Master of Science (MS) in Management – Public Service Careers

Program Overview

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The John S. Watson School of Public Service offers concentrations under the Master of Science (MS) degree in Management focusing on issues of management and public service. Each concentration features an applied orientation toward building capacity and leadership within the public service professions. The following are the concentrations for the MS degree in Management Public Services Careers program:

Each concentration features an applied orientation toward building capacity and leadership within the public service professions. Students will engage in rigorous and relevant experiences that integrate policy and management across disciplines. Graduates develop and hone the skills necessary to transform students’ personal commitment into public leadership, enabling them to acquire a deep understanding of today’s public service environment and develop the skills necessary to work as leaders in public service professions.

Public Service programs offered under the MS degree in Management provide an evidence-based, inquiry-based approach to problem solving that enable students to address and identify solutions to real-world challenges and work with leaders in their respective fields.

Credit Distribution

I. Core Courses (18 Credits)

MNP-5020Leadership and Management in Public Service in the 21st Century

3

MNP-5300Human Resource Management for Public Service

3

MPL-5100Research Methods in Public Service

3

MNP-5200Economic Issues for Public Service Managers

3

MNP-5400Finance and Accounting for Managers in Public Service

3

NOTE: MPL-5100: Research Methods in Public Service should be taken within the first 12 credits of the degree.

Students select one of the following:

MNP-5600Marketing Management for Public Service

3

MNP-5100Project Management in Public Service

3

II. Concentrations (12 Credits)

III. Management Elective (3 Credits)

IV. Capstone (3 Credits)

MPL-7100Public Service Capstone

3

Total Credit Hours: 36

Degree Timeline

This is a hypothetical timeline that shows how a student can complete the Master of Science degree in Management with Public Service concentrations at Thomas Edison State University in about 18 months.

The timeline is informational in nature and does not represent an actual program plan. Enrolled graduate students work with our deans and academic advisors to develop a program plan that maps out how a student will complete their degree and whether they can transfer previously earned graduate credits or earn graduate credit for what they know through prior learning assessment.

Students Starting January/July

Sample Course Sequence Template for MS degree in Management: Public Service Careers

Term (runs for 8 weeks) Courses to Take 

First Graduate Term:

January/July

MPL-5100: Research Methods in Public Service

MNP-5300: Human Resource Management for Public Service

Second Graduate Term:

April/October

MNP-5020: Leadership Management in Public Service in the 21st Century

MNP-5200: Economic Issues for Public Service Manager

Third Graduate Term:

January/July

MNP-5100: Project Management in Public Service -or-

(1) MS, Management concentration requirement*

MNP-5400: Finance and Accounting for Managers in Public Service 

Fourth Graduate Term:

April/October

MNP-5600: Marketing Management in Public Service -or-

(1) MS, Management concentration requirement*

(2) MS, Management concentration requirement

Fifth Graduate Term:

January/July

(3) MS, Management concentration requirement

(4) MS, Management concentration requirement

Sixth Graduate Term:

April/October

MNP-5150: Leading Strategic Change in Public Service -or-

An Approved Public Service Elective 

MPL-7100: Public Service Capstone 

 

*Students select only one of the following: 

  • MNP-5100: Project Management in Public Service 
  • MNP-5600: Marketing Management in Public Service

If students choose to take MNP-5100: Project Management in Public Service, then students will

need to take two MS, Management Concentration requirement courses in January/July and two in April/

October.  If students choose to take MNP-5600: Marketing Management in Public Service,

then students will need to take three April/October concentration requirement courses and one

in January/July concentration course.

Students Starting January/July

Sample Course Sequence Template for MS degree in Management: Public Service Careers

Term (runs for 8 weeks) Courses to Take  

First Graduate Term:

April/October

MNP-5020: Leadership Management in Public Service in the 21st Century

MNP-5200: Economic Issues for Public Service Manager

Second Graduate Term:

January/July 

MPL-5100: Research Methods in Public Service

MNP-5300: Human Resource Management for Public Service

Third Graduate Term:

April/October

MNP-5600: Marketing Management in Public Service -or-

(1) MS, Management concentration requirement*

(1) MS, Management concentration requirement

Fourth Graduate Term:

January/July

MNP-5400: Finance and Accounting for Managers in Public Service 

MNP-5100: Project Management in Public Service-or-

(2) MS, Management concentration requirement*

Fifth Graduate Term:

April/October 

(3) MS, Management Elective Course 

MNP-5150: Leading Strategic Change in Public Service-or-

An Approved Public Service Elective 

Sixth Graduate Term:

January/July

(2) MS, Management concentration requirement

MPL-7100: Public Service Capstone 

 

*Students select only one of the following: 

  • MNP-5100: Project Management in Public Service 

  • MNP-5600: Marketing Management in Public Service

If students choose to take MNP-5100: Project Management in Public Service, then students will

need to take two MS, Management concentration courses in January/July and two in April/

October. If students choose to take MNP-5600: Marketing Management in Public Service, then

students will need to take three April/October concentration courses and one in

January/July concentration course. 

 


Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Master of Science (MS) degree in Management program will be able to:

  • evaluate management practices within a global context;
  • evaluate financial and economical strategic planning models within organizations;
  • analyze human capital productivity data associated with business development, growth, and sustainability;
  • apply ethical, legal, and data-informed decision making in management policies, procedures, and business recommendations;
  • analyze leadership strategies within a variety of business models; and
  • demonstrate written and oral communication skills targeting business related purposes and audiences.