Course Descriptions

MAA Required Courses

The Master of Arts in Administration online program consists of 36 credit hours, including the following courses:

505 Human Resources Administration
This course is an overview of Human Resource administrative functions in contemporary organizations including human resource planning, human resource strategy, performance evaluation, employee benefits, compensation, career planning, labor relations, discipline, and safety and health. This course will examine how organizations meet their objectives through human resource administration, and how human resources align with the organization’s mission, vision, and strategy.

515 Information Technology Concepts
This course examines information systems in today’s organizations. Managing computer resources will be discussed with emphasis on the way information technology is used to meet organizational needs.

517 Financial Concepts for Administration
The purpose of this course is to provide students in administration and non-financial administrators an opportunity to develop a comprehensive understanding of the use and interpretation of basic financial concepts and how they relate to administrative decisions.

521 Applied Administrative Concepts
The course will address the administration and organizational behavior competencies required to be successful in the 21st century workplace. Emphasis is placed on managing and leading for high performance in today’s dynamic, constantly changing work environment.

525 Administrative Strategies
This course focuses on the goal oriented methods and techniques of developing administrative strategies necessary to lead departments and organizations. Strategy formulation and implementation are complex interactive processes which involve politics, organizational culture, values, vision, mission and administrative styles which influence administrative decisions and outcomes.

535 Applied Research Methodologies
In this course, students undertake an in-depth review and critical analysis of research topics using qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Upon this course completion, students will be exposed to various analytical and statistical paradigms, tools, and techniques for decision-making and research evaluation.

545 Values and Ethics in Administration
This course is designed to create an awareness and sensitivity to the values and ethical issues inherent in private and public administration decisions. The Judeo-Christian moral basis for the values and ethical practices in government and business today will be presented along with the legal requirements for complying with legislated ethical standards.

553 Administrative Leadership Theory & Practice
This course is designed to develop the understanding and application of administrative leadership theory. The course uses research and analysis of great leaders (however defined) from a variety of domains, social, religious, political, business and athletic, or entertainment…to develop a more sophisticated comprehension of administrative leadership.

568 Changing Environment of Administration
This course addresses the impacts on administrative decision-making from external environments including the political, natural, international, technical and societal environments.

652 Diversity in the Workplace
Explores the training and development of a culturally sensitive work force. Examines and explores innovative techniques for dealing with institutional “isms” (e.g., sexism, ageism, etc.) as they relate to management, training, conflict resolution, career development, mentoring, performance appraisals, team-building, and peer rating methods.

680 Project Management
This course examines the technical and administrative aspects of complex projects. Students will learn the project life cycle and software tools to create functional, managerial, and organizational requirements to manage groups and plan & control projects.

699 Capstone: Applied Project
The Applied Project is a supervised capstone for the master’s program. It is an independent, web-supported study with a graduate faculty mentor/instructor. The project is designed to build from knowledge gained during the program and to make connections between academic and professional work. Prerequisite: Successful completion of other coursework in program.