Courses

This course covers the essentials of research design, methods of data collection, and data analysis tools for policy evaluation and management decision-making. The course trains students in data visualization, descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, and correlation and regression analysis. The course encourages hands-on work with real data, use of statistical software, and the effective presentation of graphical and numerical results.

The dissertation proposal committee normally consists of three to five members, one of whom should be a member of a graduate faculty outside the School of Public Affairs and Administration. Prior to the defense of the proposal, the composition of the dissertation committee must be approved by the PhD program director.

This course introduces students to the basic principles of economic reasoning. Students will utilize the fundamentals of economic analysis to untangle the complex management and policy problems they will confront as policy makers, policy analysts, and public administrators.

Within this course, students will learn about public sector values and how the role leaders play in working toward an ethical environment. Case studies of scandal, corruption, and run-of-the-mill unethical behavior will be discussed along with frameworks ethical decision making and leadership. The primary goals of this course are to: (a) introduce students to the role that ethics should play in the lives of public sector leaders, and (b) provide tools and strategies for identifying and addressing ethical issues in professional life.

(Course updated as of Spring 2025; Formerly known as Ethical Public Service)

This course covers ethical considerations in public sector and nonprofit organizations, including conflicts of interest, confidentiality, deception, whistleblowing, human rights, and the moral responsibilities of leaders and citizens. The course combines theoretical studies and practical skills to help students gain the necessary understanding of ethical principles, and the tools required to navigate and manage complex ethical situations.

Note: Course is Writing Intensive

This course is particularly relevant for effective policymaking today. It trains students to identify reliable sources of information and to use these sources to enhance policymaking. In an era of crisis and misinformation, gathering and organizing evidence is essential for crafting more precise policy responses to socio-political issues. The course will address evidence issues in a number of policy areas.
 

This course covers such topics as bureaucratic politics, democratic theory, and public sector governance.

This course provides an overview of the governmental budgetary process while focusing on the tools and techniques for managing budgets and making financial decisions in government. Looking at all three levels of government – local, state, and federal – this course examines the role of the budget in the economy, the politics of the budgetary process, budget methods and reforms, sources and uses of revenue, and deficits and debt.

This course provides an overview of government revenue systems in the United States. It examines and evaluates how federal, state, and local governments levy different types of taxes, manage user fees and fines, borrow money, design intergovernmental grants, administer the revenue sources they selected, and reform their revenue systems.

Student will learn how to seek, solicit, and manage grant awards from foundation and government sources to support public and nonprofit programs and projects. The course focuses on the strategies and process of writing effective grant proposals. Students are guided through the development of a grant proposal and will explore topics that include: searching funding sources, writing compelling need statements, establishing goals for funding, developing SMART objectives for evaluation, and creating budget documents to support grant seeking. Students complete multiple written assignments that culminate in a final grant proposal document.