1. DIRECTED ADMINISTRATIVE PORTFOLIO
MSA 698

2. DIRECTED ADMINISTRATIVE PORTFOLIO
CAPSTONE ALTERNATIVE
Credits: 3
16 weeks
The course is centered on the development of four comprehensive research-based papers covering MSA 601, 602, 603, and 604 and a 5th critical analysis paper. Central to each paper is the integration of the student’s area of concentration as students analyze the same issue from each core perspective. The fifth paper summarizes the learning that has taken place throughout the degree program, draws conclusions, and makes recommendations.

3. 4 rubric-graded research papers will focus on the same administrative topic. Each paper will look at the topic through the lens of MSA 601, 602, 603, and 604.
e.g.: An investigation of the impact of a new policy on an organization
How does the policy affect the organizational dynamics and human behavioral aspects of the organization? 601
Analyze the financial considerations and implications. 602
What role does/did/should strategic planning play in the implementation or success of the policy? 603
How did the organization consider all constituent groups in the development and implementation of the policy? 604
The 5th rubric-graded paper (critical analysis/umbrella paper) will discuss findings, implications, and recommendations for future study. This is a unique paper (not a compilation of the other four).

4. Bulletin description
Intensive writing course integrating MSA core and concentration courses by developing a series of research projects or significant papers germane to current administrative issues.

5. PREREQUISITES
MSA 600: FOUNDATIONS OF RESEARCH METHODS IN ADMINISTRATION
MSA 601: ORGANIZATIONAL DYNAMICS AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR
MSA 602: FINANCIAL ANALYSIS, PLANNING & CONTROL
MSA 603: STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR
MSA 604: ADMINISTRATION, GLOBALIZATION & MULTICULTURALISM
27 HOURS OF GRADUATE CREDIT
MSA 699 prerequisites
MSA 600, 602, 603, and 24 credits completed

6. RATIONALE
*Current trends in administration call for applied problem solving skills
*More contact hours dedicated to directed writing
*More representative of administrative/professional writing in the workplace
* Presentation component builds workplace skill
**ASSESSMENT – helps program meet university requirements
***May serve as a retake for MSA 699

7. COMPARISON MSA 698 MSA 699 16 weeks
5 eight to ten page related papers (40 pp minimum)
APA required
IRB/RRA approval not necessary
Secondary research accepted
Rubric scoring
2nd review not required
Incompletes discouraged
Must be related to concentration
16 weeks
1 Thirty + page paper (30 page minimum)
APA required
IRB/RRA approval required
Primary research expected
Rubric scoring
2nd review required
Incompletes possible
Must be related to concentration

8. Course Objectives MSA 698 MSA 699
Conduct applied research in the field of Administration.
Analyze administrative issues and problems critically and creatively.
Identify, collate, synthesize, and use scholarly research sources to generate research questions to examine a professional work- related problem.
Apply quantitative and / or qualitative research methods to examine a professional work-related problem.
Develop research findings and make recommendations based on literature and data analysis.
Effectively present findings and recommendations to solve or improve upon professional work related problems.
Integrate concepts from MSA core and concentration courses into meaningful research.
Conduct applied research in the field of Administration.
Analyze administrative issues and problems critically and creatively.
Identify, collate, synthesize, and use primary scholarly research sources to generate research questions to examine a professional work-related problem.
Apply quantitative and/or qualitative research methods to examine a professional work-related problem.
Develop research findings and make recommendations based on literature and data analysis.
Effectively present findings and recommendations to solve or improve upon a professional work-related problem.
Present and defend their research when it comes under scholarly and/or professional scrutiny.

9. Role of MSA 600 in the Capstone process
The content learned in MSA 600 will serve as a foundation for this course (APA, writing skills, analysis of research).
The products created in MSA 600 are not designed to be part of the five MSA 698 papers although the subject matter might be appropriate for further study.
The content learned in MSA 600 will serve as a foundation for this course. (APA, writing skills, analysis of research, practice proposal).
The products created in MSA 600 are NOT intended to be the beginning of the MSA 699 Capstone paper.

10. A word about MSA 600
MSA 600 is not intended to be the first 3 chapters of the capstone
Students will learn the elements of the first 3 chapters and a proposal but as practice. They might not necessarily write them in this class.
A variety of practical research applications will be taught that will be applicable to both MSA 698 and 699.
The focus of MSA 600 will be the consumption of research.
There will be less emphasis on mathematical problem solving and more emphasis on understanding what the statistics mean--interpretation of research. .
Focus will be on the type of research applications typically performed by administrators.
MSA 600 will emphasize graduate level writing, (APA and administrative).
MSA 600 instructors will be expected to talk about the processes for both MSA 698 and MSA 699.

11. What does this mean going forward?
Enrollments for MSA 698 are expected to exceed those of MSA 699
Anticipated: More sections of MSA 698 both online and f2f
Anticipated: Less sections of MSA 699
MSA is looking for qualified instructors to teach MSA 698
This course meets for the same number of contact hours as any other MSA course
The pay for this course is the same as for any other MSA course (with exception of MSA 699)

12. Faculty requirements MSA 698 Minimum Requirement:
Terminal degree, PH.D, DBA, Ed.D. or equivalent
Demonstrated excellence in teaching at the graduate level (multi –year)
Evidence of ability to apply quantitative and qualitative knowledge and skills to research and writing and research projects
Ability to direct student administrative writing with expertise in APA standards, procedures
Documented evidence of professional research and reports completed
Evidence of successful teaching of 2 or more MSA Core Courses (or similar, related courses)
Terminal degree, PH.D, DBA, Ed.D. or equivalent
Documented experience in graduate level teaching (multi-year)
Evidence of ability to apply quantitative knowledge and skills to research
Evidence of experience in directing student research projects
Documented evidence of professional research and reposts completed
Documented experience of successful teaching in the MSA program

13. Instructors for both MSA 698 and MSA 699 are now required to be proficient with Blackboard tools, especially Collaborate and Discussion Board features

14. Faculty continued Instructors teaching MSA 699 may not teach MSA 600
Instructors teaching MSA 698 may teach MSA 600
Instructors may teach both MSA 698 and MSA 699

15. MSA 698 Scheduling MSA 698 is a 16 week course
Face to face classes will use a hybrid format with a minimum of 6 face to face classes.
Weeks 1&2 : F2F
Weeks 3&4: Individual meetings
Weeks 5&6: Course meets online
Week 7: F2F
Weeks 8-10: Individual meetings
Weeks 11-13: Course meets online
Weeks 14-16: F2F
* schedule for individual meetings and online sessions will vary depending on class size
IRB/RRA approval not necessary- students should be reminded of time constraints.

16. FYI… MSA 698 is NOT easier than MSA 699
The amount of writing in MSA 698 is equal to or more than in MSA 699
27 credits must be completed before registering for MSA 698 (no dual reg)
Students should learn about 698/699 options early-on in the program
Students who want to take 698 will need to keep their core text books*
This course meets for 16 weeks / Hybrid or online format
Students are expected to complete the course in 16 weeks- no extensions
Each paper is weighted equally (20%) final 20% may be divided between paper and presentation
All students must complete the final “critical analysis/conclusions/recommendations” paper to pass the course
Students with e-texts may make PDFs of texts. Publishers have agreed to provide table of contents and glossaries. These will be in the MSA 698 Bb shell.