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 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 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 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
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