Public Administration Courses
Reviews the history, status of, and emerging trends in public management on the federal, state, and local levels. Included is a survey of contemporary political, economic, and managerial concepts and developments in public administration that will serve as a foundation for further coursework in the program. Restricted to Graduate level; Public Administration majors
Examines management theory and organizational behavior in public organizations. Major theories, research, and practical applications are reviewed. Restricted to Graduate level; Public Administration majors
(For Health Service Administration Concentration students) Explores U.S. health care issues as well as the major participants in the health care delivery system (providers, payers, controllers, and consumers), and describes various forces determining the historical, current, and future roles of the participants. Restricted to Graduate level; Public Administration majors
Investigates ethical issues and responsibilities faced by leaders and administrators applying ethical principles within an organizational context. The ethical dimensions of organizational life and related administrative behavior are addressed, using the works of major theorists. Restricted to Graduate level; Public Administration majors
Analyzes basic theory and various techniques applicable to financing public agencies and examines the effects of the economy on society and public organizations. Issues of public expenditure, revenue generation, fiscal policies, and economic development are discussed. Restricted to Graduate level; Public Administration majors
(For generalist PA students) Discusses and applies select concepts and techniques necessary to conduct comprehensive public policy research and analysis. Specific attention is given to the stages of the policy process, the role of interest group politics, and the development of viable policy alternatives. Prerequisite: PA 611 Restricted to Graduate level; Public Administration majors
Examines the process of public sector budgeting from the perspective of managerial planning and control. Budget formats are reviewed, as are techniques used to analyze budgetary data. Specific attention is given to aspects of forecasting, cost-benefit analysis, and cost-effectiveness analysis. Prerequisite: PA 611 Restricted to Graduate level; Public Administration majors
Investigates current human resource management issues in the public sector. The planning for and performance of traditional personnel functions and relevant techniques are examined in addition to contemporary issues and trends that impact public sector employment. Selected aspects of strategic HR planning and management are discussed. Restricted to Graduate level; Public Administration majors
Discusses impact of a variety of technologies that support the work of public managers. Topics include the aspects of management of information systems, web applications, telecommunication, and project management. Ethical considerations and confidentiality issues are also addressed. Restricted to Graduate level; Public Administration majors
(For generalist PA students) Provides an overview of concepts and techniques necessary to become effective strategists and planners. Topics include the strategic planning process, leadership challenges, and organizational change issues. Restricted to Graduate level; Public Administration majors
This is the capstone course for the MPA program. It offers students the opportunity to apply the theory and practice of public administration to an organizational or policy challenge. Students will write a paper based on their analysis and will also prepare a career plan. Restricted to Graduate level; Public Administration majors
(For Health Service Administration Concentration students) This course presents an overview of the legal issues facing the health care industry. It provides students with a basic working knowledge of health law. The course is a comprehensive and inclusive review of a wide variety of health care legal issues. Students are provided with knowledge of health law and how it is applied in authentic health care situations. Restricted to Graduate level; Public Administration majors
Reviews and applies research methodologies used for public decision making. Concepts include specification of questions to guide inquiry, basis for causal inference, acquisition of quantitative data, reliability and validity issues, and elements of descriptive and inferential statistics. Provides students with an opportunity to develop and enhance skills in designing, conducting, and analyzing research. Restricted to Graduate level; Public Administration majors
(For generalist PA and Health Service Administration Concentration students) This course examines key concepts, methods, and approaches in the field of evaluation research as it applies to public and nonprofit organizations. The three principal types of evaluation, formative, process/implementation, and outcome/impact, will be covered. The skills learned and applied in this course will assist the practitioner in determining the effectiveness of new or existing programs. Students focus on the comprehensive range of activities involved in designing, implementing, and assessing the utility of social programs. Colleges restricted to College of Prof. Studies and Sch of Bus and Prof Studies and School of Business and Sch of Bus and Prof Studies. Restricted to Graduate level; Public Administration majors
This course explores effective communications in the public sector environment, including the theory behind and practical application of a variety of communication practices. These include but are not limited to public information and awareness campaign management, delivery of effective presentations, and interpersonal communication within the office and within public settings. Emphasis placed on the source, message, channel, and receiver dimensions of communication in both traditional (oral communication, print, broadcast radio and television) and mediated (social networking, blogs, podcasts) environments.
By special arrangement. Restricted to Public Administration majors.
