20-21 Graduate Catalog

Master of Science in Management – Public Service Careers

Program Overview

Return to the John S. Watson School of Public Service Homepage

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

  • Community and Economic Development
  • Environmental Policy/Environmental Justice
  • Homeland Security
  • Learner-Designed Area of Study
  • Nonprofit Management
  • Public and Municipal Finance
  • Public Health/Public Policy
  • Public Service Administration and Leadership

Each area of study 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 MSM 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-502Leadership and Management in Public Service in the 21st Century

3

MNP-530Human Resource Management for Public Service

3

MPL-510Research Methods in Public Service

3

MNP-520Economic Issues for Public Service Managers

3

MNP-540Finance and Accounting for Managers in Public Service

3

Students select one of the following:

MNP-560Marketing Management for Public Service

3

MNP-510Project Management in Public Service

3

II. Areas of Study (12 Credits)

III. Core Advanced Level Courses (6 Credits)

MNP-515Leading Strategic Change in Public Service

3

MPL-710Public Service Capstone

3

Total Credit Hours: 36

Note: MPL-510: Research Methods in Public Service should be taken within the first 12 credits of the degree.

Potential Degree Timeline

This is a hypothetical timeline that shows how a student can complete the Master of Science in Management with Public Service areas of study 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 MSM/Public Service 

Term (runs for 12 weeks) Courses to Take 

First Graduate Term:

January/July

MPL-510: Research Methods in Public Service

MNP-530: Human Resource Management for Public Service

Second Graduate Term:

April/October

MNP-502: Leadership Management in Public Service in the 21st Century

MNP-520: Economic Issues for Public Service Manager

Third Graduate Term:

January/July

MNP-510: Project Management in Public Service -or- 

(1) MPSL Area of Study requirement*

MNP-540: Finance and Accounting for Managers in Public Service 

Fourth Graduate Term:

April/October

MNP-560: Marketing Management in Public Service -or-

(1) MSM Area of Study requirement*

(2) MSM Area of Study requirement

Fifth Graduate Term:

January/July

(3) MSM Area of Study requirement

(4) MSM Area of Study requirement

Sixth Graduate Term:

April/October

MNP-515: Leading Strategic Change in Public Service -or-

An Approved Public Service Elective 

MPL-710: Public Service Capstone 

 

*Students select only one of the following: 

  • MNP-510: Project Management in Public Service 
  • MNP-560: Marketing Management in Public Service

If you choose to take MNP-510: Project Management in Public Service, then you will need

to take 2 MPSL Area of Study requirement courses in January/July and 2 in April/October.

If you choose to take MNP-560: Marketing Management in Public Service, then you will need

to take 3 April/October Area of Study requirement courses and one in January/July Area of 

Study course.

Students Starting January/July

Sample Course Sequence Template for MSM/Public Service 

Term (runs for 12 weeks) Courses to Take  

First Graduate Term:

April/October

MNP-502: Leadership Management in Public Service in the 21st Century

MNP-520: Economic Issues for Public Service Manager

Second Graduate Term:

January/July 

MPL-510: Research Methods in Public Service

MNP-530: Human Resource Management for Public Service

Third Graduate Term:

April/October

MNP-560: Marketing Management in Public Service -or-

(1) MSM Area of Study requirement*

(1) MPSL Area of Study requirement

Fourth Graduate Term:

January/July

MNP-540: Finance and Accounting for Managers in Public Service 

MNP-510: Project Management in Public Service-or- 

(2) MSM Area of Study requirement*

Fifth Graduate Term:

April/October 

(3) MSM Elective Course 

MNP-515: Leading Strategic Change in Public Service-or-

An Approved Public Service Elective 

Sixth Graduate Term:

January/July

(2) MPSL Area of Study requirement

MPL-710: Public Service Capstone 

 

*Students select only one of the following: 

  • MNP-510: Project Management in Public Service 

  • MNP-560: Marketing Management in Public Service

If you choose to take MNP-510: Project Management in Public Service, then you will need

to take 2 MPSL Area of Study requirement courses in January/July and 2 in April/October.

If you choose to take MNP-560: Marketing Management in Public Service, then you will need

to take 3 April/October Area of Study requirement courses and one in January/July Area of 

Study course. 

 


Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Master of Science in Management degree 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.