PP500: Public Administration and Management

The course explores the theory and development of the field of public administration and the function of management. It will cover a wide range of topics further explored in the Master of Public Administration program. These topics may include federalism and intergovernmental relations, ethics and administrative leadership, and personnel and resource management. Students will study management processes in the context of a political environment and policy implementation.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

PP504: Research and Writing in Public Administration

Vital research and writing skills are necessary in the field of public administration. This course is designed to prepare you for academic and professional writing demands in your coursework, professional career, and for your final capstone project. In this course, you will be introduced to applied research within the field of public administration and have the opportunity to apply course concepts to a policy problem.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

PP510: Leadership in the Public Sector

You will study leadership within the public sector and the application of ethical and leadership principles to decision-making, actions, and interactions within public administration. Topics covered will include: organizational behavior, interest-based negotiation, leading networks, mediation, and leadership style.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

PP520: Finance and the Administration of Public Funds

This course examines the methods, processes, and challenges in the administration and budgeting of public funds. You will examine the budgeting of public revenues, revenue generation, forecasting, cost control, and fiscal management. The importance of managing control issues and transparency will be addressed.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

PP530: Human Resource Management in the Public Sector

This course examines theories, processes, and systems related to human resources management in government, non-profit, and multinational organizations. Topics explored include budget management, employee selection, development, compensation, retention processes, and performance management. The course will further examine labor relations including conflict management, disciplinary actions, sexual harassment, diversity, equity, and inclusion. The legal, ethical, safety, and security considerations in the public sector environment will be applied to real-world situations.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

PP600: Administrative Law in Public Administration

This course examines the fundamental concepts regarding administrative law in public administration and how public policy is crafted. You will examine the intergovernmental relations and the political and practical constraints that influence administrative policy, assess the rights of individuals as government employees, and examine the level of transparency in government agencies and actions.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

PP610: Balancing the Budget - Budgetary Process

This course will examine the overall framework for budgeting decisions and financial management practices related to public funds. The budget process is considered within a system containing numerous components and relationships, including preparation, cost analysis, budget reform, crisis management, and balancing the budget. In this course, you will develop a budget and will assess crisis management strategies related to balancing a budget within the public sector.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

PP611: Grant Writing

This course addresses the advanced skills necessary to research and create grant proposals to public and private funding sources. You will critically examine request for proposal (RFP) criteria, prepare a grant budget, create sustainability plans and project timelines, and incorporate evaluation metrics into your proposals. Content will cover grant research, proposal structure, financial planning, and the basic elements of a full grant proposal.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

PP612: Program Evaluation

This course explores the development and practice of systemic program evaluation as it applies to public administration and nonprofit organizations. Needs assessments will be discussed in addition to cost benefit analyses for program evaluation. Summative and formative evaluation methodologies, logic models, outcome measurement, the development and application of data collection tools, data analysis, and the role of ethics in the process will be investigated.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

PP630: Public and Private Partnerships

This course examines the relationship of business and government agencies in producing public services. You will analyze policies and implementation in partnership and privatization models including outsourcing, contracting, and competition. The use of voluntary organizations will also be explored.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

PP640: Political and Economic Forces

You will explore the impact and interaction of political and economic forces that affect public administration in domestic and international governmental and nonprofit sectors. You will use economic reasoning to better explain this interaction between political entities and economic forces including governments' behavioral effects on markets, the role of competition in the provision of public goods, resource allocation, market failure, and government failure.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

PP650: Public Policy Analysis

The course focuses on the analysis of public policy and approaches to problem-solving. You will study qualitative and quantitative methods of policy analysis that aid public policy and program analysts in informing the decision-making process. Through theoretical frameworks, case studies, and practical exercises, you will gain the necessary skills to critically assess existing policies, propose effective solutions, and communicate your findings to diverse stakeholders.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

PP693: Public Policy and Administration Internship

This course will provide graduate students in the Master of Public Administration with practical experience in a professional field. During the 10-week term, 150 hours of service are required. This course is an opportunity to combine academic theory with new, career-related experience in legal studies, public administration, environmental policy, or a closely related field. Tasks must be delineated in the Learning Contract, which demonstrates an advanced application of academic theory in the workplace.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: Permission from the Dean, a GPA of 3.75, and completion of at least 25 graduate quarter credit hours

PP698: Master's Capstone in Public Administration

This capstone course is the culminating experience for the Master of Public Administration. This capstone course provides you with the opportunity to engage in research, analysis, and evaluation of current topics and challenges in the field of public administration. You will integrate and synthesize the knowledge and skills acquired throughout your coursework, conducting your own research related to current topics and challenges in the field of public administration to demonstrate your mastery of program outcomes.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: Last term or permission from the Dean