Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing

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

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

• Have technical skills requisite for artistic self-expression (Performance)
• Understand the common elements and organizational patters of music and their interaction (Musicianship Skills and Analysis)
• Have a rudimentary capacity to create original or derivative music (Composition/Improvisation)
• Have basic knowledge of music history and repertories through the present time (History and Repertory)
•  Be Able to work on musical problems by combining their capabilities in performance, aural, verbal and visual analysis; composition/improvisation; history and repertory (Synthesis)

The BS in Cybersecurity with an emphasis in Information Systems and Technology is a 123-credit- hour program that requires 33-credit hours of core and 75-credit hours of emphasis specific coursework. The IST emphasis provides both technical and business skills. It focuses on applied aspects of cybersecurity and is suitable for students interested in pursuing cybersecurity management and analyst roles in industry and government.

The core coursework includes introduction to computing, programming and data structures, object-oriented programming, computer organization and architecture, Linux environment and programming, introduction to information security or cyber threats and defense, secure software development, information security risk management and business continuity, computer forensics, and introduction to cryptography for computer security.

The Master of Arts in Political Science is a general post-baccalaureate degree that gives students a broad understanding of political science and a firm grounding in scientific-based inquiry into problems in politics.

Students learn how institutional design and economic and cultural factors shape the distribution of power and patterns of cooperation and conflict in society within and outside of government.

Students master the postulating of cause-effect relationships, and the marshalling of evidence using quantitative or qualitative methods to test hypotheses about problems in politics.

Students learn their skills through intensive study of several fields within the discipline. In the general program it is possible to specialize in urban politics, policy processes and institutions, American political behavior, political economy, public administration, comparative politics, international relations, public law, and political theory. The Master of Arts is useful for students who are already in or planning on a career in secondary education, public policy, or politics. It is also useful for students who are considering doctoral education. It is particularly valuable for students simply interested in learning more about subjects that interest them.

The BA in Political Science provides students with knowledge about politics and policy while developing sought-after and transferable skills, such as information-gathering and processing, analysis, research, decision making, and oral and written communication. Areas of concentration include American politics, international and comparative politics, urban politics, public law, public policy and administration and gender and politics. In addition to formal coursework, internships are available providing students with the opportunity to apply classroom learning and gain practical field experience.

The MS in Supply Chain Analytics program is designed to meet the current and future demand for professionals in the broad fields of Supply Chain Management and Business Analytics. In particular, the program produces “Citizen Data Scientists,” as coined by Gartner Research, who bridge the gap between a pure data scientist and a supply chain domain expert and refers to an advanced data analytics professional or data professional who needs or wants to implement machine learning technology.

This STEM-designated 30-credit hour program is designed for students with an undergraduate degree in business, economics, computer science or engineering who would like to apply data science and analytics in the domain of supply chain management. Professionals who currently work in purchasing, operations, logistics and transportation and want to enhance their data and analytical skills to move into management/leadership positions in supply chains and data scientists/analysts who want to gain domain knowledge in supply chain management.

Bachelor of Science students are prepared for a career in the chemical industry, graduate work in the chemical sciences, health sciences, medicine, business, marketing or law. The BS degree is intended for those who want to become professional chemists or as preparation for graduate study in chemistry or biochemistry.

The Chemistry and Biochemistry department has a strong research emphasis as well as a dedication to teaching, but is of medium size allowing substantial interaction between faculty and students. There is an international make-up to the faculty and postdoctoral fellows, and there are graduate students presently in the department from the United States and abroad. The department is very well equipped with modern instrumentation and computing resources. These include outstanding NMR, microscopy, X-ray and mass spectrometry facilities, with two 300 MHz and one 600 MHz NMR spectrometers, two single-crystal and one powder X-ray diffractometers, a Bruker Maxis Plus and GC-MS facilities. Areas of research specialization include the traditional areas of inorganic, organic, physical, and biological chemistry, as well as organometallic, supramolecular, surface chemistry, computational chemistry, laser spectroscopy and the study of new materials. Former graduates are employed in research positions in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, in academic positions, and in other areas such as high-tech computer applications.

The Entrepreneurship emphasis is an option in the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree program. Throughout the program, students will develop skills in financial and managerial accounting, information systems concepts, business analytics and statistics, supply chain management, management and organizational behavior, marketing, strategic management and more.

Our students are given the tools to become successful entrepreneurs and innovators based on next generation processes including mindset, design and agile thinking. Students benefit from hands-on experiences, exclusive entrepreneurial internships, courses led by faculty with proven records of real-world success, and opportunities to compete for funding new ideas, ventures and startups.

A degree in entrepreneurship at UMSL is a degree from our internationally recognized College of Business Administration, ranked among the top 2% of business schools in the world thanks to our dual AACSB accreditation in both business and accounting. St. Louis has one of the most thriving entrepreneurship communities in the U.S. In fact, Forbes named us among the “Top 10 Rising Cities for Startups.” No other university is better connected to that community than UMSL. UMSL has UMSL Accelerate, a first-of-its kind entrepreneurial resource that offers hands-on experience through exclusive partnerships with Ameren Accelerator, Capital Innovators and other entrepreneurial giants.

As you can imagine, salaries for entrepreneurship majors vary, and there are a wide range of potential outcomes. Some graduates aspire to start their own business venture, some the CEO’s of large corporations, and still others may seek fulfilling opportunities leading teams within smaller organizations. All of which have a range of salaries and income streams. While various outcomes are based on individual goals and career aspirations, entrepreneurship majors develop the knowledge, skills and tenacity that make them strong leaders in any capacity.

Educational leaders and community stakeholders have expressed interest in establishing partnerships with college and workforce preparation professionals from various sectors to address the transition challenges of underrepresented and economically disadvantaged elementary, middle school and high school students who are underprepared to fully participate in and effectively contribute to the global economy as fully functional citizens. Proactive, sustained effort and attention to this crisis is paramount and can contribute to the development of academic and vocational pathways that will inspire a renewed hope among extremely vulnerable student populations and contribute to economic development in our region and beyond.

As there is a renewed national emphasis on PK-16 pipeline initiatives, it is vital that this program can respond to community needs for student services professionals who have the talent and skill to serve as educational liaisons and facilitate collaboration between K-12, community colleges, career and technical education institutions, and 4-year institutions in order to prepare all students for success, whether they choose to pursue a college degree, vocational training or transition to the workforce immediately following high school.

The Master’s degree with an emphasis in Higher Education has been flexibly designed to include an expanded focus related to college access, equity and affordability, social justice, and workforce preparation, as well as student services and higher education leadership. The enhanced curriculum targets K-12 teacher leaders, college and career preparation professionals, and other student services professionals who want to transform the college access and workforce preparation culture in elementary and secondary schools, which would culminate in the creation of transition plans and intensive student support services to ensure success for ALL students.

Student support professionals will be provided with the necessary tools to empower youth and adolescents; a renewed emphasis will be placed on students who are culturally connected to marginalized communities or underrepresented populations to promote achievement and success among these groups. Institutional and community commitment to student success will contribute to realistic and achievable academic and vocational pathways that are vital for a healthy, sustainable economy and region.

Our innovative program aims to provide the foundational tools for practitioners to consider several career pathways: 1) student services professionals in public or private schools who can complement the work of school counselors to provide proactive academic, vocational or workforce planning support to elementary, middle and high school students; 2) student services professionals who will pursue entry to mid-level staff or leadership roles in higher education institutions to effectively serve students who have transitioned to college to earn a postsecondary degree and require various forms of support in order to experience academic success and persist to graduation; 3) educational liaisons who work with K-12, community colleges and 4-year institutions, as well as business and health care agencies and community agencies, to serve as transition planning advocates for all students; 4) student services professionals who have an interest in working with private college preparation agencies to promote and support college access and preparation; or 5) higher education professionals interested in organizing, mobilizing, and leading advocacy efforts related to public policy formulation and analysis within government agencies and national higher education and professional associations, including the American Council on Education, NASPA, etc., as well as higher education think tanks and non-profit research and advocacy organizations, such as the Institute for Higher Education Policy.

Our experienced, student-centered faculty nurture student growth through a targeted immersion in the program curriculum, which serves to build comprehensive competencies to pursue work in these areas. Faculty provide personalized mentoring experiences and incorporate real-world case studies into the curriculum to expose students to practical opportunities to apply concepts to professional practice.

The BSBA, Supply Chain Management Emphasis degree program is a 120-credit-hour program that requires at least 48-credit hours be filled with business courses, of which a minimum of 12-credit hours need to be taken in Supply Chain Management courses.

The core business classes include financial and managerial accounting, legal environment of business, information systems concepts, business analytics and statistics, supply chain management, financial management, management and organizational behavior, marketing, and strategic management.