PUAD - Public Administration

A study of the institutions and processes of policy making with special consideration of the national executive branch. Emphasizes the political environment of the policy making process and various policy areas. (Cross-listed as POLS 5401.)

A study of the political and economic implications of environmental problems both on a national and international level. (Cross-listed as POLS 5415.)

A study of labor-management relations in the public sector.

A study of the principles and practice of planning at the sub-state level. Topics such as land-use and functional planning, and political, legal, and social influences on the process of planning will be emphasized.

A study abroad course that compares law, governmental institutions and processes, political developments, and criminal justice systems. Time is also spent visiting historical and cultural locations. (Cross-listed as POLS 5509.) This course is repeatable for credit.

An examination of theoretical perspectives on individual behaviors within public organizations. The focus is upon rational choice-based theories, but sociologically-based perspectives are also considered. Practical applications of theory are stressed.

An analysis of government organization, management, and administration with primary focus upon the American national administrative structure. Emphasis is placed upon institutional, behavioral, and political factors of contemporary public bureaucracies. MPA students are encouraged to take this course in their first term of enrollment.

A study of contemporary practices and issues in the management of public employment. Major emphasis is given to merit system development, career systems, motivation, performance evaluation, and traditional personnel functions. This course is repeatable for credit.

An examination of law in society and its influence upon public sector operations. Applications of substantive areas of the law such as regulatory processes, administrative adjudication, and due process are addressed.

A study of the public fiscal and budgetary decision-making institutions and operations. Sources of revenue, methods of expenditure, allocations of resources and their impact on the economy are given special emphases.

An integrative, skills-oriented course for policy analysis and policy making. The policy development process is analyzed with respect to the identification of needs, planning, adoption, implementation, and evaluation.

Applied systematic analysis for public managers. Stresses analytical approaches to problem definition and the application of statistical techniques to hypothesis testing. Data analysis using computer software is integrated throughout the course.

A study of the major historical systems of moral philosophy, such as Natural Law, Natural Right, Utilitarianism, Kantianism, Nihilism, and Existentialism. Focuses on applying ethical systems to policy and administrative questions.

A study of intergovernmental structures and issues in public administration throughout the federal system with special emphasis on the state and sub-state levels. Grants and grantsmanship are addressed.

A comparison of administrative structures and processes in the political systems of the first, second, and third worlds. Emphasizes the effects of administrative decision-making upon the international political system.

Capstone course required of all in-service students in the non-thesis option during the final term of course work. Student will assess, orally and in writing, the relationships among public administration education, career development, and current job performance.

Independent reading and reports arranged by the instructor according to the individual student’s preparation, background, and needs. This course is repeatable for credit.

A detailed study of topics such as regulation, alternative service delivery systems, and public administration in the future. Topics to be covered will vary and will be announced prior to registration. This course is repeatable for credit.

An individually designed course sequence involving field experience and work in a government agency. This course is repeatable for credit.

Prerequisite: Permission of MPA Coordinator. First course in three-course thesis option. Student prepares detailed prospectus of the research topic, including bibliography, methodology, substantive goals, realistic schedule, and other details deemed necessary by thesis supervisor.

Prerequisite: PUAD 6971 and permission of MPA Coordinator. Second course in three-course thesis option. Student will prepare chapters of thesis for submission to Thesis Supervisor and Second Reader.

Prerequisite: PUAD 6972 and permission of MPA Coordinator. Final step in the thesis option. Student will prepare final version of the thesis and defend before a faculty panel.