The core curriculum consists of five clusters, each of which addresses important elements of public administration knowledge and skills. The clusters are: foundation of public administration, research and analysis, management, financial management, and application. (The core curriculum is total of 33 credits.)
Core Curriculum Cluster One - Foundation (12 credits/4 courses)
The foundation cluster consists of four courses providing the contexts of public administration decision making. This set of courses provides all students with the scope and impacts of public administration both intellectually and practically. Four courses are required.
20:834:501 Introduction to Public Administration (3)
20:834:515 Administrative Ethics (3)
20:834:521 Technology and Public Administration (3)
20:834:541 Economic Issues in Public Administration (3)
Core Curriculum Cluster Two - Research and Analysis (6 credits/2 courses)
The research and analysis cluster provides students with the tools to be effective consumers of research, including the knowledge to understand and evaluate research presented to them in classes and in their careers. Students take two courses.
20:834:561 Applied Statistics (3)
20:834:562 Applied Research Design (3)
Core Curriculum Cluster Three - Management (9 credits/3 courses)
The management cluster addresses three fundamental aspects of management: the organizations in which goal-directed actions occur and the human capital by which goals are achieved.
20:834:522 Managing Public Organizations (3)
20:834:523 Human Resources Administration (3)
20.834.524 Strategic Planning (3)
Core Curriculum Cluster Four - Financial Management (3 credits /1 course)
The financial management cluster gives all M.P.A. students a foundation in the role of money in organizations, particularly budgeting. The assumption is that effective management requires understanding of financial management. One course is required.
20:834:542 Public Budgeting Systems (3)
Core Curriculum Cluster Five - Application (3 credits/1 course)
Provides students with an opportunity to integrate learning from
various courses in analysis of real-world issues. Making use of the classroom
setting and encouraging teamwork, the capstone project consists of a project
design, action plan, and implementation. Students, under guidance of a faculty
member, carry out data collection and analysis, evaluate their findings, and
provide conclusions and recommendations. The outputs are a project report and
PowerPoint presentation before fellow students, faculty members, and invited
guests.
20:834:563 Capstone (3)
