Master of Science in Organization Management (MSM)

About Distance Programs

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For over seven decades the University has offered distance-learning opportunities to students. Distance education programs have been designed to enhance student/professor involvement and to increase communication between students within a class. Classes are small and use various platforms for different degree programs. Distance education uses both synchronized and non-synchronized technologies. The use of different technologies has allowed the University to become a recognized leader in delivering innovative models of education.

Master of Science in Organization Management

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This degree program is designed for persons who do or will work in a vast diversity of work settings in administration with management roles and responsibilities. The program of study utilizes core courses with a chosen Concentration and selected Electives. The Concentrations are in a specific professional field, broad management, or in a self-designed program. The program utilizes synchronized (S) audio and visual technology to link students and faculty in a live classroom environment. The Concentrations are:

• Criminal Justice is designed for the working criminal justice professional who wishes to improve their credentials for career advancement, to expand their contribution to their employment and professional career, and/or to acquire credentials for a new career.
• Management is designed for the working administrator or manager who desires to enhance and expand their workplace productivity, career credentials, or professional advancement into a leadership role.
• Effectiveness is a unique opportunity for a creative, self-disciplined person to design the course outcomes, skills and knowledge to achieve both self-fulfillment and career advancement.  To gain maximum results the student is encouraged to take courses by both synchronized delivery and on-campus.

 

Graduate coursework for the Master of Science in Organization Management degree is designed for practitioners in a wide variety of management professions. The curriculum provides opportunities for students to prepare for a career as a professional or to enhance careers which may already be underway.

Completion of this degree program prepares one for positions in abuse treatment centers, crisis centers, counseling agencies, mental health clinics, group homes, health care facilities, and other human service agencies. To maximize access to the program, coursework is scheduled via Telecom and through independent study. Additional campus classes may be taken.  Students may complete the entire MSM degree online.

The Master of Science in Organization Management prepares students for leadership positions in human services organizations.  Effective human service managers are essential for the smooth running of any organization. The program’s six elective credits allow students to tailor the degree to meet their individual career goals.

Students who have completed graduate coursework in Organization Management may be able to transfer up to six (6) credits.  The coursework must be from an accredited institution with grades of “B” (3.0) or better.  The coursework may not be older than five (5) years at the time of transfer. Credit cannot be given for experiential work completed prior to enrollment in the program.

Goals and Objectives of the MSM

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Goals of the Master of Science in Organization Management:

             

1.  To prepare students to understand themselves and their colleagues, their role in the local and global community, and their responsibility to be a catalyst for social change and stability.

2.  To prepare students to think critically about and to react resiliently in influencing the problems of dignity and justice confronting them, others and communities.

3.  To prepare students to administer and manage with confidence, intensity, and integrity within public organizations by understanding the legal and business environment.

4. To prepare students to make reasoned decisions with regard to impact and consequences for individuals and the community, through sound qualitative and quantitative analysis.

5.  To prepare students to understand and act in a manner that considers and develops the strengths of individuals working in and within and amongst organizations; and

6.  To prepare students to understand and apply ethical and value-based consideration and decision making.

Objectives of the Master of Science in Organization Management:

             

1. Make evident an understanding and command over key concepts, theories and data regarding society, challenges and opportunities for organizations in the public sector.

2.  To be able to critically evaluate research, literature, and to gather, organize, process, and interpret quantitative data.

3. Make evident an understanding of the process of management and supervision of personnel.

4. Demonstrate their ability to fiscally manage an organization and to pursue revenue and manage expenses.

5. Develop the writing and presentation skills to communicate to a variety of professional audiences.

6. To be able to articulate strategies for reform and human empowerment related to their own contexts.

7. To be aware of ethical and legal issues concerning management roles and responsibilities in a wide range of non-profit organizations.

8.  To be able to successfully market and convey the mission of non-profit organizations.

9. To be able to effectively develop, implement, and evaluate plans and outcomes to expand the effectiveness of organizations.

The Master of Science in Organization Management (MSM) degree, with Concentrations in Criminal Justice, Management, and Effectiveness is designed to provide practitioners with the essential administrative and management knowledge, skills, and professional capacities to perform as mid-level managers advancing to leadership roles in non-profit organizations. The core courses are taken with persons from diverse organization experience and insight including law enforcement, human services, government agencies, museums and cultural entities, foundations, community service, associations and professional groups, and other non-profit organizations. A core benefit of this program is the diverse environment that stimulates exchange and integration of learning.

The MSM prepares administrators and managers for advancement from administration through management into leadership roles. An essential element within MSM is the flexibility in the choice of electives to meet the unique needs and outcomes for the individual student. To maximize access to and completion of the programs, coursework is presented by Telecom, Online, Independent Study, Directed Reading, on-campus, and transfer of credits.

Concentration in Criminal Justice

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The Concentration in Criminal Justice is intended for individuals who have baccalaureate degrees in sociology or criminal justice or who are currently working in an area of criminal justice.

The number of career opportunities in the field of criminal justice is unprecedented.  The demand for university-educated personnel is a result of society’s rapidly evolving political and social changes, which reflect a renewed interest in and a need for effective administration of the nation’s criminal justice system.  There are many areas of expertise within the broad scope of the criminal justice field.  This graduate program concentration addresses not only the pedagogy of criminal justice, but also the fundamentals of managerial science as applied in a criminal justice setting.  Students will learn to recognize and resolve policy decisions and management issues regarding law enforcement, courts, and corrections.

Students who have completed graduate coursework in Organization Management-Criminal Justice Concentration may be able to transfer up to 6 credits. The coursework must be from an accredited institution, with grades of B or better (3.0).  The coursework may not be older than 5 years at the time of transfer. Credit cannot be given for experiential work completed prior to enrollment in the program. Once enrolled, students may complete field experiences, internships, and independent study under the supervision of a faculty member, provided that experience has been approved by a full-time member of the graduate faculty and administration. 

Goals of the MSM-Criminal Justice Concentration:

The primary goal of the MSM-Criminal Justice Concentration is to educate professionals in both the theory and the application of criminal justice, and in the management and administration of criminal justice agencies. The faculty within the department continually strive to develop students’ abilities for critical thinking and analytical reasoning.

Students within the Criminal Justice Concentration have a number of unique characteristics.  First, upon entering the program, the majority of the students have had extensive exposure and academic understanding of the criminal justice system. Second, students graduating with the MSM-Criminal Justice Concentration must be prepared to pursue a variety of careers, including further graduate school, law school, and a variety of management positions within the criminal justice system.

A central goal of the MSM-Criminal Justice Concentration program is to promote critical thinking, social justice and civic responsibility through an academic curriculum designed to ensure that all students master the theoretical and methodological underpinnings of the criminal justice system through a multi-disciplinary lens.

The mission of the MSM-Criminal Justice Concentration is three-fold:

 

• To provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the structure, operation, and management of the criminal justice system;
• To provide students with a comprehensive understanding of how criminal justice relates to other social structures and institutions, and how those structures and institutions impact criminal justice; and
• To prepare students to employ critical thinking, social justice, and civic responsibility in their decision-making processes as they pursue their careers and encounter life situations.

 

Educational Outcomes/Learning Objectives:

1. Make evident an understanding and command over key concepts, theories and data regarding society and the criminal justice system.

2. To be able to critically evaluate social research.

3. Demonstrate their ability to formulate a problem/topic, assemble relevant published background research, include an original explanation, conduct a new study, and/or provide new data toward the topic in a formal research paper or proposal.

4. Display a working knowledge of quantitative and/or qualitative research methods.

5. Exhibit an understanding of and an ability to apply criminological theories in explaining the criminal justice system.

6. Make evident an understanding of the process of management and supervision of personnel.

7. Demonstrate their ability to fiscally manage an organization and to pursue revenue and manage expenses.

8. Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of substantive areas within the discipline of criminal justice. For example, such areas of specialization can include, but are not limited to, law enforcement, the courts and the law, and corrections.

9.  Exhibit an understanding of ethics and obligation of service to others.

Concentration in Management

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The Concentration in Management is intended for individuals who work in administrative and entry-level management positions or whose career objective is a management role. These individuals have chosen to expand the scope and effectiveness of their skills and knowledge to further their contribution to their organization and to enhance their career development.

The management role in most organizations has expanded and intensified in scope, expectations, and measured outcomes.  It is essential for managers to constantly upgrade their knowledge and skills working with personnel, facilities, legal and policy directives, planning, implementation and outcome assessment, revenue generation and fiscal accountability, and community, regional and state relations and development.

Goals of the MSM-Management Concentration:

Graduates with this Concentration are able to effectively implement these outcomes:

1. Apply an understanding of and a command over key concepts, theories, and data regarding society, and the challenges and opportunities in a diversity of organizations in the public sector.

2.  Demonstrate the ability to critically prepare and evaluate qualitative and quantitative data and research.

3.  Apply an understanding of the process of management, supervision, and development of  personnel.

4.  Demonstrate the ability to efficiently manage the fiscal affairs of revenue generation and expense parameters of an organization.

5.  Demonstrate writing and public speaking knowledge and skills to communicate to a variety of community and professional audiences.

6. Articulate and implement strategies for renewal and empowerment within their organizational context.

7.  Demonstrate awareness and application of ethical and legal principles and judgments for management roles and responsibilities in a wide range of organizations within the non-profit sector.

8. Successfully market and convey the mission and the activities of non-profit organizations.

9. Demonstrate effective development, implementation and evaluation of plans and outcomes to expand the effectiveness of non-profit organizations.

Concentration in Effectiveness

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As the complexity of society and organizations expands and intensifies, it is essential that there be individuals who are capable of understanding and supporting the effectiveness and efficiency in achieving planned outcomes. These individuals must bring creativity and discipline to the study and practice of assessment, planning, and evaluation in organizations.

The MSM-Concentration in Effectiveness has been designed with maximum flexibility to the choice of the student and advisor, with review and sanction of the Graduate Council. This requirement contributes to the development and achievement of the goals of the MSM degree program.  The art of reflective scholarship applied to professional productivity is grounded in the way in which individuals arrive at choices.

The University is confident that those who seek to stretch their potential to a higher level of academic and professional performance will find this concentration enticing.

Goals of the MSM-Effectiveness Concentration:

Graduates with the MSM-Effectiveness Concentration degree are able to effectively implement these outcomes:

1. Apply an understanding of and a command over key concepts, theories, data, and outcomes regarding society, and challenges and opportunities in a diversity of organizations in the public sector;

           

2. Demonstrate the ability to critically design, prepare and evaluate qualitative and quantitative data and research.

3.  Demonstrate writing and public speaking knowledge and skills to communicate to a variety of community and professional audiences.

4.  Articulate and implement strategies for renewal and empowerment in their respective organization and within the and within the broad interaction of community organizations.

5.  Demonstrate awareness and application of ethical and legal principles and judgments for management and leadership roles and responsibilities in a wide range of organizations within the non-profit sector.

6. Successfully convey the mission, activities, and contributions of non-profit organizations.

7. Demonstrate effective development, implementation and evaluation of plans and outcomes to expand the effectiveness of non-profit organizations.

 

Curriculum

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MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ORGANIZATION MANAGEMENT			Required Credits
Core Curriculum
MSM	503	Budgeting and Financing Organizations (Finance)	3
MSM	504	Organizational Behavior and Communication (Diversity)	3
MSM	508	Personnel Management and Administration (Human Resources)	3
MSC	516	Statistics and Research Methods (Research)	3
Criminal Justice Concentration (core plus)
MCJ	541	Criminal Justice System	3
MCJ	542	Criminal Law and the Courts	3
MCJ MCJ	543 544	Administration of Law Enforcement Agencies                  or Corrections: History, Management and Alternatives	3 3
MCJ	545	Juvenile Justice System	3
MCJ	547	Psychology of Criminal Behavior	3
Approved CJ Electives (6 credits)
MCJ	546	Youth at Risk	3
MAC	595	Internship	3
MAC	550	Etiology of Human Addictions	3
MAC	554	Pharmacology of Addictions	3
MSM	510	Evaluation	3
MSM	512	Grant Writing and Administration	3
MSC	526	Professional Ethics	3
MSC	606	Cultural Awareness for Professionals	3
TOTAL Credit hours			33
Management Concentration (core plus)
MIS	500	Management Information Systems	3
MSM	514	Organization	3
MSM	510	Evaluation	3
MSM	512	Grant Writing and Administration	3
MSC	606	Cultural Awareness for Professionals	3
MSM	695	Internship or Field Experience	3
Management Approved Electives (6 credits)
MIS	520	Systems Analysis and Project Management	3
MSM	509	Human Motivation and Learning	3
MSM	530	Marketing Organizations	3
MSC	526	Professional Ethics	3
MSM	610	Leadership and Innovation in Organizations	3
		TOTAL Credit hours	33
Effectiveness Concentration (core plus) Electives are chosen in consultation with the Advisor from any graduate course, by transfer (maximum of 6 credit hours) or by Independent Study.
		TOTAL Credit hours	33

 

Graduate Studies Three-Year Course Rotation Guide Master of Science in Organization Management FY 2007 through 2010
Disclaimer:  This guide provides a guideline for planning the term course schedule, but is not a guarantee that each listed course will be presented.  Intervening factors may require changes in the actual term offering.  Such factors may include, but are not limited to, employment of qualified instructors, enrollment, practical site agreements, etc...
CORE (12)	Fa 07	Sp 08	Su 08	Fa 08	Sp 09	Su 09	Fa 09	Sp 10	Su 10
MSM 503 (t)	X		X		X		X		X
MSM 504 (t)		X		X		X		X
MSM 508 (t)	X		X		X		X		X
MSC 516	T	X		T	X		T	X
Criminal Justice: Core plus
Concentration (15)	Fa 07	Sp 08	Su 08	Fa 08	Sp 09	Su 09	Fa 09	Sp 10	Su 10
MCJ 541 (t)		X						X
MCJ 542 (t)		X						X
MCJ 543 (t)					X
or
MCJ 544 (t)		X						X
MCJ 545 (t)	X						X
MCJ 547 (t)	X			X			X
Approved Electives (6)
MCJ 546 (t)			X						X
MCJ 595 (t)	X			X			X	X
MAC 550						X			X
MAC 554						X			X
MSM 510		X		X		X		X
MSM 512 (t)	X			X			X
MSC 526		X	X		X	X		X	X
MSC 526 (t)		X	X		X	X		X	X
MSC 606		X			X			X
Management:  Core plus
Emphasis (15)	Fa 07	Sp 08	Su 08	Fa 08	Sp 09	Su 09	Fa 09	Sp 10	Su 10
MIS 500 (o)		X		X		X		X
MSM 510		X		X		X		X
MSM 512 (t)		X		X		X		X
MSC 606		X			X			X
MSM 695	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X	X
Approved Electives (6)