Public Administration

The course focuses on the theory; principles and practices of the management and operations of the functions of government. This course is the basic introduction to the discipline of Public Administration; its history; its development and its focus on both management principles and policy applications. The fundamental dichotomy of politics and administration will be examined; along with the linkages between the science and administration and how the practice of Public Administration has given rise to the fourth branch of American government.

This course introduces the theories and skills of public sector budgeting; including financing state and local governments; and examines how the maximization of societal return from public expenditures has developed in recent years. Skills such as revenue and expenditure forecasting; making adjustments due to uncertainties; and developing realistic alternatives are examined and practiced. Budget formulation and administration are emphasized with a view of providing the student with the basic understanding of constructing and managing a budget in the public and nonprofit sectors.

This course presents an overview of the political framework within which public and community service agencies operate; provides an understanding of some of the problems involved in implementing public service programs through the governmental structure; indicates where and how political decisions are made involving public services; and increases the student's ability to interact with his/her agency's political environment. This course also covers proposed responses to climate change/sustainability issues from a global perspective.

This course examines a range of contemporary health care delivery issues; notably: the impact of the AIDS and H1N1 crises; the rationing of health care resources in the US; the debate over health care coverage for the elderly; and a comparison of the American health care system with other national systems; with special references to the Canadian approach.

This course builds on the constructs of PUAD 571 and provides an overview of nonprofit agency and charitable organization administration. This includes organizational structure; human resources issues; financing and budgeting with multiple funding sources; Board - staff relations and applicable management principles. Also covered are strategies for effective planning; administration and operations of programs and personnel. A specific focus of the course is public and non-profit agencies that provide services to children and families. This course also examines an array of ethical problems typical of management in human service agencies.

This course introduces the analysis of research design and basic statistics and gives community services/public administration personnel the background to read and judge professional evaluation research as well as the ability to design and carry out basic program evaluation. This course also focuses on the role of grants in public and non-profit organizations with emphasis on techniques and resources of grantsmanship and the importance of grants and grantsmanship in the overall scheme of program planning and organization development.

This course provides an overview of legal issues arising in key areas of public administration. Topics include the structure of the American legal system; criminal and civil jurisdiction; and the role of administrative bodies.

In this class we examine the distinctions between for profit and nonprofit organizations; with a view toward ensuring that the nonprofit meets the formation and operational requirements to have and remain eligible for IRC Section 501 status. Students are introduced to the practical techniques of filing a Form 1023 or Form 1024; and what an applicant must show in order to receive tax exempt status. Operational issues such as charitable giving rules; the regulation of fund raising; nonprofit employee compensation and risk management and avoiding personal liability are also examined.

Academic inquiry into a particular area not covered in any established course; and carried on outside the usual instructor/classroom setting. A written Plan of Study is required.

This course examines organizational problems in the delivery of human services at the local level including health care; public safety; education; counseling; rehabilitation; information and referral; and legal assistance. Organizational processes are analyzed in relation to the distinct goals and environmental and technological characteristics of client processing organizations.

The application of computers to administrative problem solving is examined through such topics as the structure and function of computing systems; administrative applications; and the availability of computing resources. This course gives the student a fundamental and theoretical foundation for management information systems.

This course is intended for those who either are; or who may become; responsible for managing community service/public administration agencies and organizations. The emphasis is on the practical skills necessary for planning; problem analysis; and decision-making.

This course develops skills for designing and implementing human resource systems and analyzes the importance of human resources to organizational performance of public sector and non-profit organizations. Current issues in human resources management are examined; including hiring; termination; performance evaluation; and the impact of global technology. The legal and regulatory framework of employment practices are investigated with the view of providing students with insight and skills to avoid grievances and legal challenges stemming from employment decisions.

This course is required of students who have not had experience in a public/community service agency. Students intern in a public/community service agency under the guidance of a faculty member and an agency supervisor.

In this seminar; which accompanies the culminating Capstone project; we examine professional issues encountered in a variety of public administration settings. Intensive studies of theories; research and practice are based on applied issues that arise for the public administrator professional.

This 3 part course serves as the comprehensive examination and is the culmination requirement necessary to complete the Master’s degree. In this course (part one of the sequence) students will be introduced to the fundamental roles of the public administrator. The focus includes analyses of key assignments from each course in the program. In addition; a professional statement will include the student’s primary motivation for public service and a statement of guiding principles for public service and managerial decision-making. It will also include a set of short-term goals (up to two years out) and long-term goals (five to ten years out). The statement may include a discussion of the philosophical or theoretical perspectives that have influenced managerial and professional orientation; and/or a discussion of plans to obtain education; training; certifications; or skills; involvement in professional organizations; significant community involvement; and/or other relevant professional or service-oriented activities. This is the first of three 1 credit Capstone courses; each with specific markers for completion of the overall program professional portfolio.

This 3 part course serves as the comprehensive examination and is the culmination requirement necessary to complete the Master’s degree. In this course (part two of the sequence) students will focus on informational interviewing and shadowing experiences. The purpose of an informational interview is to obtain information about an occupation of interest by talking to someone in that occupation (e.g. the CEO or CFO of a community-based organization). Informational interviews help explore different occupations; clarify career goals and identify professional strengths and weaknesses before training for a specific career or making a career change. Informational interviews also help improve interviewing skills. A general set of guidelines to complete this e-portfolio component will be provided. This is the second of three 1-credit Capstone courses; each with specific markers for completion of the overall program professional portfolio.

This 3 part course serves as the comprehensive examination and is the culmination requirement necessary to complete the Master’s degree. In this course (part three of the sequence) students will focus on a Professional Competency Matrix and submit their final portfolio. Students will complete a professional competency matrix for the program and for their portfolio.. The matrix identifies how the coursework completed in the program meets the universal standards established by the Network of Schools of Public Policy; Affairs; and Administration (NASPAA); a membership and accreditation organization of graduate education programs in public policy; public affairs and public administration. A current professional resume must be included in the e-portfolio; along with other program artifacts. This is the third of three 1-credit Capstone courses; each with specific markers for completion of the overall program professional portfolio.