Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership - Executive Leadership

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

The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies provides a flexible, individualized program of study for the self-directed learner. Individual students work closely with professional advisors and faculty from different academic disciplines to design their individual degree proposal. Approved programs of study are well-designed, coherent, structured to meet the student’s unique educational goals and not readily available under any other UMSL degree program. Interdisciplinary Studies students have designed individualized majors in areas as varied as art therapy, gender studies, gerontology, international studies, nonprofit administration and more.

The Department of Biology offers two ways of achieving the Master of Science degree. The first is a non-thesis option suitable for those who may already have extensive research experience, for educators who seek to upgrade their academic skills but do not require research experience, or for those who need to broaden their biological background. The second is a traditional apprenticeship in research leading to a written thesis. All students admitted to the graduate program are considered to be in the non-thesis program unless they have been accepted into an individual faculty lab. Starting with a common core, both the non-thesis or thesis option may be developed into a final degree program in either of two broad areas in biology: 1) Cell and Molecular Biology or 2) Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics.

The Department of Biology offers two ways of achieving the Master of Science degree. The first is a non-thesis option suitable for those who may already have extensive research experience, for educators who seek to upgrade their academic skills but do not require research experience, or for those who need to broaden their biological background. The second is a traditional apprenticeship in research leading to a written thesis. All students admitted to the graduate program are considered to be in the non-thesis program unless they have been accepted into an individual faculty lab. Starting with a common core, both the non-thesis or thesis option may be developed into a final degree program in either of two broad areas in biology: 1) Cell and Molecular Biology or 2) Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics.

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 BES, with an emphasis in Park and Museum Programs, prepares students to gain skills and insights that can be applied as innovative educators, program managers, activity directors and as curriculum developers in these informal learning settings. BES students in the Park and Museum Programs emphasis will be prepared for employment opportunities in organizations such as museums, science centers, children’s museums, national parks and a variety of cultural institutions. Through the BES program, students have the opportunity to earn specific credentials, as needed, and to pursue academic minors related to their individual career goals. This degree program does not lead to Missouri teacher certification.

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 BS in Data Science and Analysis is an interdisciplinary program that is designed for students who want to develop statistical and data science skills. While data science is at the core of this program, students will also select a specialization from one of the following emphasis areas: biology, computer science, economics, mathematics, social science or supply chain analytics.

Students will learn the latest techniques including Python, R, Big Data and Data Mining. This degree will require between 36- and 51-credit hours to complete, depending on the emphasis area selected.

The Department of Biology offers three ways of achieving the Master of Science degree. The first is a 30 credit hour non-thesis option suitable for those who may already have extensive research experience, for educators who seek to upgrade their academic skills but do not require research experience, or for those who need to broaden their biological background. The second is a 32 credit hour Professional Science track that includes a strong business component for students who are interested in learning more about the business aspects of companies. This track may not be appropriate for students who are interested in pursuing a PhD or working primarily as laboratory scientists. The third is a 30 credit hour traditional apprenticeship in research leading to a written thesis. All students admitted to the graduate program are considered to be in the non-thesis program unless they have been accepted into an individual faculty lab. Starting with a common core, both the thesis and non-thesis option may be developed into a final degree program in either of two broad areas in biology:

• Cell and Molecular Biology or
• Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics.

Non-thesis students may also elect to take courses in both areas. Only the non-thesis option is available in the Professional Science emphasis.

The BS in Elementary Education, with an emphasis in TESOL, increases competency and confidence in integrating the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing into academic teaching for English language learners. TESOL courses cover general linguistics, second/foreign language acquisition principles, cross-cultural communication theories and practices, assessments with coping strategies and developing and implementing instructional materials with reflection. The instructional design for each TESOL course includes exploring students’ backgrounds and determining desired results using assessment strategies, enacting with or presenting the interactive activities with explicit language targets and expanding inquiry with guided reflection.

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program of the Department of Education Sciences and Professional Programs prepares professional counselors, including mental health, career, addictions, couples/family, and child and adolescent counselors, to serve the mental health needs of culturally diverse individuals, groups, couples, and families in need. The program’s outreach extends to schools, colleges and universities, community based organizations, business and industry, as well as independent practice. The program strives to develop a culturally diverse student population and to draw students from local, regional, national, and international locations.

The CMHC degree allows students to choose electives in an area of interest, such as couples and family counseling, addictions, career counseling, multicultural counseling, play therapy, and others while pursuing a rigorous course of study in clinical mental health counseling. The CMHC degree prepares students for work in a variety of community settings such as mental health clinics, community agencies, counseling centers, colleges, universities, and businesses, and for jobs as addictions counselors, career counselors, couples and family counselors, mental health counselors, child and adolescent counselors, and many others.

The University of Missouri—St. Louis counseling programs are accredited by the highest national counseling accrediting organization (the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs; CACREP); this professional accreditation ensures that a degree from the program will be recognized nationally for employment and credentialing. Counseling degree program graduates have outstanding records of achieving counseling credentials, including a very high pass rate on the Missouri State counselor licensure examination. Also, counseling faculty members, as a group, are highly ranked nationally on objective measures of productivity, typically within the top 10 programs in the nation. Program faculty members take pride in providing a recognized and valuable education.