Master of Arts in Political Science - American Politics Emphasis

at MSM Group - University of Missouri-St. Louis USA

An MPPA from UMSL can help you change your community and the world by teaching you the skills needed to become an effective leader in the government and nonprofit sectors. Our graduates include city administrators, community development specialists, nonprofit executive directors, and directors of development.

As a NASPAA-accredited program, UMSL's MPPA is ranked in the top third of graduate public affairs programs by US News and World Report and is the highest ranked in St. Louis. The MPPA is a 40-credit-hour program led by 16 core faculty and adjunct instructors who are committed to your success. To fit your busy schedule, our courses are generally held in the evening or on the weekends and our program offers competitive tuition rates, internships and financial aid.

The BS in Secondary Education, with an emphasis in Social Studies, prepares students to teach in secondary school settings, grades 9-12. This program requires the selection and completion of required coursework in Social Studies and includes field and practicum experiences in high school settings, culminating in Missouri teacher certification.

Much of the discipline-specific coursework parallels the BA degree in History or the BA or BS degrees in Economics; however, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) requires specific coursework for teacher certification.

The Bachelor of Arts in Modern Language, with an Emphasis in Japanese develops linguistically and culturally competent and ready-to-be global citizens. Students who choose to study Japanese at UMSL benefit from faculty who are dedicated to creating a challenging but supportive learning environment. Engage with the language and culture in the classroom, out of the classroom through on-campus events and Japan-America Student Association involvement and in a variety of study abroad opportunities.

The long-term goal of the Japanese Language Program at the University of Missouri-St. Louis is to produce learners of Japanese who possess the linguistic and cultural competence to express themselves in a culturally coherent and appropriate manner when interacting with native speakers of Japanese. This solid foundation in speaking and listening supports the development of competency in the Japanese reading and writing system.

The M. Ed. Program in Special Education explores important core knowledge in Special Education. The program's primary goal is to empower professionals as thoughtful educators who use best practices when assisting and empowering students with disabilities. Research and data-based decision-making are emphasized throughout the program. Graduate students will apply learned and evaluated research into practice in their courses, and learn to analyze multiple types of assessment data. The M.Ed. Program in Special Education consists of an initial required core of courses, a concentration area corresponding to the chosen emphasis area, and a capstone or exit course block.

When graduate students are accepted into the program, their transcripts may be reviewed, as necessary,  to identify compliance with state education certification guidelines. Students who wish to be certified in the education of children with cross-categorical disabilities will be required to fulfill general certification requirements, as well as graduate coursework. Upon completion of this advanced degree, professionals will have developed an in-depth knowledge-base related to

• Various learning contexts within and outside of the school setting
• The multiple influences on educational practices in schools
• The characteristics and instructional needs of learners with disabilities
• Assessment strategies for monitoring instruction
• Instructional best practices
• Using research to inform practice in the classroom
• Diversity awareness
• Contexts that affect student learning
• The powerful interactions between setting events and specific learner outcomes
• A life-perspective of students with exceptional learning needs, both young children who transition into kindergarten and those transitioning into adulthood.

The program is designed for students and professionals with diverse undergraduate backgrounds. MSIST students interact extensively with their peers as well as with industry executives in a carefully curated academic environment to gain a well-rounded perspective on the strategic role of IT in contemporary organizations. Students are able to customize their degree by choosing two four-course sequences that permit them to specialize in areas of interest to them. These specializations include Information Systems and Technology, Business Intelligence, Enterprise Systems Development, Information Security Management and Auditing, and Cybersecurity.

This program was designed with the busy working adult in mind. The program can be completed in 12 to 18 months. Flexible class schedules (day and evening, weekends, 8- or 16-week sessions and course delivery formats (in-person, blended and online) enable students to balance school, work and life.

The BA in Communication can be tailored to meet your personal, professional or academic goals. You can pursue a general communication degree or specialize in one of four emphasis areas: interpersonal communication; mass communication; strategic communication or visual communication. Students have the opportunity to earn additional credentials through undergraduate certificates in Health Communication, Media Production and Public Relations.

Throughout this program, students will explore how messages are constructed, delivered and perceived by audiences. Whether the intent is to inform, influence or entertain, students will use research and theory to improve message effectiveness and achieve desired outcomes.

The BA in Psychology provides the foundation for further training in psychology at the graduate level, the background necessary for training in other fields such as the health professions, social work or counseling, and the liberal arts background necessary for entry-level positions in many fields such as business, communication, human services and mental health positions. Students may choose an area of concentration in graduate school preparation, child care and development, or devise an individual program.

The M.S. in Computer Science has three different options to choose from, offering a wide range of career opportunities. All graduates will have a broad computing background and will be exposed to a wide range of technologies. They will also be prepared for team work, independent research, and technical reporting and presentations.

The Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with an Emphasis in Data Science provides a sufficient background in mathematics, statistics and computer science. This degree is structured to allow additional optional courses that enable the student to focus on a variety of further areas of interest. Students seeking to major in mathematics are first designated as “pre-mathematics majors” until they have completed both MATH 1900 and MATH 2000 or equivalent courses with grades of C or better.

The BS in Physics with an Emphasis in Engineering Physics is designed to prepare students for a professional career in engineering, physics or applied physics, or for graduate studies in engineering physics or a related field. Other emphasis areas offered include: Astrophysics; Biophysics; and General Physics.

Students seeking to major in physics are designated as ‘pre-physics majors’ until they have completed both Physics 2111 and Physics 2112 (or equivalent courses) with grades of C- or better.