Courses
Search for courses listed in this bulletin. To find a semester course schedule (including instructors, meeting times and locations), go to mynmu.nmu.edu.
- Graded: A/F
An examination of quantitative research methods designed for students of public administration and public policy. It introduces the scientific method, research design, data measurement and analysis.
- Graded: A/F
This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the basic theories and methods of public policy analysis. This objective will be accomplished through a series of readings, projects, discussions and lectures on a topic or topics of current political importance, e.g., health, environment, transportation, education or welfare.
- Graded: A/F
An introduction to theory and practice of the management of public affairs. Particular emphasis is placed on several themes and conceptual problems consistently appearing in the professional literature of public administration (e.g., ecology of administration, bureaucratic efficiency, administrative responsiveness and responsibility). Selected case studies and works of fiction may be utilized where appropriate.
- Graded: A/F
Examination of the relationship between the levels of government within the federal system in providing public services. Extensive use of case studies and intensive analysis of selected units of local government.
- Graded: A/F
This course examines the structure, functions, and governancy of local and state governments. Includes relationships of local and state government legislative, executive, and administrative actors; management processes; and key state and local policy areas.
- Graded: A/F
- Prerequisites: Admission to the MPA program or permission of the instructor
Study of ethical dimensions of personal and professional behavior in the public sphere as it relates to administrative roles. Topics covered will include foundations of ethics, implementation of ethics, ethical frontiers, social contract theory, the ethics of policy choices, social justice and the challenges of ethics in public administration.
- Graded: A/F
A thorough study of classical and modern organizational theories and an analysis of their contributions to contemporary administrative practice. Emphasis will be on institutions engaged in public service. Case studies, employment experiences of students and works of fiction may be utilized where appropriate.
- Graded: A/F
A study of the significant problems of American political institutions with an emphasis on the legislative processes.
- Graded: A/F
The dynamic and changing relationships between local governments, elected and appointed officials, and city, county and state governments. This course attempts to identify the nature of those changes and the forces that are driving change.
- Graded: A/F
A study of the politics of education at national, state and local levels.
- Graded: A/F
Basic proposal writing skills as well as an overall perspective of grantsmanship. Topics covered include the various elements of grant proposals, how to research grant opportunities, and the role of collaboration in proposal development. Students will have an opportunity to prepare an actual grant as a special project.
- Graded: A/F
- Prerequisites: Admission to the MPA program or consent of instructor
The major concepts, approaches, techniques and formats of public budgeting in the U.S., especially as these are applied to the local government setting. The objectives are to delineate and understand the various components and practices of budget planning, development, execution, auditing and evaluation. Additionally, the course will serve to enhance participant awareness and understanding of management issues and typical problems involved in the budgeting cycle and the methods used to address these.
The major concepts, approaches, techniques and formats of public budgeting in the U.S., especially as these are applied to the local government setting. The objectives are to delineate and understand the various components and practices of budget planning, development, execution, auditing and evaluation. Additionally, the course will serve to enhance participant awareness and understanding of management issues and typical problems involved in the budgeting cycle and the methods used to address these. Note: Students who have taken PA 524- Public Budget Management (2 credits) will not be able to apply this course towards their degree
- Graded: A/F
- Prerequisites: Admission to the MPA program or permission of instructor
The historical, institutional and political context of public budgeting in the U.S. Examines both the characteristics of the budgetary process, as well as the main substantive issues involved in the assembly of contemporary budgets at the local, state and federal levels. In addition, the political self-interest, norms, and roles and behaviors of various budgetary players will be discussed and the impact of their actions on budgetary dynamics and public policy will be explored.
This course examines the skills and knowledge necessary to manage labor relations in government. Topics include, constitutional influences on public employment, rights of public employees, management and labor unions, civil service laws and regulations, collective bargaining practices, and non-discrimination, and equal opportunity.
This course explores knowledge and skills necessary in human resource management for public and nonprofit organizations. Factors examined include: defining public and nonprofit organizations, human resource management functions and principles, ethics, diversity and cultural competence, human resource management applications, current issues and future trends. Note: Students who have taken PA 528- Seminar in Public Personnel (2 credits) will not be able to this course towards their degree.
- Graded: A/F
- Prerequisites: Admission to the MPA program or consent of instructor
Study of the practice, theory, and political setting of managing human resources in public organizations. Topics covered will include merit system, classification, staffing (planning, recruiting, selecting, examining and placement), employee motivation, employee diversity and the constitutional setting for public employees.
- Graded: A/F
- Prerequisites: Admission to the MPA program or consent of instructor
Study of the practice, theory and application of the legal aspects of public personnel. Topics covered will include Title VII, Americans with Disabilities Act, Affirmative Action, sexual harassment, age discrimination, gender gap, Family Medical Leave Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
- Graded: A/F
- Prerequisites: Admission to the MPA program or consent of instructor
Study of the practice, theory and application of administrative law and governmental regulation. Topics covered will include growth of the administrative system, democratic accountability of the administrative process, rule making, order making, administrative discretion, judicial review, suing the government and balancing societal and individual rights.
This course provides an in-depth investigation of scholarship related to the development of public administration as an academic discipline. The course is designed to provide a foundation for understanding practical and theoretical concepts related to public administration in the United States.
- Graded: A/F
The political and administrative dimensions of community development. Students probe the administrative aspects of managing a planning process while considering the political realities of implementation.
- Graded: A/F
An introduction to the American health-care system. Familiarizes students with the actors, processes, language and institutional relationships of this system. Public, private, and voluntary health-care agencies at the state, local and national level are analyzed.
- Graded: A/F
The political, economic and social forces influencing the contemporary administration of the health care system in the United States. How health care policies are developed, analyzed, adopted, implemented and evaluated. Emphasis is on how national policies and politics impact local and state health-care issues. Coverage includes how health policy outcomes are affected by political ideology and leadership, governmental processes, bureaucracies, interest groups and the public through the use of relevant contemporary case studies.
- Graded: A/F
Contemporary program evaluation and assessment theory and methods. Evaluation and assessments are presented as continuous improvement exercises involving program staff and/or outside reviewers, funders, clients and the general public. Students are trained in setting goals, tracking performance, making midcourse corrections and analyzing program impact.
- Graded: S/U
- Prerequisites: PS 507 and approval of the department head and the MPA program director
Designed principally for graduate students in the graduate program in administrative services who wish to pursue an internship with a governmental unit or agency engaged in public service.