Administration Program

Graduate Program Coordinator: William D. Richardson, Ph.D.

Master of Science in Administration
Dakota Hall, Room 109
414 East Clark Street
Vermillion, SD 57069
Phone: 605-677-6405 or 888-493-9256
http://www.usd.edu/arts-and-sciences/political-science/graduate-administration

DEGREE

Master of Science in Administration  

SPECIALIZATION

Addiction Studies
Criminal Justice Studies
Health Services Administration
Human Resource Management
Interdisciplinary Studies
Long Term Care Administration
Organizational Leadership

Program Description

This cross-disciplinary program provides the primary tools and organizational skills necessary to effectively perform administrative roles in public service oriented organizations. Coursework focuses on the practical application of administrative theory, and the development of an intellectual framework for analyzing and successfully addressing the challenges faced by modern administrators. The program benefits mid-career professionals working in a variety of settings, including government agencies, nonprofit and social service organizations, health care, and education - as well as private sector organizations that provide public services. Graduates of the program are prepared to lead and manage organizations; analyze, think critically, solve problems, and make decisions; adequately consider the ethical and legal implications of their administrative decisions; and communicate effectively with organizational members and stakeholders.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1. Completed Graduate Application form found at: https://usd-web.usd.edu/apps/grad-app/login.cfm and a non-refundable application fee of $35.
2. One official transcript verifying receipt of an undergraduate degree and previous graduate credit (in English or with translation) must accompany an application. Official transcript of all academic work at the undergraduate and graduate levels are required for international students. The USD Graduate School and/or academic departments retain the right to require an Educational Credential Evaluators/World Education Services (ECE/WES) evaluation for a student if such an evaluation is deemed necessary.
3. Baccalaureate degree must be from an institution with full regional accreditation for that degree. A minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.7 on conferred degree and/or graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, based on a 4.0 scale, on all graduate coursework is required for full admission. Each graduate program may admit students on provisional status per university policy.
4. Applicants with degrees from countries other than the United States who have obtained an undergraduate or graduate degree from a regionally accredited American college or university are not required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score. For all other applicants, a minimum score of 79 on the Internet-Based TOEFL (iBT) or 550 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT), a minimum IELTS score of 6.0, or a minimum PTE score of 53 is required for graduate admission. Applicants from or who have obtained an undergraduate or graduate degree from these English-speaking countries (UK, Australia, Canada [except Quebec], Ireland, or New Zealand) are not required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score if their academic records indicate that English was the classroom language for the majority of their schoolwork.
5. Applicants are required to submit a statement of purpose explaining the choice to pursue graduate education through the program.

Additional Program Admission Requirements:

6. Three (3) letters of recommendation are required.
7. A minimum of 3 years of substantive professional experience (documented on a current resume, on the Graduate Application form, and described in the statement of purpose).

Applicants who do not meet all of the qualifications for full admission may, in some circumstances, be granted provisional admission to the program. These applicants may be admitted with specific provisions outlined for them to meet in order to be granted full admission. Failure to complete specified provisions will result in the student’s dismissal from the program.