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The MSA program and the MSA Online program is designed for administrators, directors, and managers who may not have an undergraduate business background but desire graduate education to assist them in transitioning into management positions in their field. In recognition of this need, AIIAS offers the Master of Science in Administration (MSA) with emphases in Church Administration and Management Studies. The Management Studies emphasis is also offered online.
August or January
Three years of full-time work experience.
The curriculum of the MSA degree is made up of 38 semester hours of coursework as explained below. To be awarded the degree the student must satisfactorily meet the following requirements:
Program Structure | Credits |
|---|---|
Core | 20 |
Elective from Business | 3 |
Emphasis | 9 |
Culminating | 6 |
TOTAL | 38 |
Complete the following seven courses:
This course is an introduction to the basic concepts and standards underlying financial and managerial
accounting systems. Several important concepts are studied in detail, including accounting cycle, cost concepts,
financial statement analysis, revenue recognition, inventory, long-lived assets, present value, and long-term
liabilities.
The theory and practice of strategic management. This course explores the theory and practice of strategic management, equipping students with critical business skills for planning and managing strategic activities. Key topics include determining the mission, purpose, and philosophy of an organization; developing an organization profile; conducting resource analysis; assessing the external environment; identifying various strategic options; making strategic analysis and choices; setting long-term and annual objectives; developing grand strategies; implementing strategic decisions, and reviewing and controlling strategic actions. BUAD 791 will also cover the latest strategic management practices through surveys and evaluations.
Note: BUAD 691 serves as the capstone course for the MBA program and is typically taken in the final semester, following the substantial completion of all other requirements. This integrative course requires students to apply the skills and knowledge gained throughout their studies. BUAD 791 is designed for PhD in Education students specializing in Educational Administration.
Students learn to establish, operate, and control integrated, computer-based information systems to support management decision-making. Topics discussed include structuring of information systems, hardware and software systems, quality assurance, information gathering, storage, retrieval, and control.
The course explores the foundational teaching and primary metaphors of leadership including theories, models, and concepts viewed in the context of God’s call on the covenant community in the redemptive history. Part of the course covers ethical philosophies, construction of framework for ethical decision, and application of ethical principles in one’s personal life and work place.
This course is designed to be an overview of the major functions of management. Emphasis is on planning,
organizing, controlling, directing, and communicating. Upon completion, students should be able to work as
contributing members of a team utilizing these functions of management.
Basic concepts of accounting and reporting, analysis, and interpretation of financial statement (working capital
and liquidity), variance analysis of income statements and expenditure, principles of time value of money, and
budgeting, an introduction to costing principles, and issues in strengthening the financial condition of an
institution or a business. (Not applicable to the MBA degree).
A course designed to enable the student to develop and implement marketing strategies. Both the local and global marketplace are considered in analyzing marketing opportunities; selecting target markets; designing marketing programs; and organizing, implementing, and controlling marketing efforts.
Introduction to the art of academic discourse to prepare graduate students for writing theoretical and research papers, thesis, and dissertation. Topics include proper use of sources, academic honesty, structure and language use, critical analysis and synthesis, organization, style and formatting, and the concept that writing is a process that is best learned through continual practice. Use of a reference management system (e.g. Zotero, Mendeley, Citavi, EndNote) will be introduced.
Complete the following three required courses:
A study of leadership theories from various disciplines, as well as a biblical perspective on leadership principles
and development. The course studies the financial and administrative structures of the Adventist Church and
recommends procedures for church and mission administration. The Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual
and the Working Policy serve as basic resource materials for the course.
Complete the following three required courses:
This course studies the integration of human resource programs into organization strategy to support long-
term competitive strategies. The emphasis is on human resource planning, attracting, selecting and retaining
competent personnel, managing human resource flow, training and development, performance appraisal,
employee welfare and compensation, labor relations, collective bargaining, discipline handling, and dispute
resolution.
Analysis of the nature and scope of international business in the global market economy. Topics covered include
international business environments, the framework for international transactions, global strategies, and cross-
cultural concerns in management.
Application of behavioral science concepts within a Christian ethics framework. The emphasis is on the
behavioral and communication aspects of individuals and groups for better organization performance. Topics
of interest include perception, values, attitude, motivation, group behavior, communication, leadership, power,
politics, conflict, organizational culture, and organizational change. The course links the behavioral
understanding of individuals and groups in developing effective communication strategy.
Principles, problems and issues in organizing a new venture in small business. Topics covered include creating
entrepreneurial spirit, generating business ideas, writing business plans, analyzing feasibility, financing startups,
organizing small scale businesses, and operating a new enterprise.
The course covers project planning and tracking, performance metrics and performance evaluation, as well as
recruiting, retention, career planning, team building, quality control, negotiation, risk analysis, and legal issues.
A survey of quantitative and qualitative research designs for conducting basic and applied research. The emphasis will be on the research process including, formulating and stating the problem, developing conceptual frameworks, planning and desgning the research, conducting the literature review, instrumentation, data collection procedures, basic data analysis, and researcher ethical and legal responsibilities. Students may be required to submit a mini research proposal. Prerequisite: RESM 520 Academic Writing.
Guided independent research project to demonstrate the student’s skills in research procedures, analysis, and
decision-making. Selected project formats may include theoretical or empirical studies, feasibility studies, case
studies, and the development of problem-solving approaches in other management functional areas.
Prerequisite: BUAD 610 Research Methods and completion of all required courses, or approval from the
department.
Core | 20 |
|---|---|
Complete the following seven courses: | |
ACCT 501 Accounting for Managers | 3 |
BUAD 691 Strategic Management | 3 |
BUIT 660 Management Information Systems | 3 |
LEAD 610 Biblical Foundations of Leadership and Ethics | 3 |
MGMT 502 Management | 3 |
MKTG 615 Marketing Management | 3 |
RESM 520 Academic Writing | 2 |
Electives | 3 |
Elective from Business | 3 |
Church Administration Emphasis | 9 |
Complete the following three required courses: | |
LEAD 630 Church Leadership and Administration | 3 |
Elective from CHMN or LEAD | 3 |
Elective from CHMN or LEAD | 3 |
Management Emphasis | 9 |
Complete three of the following courses: | 3 |
MGMT 612 Human Resource Management | 3 |
MGMT 626 International Business Management | 3 |
MGMT 610 Organizational Behavior and Communication | 3 |
MGMT 624 Entrepreneurship | 3 |
MGMT 676 Project Management | 3 |
Culminating | 6 |
RESM 610 Research Methods | 3 |
BUAD 696 Research Project | 3 |
For more information, visit the online MSA site.
Monday to Thursday 8 am to 5 pm;
Friday 8 am to 12 nn
