Organizational Management (M.S.A.)

Faculty
Description
Degree Requirements
     Required Courses
     Specializations
Course Descriptions

Faculty

John Volpe, Assistant Professor of Economics (Program Director)
V.R. Nemani, Associate Professor of Business Administration 
Sheila Barry-Oliver, Assistant Professor of Business Administration
Emilio Iodice, Assistant Professor of Business Administration
Rhonda Jones, Assistant Professor of Business Administration

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Description

The Program in Organizational Management offers a Master of Science in Administration degree (M.S.A.) to prepare students for management positions in corporate, government, and not-for-profit settings. Students focus their studies in one of five areas of specialization:

• Federal Program Management
• Human Resource Management
• Nonprofit Management
• Organizational Development
• Public and Community Health

The program consists of 36 credits distributed among a content core (18 credits), specialization area (15 credits), and capstone course (3 credits). The content core focuses primarily on developing knowledge and skills in managerial aspects of administration. Specialization courses allow students to focus their studies in areas related to a selected career field. In the capstone course, students complete either a research or applications-oriented project that demonstrates their ability to synthesize and develop on the knowledge acquired during the program. By combining both general management and field-specific course work, the M.S.A. is ideally suited for those wanting to pursue or advance a management career in an area related to one of the available specializations.

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Degree Requirements

Required Courses
     Content Core
     Capstone Course
Specializations
     Federal Program Management Specialization
     Human Resource Management Specialization
     Nonprofit Management Specialization
     Organizational Development Specialization
     Public and Community Health Specialization

Content Core (18 credits)

ALL of the following courses:

ADMN 601 Excellence in Managing Contemporary Organizations
ADMN 603 Theories of Leadership and Organizational Change
ADMN 605 Group Dynamics and Team Building
ADMN 607 Financial Management for Non-Financial Managers
ADMN 609 Introduction to Research
ADMN 677 Effective Human Resource Strategies

Capstone Course (3 credits)

ONE Capstone Project

ADMN 699 Capstone Project in Organizational Management

Specialization (15 credits)

All M.S.A. candidates complete a specialization consisting of 15 credits of course work in federal program management, human resource management, nonprofit management, organizational development or public and community health.

Federal Program Management Specialization

The federal program management track is designed for those wanting to assume or advance in a management position within the federal government. With one-third of its workforce eligible for retirement in the next few years, the federal government offers numerous long-term career opportunities. The federal program management track delivers skills and knowledge essential to current and aspiring federal employees, addressing fiscal, technical, and professional concepts and applications. Courses approved for the federal program management specialization include:

ADMN 620 Electronic Government
ADMN 621 Public Administration
ADMN 622 Public Finance
ADMN 627 Federal Acquisition Management
ADMN 628 Project Management

Other courses may be selected in consultation with the program advisor.

Human Resource Management Specialization

The human resource management track prepares individuals to assume leadership positions in the human resource function within business, government, and nonprofit organizations. Emphasis is placed on developing in students both a broad management perspective as well as familiarity with the technical aspects of managing human resources and human resource programs. Courses approved for the human resource management specialization include:

ADMN 671 Performance Management
ADMN 672 Organizational Staffing
ADMN 673 Key Legal Issues in Human Resource Management
ADMN 675 Staff Development and Training
ADMN 676 Compensation and Benefits
ADMN 678 Conflict Resolution in the Workplace
ADMN 679 Diversity in the Workplace

Other courses may be selected in consultation with the program advisor.

Nonprofit Management Specialization

The nonprofit management track is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to function effectively as leaders in not-for-profit associations and organizations. The program places a heavy emphasis on resource development, fundraising, and grant writing. Courses approved for the nonprofit management specialization include:

ADMN 631 Trends and Issues in Nonprofit Management 
ADMN 633 Nonprofit Marketing and Public Relations
ADMN 635 Government Relations and Grant Writing for Nonprofits
ADMN 637 Nonprofit Resource Development and Fundraising
ADMN 638 Nonprofit Financial Management and Budgeting
ADMN 639 Nonprofit Strategic Planning and Board Development

Other courses may be selected in consultation with the program advisor.

Organizational Development Specialization

The organizational development track is designed primarily to prepare individuals to assume positions as OD consultants and practitioners. However, with industry and organizational transformation becoming commonplace in response to increased globalization, competition, and stakeholder expectations, the track also provides an excellent background for managers wanting to enhance both their own and their organization's adaptability and performance. The track's emphasis is on how to effect organizational change and lead an organization's human resources toward the accomplishment of strategic organizational goals. Courses approved for the organizational development specialization include:

ADMN 661 Organizations and the Individual
ADMN 663 Organizations as Sociotechnic Systems
ADMN 665 Organizational Strategy 
ADMN 667 Current Topics in OD: The Learning Organization
ADMN 668 Diagnosis for Organizational Change
ADMN 669 Organization Intervention and Change Implementation
ADMN 675 Staff Development and Training 

Other courses may be selected in consultation with the program advisor.

Public and Community Health Specialization

The public and community health track prepares health practitioners for career advancement in government organizations, family and community service associations, and other health and human service entities. The program focuses on the application of theory, science, management and public health principle, combining a solid foundation in management and administration with essential coursework in public and community health. Graduates will typically find employment in a diverse set of organization including but not limited to the following:

• Federal and State government
• Associations
• International Health Organizations
• Department of Public Health
• Private healthcare organizations
• Universities and other academic research centers

Courses approved for the public and community health specialization include:

ADMN 641 Public and Community Health
ADMN 642 Health Care: Delivery Systems, Policies and Procedures
ADMN 643 Fundamentals of Health and Behavior Change 
ADMN 645 Transcultural Populations in Health Promotion Planning
ADMN 647 Epidemiology and Disease Prevention
ADMN 648 Current Issues in Women's Health
ADMN 649 Strategic Planning and Evaluation for Health Promotion Programs

Other courses may be selected in consultation with the program advisor.

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Course Descriptions

ADMN 603 Theories of Leadership and Organizational Change
Focuses on theories of leadership and how they relate to the fundamental concepts of organizational change; emphasizes the human dynamic as it affects organizational change; and examines and applies to current environments theories of administrative leadership, motivation, communication, and management.
3 credits

ADMN 605 Group Dynamics and Team Building
Provides students with the necessary skills to facilitate a task group effectively and to discover the leadership skills needed to influence others. Topics such as conflict management, negotiating, leadership approaches, learning styles and theories, and the dynamics of change are analyzed in terms of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes leaders need to acquire to be effective in group settings.
3 credits

ADMN 607 Financial Management for Non-Financial Managers
Serves as an introduction to the concepts and principles of financial management. The course covers financial terms, skills in financial planning, the management of working capital, budgeting, debt and equity financing, and developing financial balance sheets.
3 credits

ADMN 609 Introduction to Research
Shows students how to read, analyze, and interpret research studies. Specifically, students learn how to define the research process, write a review of the literature, compare and contrast qualitative and quantitative methodologies, and examine ethical issues in conducting research. Students also learn to identify, read, and synthesize literature in their field of study in order to write a research paper in APA style.
3 credits

ADMN 620 Electronic Government
Examines the opportunities and challenges for incorporating information technology in the day-to-day operation of government and the delivery of services to both businesses and citizens. Application of the Federal Enterprise Architecture Framework will be considered. The course will emphasize best practices and innovative uses of electronic government. The security implications of egov will also be addressed.
3 credits

ADMN 621 Public Administration
Develops a comprehensive understanding of the federal governmental bureaucracy including constitutional and administrative law perspectives, focusing on the essential legislative principles governing federal program origination and management, including the role of social entrepreneurs; studies the broad panorama of the federal bureaucracy, in detail from agency to agency, including an understanding of the particular political and social mechanisms involved in the roles the various governmental agencies play in the field of program design, development, origination and financing.
3 credits

ADMN 622 Public Finance
Develops a comprehensive understanding of the federal and state g\systems of governmental finance, including basic policies of federal and state taxation (income) and spending (expenses), focusing on the essential elements of governmental (both federal and state) revenue building and spending allocation and their relationship to government programmatic thinking and implementation; studies the essential of federal and state budgeting processes, their interrelationships and independent methodologies and mechanics.
3 credits

ADMN 627 Federal Acquisition Management
Examines principles, processes, and trends in federal procurement of and contracting for services and goods. Planning, sourcing and contractual design will be addressed. Discussions include Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) standards and their application to making successful contracting decisions, enforcement of contract terms, financial analysis and management, and disputes and appeals, as well as the emerging role of electronic commerce in these processes.
3 credits

ADMN 628 Project Management
Presents an overview of managing a project from start to finish, including planning, executing, monitoring, and controlling. Areas covered include project organizational structure, work breakdown structure, scheduling, budgeting, costing, resource allocation, and human resource dimensions such as staffing, negotiations, and conflict resolution. Includes discussion/use of project management software.
3 credits

ADMN 631 Trends and Issues in Nonprofit Management
Explores major issues in the not-for-profit sector including board selection and development, strategic planning, marketing, and governmental relations. The course emphasizes identification of critical management and leadership competencies, and focuses on current issues and trends affecting nonprofit organizations and their management.
3 credits

ADMN 633 Nonprofit Marketing and Public Relations
Provides an introduction to marketing concepts relevant to nonprofit organizations, focusing on the development and implementation of marketing strategies. The course also surveys the major forms of media used in public relations work and examines the role played by media in establishing and maintaining organizational visibility. Fundraising is also provided significant coverage.
3 credits

ADMN 635 Government Relations and Grant Writing for Nonprofits
Provides an overview of governmental organizational and financial systems and focuses on the establishment and maintenance of effective relationships with governmental bodies and individual officials. The preparation of applications for government grants is reviewed in detail with an emphasis on writing successful proposals for such funding.
3 credits

ADMN 637 Nonprofit Resource Development and Fundraising
Provides a basic understanding of nonprofit resource development by focusing on the two most common areas of raising funds – from individuals and from corporations and foundations. The course includes an examination of the essential research methodologies associated with fundraising, including donor profiling, donor base mining, and corporate and foundation partner searches. The preparation of applications for foundation grants is reviewed with an emphasis on writing successful proposals.
3 credits

ADMN 638 Nonprofit Financial Management and Budgeting
Explores essential aspects of nonprofit corporate and project budgeting and financial management. Coverage of nonprofit corporate finance focuses on the formulation of agency-wide budgets, including operations financing, unrestricted funds administration, and general cash-flow management. The course also discusses budgets for specific projects funded by individual grants and donations, i.e., restricted funds.
3 credits

ADMN 639 Nonprofit Strategic Planning and Board Development
Studies two major concerns for the “top management” of a nonprofit organization: board development and fundraising strategic planning. Board composition, recruiting, leadership and team process are discussed with an eye on assembling and maintaining the most effective board of directors possible. The course also examines effective strategic planning and execution insofar as successful fundraising is concerned.
3 credits

ADMN 641 Public and Community Health
Provides an overview of concepts and issues in public and community health, with a focus on the skills and knowledge required for the management and development of community health services. The course addresses epidemiological, policy, and ethical issues in preventive health services, and discusses the history, purpose, and results of public and community health activities.
3 credits

ADMN 642 Health Care: Delivery Systems, Policies, and Procedures
Examines the evolution, structure, and function of the U.S. health care system. Explores historic forces that have shaped contemporary health policy, and the manner in which governance, economic, and socio-cultural forces influence health policy and subsequent health services delivery. Consideration is given to the effect that evolving health policy initiatives may have on health care delivery in the future.
3 credits

ADMN 643 Fundamentals of Health and Behavior Change
Examines theoretical models relating to behavior change, including but not limited to the trans-theoretical model, the health belief model, social learning theory, the health communication model, the PEN-3 model, and locus of control constructs. Application of the models to various health-related examples are stressed.
3 credits

ADMN 645 Transcultural Populations in Health Promotion Planning
Investigates health education research and program implementation related to populations such as African-American, South American, Hispanic, Native American, Asian and Pacific Islander, and the gay and lesbian community. Emphasis is on understanding the special considerations of each group when planning behavior change interventions.
3 credits

ADMN 647 Epidemiology and Disease Prevention
Discusses the principles of epidemiology and disease prevention. Topics include the determinants of health and disease in populations, rates of disease, analytic and descriptive epidemiology, and disease control and prevention.
3 credits

ADMN 648 Current Issues in Women’s Health
Examines current theory and research relevant to the biology, physiology, psychology, and medical aspects of women’s health. The course focus is on enhancing health advocacy, personal responsibility, and community activities to maintain health.
3 credits

ADMN 649 Strategic Planning and Evaluation for Health Promotion Programs
Introduces and compares the major assessment and planning models used within allied health disciplines. Models addressed include the precede/proceed model and PATCH. A diagnostic approach to planning that encompasses social, epidemiological, behavioral, educational, and administrative diagnoses, and evaluation and application is discussed.
3 credits

ADMN 661 Organizations and the Individual
Examines theories and concepts related to individual behavior in organizations and to the development of effective interpersonal relationships. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to relate the concepts and theories learned to their own personal and professional lives to gain a better understanding of themselves and their potential as change agents. The course takes this student orientation an additional step by exploring the concept of “use of self,” i.e., the intentional use of personal (i.e., the student’s) power in a consulting relationship to effect organizational change.
3 credits

ADMN 663 Organizations as Sociotechnic Systems
Views organizations as being comprised of a social system (i.e., the organization’s members) and a technical system (by which an organization’s inputs are transformed into outputs). As such, the course teaches students to approach organizations, interventions, and change from a systems perspective, focusing specifically on using systems applications to enhance social and technical aspects of the work environment.
3 credits

ADMN 665 Organizational Strategy
Provides an overview of the main concepts in strategic management. Students develop an understanding of the interrelationship between organizational strategy, structure, processes, the external environment, and organizational performance, as well as an appreciation for the central role organizational strategy plays in any change initiative.
3 credits

ADMN 667 Current Topics in OD: The Learning Organization
A learning organization is one in which people expand their capacity to create results and new patterns of thinking are nurtured. This course teaches students the characteristics of a learning organization and the process for transforming an organization into one. It also explores common “learning disabilities” among organizations, the need for systems thinking, and the importance of shared vision.
3 credits

ADMN 668 Diagnosis for Organizational Change
Discusses major theories and models of organization development and their application to identifying organizational problems and facilitating change. The course provides students with opportunities to assess organizational needs for change.
3 credits

ADMN 669 Organization Intervention and Change Implementation
Focuses on the selection, design, and implementation of appropriate interventions for organizational change. Students gain practical experience in selecting and designing an organizational intervention.
3 credits

ADMN 671 Performance Management
Explores the planning, design, and implementation of performance appraisal systems that effectively motivate employees to greater levels of performance. The course discusses the definition and measurement of performance, the conducting of actual appraisals, related legal issues, and topics of particular currency, such as fairness, team assessment, performance management in international settings, multi-source feedback, self-assessment, and connecting training, performance, and compensation.
3 credits

ADMN 672 Organizational Staffing
Addresses concepts and methods of recruiting, selecting, and retaining employees. The course discusses such topics as staffing models and strategies; legal compliance; job analysis; internal and external recruitment; selection interviews, tests, and assessments; placement, promotion, and transfer policies; and retention strategies.
3 credits

ADMN 673 Key Legal Issues in Human Resource Management
Surveys key employment law issues and examines their impact on the role of the human resource administrator. Students gain an understanding of the legal basis of employment policies and practices, the major legal issues affecting employees at all levels, and how to draft and implement employment policies within a corporate or not-for-profit work setting.
3 credits

ADMN 675 Staff Development and Training
Explores theories, processes, and practices in training and development, addressing such topics as adult learning, instructional design, evaluation, coaching, management development, organization development and change, job training, and career development.
3 credits

ADMN 676 Compensation and Benefits
Develops students’ ability to determine a cost-effective base pay and incentive pay structure for an organization. Explains the benefits of evaluating compensation systems and determining their effectiveness, as well as how an organization's total compensation system promotes external competitiveness and internal effectiveness. Students learn features of various benefit plans and explore strategic issues in designing pay structures, administering benefits plans, containing health care costs, and communicating the system to employees.
3 credits

ADMN 677 Effective Human Resource Strategies
Focuses on the various strategic initiatives of human resource management including recruitment and selection, compensation and benefits, performance appraisal, and organization development. The primary intent of the course is to demonstrate how effective human resource programs and activities can support and enhance the organization’s overall strategic goals and objectives.
3 credits

ADMN 678 Conflict Resolution in the Workplace
Introduces the terminology of conflict management, offers case examples, and addresses specific procedures for resolving different kinds of conflict. Students learn practical mediation skills and managerial tools for recognizing, preventing, and resolving conflicts and fostering teamwork in the workplace.
3 credits

ADMN 679 Diversity in the Workplace
Provides an understanding of workplace diversity issues in the context of societal and systemic diversity and structural inequality. Students explore diversities (cultural, racial/ethnic, gender, disability, sexual preference, class) in the context of the larger social system within which they occur, seeing how diversity/multiculturalism are worked out in a framework of statutory, economic, political, and social equality/inequality both in society and in the workplace.
3 credits

ADMN 691 Graduate Internship
Under the joint direction of a faculty member and work-site supervisor, allows students the opportunity to develop and demonstrate an understanding of theoretical and practical concepts in the context of the professional work environment.
3 credits

ADMN 697 Directed Research
Provides students with the opportunity to research a program-related topic under the direction of a faculty member.
3 credits

ADMN 698 Independent Study
Allows students the opportunity to develop an appreciation and understanding of a program-related topic through research conducted under the direction of a faculty member.
3 credits

ADMN 699 Capstone Project
Provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to synthesize and apply knowledge learned during the program. Formerly ADM 690 Capstone Project in Organizational Management.
3 credits
Prerequisite: To be taken at or near the end of the program.

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