MSA Director and Concentration Advisor

Dr. R. Lorraine Bernotsky

E-mail:msa@wcupa.edu

Phone:610-436-2438

The MSA degree in public administration (MSA:PA) focuses on public sector management at the local and regional levels. It is appropriate for professionals from local, county, and regional public sector organizations who desire to enhance their general management skills as well as gain insight into issues of particular concern to those employed in the public sector.

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The Curriculum

The MSA:PA degree is comprised of the 18 hour adminstration core and 18 credit hours of concentration courses.

Administrative Core (18 credits)

For administrative core course descriptions, please see MSA Core.

Concentration Core (18 credits)

Foundation (3 credits)
PSC 544 American Public Policy
Covers concepts and issues in the field of American politics, government, and public policy.

Electives (9 credits)
In consultation with Dr. Milne, student selects three courses that will help advance the student's career goals.

The courses can be chosen from among all the offerings of any academic department, or combination of departments, at
West Chester University.

Required (6 credits)

ADM 500 Professional Data Analysis
This course is intended to introduce the graduate student to the process of social research. It discusses research concepts such as problem identification, data collection, data analysis, hypothesis testing, and the development of conclusions and recommendations.

ADM 600 Research Report
A "capstone" research project.

Internship (3 credits)

ADM 612 Internship
Required for students without sufficient, relevant professional work experience.

Internships take about ten hours per week and can be performed around a student's regular work schedule. In some cases, a student may be able to do the internship at the student's current place of employment.

Certificate in Nonprofit Administration

The certificate in nonprofit administration is designed for persons who desire to enhance their management and supervisory skills within the context of a nonprofit organization. To earn the certificate, students must complete the 12-semester hour nonprofit administrative core and 9 semester hours of nonprofit administration electives with a minimum grade of "B" in each course. Degree students also may apply for the certificate after completing the administrative core requirements with a minimum grade of "B" for each course.