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The MPA in Public Affairs and Administration
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Course OfferingsWithin the semester, classes are divided into seminars called Dimensions of Learning, Action, and Assessment. They are: Purpose, Values and Ethics, Self and Others, Systems, and Skills. These represent the five dimensions of holistic, empowering performance. Students explore the theoretical background behind each seminar, which will help them master the Purpose for that semester. As a whole, the seminars are designed to help the students:
The three Purposes of the MPA are inter-related and lead to
the completion of a Constructive Action (typically a thesis
in more theoretical programs). An extensive research component
is integrated into each semester's requirements. Graduate students
are awarded the MPA upon the successful completion of 45 credits
(15 credits per semester) and a grade point average of a 3.0. The Master of Public Administration Course Offerings thru Summer Semester 2009The Master of Public Administration Course Offerings Beginning Fall Semester 2009
Semester 1Purpose Seminar: Identifying Service Needs with Citizens (MPA 510 PUR) (2 credits) Values and Ethics for Administrative Decision Making (MPA 510 VAL) (2 credits) An advanced analysis of ethical standards and values, both explicit and implicit, evident in human service policy in selected fields. Perspectives from history, philosophy, psychology, and cultural analysis are utilized. back to grid Human Development in the Social Context (MPA 510 SEL) (2 credits) Human Development and Society: the life cycle; theoretical approaches to developmental problems, assessment, and service modes; societal definitions of problems and challenges and their impact on policy and practice. Socio-cultural groups; differences in definition of problems and usage of services. back to grid Evaluating Service Delivery Systems (MPA 510 SYS) (2 credits) The social and economic context of administration in the human services. An analysis of national demographics, income distribution, the national and urban economies, key labor laws, affirmative actions, and privatization. back to grid Principles and Techniques of Evaluation Research (MPA 510 SKI) (2 credits) Research skills for needs assessment: Interpreting and evaluating research reports; the elements of research design; an introduction to statistics for social research including measures of variance, association and correlation, and descriptive statistics; probability and sampling theory. back to grid Plan for Pilot Service Innovation Project (MPA 510 CON) (5 credits) Students will gather data for needs analysis through examination of records, interviews, questionnaires, document searches, and meetings with citizens. They will then develop a plan of action proposing a pilot initiative to meet the systemic service need identified and secure approval for it from management. back to grid Identifying Opportunities for Organizational Change (PAA 610 PUR) (2 credits) The Purpose Dimension seminar is a forum in which students explore together the opportunities for change in their organizations. Each student will develop a formal proposal to conduct research on the existence of a problem, need, or opportunity for Constructive Action and gather background information about his or her organization that clarifies the setting in which the research takes place. back to grid Research Implementation and Documentation (PAA 610 CON) (3 credits) Students will prepare a Constructive Action document in which they describe the organizational setting of research and report on the implementation of the research proposal they developed in the Purpose Dimension seminar. back to grid Public Policy (PAA 610 VAL) (2 credits) This course is intended to introduce students to different methods and/or approaches to the analysis of public policy. Underlying each approach is a specific ethical foundation that drives how policy problems are defined and subsequently solved. Students will learn about the policy process and how that process gets played out in a political environment which, for all intents and purposes, represents the practical expression of values and/or political ideologies. Approaches to policy will range from the more conventional rational actor model, which parallels the traditional planning model, to the application of political theory for the purposes of teasing out the issues inherent to specific policies. Once these foundations are in place, students will have the opportunity to look at an array of policy issues that as public administrators and/or policy analysts they will have to address in their role as public sector professionals. These policies include welfare, healthcare, and wage regulation. The tools that students develop in this course will enable them to apply broader theories and methods of policy analysis to the more specific issues they will be engaging in their constructive actions. back to grid Organizational Behavior in Public and Nonprofit Organizations (PAA 610 SEL) (2 credits) An interdisciplinary field of study known as organizational behavior is the basis of this Dimension’s investigation into some of the issues that are fundamental to the successful management of people in public and nonprofit organizations. back to grid Introduction to Public Administration (PAA 610 SYS) (2 credits) This course is about the decision making process and what factors go into that process in the public sector. We will study the role of the manager in the administration of government departments and agencies and the implementation of policy. Decisions to be explored range from personnel matters to construction projects and the awarding of service contracts. back to grid Research Methods I (PAA 611 SKI1) (2 credits) Research Methods I represents the study of selected quantitative and qualitative methodologies needed to “assess need” in the constructive action and ability to select appropriate research methods for application to practical research problems, such as identification of research hypothesis, methods of data collection, techniques of data analysis and presentation and interpretation of project results and findings. back to grid Computer-based Applications for Public Managers (PAA 612 SKI2) (2 credits) The purpose of this course is to introduce the current concepts in computer based information systems design and management. The course prepares the student for practical applications of the course concepts to support students in their professional work life, and academic projects in health care and public administration (e.g. oral presentations using PowerPoint, research reports, practical descriptive statistics using Excel worksheets). The intended focus of the course is operational and oriented toward utilization of management information systems. Students are given the opportunity to use the computer in a number of exercises to gain "hands on" experience with management uses of the computer through word processing, Excel spreadsheets, database management, and PowerPoint presentation software. back to grid Semester 2Initiating and Managing Service Innovation (MPA 520 PUR) (2 credits)In this seminar, students will discuss the implementation of the Constructive Action initiatives planned in Purpose A with emphasis on staff training issues, monitoring, and assessment methods, and evaluation. back to grid The Ethics of Management (MPA 520 VAL) (2 credits) The ethics of management and policy: Setting service priorities in a diverse society. Developing an historical perspective on the ethical and value aspects of management philosophies. back to grid Mobilizing Human Resources (MPA 520 SEL) (2 credits) Organizational Theory: Interpersonal, intergroup, and interorganizational behavior; staff motivation; decision-making; communication; managing conflict; change and stress. The course is organized around case-study seminars. back to grid Systematic Approaches to Management (MPA 520 SYS) (2 credits) Systems Analysis: Management and systems theory; systems analysis, information and control systems, project management, cost-benefit analysis. back to grid Management Tools for Assessing Productivity (MPA 520 SKI) (2 credits) Principles of Accounting: Particular emphasis on their application to not-for-profit organizations; analysis and interpretation of financial statements; budgeting procedures; program assessment criteria and models. back to grid Implement the Service Innovation Project (MPA 520 CON) (5 credits) Student will implement and monitor the program they designed in Purpose A. back to grid Research Methods II (2 credits) More information will be available soon. back to grid Budgeting and Financial Management (2 credits) More information will be available soon. back to grid Semester 3Long Range Planning for Service Improvement (MPA 530 PUR) (2 credits)Program evaluation and negotiating change: In this seminar, students will review their evaluations of the service innovation implemented in Purpose B. They will discuss and develop long-range plans for service improvement and strategies for securing long-term support for their plans. back to grid Value Issues in Policy Planning (MPA 530 VAL) (2 credits) Value issues in the world of service: An examination of critical value issues at the national, city and organizational levels, with special emphasis on health, housing, education, care for the aged and substance abuse. back to grid Market Research as a Strategy for Citizen Participation (MPA 530 SEL) (2 credits) Marketing and management trends: Strategies for negotiating program approval and implementation. Marketing for non-profit organizations; management for the future; analyzing trends in the education, training, and selection of future managers in the human services. back to grid Economic and Social Trends and the Organization of Services (MPA 530 SYS) (2 credits) Trends and issues in human service systems: Examining national priorities; forecasting directions in national and international economics and service provision. back to grid Using Research for Long Range Planning (MPA 530 SKI) (2 credits) Program assessment and proposal development: Long range planning skills; using data resources for making projections, proposal writing, and program assessment. The basis of the course is experiential. Computer analysis is stressed. back to grid Analyze & Assess Pilot Project (MPA 530 CON) (5 credits) Students will analyze the results of the service innovation implemented in Purpose B. On the basis of this and further research into the organization and larger systems in which it operates, students will plan and work for the acceptance of a long-term plan for service improvement. back to grid Strategic Planning and Proposal Writing (2 credits) More information will be available soon. back to grid Program Evaluation (2 credits) More information will be available soon. back to grid |
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