managing grants, governing boards, and managing nonprofit organizations.
• Project Management: Hone leadership, communication, multitasking, and analytical thinking skills to finish projects in a timely and cost-effective manner.
• Public Administration: Develop a deep understanding of the economic, social, and political factors that impact public and nonprofit organizations.
• Talent Development: Build the expertise to develop workforce talent, including training and inspiring employees and making knowledgeable decisions.

Program Highlights

• Certification to credit: Earned industry-recognized certifications may qualify for credit toward the MSA degree.
• Stackable format: The MSA degree allows students to take core courses as an Administrative Essentials graduate certificate and then add the remaining courses of their concentration to complete the degree.
• Graduate certificates: Concentrations can be taken as stand-alone graduate certificates, adding a new dimension to skills and résumé.
• Adult-friendly formats: Complete the program in a way that works for the student, including on campus, online, or both, with most classes scheduled during evenings.
• Prior Learning credit: Document work, training, and life experiences that apply to the program, and potentially qualify for credit toward the MSA degree.

Careers and Salaries

MSA graduates work in many different types of upper-level management roles across a wide variety of businesses and industries. The versatile degree and multiple concentrations allow students to align their education with their goals. Potential careers and salaries include:

• Project Manager: $100,750
• General Manager: $105,350
• Business Analyst: $101,190
• Human Resources Manager: $140,030
• Management Analyst: $101,190
• Financial Manager: $161,700

What is an MSA Degree?

The core part of the MSA program teaches the basics of administration, including organizational theory, financial analysis, strategic planning, human resources, and more. The other half of the courses allow students to tailor the curriculum to their interests and career goals. The MSA program includes a capstone project that brings together all that has been learned and highlights problem-solving and critical thinking skills.