Administrative Science MAS

The Master of Administrative Science (MAS) degree in the School of Public and Global Affair is a 30-credit program structured to meet the career development needs of adult learners working in administrative and professional positions in the private sector, government agencies, and not-for-profit organizations. Its primary purpose is to enhance the administrative and leadership skills of graduates. The MAS is FDU’s largest part-time graduate studies program.

Designed primarily to serve adult students with five or more years of relevant professional work experience, the degree is targeted toward working adults. Admissions are based on multiple criteria, including the applicant’s career and other accomplishments, personal maturity, and evidence of commitment to graduate study and continued professional development. Special consideration will be given to applicants who have a significant record of relevant professional and/or administrative experience.

The course of study combines both cognitive and interactive instruction through case studies, simulations, individual and group exercises, and fieldwork that helps to develop critical managerial effectiveness. The MAS educational experience seeks to develop critical administrative competencies in a supportive learning environment in conjunction with specific and clear feedback.

Program highlights

• Offered fully online, at 30+ off-campus sites, as well as on-campus and blended options
• 30 Credits that can be completed in 4 terms or less than 2 years
• Industry-focused specializations in areas such as global leadership, health and human services, homeland security, and many more
• Faculty that are industry practitioners
• Advanced standing (9 transfer credits) for graduates of NJ State Certified Public Manager Program or (3 transfer credits) for Certified Public Works Manager Program or (3 transfer credits) for Certified Municipal Finance Officer or (3 transfer credits) for College of New Jersey Leadership Certificate or 3 transfer credits) for graduates of New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) Command and Leadership Program or (3 transfer credits) for graduates of Saint Barnabas Health Care System Leadership Institute or (up to 9 transfer credits, if credits are posted on a University of Virginia transcript, Level 500 or above, 3 credit hours and a grade of B or better has been earned) for graduates of FBI National Academy or (3 transfer credits) for Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command or (6 transfer credits) for US Army Command and General Staff College or (6 transfer credits) for Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Paralegal Studies or (3 transfer credits for Society of Human Resource Management Certificate.
• Also up to 3 courses at 3 credits each (9 transfer credits) advanced standing from Master of Public Administration, Master of Arts or Master of Business Administration programs from other accredited Universities but only where the courses directly relate to specific courses in the MAS program and a grade of B or better has been earned. An official transcript and course descriptions must be submitted for review of transfer credits

Our Students

The MAS proudly welcomes veterans, police and emergency first responders as well as professionals and leaders in all areas of public services.   

Visit our Chief’s Circle to learn how the SGPA helped build the outstanding careers of our alumni as police chiefs.

Admissions requirements

• Completed online application. There is no fee to apply
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 2.75 or better
• Official transcripts
• A personal statement
• Current professional resume
• English proficiency test for international students
• GMAT and GRE scores are NOT required

Degree requirements

[Note: * Also available in an online modality; + National Guard Bureau Approved Online Courses; Formerly ST: MADS 6611; Formerly: Global Perspectives & International Studies]

A student enrolled in the MAS degree program must complete 30 credits; 21 credits (7 courses) must be completed in the MAS program. All students must take the Capstone Course, MADS 6612 Seminar on Strategic Management.

• Administrative Competencies (6 classes / 18 credits)
• Analytic and Decision-Making Competencies (3 classes / 9 credits)

REQUIRED CAPSTONE (taken after the completion of 24 credits)

• MADS 6612*+  Seminar in Strategic Management (Capstone Seminar)

This core area provides an integrative learning experience that focuses on organizational leadership and strategic planning. Ordinarily the last course that a student takes in the program, the capstone seminar is offered on Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Metropolitan and Florham campuses, as well as in an online format.

Electives – Administrative Competencies (6 classes / 18 credits)

[* Also available in an online modality]
[+ National Guard Bureau Approved Online Courses]
[Formerly ST: MADS 6611]
[Formerly: Global Perspectives & International Studies]

• MADS 6600*+  Theory and Practice in Administration
• MADS 6602*   Personnel Administration
• MADS 6603*   Law & Administrative Practice
• MADS 6604*+  Ethics & Public Values
• MADS 6606*   Administrative Leadership in Complex Organizations
• MADS 6607  Collective Bargaining & Contract Administration
• MADS 6608*   Organizational Communication & Conflict Resolution
• MADS 6613*   Marketing of Public, Private & Not-for-Profit Organizations
• MADS 6614?  Comparative Public, Private and Not-for-Profit Systems
• MADS 6616*+  Grant Writing & Administration
• MADS 6617*+  Emergency Mgmt. & Safety Administration
• MADS 6618*+  Leadership Plus
• MADS 6629  Planning & Program Development
• MADS 6631*   Advanced Fundraising Practices
• MADS 6633*+  GIS & Emergency Administration
• MADS 6638*+  Financial Administration
• MADS 6642*   Global Health & Human Services Systems
• MADS 6644*   Law, Ethics & Policy for Health & Human Services
• MADS 6645*   Marketing Social Change
• MADS 6647*   Organizational Planning & Risk Communications
• MADS 6653  Global Citizenship Seminar
• MADS 6656*   Social Problems & Solutions
• MADS 6658?  Leadership: Global Advanced Scholarship & Practice
• MADS 6659  Latin America & Globalization
• MADS 6662*  Customer Service
• MADS 6666  The New European Map
• MADS 6672*   Ethics & Human Rights
• MADS 6674*   Sociological Perspectives of Disaster
• MADS 6676*   Perspectives on Leadership from Film
• MADS 6680  Strategic Planning for Intelligence-Led Policing
• MADS 6681  Intelligence Team Management
• MADS 6684  Principles of Information & Intelligence Collection
• MADS 6685  Fusion Center Operations & Integration
• MADS 6692*   Cultural Diversity, Stereotype, & Profile
• MADS 6693  Leading Culturally Diverse Workplaces
• MADS 6695*  Advanced Employment Law
• MADS 6696*  Building Effective Teams
• MADS 6697*  Current Issues in Cyber Forensics
• MADS 6698*  Current Issues on Terrorism & Security
• MADS 6700*  Global Technology Project Management
• MADS 6701*  Introduction to Computer Network Security
• MADS 6702  Investigation of Computer System/Network Emergencies
• MADS 6703  Public Presentations & Media Strategies
• MADS 6704  Managing Media Relations: From Local to Global
• MADS 6705*   Homeland Security & Constitutional Issues
• MADS 6706*   Collaborative Leadership
• MADS 6707*   Impact of Terrorism on School Safety
• MADS 6730*   Malware Investigations
• MADS 6731  Executive Communications as a Leadership Tool
• MADS 6735*   Introduction to Countermeasures Malware
• MADS 6742  Learning Theories & Practice
• MADS 6744  Academic Support
• MADS 6747*  Relational Leadership
• MADS 6751  Cultural & Social Awareness Seminar
• MADS 6763*   Grants & Sponsored Projects Operations
• MADS 6773*   Current Issues in Forensic Sciences
• MADS 6779  Mass Communication Theories
• MADS 6780  Society & Mass Communication
• MADS 6781*   Social Media Marketing

Electives – Analytic & Decision-Making Competencies (3 classes / 9 credits)

• MADS 6601*   Financial Administration
• MADS 6605*   Principles of Information Systems
• MADS 6609*+  Productivity & Human Performance
• MADS 6610*   Organizational Decision Making
• MADS 6615  Global Leadership
• MADS 6620*   Human Resource Systems: App. & Tech. For the Workplace
• MADS 6626  Law Enforcement Executive Leadership Seminar
• MADS 6627 Women’s Leadership in Today’s Global World
• MADS 6628*+  Building Strategic Partnerships
• MADS 6632  Technology Applications
• MADS 6634*+  Community Threat Assessment & Risk Analysis
• MADS 6635  Legal Research Methods & Analysis
• MADS 6636*+  Global Preparedness for Catastrophic Emergencies
• MADS 6637*   Computer Systems Seizure & Examination
• MADS 6639+  The Forensic Expert
• MADS 6640*  Leading in Times of Crisis
• MADS 6641  Contemporary Legal Issues
• MADS 6643  Community Needs Assess. & Qual. Analysis for Health & Human Services
• MADS 6646  Finance & Accounting for Health & Human Services
• MADS 6648*+  Disaster Recovery & Organizational Continuity
• MADS 6651*   Operations Administration
• MADS 6654+  Forensic Administration
• MADS 6655*   Contemporary Issues in Community Policing
• MADS 6661*   Managing Organizational Change
• MADS 6675*   Optimum Leadership
• MADS 6677  Planning for Changes in Information Technology
• MADS 6679*   Intelligence-Led Policing: Concepts, Practices, & Issues
• MADS 6682  Intelligence Analysis
• MADS 6683  Tactical & Operational Management
• MADS 6686*   Financial Crime: Its Nature & Extent
• MADS 6691*   Preventing Future Columbines
• MADS 6694  New Challenges of Leadership in a Global Society
• MADS 6743  Connectivism: New Learning Environments
• MADS 6745  New Media Literacy
• MADS 6776  Research Methods for Workforce Professionals
• MADS 6777  Leading Volunteers in Organizations
• MADS 6778*   White Collar Crimes

Special Topics

Qualify for either Administrative or Analytic/Decision-Making Competencies Students are permitted to take a maximum of 2 Special Topics courses in the MAS program.

• MADS 6708  ST: Administrative Research
• MADS 6709  ST: Creativity, Change, & the 21st Century Leader
• MADS 6710  ST: Dissonant Issues Seminar
• MADS 6714*   ST: First Responder Stress Awareness & Management
• MADS 6715*   ST: Global Terrorism & Emergency Management Preparedness
• MADS 6717  ST: Leading Out of the Mainstream
• MADS 6718*   ST: Lifestyle Modification for Community Leaders
• MADS 6720  ST: Metropolitan America: Influence of the Past & Future
• MADS 6746  ST: Specialized Research and Argument
• MADS 6753*   ST: Elder Care Law
• MADS 6775  ST: Career Development Process

[Note: * Also available in an online modality; + National Guard Bureau Approved Online Courses; Formerly ST: MADS 6611; Formerly: Global Perspectives & International Studies]

Graduate Certificates

While in the MAS program, you can customize your education by earning a graduate certificate along with your master’s degree. Certificates are six courses (18 credits) unless otherwise noted.