NGO Education Survey

Department: Masters of Public Administration

Courses:

MBA 684N - Leadership, Power and Influence

Elective This course will examine the theory and practice of leadership in organizations. Traditional and modern theories of leadership will be explored, as well as the practical application of these theories in the work place. In addition to covering the traditional concepts of leadership in organizations, this course will take an in-depth look at the power and influence a leader has over the organization and its members. Prerequisite(s): Suggested: MBA 660N Minimum Grade: C

MBA 685N - Conflict & Negotiation

This course is an introduction to the theory and practice of interpersonal bargaining. The course will examine types of bargaining strategies, planning for negotiations, how to handle negotiation breakdowns, communications, power, persuasion, and ethics in negotiations, as well as international dimensions of bargaining. The pedagogical approach will largely be through experiential learning exercises based on weekly readings. Evaluations of student efforts will be based upon self reflections, self-assessment, and personal portfolio construction, as well as in-class performance in negotiating sessions and debriefing discussions. Minimum Grade: C

MBA 688N - Ethical Management of Organization

Elective This course will introduce students to the basic concepts of ethics. Students will examine ethical frameworks as they relate to business, the environment, the consumer, and the individual with an organization. Students will also learn to apply these frameworks using moral decision-making techniques to real-world case studies. The class will offer students practical tools to help them recognize and address challenging ethical decisions. Prerequisite(s): MBA 663N Minimum Grade: C

MPA 501L - Politics and Policy

Politics and Policy considers the public policy-making process with particular emphasis on the political environment. This course covers strategic and operational planning theories and practices, as well as ethical dilemmas. Prerequisite(s): MPA 500L

MPA 502L - Economic Issues in the Public Sector

Concentration Public and Nonprofit Management Economic Issues in the Public Sector extends students’ understanding of theory and research in key areas of the public sector and the role of government. Students will analyze theories applied to a variety of policy areas such as pollution, crime prevention, poverty, education, unemployment, Social Security, and Medicare. Prerequisite(s): MPA 500L Minimum Grade: C

MPA 502L - Economic Issues in the Public Sector

Elective Economic Issues in the Public Sector extends students’ understanding of theory and research in key areas of the public sector and the role of government. Students will analyze theories applied to a variety of policy areas such as pollution, crime prevention, poverty, education, unemployment, Social Security and Medicare. Prerequisite(s): MPA 500L Minimum Grade: C

MPA 503L - Public Budgeting

Public Budgeting covers the theory and practice of public budget preparation, approval, execution, review, and auditing as well as political issues in the budget process. The course includes consideration of capital budgeting, revenue estimation, debt administration and the history of budget reform efforts. Prerequisite(s): MPA 500L Minimum Grade: C

MPA 505N - Human Resource Management in Public Organizations

Human Resource Management in Public Organizations investigates aspects of human resources and personnel management in the public and nonprofit sector. This course introduces major issues, techniques, and trends in contemporary public personnel management, including ethical concerns, career planning, and professional development. Prerequisite(s): MPA 500L

MPA 506N - Administrative Law

Administrative Law explores the study of the legal framework of public administration. Basic principles of constitutional law and the institutions of American government are reviewed. The development of the administrative agency as a contemporary legal and social phenomenon and its relationship to other branches of government are considered. The structure of an administrative agency, its jurisdiction, powers, processes, and accountability are analyzed. Prerequisite(s): MPA 500L Minimum Grade: C

MPA 507N - Technology Management

Technology Management for Public Managers focuses on what an individual in a managerial position should know about information technology. Social, political, and organizational effects of the technology on individuals, groups, and society are covered. Students gain understanding of how to use information management for strategic and operational purposes, learn to identify useful computer applications, and develop an appreciation for emerging managerial concerns in the information age. Prerequisite(s): MPA 500L Minimum Grade: C

MPA 508L - Statistics for Public Managers

tatistics for Public Managers provides an overview of the scientific framework and empirical approaches to conducting and evaluating research studies. The course emphasizes the application of quantitative techniques to decision making and problem-solving. Topics include descriptive statistics, probability, sampling plans, research design, analytical methods for hypothesis testing, and regression analysis. Familiarity with high school algebra is necessary. Prerequisite(s): MPA 500L Minimum Grade: C

MPA 513L - Program Planning and Evaluation

Program Planning and Evaluation is an analysis of the theory and practice of designing, implementing, and evaluating public and nonprofit programs. This course develops skills in outcome measurement, survey design, and presentation of results. Prerequisite(s): MPA 500L

MPA 521N - Management in Nonprofit Organizations

Concentration in Public and Nonprofit Management As more programs are operated by nonprofit organizations, public managers must understand the “third sector.” This course provides an overview of the history, structure, and role of the nonprofit sector, including how nonprofit agencies differ from public and for-profit entities in mission, governance, funding, and staffing, and will consider current issues facing the nonprofit sector. Prerequisite(s): MPA 500L Minimum Grade: C

MPA 521N - Management in Nonprofit Organizations

Elective As more programs are operated by nonprofit organizations, public managers must understand the “third sector.” This course provides an overview of the history, structure, and role of the nonprofit sector, including how nonprofit agencies differ from public and for-profit entities in mission, governance, funding, and staffing, and will consider current issues facing the nonprofit sector. Prerequisite(s): MPA 500L Minimum Grade: C

MPA 530N - Organizational Theory and Change

Organizational Theory and Change covers the theory and practice of improving organizational effectiveness through planned, systematic interventions and change. Typical topics include analyzing organizational cultures, structures, processes, and capabilities; designing needed interventions; and assessing the motivational, educational, and other tools needed for successful implementation. Prerequisite(s): MPA 500L

MPA 616L - Cultural Competence in

Elective This course addresses cultural competence in a global context. Cultural competency is defined as the social awareness that everyone is not the same or like I am, an understanding that different cultures and backgrounds affect how one thinks and behaves, and that this awareness allows an individual to behave appropriately and perform effectively in culturally diverse environments. A service field, such a public administration, requires an administrator to make decisions and implement policies that impact the lives of those at the receiving end of said decisions. Course readings, assignments, and discussions help students understand the importance of not just working with diverse individuals, but creating inclusive, just environments that strengthen decision making, service delivery and program planning. Ultimately, students will gain an understanding of the roles diversity, equity, inclusion and cultural competence (related yet different concepts) play in the field and practice of public administration. Prerequisite(s): MPA 500L Minimum Grade: C

MPA 616L - Cultural Competence in

Concentration in Public and Nonprofit Management This course addresses cultural competence in a global context. Cultural competency is defined as the social awareness that everyone is not the same or like I am, an understanding that different cultures and backgrounds affect how one thinks and behaves, and that this awareness allows an individual to behave appropriately and perform effectively in culturally diverse environments. A service field, such a public administration, requires an administrator to make decisions and implement policies that impact the lives of those at the receiving end of said decisions. Course readings, assignments, and discussions help students understand the importance of not just working with diverse individuals, but creating inclusive, just environments that strengthen decision making, service delivery and program planning. Ultimately, students will gain an understanding of the roles diversity, equity, inclusion and cultural competence (related yet different concepts) play in the field and practice of public administration. Prerequisite(s): MPA 500L Minimum Grade: C

MPA 622N - Nonprofit Fundraising

Elective This course covers the fundamentals of effective resource development (i.e., fundraising) for nonprofit organizations. In this course we will examine the parameters within which nonprofit managers raise funds; the organizational, legal, and ethical contexts of fundraising for nonprofit organizations; the philosophy of philanthropy in the US and the various motivations for giving; and, practical guidelines for identifying potential donors, handling the “ask,” providing donor recognition, and utilizing your board effectively for fundraising purposes.

MPA 622N - Nonprofit Fundraising

Concentration in Public and Nonprofit Management This course covers the fundamentals of effective resource development (i.e., fundraising) for nonprofit organizations. In this course we will examine the parameters within which nonprofit managers raise funds; the organizational, legal, and ethical contexts of fundraising for nonprofit organizations; the philosophy of philanthropy in the US and the various motivations for giving; and, practical guidelines for identifying potential donors, handling the “ask,” providing donor recognition, and utilizing your board effectively for fundraising purposes.

MPA 660N - Internship

The internship provides students with an on-site practical experience. It aims to provide students with a better appreciation of the relevance and value of the learning that goes on in the classroom. In addition, an internship experience enables students to give more careful consideration and thought to an issue, and practice using theoretical knowledge to solve practical administrative problems. Internships are three credits and graded pass/no pass. Prerequisite(s): MPA 500L Minimum Grade: C

MPA 681N - US Health Care Policies and Systems

Elective US Health Care Policies and Systems is an introduction to health care delivery systems and the policy environment they operate in, with emphasis on the American system of health care and its major issues and challenges. The course explores the dynamics of administration in health care institutions such as hospitals, nursing homes, and ambulatory care facilities, and the policy issues and controversies that shape the delivery of health care. Prerequisite(s): MPA 500L MPA 501L MPA 530N OR MBA 654N Minimum Grade: C

MPA 682N - Ethical/Legal Issues in Health Care

Elective Ethical/Legal Issues in Health Care provides the student with a fundamental knowledge of the legal system as it relates to health care institutions. The course then builds on the student’s understanding of the legal system to integrate it with administrative theory as ethical situations and decisions unique to health care administration and to the health care industry are examined. Prerequisite(s): MPA 500L Minimum Grade: C

MPA 683N - Critical Issues in Health Care Leadership

Elective Critical Issues in Health care covers topics of contemporary and controversial nature, focusing on topics such as the implementation of health care policy and the ongoing challenges of balancing margin v. mission decisions while working to ensure the long-term viability of an organization. It actively integrates historical information on health care issues with current topics under discussion in that week’s news outlets. Once it helps the student develop an understanding of contemporary health care debate, it also provides tools and tactics for influencing the debate on a personal and system level. Prerequisite(s): MPA 500L MPA 530N OR MBA 654N Minimum Grade: C

MPA 684N - Leadership, Power and Influence

Concentration in Ethical Leadership This course will examine the theory and practice of leadership in organizations. Traditional and modern theories of leadership will be explored, as well as the practical application of these theories in the workplace. In addition to covering the traditional concepts of leadership in organizations, the course will take an in-depth look at the power and influence a leader has over the organization and its members. Prerequisite(s): MPA 500L Minimum Grade: C

MPA 685N - Negotiations and Conflict Management

Concentration in Ethical Management This course is an introduction to the theory and practice of interpersonal bargaining. The course will examine types of bargaining strategies, planning for negotiations, how to handle negotiation breakdowns, communications, power, persuasion, and ethics in negotiations, as well as international dimensions of bargaining. The pedagogical approach will largely be through experiential learning exercises based on weekly readings. Evaluations of student efforts will be based upon self-reflection, self-assessment, and personal portfolio construction, as well as in-class performance in negotiation sessions and debriefing discussions. Prerequisite(s): MPA 500L Minimum Grade: C

MPA 688N - Ethical Management of Organizations

Concentration in Ethical Management This course will introduce students to the basic concepts of ethics. Students will examine ethical frameworks as they relate to business, the environment, the consumer, and the individual with an organization. Students will learn to apply these frameworks using moral decision-making techniques to real-world case studies. The class will offer students practical tools to help them recognize and address challenging ethical decisions. Prerequisite(s): MPA 500L Minimum Grade: C

MPA 699L - Innovation in Public Administration

This course provides an integrating experience for students. Emphasis is placed upon specific problems. Extensive research and analysis of public policy are conducted. Prerequisite(s): MPA 500L MPA 501L MPA 503L MPA 505N MPA 506N MPA 508L MPA 513L MPA 530N Minimum Grade: Minimum GPA: 3.0

MSIS 537L - Data Management

Elective A study of the critical issues related to managing data in organizations. The concept of data as a resource, the data environment, the database approach, and the need for data modeling are examined in detail. The growing use of database management systems in managing data is discussed. The data administration function, its relevance in evolving organizations, and emerging issues are also addressed. Prerequisite(s): MSIS 527L

MSIS 545L - Intro to Data Analysis and Computational Statistics

Elective This is an introductory course in data analysis with emphasis on statistical computation, analysis, simulation, modeling and prediction. A basic presentation of modern computational data analysis, graphics and inferential statistics is provided in a laboratory setting; students gain proficiency in using a statistical software platform such as R. The course will cover probability concepts, important distributions, descriptive statistics and graphical analysis, inferential statistics including confidence intervals, hypotheses testing and ANOVA, as well as correlation and linear regression in one and several covariates. Computational techniques such as the bootstrap and resampling, as well as for simulations, are stressed throughout. Principles and methods of statistical analysis are put into practice using a range of real-world data.

MSIS 645L - Data Mining and Predictive Analytics

Elective Data Mining & Predictive Analytics is the name given to a group of disciplines, technologies, applications and practices for analyzing data (usually based on past business performance) and building models to help enterprise users make better, faster business decisions. The course covers basic concepts, tasks, methods, and techniques in data mining, including data exploration, data preparation, classification, regression, clustering, association, and performance evaluation applied to predictive modeling.

MPA 500L - Introduction to Public Administration

Introduction to Public Administration provides a general overview of the field of public administration. The course includes theoretical and practical aspects of key governmental processes, historical development of the field, contributions of social science to understanding organizations, and ethical issues in contemporary government activities.