Administration (M.S.)

Master of Science, Administration Plan B only (non-thesis): Total 36 credit hours

Select 1 of the following specializations:

Two MSA Specializations

The student can easily complete two specializations in the Master of Science in Administration program. He or she will complete 36 credit hours of required coursework in one area of specialization and complete the additional credit hours of coursework in another area of specialization to obtain two specializations. The diploma and transcript will indicate both specializations.

The Long Term Care Administration specialization and the Health Services Administration specialization share one three-credit hour course; consequently these two specializations may be obtained with merely nine additional credit hours.

The Organizational Leadership specialization and the Human Resource Management specialization share two three-credit hour courses; consequently, these two specializations may be obtained with merely six additional credit hours.

Students must work closely with their advisors on the dual-specialization program of study.

M.S. in Administration Dual Degree Program

Occasionally students choose to obtain more than one master’s degree. An additional master’s degree may be earned at the University of South Dakota by a student with the following restrictions: no more than nine credit hours from one master’s degree may be applied toward the Master of Science degree in Administration, provided the coursework does not exceed the seven-year time limit. Please note that this requires careful coordination of coursework. Approval of the program must be obtained from the chairperson of the major department, the chairperson of the department in which supporting courses are completed, and the Graduate School Dean. A separate capstone project and/or professional report may be required in both programs.

Joint M.S. in Administration with Juris Doctor

A student can concurrently pursue a Master of Science in Administration and a Juris Doctor. Admission to the joint degree program is a formal process that requires approval from the School of Law and admission to the Master of Science in Administration. Students admitted to this program must complete their first-year law curriculum with a grade point average of at least 75 percent. Upon successful completion of the first year, they may take courses concurrently leading to both degrees in three years. Students may receive up to nine hours of law credit (from those courses approved as a graduate course for this program) toward the 90 credit hours required for the Juris Doctor degree. Classes taken in a master’s program prior to matriculation in the School of Law will not receive Law School credit.

The remaining nine hours are to be taken in one of the following recommended fields of specialization: Organizational Leadership, Criminal Justice Studies, or Health Services Administration. Other specializations may be approved by the Graduate Program Coordinator.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Graduates of the MSA program will demonstrate the ability to develop a communication and leadership strategy appropriate for interacting productively with a diverse array of stakeholders.
2. Graduates of the MSA program will demonstrate the ability to develop a proposal to solve an administrative problem that is consistent with the public interest.
3. Graduates of the MSA program will demonstrate the ability to apply best practices in budgeting and financial management to organizations.
4. Graduates of the MSA program will demonstrate the ability to assess critically and synthesize the various decision making tools and strategies utilized by public and nonprofit organizations.
5. Graduates of the MSA program will demonstrate the ability to consider adequately and apply key constitutional and legal issues for an organization and its relevant stakeholders.
6. Graduates of the MSA program will demonstrate the ability to develop an appropriate assessment methodology for evaluating the effectiveness of a proposed plan of action.
7. Graduates of the MSA program will demonstrate the ability to consider adequately key ethical issues for an organization and its stakeholders.

State Authorization - It Matters Where You Live

If your learning placement course (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) or your online course will be taken outside South Dakota, please reference the State Authorization webpage.

State Authorization