COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Administrative Science (MAS) program at Fairleigh Dickinson University is a flexible 30-credit graduate degree designed for working professionals seeking advanced leadership, management, and administrative expertise across government, nonprofit, healthcare, public safety, technology, and private-sector organizations. Students must complete at least 21 credits directly within the MAS program, including a required capstone course, MADS 6612 Seminar in Strategic Management, which is typically taken after completing 24 credits and serves as an integrative experience focused on organizational leadership, strategic planning, and executive decision-making. The curriculum is divided into two major competency areas: Administrative Competencies and Analytic and Decision-Making Competencies. Administrative Competency courses develop leadership, communication, ethics, organizational management, personnel administration, public values, grant writing, financial administration, global health systems, marketing, emergency management, cultural diversity, employment law, media relations, cybersecurity, homeland security, and collaborative leadership skills. Students may also study specialized areas such as terrorism, school safety, customer service, global technology project management, team building, and leadership through film analysis. The Analytic and Decision-Making component strengthens critical thinking, operational planning, organizational change management, crisis leadership, strategic partnerships, forensic administration, risk analysis, information technology management, workforce research methods, and human resource systems. Many courses are available online, and several are approved by the National Guard Bureau, providing additional flexibility for military and public-service professionals. Students may further personalize the program through special topics courses covering areas such as global terrorism, leadership development, elder care law, stress management, emergency preparedness, political and economic history, and career development. Through case studies, simulations, fieldwork, collaborative learning, and applied analysis, the MAS program develops practical leadership competencies and managerial effectiveness that support career advancement into executive, supervisory, operational, administrative, policy, and strategic leadership roles across a broad range of professional sectors.