Curriculum
Required Courses (7 courses, 21 units)
Core Courses
- MPA 610: Introduction to Contemporary Public Administration
- MPA 620: Research Methods for Public Administrators I
- MPA 621: Research Methods for Public Administrators II
- MPA 643: Public Sector Human Resources Management
- MPA 644: Public Finance and Budgeting in the Public Sector
- MPA 650: Contemporary Public Policy Making
Culminating Experience:
- MPA 697S: Comprehensive Examination
Data-Driven Governance and Organizational Change Option Courses (5 courses, 15 units)
For those interested in the MPA Data-Driven Governance and Organizational Change option the following courses will be required as part of the option.
Students will complete five courses, pre-selected by the program administration, from the list of electives below. (These 5 course sequence is also offered as Certificate in Data-Driven Governance and Organizational Change)
- MPA 661: Introduction to Data Analytics for the Public Sector
- MPA 662: Data Driven Decision Making for the Public Sector
- MPA 663: Organizational Analysis and Assessment in the Public Sector
- MPA 664: Data-Driven Change, Governance and Innovation in the Public Sector
- MPA 665: Analyzing and Managing Governance Networks in the Public Sector
Course Highlights
| Course | Name | Units | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Courses and Culminating Experience | |||
| MPA 610 | Introduction to Contemporary Public Administration | 3 | This course examines the evolution of the study of public administration with a focus on current debates and approaches in the field. Particular attention will be paid to the importance of federalism and intergovernmental relations, jurisdictional challenges, administrative ethics, collaborative leadership, human resource management, organizational theory, policy making, community engagement and the role of politics and financial administration. During the course students will compare and contrast market-based approaches with more traditional bureaucratic approaches to public administration. Significant attention will be paid to the numerous challenges facing America’s large and diverse metropolitan areas. In this course, we will address these issues and review new strategies to improve public governance through effective public management and community engagement. |
| MPA 620 | Research Methods for Public Administrators I | 3 | The course combines design methodology, data collection and management (processing), and pertinent domain knowledge in the public sector. The course reviews the benefits and challenges presented in public sector research, as well as ethical issues, risks and biases associated with the design and data collection process. Students will develop habits of mind of evidence-based managers and understand the evidence requirements for ethical decision-making. |
| MPA 621 | Research Methods for Public Administrators II | 3 | This course builds upon the MPA 620 Research methods for public administration. Public sector managers who adopt an evidence-based, value-driven mindset must translate analytical know-how and an understanding of complex problems into actionable insights. This course entails learning by doing– considering a range of topics /problems, design purposes (exploratory, descriptive, explanatory), data types and sources, application domains, and key measurement indicators within organizations. |
| MPA 643 | Public Sector Human Resources Management | 3 | This course is designed to educate students about human resources management as they will experience it in leadership positions within various non-profits and the civil service. Beyond the core functions, the course will teach students to apply theories, concepts, and best practices, including diversity management, to the ethical challenges they will face in senior leadership positions. |
| MPA 644 | Public Finance and Budgeting in the Public Sector | 3 | This course provides students with a foundation in the concepts, terminology and techniques in the art and science of public sector budgeting and fiscal administration. Students use real world examples, to analyze various forms of inclusive budgeting and revenue and expenditure planning, evaluate & analyze financial health, and problem solve fiscal activities in governmental units, and gain "hands-on" budget analysis and written and oral presentation experience. Recommended preparatory: MPA 620, MPA 621. |
| MPA 650 | Contemporary Public Policy Making | 3 | This course will provide a comprehensive introduction to the various approaches and processes of public policy making by connecting theory with practice. Students will develop a breadth of knowledge and skills necessary to address the pre-decision, decision, and post-decision stages of policymaking. Students will examine the relationship between values, including equity, efficiency, social justice, and procedural fairness, and the politics of policymaking in the public sector. |
| MPA 697S | Comprehensive Exam | 3 | Students selecting this option prepare for examination in General Public Administration and in two Specialized Subfields. |
| Data-Driven Governance and Organizational Change Courses | |||
| MPA 661 | Introduction to Data Analytics for the Public Sector | 3 | This course lays the groundwork for understanding the pivotal role of data in contemporary governance, providing students with the conceptual framework and practical skills needed to turn data into actionable insights for policymaking. Through a blend of theoretical knowledge and hands-on practice, students will explore the full spectrum of the data analytics lifecycle, from data collection to ethical considerations. The course will delve into the nuances of data sources, cleaning, analysis, visualization, and interpretation within the context of public administration. By the end of this course, students will be equipped with the critical competencies to conduct data-driven analysis and make informed decisions that can shape effective public policy and services. |
| MPA 662 | Data Driven Decision Making for the Public Sector | 3 | In this eight-week course, students will explore the essentials of data-driven decision-making in public administration, starting from foundational concepts to practical applications in various sectors. Participants will acquire data sourcing, processing, and ethical management skills, as well as do hands-on modeling and simulation exercises. The curriculum emphasizes the technical rigor and ethical considerations essential for informed policymaking. Students will learn to navigate the complexities of implementing and evaluating data-driven strategies through real-world case studies and a final group project. This course prepares future public administrators to harness data effectively and responsibly for impactful governance. Pre-requisite: MPA 661. Recommended preparatory: MPA 620. |
| MPA 663 | Organizational Analysis and Assessment in the Public Sector | 3 | This course gives students tools to be able to conduct organizational assessments and analyses for the public sector. It offers exposure to key frameworks and theoretical underpinnings with deep opportunity to practice application in real world scenarios. The course provides a practical opportunity to utilize skills developed in data analysis. Students have an opportunity to assess and analyze organizations, ultimately preparing them to be able to make improvement recommendations and lead organizational change. |
| MPA 664 | Data-Driven Change, Governance and Innovation in the Public Sector | 3 | This seminar focuses on Change Management and Technological Governance for public organizations. It is designed to provide students with an integrated perspective on managing change in a government setting, particularly focusing on the adoption and adaptation of modern technologies and IT service management frameworks. This course aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills and practical experience necessary to effectively manage technological change in government settings, preparing them for a future of innovative governance. |
| MPA 665 | Analyzing and Managing Governance Networks in the Public Sector | 3 | Public organizations operate within complex networks. Contemporary policy is designed, implemented and evaluated within networks of public, private and nonprofit organizations. To address wicked problems, these organizations interact and build governance capacity. In this course, students will learn about complexity, governance regimes, interorganizational and intersectoral collaboration. This course will prepare students to analyze the inter-organizational dimensions of policymaking and implementation within governance regimes. |
