Administration (M.S.)

Program Overview

Ideal for mid-career professionals working in governmental agencies, nonprofit and social service organizations, health care and education-or any organization that provides 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. We value your experience, we do not require an admissions GRE/GMAT entrance exam. Learn more at usd.edu/msa.

DELIVERY: Online

Choose one or two specializations in the following areas :

• Addiction Studies: Gain theoretical knowledge regarding the nature, etiology, prevention and treatment of alcohol and other drug issues, and provides a multidisciplinary approach for career opportunities.
• Criminal Justice Studies: Gain master’s level education in criminal law, fundamentals of criminal procedures, police administration and get an in-depth look at criminal justice policy.
• Health Services Administration: Become a leader in the healthcare industry with coursework in advanced health care systems, health planning, marketing and advanced health care management. 
• Human Resource Management: Learn how to effectively supervise personnel, become a leader of your organization and learn new trends in human resource management.
• Interdisciplinary Studies: Customized to fit your specific career goals, this specialization is structured to allow you to craft a track suited to your specific needs.
• Long-term Care Administration: America is growing older and, as a result, faces serious health care obstacles. We offer you the opportunity to be a part of the solution, with a career in long-term care administration.
• Nonprofit Management: Expand your skills in the nonprofit sector through courses in administration, fundraising, personnel management, grant-writing, team building and budgeting.
• Organizational Leadership: Designed to enhance your leadership skills in a variety of organizational settings with a focus on contemporary theories in leadership to aid the development of personal perspectives when leading an organization in an administrative role.

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

Select one 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 one or 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.

Application Requirements

1. Completed application
2. $35 application fee
3. Official transcripts*
4. Letters of recommendation*
5. Admission test scores*
6. Statement of purpose
7. Resume/CV*

*Requirements for admission vary by program and may require different documentation and have different deadlines. For specific program requirements and submission deadline, visit: catalog.usd.edu.

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 USD’s State Authorization webpage.

State Authorization

Questions?

Department of Political Science
605-677-5242 | polsci@usd.edu | usd.edu/grad-polsci

Graduate Admissions 
605-658-6200 | gradadmissions@usd.edu  | usd.edu/grad