Public Administration Courses

Focus on the “cutting edge” issues of urban affairs, public policy and public administration. The course features presentations by leading policy makers, policy researchers, practitioners and scholars with whom students engage in lively discussion. The course demonstrates the roles that public administration, policy analysis and policy research play in a complex global society.

Increases knowledge of tools, techniques, and definitions for performance management, and program evaluation. Introduces indicators used by government and nonprofits and their use for accountability and improved effectiveness; furthers competence in areas of strategic planning, benchmark indicators, performance measurement, and evaluation; and explores linkages and alignments of systems for improved efficiency and effectiveness.

Considers the role of technology in the planning and administration of public and nonprofit organizations. Topics include technology planning and budgeting, data processing and analysis, databases, change strategy, policy issues with current and emerging technology tools for planning and management.

Introduction to the field through the scope and evolution of public administration; the institutional, structural and political contexts of policy making; the role of nonprofit organizations in public service; the relationships and values of the public and nonprofit sectors.

Study of basic research design and data analysis techniques stressing applications in the public and nonprofit sectors. Includes research design, data acquisition, measurement, descriptive statistics, data collection, probability, exploratory data analysis, hypothesis testing, simple and multiple regression, correlation, and graphical procedures.

Develops microeconomics concepts and applies them to public issues, policies, and programs. Applications deal with a wide variety of topics, including health care, education, transportation, housing, community development, energy, and the environment. Emphasizes how microeconomic analysis can enhance decision-making.

Introduction to practical tools and concepts of financial management for public and nonprofit organizations. Topics include budgeting, capital budgeting, cost analysis, financial planning, investment decisions, debt management, financial reporting, financial statement analysis, and financial condition analysis.

Addresses strategic human resource planning and management issues in public and nonprofit organizations by linking critical activities like job design, recruitment/selection and compensation while strengthening performance management and productivity through appraisal and professional development. Also addresses competencies to lead a diverse workforce, including volunteers. Explores the legal rights and responsibilities of employees in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors.

Addresses the knowledge and competencies necessary to lead organizations in a networked environment that included public, nonprofit, and for profit organizations in implementing public policy and public services. Explores the evolution of the study of organizations and leadership, as well as aligning the values and ethics of multiple organizations and sectors in the networks that now shape public governance.

 This course examines the political economy of public policy, including the intersection of policy with politics and markets, and the institutional and structural dimensions of the policymaking process. The course also explores the challenges of policy implementation, and modes of policy assessment and choice.

Looks at the “ends” served by leaders in various contexts (including government, nonprofits, business, and media) and the ethical standards by which the leaders’ actions are judged. Examines cases of unethical conduct as well as cases of exemplary conduct.

The Capstone course provides graduating students in the Master of Public Administration program with an opportunity to apply learned theory to actual practice. Collaborating with nonprofit and government organizations wherein the student works or has contacts, the student will provide research, data collection, and analysis services as part of their capstone project. The goal of the project is to demonstrate the application of public management theory and analytical skills in addressing a current issue or problem and to focus students in administration and management of public organizations.

Provides students with a basic understanding of the U.S. health system and gives them practical experience in analyzing how healthcare reform and health policy more generally affect various sectors of the economy.

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