PUBA 500 · History and Theory of Public Administration   3 Credits

Investigation of the historical development of the theoretical foundations of modern public administration practice. The course serves as an overview of the public administration profession within a democratic society, a description of the history and development of the field of public administration, and an introduction to ethical issues faced by public administrators.

PUBA 520 · Public Finance and Budgeting   3 Credits

Analysis of theories and strategies of resource allocation as a basis for managing revenues and debt in government, with a focus on budgeting as a tool for controlling both operations and policy at all levels of government. Students gain an understanding of the role of government in a market economy to include the impact of monies spent at the local, state, and federal levels. Students investigate why expenditures are channeled toward certain critical areas in the economy under conditions of market failure.

PUBA 530 · Public Personnel Management   3 Credits

Examination of the added value of public administration professionals to their organizations through the effective management of personnel. Students examine the differences between public and private sector personnel recruitment, retention, motivation, and development. Students focus on transparency in public administration management practices and on developing employees with a customer service mindset.

PUBA 550 · Public Policy Analysis   3 Credits

Examination of the activities of government and the consequences of those actions. Through the application of analytical techniques, students gain an understanding of the nature of public policy and various ways in which it may be approached to include addressing complex, real-world policy matters involving multiple constituent groups with diverse interests, institutional complexity, and ethical controversy.

PUBA 560 · Legal and Ethical Issues   3 Credits

Exploration of the basic legal and ethical concepts and challenges facing public administrators. Students identify principles that guide legal and ethical choices and show the practical impacts of these principles. Students consider the tensions among ethics, societal influences, and faith including examination of contemporary issues in public administration decision making.

PUBA 570 · Political Economy   3 Credits

Examination of the interrelationship of political and economic factors that influence both public political and economic outcomes. Key means of analysis include application of micro- and macro-economic theories to obtain better understandings of political and administrative decision-making processes. Students explore the relationship and dynamics between public policies and political forces.

PUBA 590 · Professional Communication in Public Administration   3 Credits

Effective internal and external communications strategies. The course covers appropriate use of written, verbal, electronic, and other technology-based communications. Students practice ethical use of messaging for public communications. Coursework requires practical application and demonstration of skills.

PUBA 600 · Public Administration Program Evaluation   3 Credits

Evaluation of public programs typically managed by public administrators, based on established quantitative and qualitative methods. Students analyze applied research design, data collection, data management, data analysis, analytical reporting, and governmental and organizational research and data. Students recognize the need to effectively collaborate with non-profit organizations and other contractors through which many of these programs are offered. Students evaluate programs, analyze policy research, and synthesize the research to plan programs, make critical decisions, and communicate their results to others.

PUBA 690 · MPA Capstone   3 Credits

Investigation of real-world scenarios that require analysis and ethically sound problem solving. Students identify a salient issue in a community in which they live or work that is currently in focus among city officials and constituents. Students investigate the perspectives of relevant stakeholders and propose a solution or intervention to address the issue. Students develop a strategic implementation plan in order to advocate for a solution to a problem at the federal, state, or local level.

Prerequisite: ORGS 510, PUBA 500, PUBA 550, PUBA 560, and 18 additional credits of MPA coursework.