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Master of Science in Administration

The Master of Science in Administration degree provides the knowledge and skills required for administrators and supervisors to function effectively in a wide variety of administrative settings, plus the specialized processes and competencies needed for a particular professional field. It is offered in nine concentrations.

  • 36 credit hours
  • Taught face-to-face and/or online

Admission Requirements

  • To be admitted to the Master of Science in Administration degree program, candidates must hold a four-year baccalaureate or equivalent degree from a college or university of recognized standing and meet the requirements for regular admission to the College of Graduate Studies.
  • Applicants who possess an undergraduate GPA less than 2.7 may be considered for conditional admission.

Available Concentrations & Requirements

Human Resources Administration

Advance your own career while helping your fellow employees reach their highest potential with the concentration in Human Resources Administration. You’ll learn to master complex employment issues related to labor relations, staffing, training, and organizational development.

Program Director VideoWatch a short video presentation about this program.

Required Core  (18 hours)

  • MSA 600 Foundations of Research Methods in Administration
  • 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 699 Applied Research Project in Administration

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.

  • MGT 643 Human Resource Management
  • PSC 711 Public Personnel Administration Practice

Category 2 - Labor Relations Courses  

It is recommended that students take one of the following:

  • COM 665 Seminar in Communication and Negotiation in Employee Relations
  • ECO 515 Collective Bargaining and Labor Law
  • MGT 646 Labor Relations Issues

Note: Students may not count both ECO 515 and MGT 646 on a certificate or degree program.

Category 3 - Training & Organization Development Courses  

It is recommended that students take one of the following:

  • CED 555 Human Relations Skills
  • COM 560 Communication and Social/Organizational Change
  • COM 561 Communication in Conflict Management
  • MGT 649 Seminar in Organizational Development

Note: Students may not count both COM 560 and COM 561 within the HRA concentration.

Category 4 - Staffing Courses  

It is recommended that students take two of the following:

  • MGT 645 Personnel Compensation Practice and Process
  • MGT 647 Employee Selection and Evaluation
  • PSY 536 Personnel Psychology
  • PSY 636 Organizational Applications of Personnel Psychology

Note: Students may not count both MGT 647 and PSY 536 on a certificate or degree program.

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:

  • MSA 501 Managing Change with Emotional Intelligence
  • MSA 634 Managerial Accounting Concepts
  • MSA 635 Financial Management
  • MSA 640 Quantitative Applications in Decision Making
  • MSA 660 Marketing Administration
  • MSA 681 Administrative Practicum
  • MSA 690 Internship
  • MSA 696 Special Topics

Note: MSA 681 and MSA 690 are only available to students admitted to Central Michigan University's Mount Pleasant campus.

Where Is This Offered?  View Tuition & Fees

News & Events

Grand Rapids - Holland Hospital - MSA/HSA degree, Monday, 6/3/2013, 12-1 p.m.

Join us for an Lunch and Learn information session on Monday, June 3, 2013 from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. at Holland Hospital, Conference Room G, 602 Michigan Avenue in Holland. We'll be discussing the Master of Science in Administration degree with a concentration in Health Services Administration and what it can do for you. Free visitor parking in Green Lot.

Grand Rapids - Holland Hospital - MSA/HSA degree, Monday, 6/3/2013, 6-7 p.m.

Join us for an information session on Monday, June 3, 2013 from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Holland Hospital, Conference Room G, 602 Michigan Avenue in Holland. We'll be discussing the Master of Science in Administration degree with a concentration in Health Services Administration and what it can do for you. Free visitor parking in Green Lot. Snacks will be provided.

Joint Base Andrews - Special Event, Monday, 6/3/2013, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Please join Central Michigan University at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Monday, June 3, 2013 any time from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Local staff will be available to answer questions on available programs for managers and government employees, admission requirements, financial aid and weekend classes. Attend the event, apply, and we'll waive the $50 application fee.

Joint Base Andrews - Open House, Monday, 6/17/2013, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Central Michigan University is hosting an Open House from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Monday, June 17, 2013 at Joint Base Andrews, 1413 Arkansas Road, Room 109, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, 20762. Local staff will be available to answer questions on available programs for managers and government employees, admission requirements, financial aid and weekend classes. Attend the open house, apply, and we'll waive the $50 application

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