Courses

Undergraduate students must obtain graduate course approval from the assistant dean for undergraduate programs before registering for master of public administration (M.P.A.) graduate courses.

20:834:501 Introduction to Public Administration (3) This course explores the political, socio-economic, legal, and democratic-constitutional context of public administration. Students learn key concepts and theories used to better understand administrative agents of government, including public agencies, contractors, intergovernmental partners, and nonprofit organizations as they operate and interact with their environments. Fundamentals of public management, organizational behavior, human resource management, and government accountability are introduced. Both organizational actors and inter-organizational relationships are considered.

20:834:515 Ethical Challenges in Public Affairs (3) Within this course, students will learn about public sector values and the role leaders play in working toward an ethical environment. Case studies of scandal, corruption, and run-of-the-mill unethical behavior will be discussed along with frameworks ethical decision making and leadership. The primary goals of this course are to: (a) introduce students to the role that ethics should play in the lives of public sector leaders, and (b) provide tools and strategies for identifying and addressing ethical issues in professional life.

20:834:523 Human Resources Management (3) The course addresses public sector human resources management from multiple perspectives, including theoretical, legal, political, policy and practical. It covers the important contemporary issue of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), as well as other critical issues such as public sector labor relations, performance management, ethics, and privatization.

20:834:541 Economic Issues in Public Administration (3) This course introduces students to the basic principles of economic reasoning. Students will utilize the fundamentals of economic analysis to untangle the complex management and policy problems they will confront as policy makers, policy analysts, and public administrators.

20:834:XXX (2) Two MPA electives (6) Two MPA electives must be completed as part of the accelerated MPA curriculum. Undergraduate students must obtain graduate course approval from the assistant dean for undergraduate programs before registering for master of pubic administration (M.P.A.) graduate courses.