CURRICULUM

Required Courses (18 credits)

MPA 8011 Public Administration Theory: Explore fundamental public service delivery concepts through the evaluation of classical and emerging theories in light of contemporary public challenges. Students apply frameworks to case studies, building a sophisticated toolkit for managing the complexities of 21st-century public institutions.

MPA 8021 Leadership Ethics: The application of theories and organizational practices to the ethical decision-making process and the development of skills and habits necessary to attain ethical competence in the field of public service. 

MPA 8031 Financial Management: The study of financial management of government and nonprofit organizations, emphasizing financial reporting, public revenue systems, budget practices, financial condition analysis, benchmarking, and forecasting in support of fiscal decision-making.

MPA 8041 Human Centered Management: This course explores the study of Human-centered leadership principles and Human Resource principles and Human Resources practices to help students develop the skills needed to engage nonprofit and government employees in meaningful public service work.

MPA 8051 Applied Research Methods: This course introduces applied research methods for public-sector leadership, focusing on data-based decision making and evaluation. Students gain technical proficiency in Excel to transform qualitative and quantitative data into actionable intelligence while evaluating the ethical use of data in public policy leadership.

MPA 8061 Organization Theory: The study of the similarities and differences in various formal and complex organizations, the structures and dynamics of these organizations, and the theories applicable to such organizations.

Elective Courses (18 credits)

MPA 8100 Policy Analysis: The study of public policy analysis as an applied social science, emphasizing the identification of policy problems, the development of policy alternatives, and the systematic comparison of alternatives using evidence and analytical tools, including cost-benefit analysis.

MPA 8200 Strategic Communication: The study of the communication process within and among complex organizations and the listening, writing, and speaking skills needed to promote better relations among individuals and organizations.

MPA 8400 Strategic Planning: The study of strategic planning and management with special emphasis upon planning models as well as planning functions. Strategic planning and management are used as synonyms in this course; however, the literature distinguishes planning as more cognitive, while management as action and implementation.

MPA 8500 Effective City Management: Relating to community, working with the governing body, creating the organizational climate for excellence, overseeing the delivery of services, promoting the community's future, conducting relations with other governments, and maintaining personal effectiveness.

MPA 8550 Urban Politics and Government: The study of institutions, powers, and policy challenges shaping governance in cities and metropolitan regions. Topics include the historical evolution of cities and suburbs, the legal and political foundations of municipal government, and selected contemporary policy issues affecting urban areas.

MPA 8600 Effective Non-Profit Management: Examination of nonprofit civic and political involvement, ethics and accountability, leadership and board development, human resource practices, financial management and performance measurement, philanthropy and fundraising, volunteer management, and marketing and communications. 

MPA 8700 Fundraising for Non-Profit Organizations: This course introduces fundraising for nonprofit organizations, including annual, major/capital, and planned giving, donor relations, ethics, and development office operations. Students develop practical skills through creating a case for support, grant proposal, annual appeal, and analyzing a comprehensive development plan.

MPA 8800 Managing Public Networks: Theories of federalism, intergovernmental relations, and intergovernmental and intersectoral networks, collaborative decision-making approaches and negotiating skills.

MPA 8900 Public Policy: The study of the public policy process, focusing on how policy ideas are translated into laws and regulations, the roles of political institutions and actors across levels of government, the implementation of public policies, and the evaluation of policy outcomes.

MPA 8199 Three-Credit Special Topics (i.e., Cultural Competency)

MPA 8299 One-Credit Special Topics: Our one-credit topic courses are offered on three Saturday mornings (or occasionally, on Friday evenings) and include such topics as Establishing a Nonprofit, Nonprofit Advocacy, Land Use and Zoning, and Effective Public Affairs.

Contingent Courses

MPA 8010 Management Internship: Administrative field experience in an agency or organization. Permission of the MPA Director required.

MPA 8012 Individual Research I: An individual research project under the direction of public administration faculty member. Permission of MPA Director and consent of faculty member required.

MPA 8013 Individual Research II: An individual research project under the direction of public administration faculty member. Permission of MPA Director and consent of faculty member required.

Please note that enrollment in an individual research course requires the successful completion of MPA 8011 and MPA 8051. Students interested in an Independent Study should first consult with the Assistant Director of Student Services and then complete an Independent Study Proposal outlining the proposed research plan. Once the proposal is complete, students must seek out and receive permission from a professor to supervise their Independent Study, as well as the approval from the MPA Director.

Please review the Independent Study form here.