Courses
Graduate Course Offerings in Public Administration (PUBADM)
PUBADM 500 ADMINISTRATION IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR (3-0-3)(F/S). Designed to introduce students to the broad field of public administration at the graduate level. The course surveys a number of important issues in contemporary public administration, including an emphasis on political, legal, economic and social institutions and processes.
PUBADM 501 PUBLIC POLICY PROCESS (3-0-3)(F/S). Process of policy-making, both within an agency and within the total governmental process, emphasizing policy and program planning, policy implementation and the value system of administrators.
PUBADM 502 ORGANIZATIONAL THEORY (3-0-3)(F/S). Theories of organization behavior and management, with special attention given to public sector organizations. Issues and problems related to the non-profit sector will also be addressed.
PUBADM 503 RESEARCH METHODS IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (3-0-3)(F/S). An introduction to quantitative and qualitative data analysis with an emphasis on using descriptive and inferential statistics as tools in both public policy analysis and public program analysis. The use of quantitative analysis to support management decision making is examined. Computers will be used in the analysis of quantitative data.
PUBADM 504 PUBLIC BUDGETING AND FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION (3-0-3)(F/S). Determination of fiscal policy, budgeting processes, and governmental forms of budgeting. Consideration of fiscal policy and processes in various program areas. Emphasis on the interface between technical and political processes.
PUBADM 505 PUBLIC PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION (3-0-3)(F/S). An examination of the personnel/human resource management role as it has evolved in the public sector. The multiple responsibilities of personnel managers in the public sector will be examined, and the link between public policy and personnel management are identified.
PUBADM 506 QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS AND METHODOLOGY (3-0-3) (F/S). Interviews, observation, focus group methods examined in relation to planning and public administration. Other topics include communication skills in terms of writing, presentation, interpersonal dialogue, and group process.
PUBADM 507 INTERMEDIATE QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS AND METHODOLOGY (3-0-3) (F/S). Elementary distribution theory, statistical inference, and an introduction to multiple regression. Emphasis on practical applications. PREREQ: PUBADM 503 or PERM/INST.
PUBADM 508 SURVEY RESEARCH (3-0-3) (F/S). This course addresses the theoretical and practical nexus between public policy and public opinion and the role that surveys play in that relationship. Students will engage directly in survey research. Topics include survey design, implementation, sampling, data collection, follow-up, analysis, and ethical considerations. PREREQ: PUBADM 503 or PERM/INST.
PUBADM 509 PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS (3-0-3) (F/S). This class will introduce policy analysis, policy tools, and factors shaping the utilization of policy analysis. A significant portion of the course will be spent in learning and applying analytical techniques. PREREQ: PUBADM 503 or PERM/INST.
PUBADM 510 PROGRAM EVALUATION (3-0-3) (F/S). Exploration of issues related to evaluation research and design with particular attention to design and critique of process, outcome, and impact evaluations and the utility of evaluation in performance monitoring. PREREQ: PubAdm 503 or equivalent.
PUBADM 511 DECISION-MAKING IN PUBLIC AND NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT (3-0-3)(F/S). Designed to introduce decision theory and optimization techniques and tools in public and nonprofit organizations to provide basic techniques related to planning, monitoring, managing, and measuring program performance.
PUBADM 512 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND PUBLIC POLICY (3-0-3) (F/S). Examines implications of information technology for policymaking and policy analysis as well as the management of knowledge and information in and between organizations.
PUBADM 513 ECONOMICS OF PUBLIC POLICY (3-0-3) (F/S). Contributions of economic analysis to the justification, design, and implementation of economic policy, especially as it relates to the market economy and the benefits and costs associated with government intervention.
PUBADM 514 INTRODUCTION TO NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT AND COLLABORATION (3-0-3) (F/S). The course examines the implementation of public policy through nongovernmental organizations. Students will gain a general understanding of the history of philanthropy in selected nations and will explore the various social, economic, and political assumptions that found contemporary cross-sector delivery systems.
PUBADM 515 POLICY IMPLEMENTATION AND PRACTICE (3-0-3) (F/S). Examines mechanisms, assumptions, and measurement issues surrounding various forms of public policy implementation including the use of direct service delivery by public organizations, collaborative systems and the use of for-profit and nonprofit organizations.
PUBADM 520 COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL PLANNING (3-0-3)(F/S). A study of the theories, objectives, techniques, and problems of governmental planning within cities, metropolitan areas, and regions, as well as at the national level of government in the United States. A discussion of the planning profession and the politics of planning.
PUBADM 522 PLANNING: PROCESS AND PRACTICE (3-0-3)(F/S). This course the role of planners and the processes and techniques used in the planning profession. Types of economic analysis, forces in the development of cities, human capital and non-labor resources, making plans, strategic planning, involving the public and citizen participation. May be taken for CRP or PUBADM credit, but not both.
PUBADM 523 PLANNING AND ZONING (3-0-3)(F/S). Examines zoning theory, concepts, techniques and procedures in the practice of zoning. An introduction to zoning; the process; the legal aspects of zoning and its financing; implementing the comprehensive plan and integrating city and regional plans; responsible growth; and the transportation/land use connection. May be taken for CRP or PUBADM credit, but not both.
PUBADM 524 (CRP 504) INTRODUCTION TO POLICY FORMATION GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) (3-0-3)(F/S). Use computers and ArcGIS software to learn about geographic data, examine public policy problems that have a geographic component, and perform spatial analysis. May be taken for CRP or PUBADM credit, but not both.
PUBADM 530 ADMINISTRATIVE LAW AND REGULATION (3-0-3)(F/S). Sources of power and duties of administrative agencies, rules and regulations made by agencies through investigation and hearings, judicial decisions and precedents relating to administrative activities.
PUBADM 532 GRANT WRITING (3-0-3)(F/S). Students will explore the skills and techniques associated with successful grant writing and will prepare a grant proposal.
PUBADM 540 CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN NATURAL RESOURCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION (3-0-3)(F/S). Examines current and topical issues and controversies in natural resource and environmental policy from the perspective of public policy and public administration.
PUBADM 541 ENVIRONMENTAL AND REGULATORY POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION (3-0-3)(F/S). Examines aspects of environmental regulatory politics and policy. Topics examined include the politics of regulation, pollution and energy policy, and intergovernmental environmental management.
PUBADM 542 SCIENCE, DEMOCRACY AND THE ENVIRONMENT (3-0-3)(F/S). Examines the role of science and scientists in the formation of U.S. environmental policy making. Special attention is given to the tension between elite and democratic forms of decision making.
PUBADM 543 PUBLIC LAND AND RESOURCE POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION (3-0-3)(F/S). Examines the major issues, actors, and policies affecting the public lands and resources of the United States. Special attention is paid to the processes, institutions, and organizations that influence how public land policy and resource policy is made.
PUBADM 544 ENERGY IN THE WEST (3-0-3)(F/S). Examines the major issues and policy choices surrounding water resources and energy development in the United States and elsewhere. Special attention is paid to the interaction between energy development and water resources in the western United States and North America.
PUBADM 545 ENERGY POLICY (3-0-3)(F/S). Exploration of the key issues in the development of major energy policy choices in the U.S. with attention also paid to issues with international ramification.
PUBADM 550 THE EXECUTIVE AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS (3-0-3) (F/S). This course covers the powers and responsibilities of elected and appointed executives in the public sector. Concepts examined in the class include leadership and management, executive roles, management theories and styles, relationships with the separate branches of government and other actors in the political environment. The unique position of the executive between politics and administration and the relevant activities in policy formation through implementation form the basis of discussion.
PUBADM 560 STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION (3-0-3) (F/S). This course examines state and local government administration in a political and organizational context and the attendant interunit, intersector, and interjurisdictional cooperation and conflict in policy administration. Attention is paid to management in a federal system with a focus on nation-state-local relations.
PUBADM 570 PUBLIC MANAGEMENT SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES (3-0-3) (F/S). This course addresses such knowledge and skills for managers and leaders in public organizations as: personal assessment; leading and managing others; aspects of self and others which underlie behavior; managing stress and time; decision making; public participation; working with elected and appointed public officials; working with the media; solving problems; communicating supportively and assertively; appropriately using power and influence; understanding motivational processes; managing conflicts; empowering and delegating; and building teams.
PUBADM 571 ETHICS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR (3-0-3)(F/S). Examination of ethical dilemmas facing civil servants and elected officials utilizing case studies, current ethics statutes, and approaches in the public administration literature to the subject.
SELECTED TOPICS (3-0-3): To be offered as staff availability permits
PUBADM 580 ADMINISTRATIVE THEORY AND PRACTICE
PUBADM 581 NATURAL RESOURCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
PUBADM 582 PUBLIC POLICY AND POLICY ANALYSIS
PUBADM 583 PUBLIC MANAGEMENT SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES
PUBADM 584 STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION
PUBADM 585 INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
PUBADM 586 COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL PLANNING
PUBADM 590 PUBLIC SERVICE INTERNSHIP (variable credit). Arranged as field experience for those students with no prior experience in governmental or other organizational assignments. Such internships will be established and arrangements made for placement through the MPA Internship Director.
PUBADM 595 READING AND CONFERENCE (1-4 credits). Directed reading on selected materials in public administration and discussion of these materials, as arranged and approved through major advisor.
PUBADM 596 DIRECTED RESEARCH (3-6 credits). Students work with a single professor in completing a research project that includes original research.
PUBADM 597 SPECIAL TOPICS SPECIAL TOPICS (1-3 credits). These courses are offered occasionally. Examples of Special Topics courses offered include Grant Writing, The Politics of Volunteerism, Organizational Leadership, and Practical Management Strategies for Non-Profit Organizations.
PUBADM 599 CONFERENCE OR WORKSHOP (1 credit). Conferences or workshops covering various topics in public administration may be offered on an irregularly scheduled basis, according to student interest and staff availability. No more than 3 credits provided through conferences or workshops can be applied toward the MPA.
PUBADM 600 ASSESSMENT COURSE (3 credit). This course serves as the final comprehensive assessment of student knowledge of the major ideas that define public administration and must be taken during the final semester of a student’s graduate program. PREREQ:PERM/CHAIR (ONLY AVAILABLE THROUGH SUMMER 2012)
PUBADM 692 CAPSTONE COURSE (3 credit). A final comprehensive assessment of the knowledge and skills of a master’s student in the major field of study. A culminating activity taken in the last semester of a master’s program. PREREQ:PERM/CHAIR (BEGINNING FALL 2012)
PUBADM 696 DIRECTED RESEARCH (3-6 credits)