56:834:501
Foundations of Policy Analysis (3)
The logic of action, decision making, and belief; epistemological issues underlying scientific and policy research; causality, probability, statistics, and public policy; the role of problem definition, description, theory, model building, explanation, and prediction in policy research and decision making. Reviews major substantive theories of public choice and public policymaking and critically examines them from a logical and theoretical perspective.
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56:834:503
Law and Public Policy (3)
The place of law in the formulation, articulation, and enforcement of public policy; legal sources, such as constitutions, statutes, cases, administrative rulings, and agency practices; federal, state, and local sources and materials examined for policy inconsistencies, contradictions, and overlap; the effectiveness of fees, taxes, licenses, labeling, injunctions, and other legal sanctions.
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56:834:505
Organizational Behavior (3)
Examines organizational behavior of individuals and groups/teams and the organizational context in which that behavior takes place. Organizational theories as well as behavioral theories and approaches discussed, including seminal historical works and more current treatments.
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56:834:515
Introduction to Public Budgeting and Finance (3)
Combines readings with the development of a budget for a hypothetical city to demonstrate budget formats, the politics of budgeting, and methods of projecting expenditures and revenues. Administration and criteria for selecting taxes.
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56:834:521
Directed Study (3)
Requires a public policy paper or written administrative analysis. May be substituted for Research Workshop when, for good cause, a student is unable to attend the workshop. The topic and an outline of the paper must be filed with the department chair by the end of the third week of the student's final semester.
Prerequisites: Approval of M.P.A. chair; permission of instructor.
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56:834:522
Educational Supervision of Instruction (3)
This
course is intended to provide a foundation upon which aspiring school
administrators can evaluate the effectiveness of teacher instruction at
all grade levels and support the growth and development of teachers. The course examines models of effective instruction, the
theoretical underpinnings of supervision, and best instructional practices that
would inform effective instruction.
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56:834:525
Public Management (3)
Contemporary management approaches, techniques, and skills for managing various kinds of public organizations. Decision making, administrative leadership, planning, implementation, evaluation, ethics, and budgeting are key topics.
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56:834:535
Research Methods (3)
Research as a practical skill for public administrators. Topics include research design, descriptive and differential statistics, multiple regression, and qualitative research. Use of a computer statistical package.
Pre- or corequisite: Introductory statistics course.
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56:834:536
Public Information Systems (3)
Management-oriented computer methods including personal productivity systems and office automation; database management; and the analysis, supervision, and coordination of the management information systems department within the larger organizational culture.
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56:834:541,542
Internship I,II (3,3)
Direct experience with public agencies; individual internships, under faculty supervision, in policymaking agencies.
Prerequisite: 56:834:501 or permission of instructor.
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56:834:543
Educational Policy and Leadership Internship I (3)
For students in the educational policy and leadership concentration and required for principal certification for those matriculated prior to September 1, 2008. Students will intern with school principals and work under their supervision. Students will be expected to participate in all administrative functions including curriculum leadership, professional development, supervision of instruction, pupil personnel services, personnel management, policy development, scheduling, school finance and law, student supervision and technical administrative skills. Students must log 150 hours, develop a portfolio, and prepare a professional development plan.
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56:834:544
Educational Policy and Leadership Internship II (6)
For students in the educational policy and leadership concentration and required for principal certification for those matriculated after September 1, 2008. Students will intern with school principals and work under their supervision. Students will be expected to participate in all administrative functions including curriculum leadership, professional development, supervision of instruction, pupil personnel services, personnel management, policy development, scheduling, school finance and law, student supervision and technical administrative skills. Students must log 300 hours, develop a portfolio, and prepare a professional development plan.
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56:834:545
Models for Planning and Policy in Education (3)
This course addresses the theoretical and practical aspects of policy embedded in school reform. Students will be exposed to the significant issues of policy, practice, and implementation, including the improvement of teaching and learning; teacher training; leadership, finance, equity, and excellence; community engagement; partnerships; parental involvement; and restructuring schools and school time. Through discussions and group projects, students will review and discuss the implications of current federal, state, and local policies relevant to a number of aspects of education, including early care and education, school performance and standards-based accountability, school choice, and school finance.
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56:834:546
Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Education (3)
Given the many changes in the educational landscape and the choice movement in public education, this course provides students with an overview of the different opportunities for new ventures in public education. Students will explore ideas for innovation in education and learn new competencies in critical areas such as fundraising, development, leadership, and best practices in education. Students will be exposed to important business practices, such as writing a business plan, structuring a capital development plan, and engaging in creative financing for large-scale projects. The course features guest speakers who have been successful in launching entrepreneurial ventures--in and out of schools. Emphasis will be placed on areas of supervision of teachers and innovation in instructional practice.
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56:834:547
Creating a Culture of Continuous Improvement (3)
This course highlights the key elements that have proven successful in the delivery of high-quality teaching and learning. Students will be able to explore and discuss a variety of strategies for initiating and sustaining improvements in teaching and learning--including content-focused professional development, content and performance standards, market models, strategic planning, parental engagement, and accountability systems. The course will expose students to current research and practice related to school improvement and organizational culture building, as well as to the key competencies that are necessary to sustain improvement in schools and school systems. Special focus will be placed on the areas of curriculum and instruction, specifically as it relates to curriculum development. Course requirements include observation and analysis of classroom practice, development of case studies based on actual practice, and a final project addressing schoolwide improvement.
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56:834:548
Developing Curriculum for Deep Learning (3)
In this course students analyze and apply principles for designing curricula that focus on developing deep, flexible, and creative understanding. This course aims to construct a useful bridge between theory and practice. Participants in the course apply their emerging understanding to a project that applies course learning.
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56:834:549
Curriculum Leadership (3)
This course focuses on a historical overview of the major curriculum approaches; introduces students to key theories about leadership of organizational change as theory applies to schools; and introduces students to key principles in standards-driven reform.
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56:834:552
Health Care Management (3)
Introduces theory, history, and organization of the health care delivery system. Key ethical, legal, technological, financial, and organizational issues that confront health care organizations are addressed. Introduction to key managerial functions of health care administrators: planning and strategy making, organizing, quality and administrative control, financial management, and human resources management. Emphasis on external trends and forces affecting health care organizations.
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56:834:553
Financial Management of Public Programs (3)
Examines budgetary processes, municipal bonds, cash management, and intergovernmental fiscal relations as they apply to financial management of public programs. Topics include cost-benefit, cost-revenue, and cost-effectiveness analyses, as well as contemporary issues such as privatization and liability insurance.
Prerequisite: 56:834:515.
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56:834:556
International Community Development (3)
Introductory analysis of current community development theory and practice and examination of its application to developing world situations and U.S. communities. Introduction and application of community development and project management tools and approaches. Requires a minimum of four hours of community service weekly.
Primarily for international public service and development students. To be completed over two semesters.
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56:834:557
Human Resource Management (3)
The relationship between employers, employees, and their labor relations organizations in government, health and human services, the nonprofit sector; leadership and direction of employees; impact of collective negotiations on critical issues of public policy; civil service organizations.
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56:834:558
Executive Leadership and Communication Skills (3)
Strengths and limitations of various leadership theories. Awareness of personal learning, leadership, influence, and communication styles. Develops leadership skills through interpersonal exercises and through course projects involving current managerial and political issues. Communication skills involving writing, speaking, meetings, media relations, and strategic planning emphasized.
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56:834:559
Ethics in Government (3)
Study of the federal, state, and local laws governing the conduct of public officials and of ethical standards beyond the boundaries of law. Relates professional standards of public administration to ethical problems in government.
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56:834:560
Managerial Survival Skills (3)
Conceptual and practical approach to acquiring and refining managerial skills. Coping with organizational politics, managing job stress, managing limited time, delegating effectively, and building and managing a professional career. Readings, lectures, hands-on skill practice, and evaluation of performance.
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56:834:561
Ethical Issues in Health Care Delivery (3)
Exploration of ethical perspectives that can be applied to leading ethical issues in health, such as allocation of scarce and expensive medical resources, patient rights and organizational responsibilities, implications of health technology, and issues surrounding death.
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56:834:570
Labor-Management Relations in the Private and Public Sectors (3)
Analysis of the structure and development of labor-management relationships in the United States and abroad, focusing on both private industry and governmental organizations. Explores history and the surrounding law while focusing on the negotiation and administration of collective bargaining agreements, related micro- and macroeconomic problems, and issues that accompany the growth of the nonunion sector in both private and public sectors.
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56:834:600
Education Law and Finance (3)
This course will focus on the legal and school finance issues concerning K-12 education and schools. It provides aspiring school leaders with the knowledge and skills that are necessary to adequately address legal and finance issues in schools.
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56:834:601,602,603,604,606,607,608
Colloquium in Public Policy and Administration I,II,III,IV,VI,VII, VIII (3,3,3,3,3,3,3)
Intensive examination of a specific area of public policy concern or of specific trends in public policy analysis; individual research. Specific seminar topics include health administration, transportation, housing policy, productivity, energy policy, judicial management, international management, international financial management, administrative communication, environmental policy, community leadership, and comparative public policy.
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56:834:605
Nongovernmental Organization Management and Development (3)
Examines conceptual and analytic issues related to managing nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) both in the United States and abroad, and how these issues are addressed. Develops skills in the use of several basic management techniques and tools particularly relevant to NGO strategic management, fundraising, and governance.
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56:834:611
Evaluation Research Seminar (3)
Nature, logic, and the role of evaluation research in the policy analysis and policy research process; evaluation design, criteria, units of measurement, and ways of devising appropriate social indicators and measures; strategies for implementing research designs; logical problems of analysis.
Prerequisite: 56:834:535.
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56:834:612,613
Colloquium in Educational Policy and Leadership (3,3)
Open to students in the educational policy and leadership concentration. Courses will cover various areas of study in educational policy and administration.
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56:834:650
Special Problems in Public Policy and Administration (3)
Available in lieu of internships and conducted by arrangement with specific instructor.
Prerequisites: Completion of core examination and approval of M.P.A. chair.
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56:834:675
Research Workshop (3)
Guides students in formulating, researching, and writing a capstone research paper. Integrates the skills and concepts from the core courses as students use quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze a selected policy or administrative problem. Students must have completed 21 M.P.A. credits.
Prerequisites: 56:834:501, 505, 525, 535, and permission of instructor.
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56:834:676
International Public Service Internship and Directed Study (3)
Guides, integrates, and assesses the lessons of the overseas field placement through a system of advising, ediscussions, and written reports, which require students to document and assess their international experiences. This web-based course enhances proficiency through the analysis of a specific project, program, or policy relevant to the international placement. It offers the opportunity to apply program management tools in real-life situations. Covers topics such as needs assessment; stakeholder analysis; participatory strategies; feasibility studies; SWOT analysis; program/project design including objectives and logical framework; implementation strategies; monitoring and evaluation; lessons learned; and recommendations for program or policy change.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
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56:834:800
Matriculation Continued (0)
Continuous registration may be accomplished by enrolling for at least 3 credits in standard course offerings, including research courses, or by enrolling in this course for 0 credits. Students actively engaged in study toward their degree who are using university facilities and faculty time are expected to enroll for the appropriate credits.
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