Rutgers SPAA Undergraduate Courses
Undergraduate Major, Minors, and Certificate Course Descriptions and Sample Syllabi
For course schedules, see Rutgers University Schedule of Classes
40:834:200 Understanding Public Administration and the Public Sector (3)
This course introduces students to the field and profession of public administration. By covering the economic, political, and social dynamics within which governments and public organizations operate, the course allows students to develop a broad understanding of the public sector. Moreover, the course addresses several administrative, managerial, and political challenges facing public organizations and related to human resources, finances, program development and evaluation, strategic planning, among others. By completing this course, students gain an initial understanding of the functioning of government that is necessary to make adequate decisions and effect change as public administrators.
Sample Syllabus - Understanding Public Administration and the Public Sector
40:834:201 Public Service as Responsible Citizenship (3)
This course is about people living together in democratic communities and the particular role community service plays in support of those communities. Community service in a wide variety of settings has become a significant way in which we accomplish public goals. Students critically examine the community service approach to public work and seek to understand how service might be more effective in improving community life. Students will learn basic strategies and tactics utilized by individuals, groups, and organizations to maintain and improve the quality of life in their communities.
40:834:203 Understanding the World of Nonprofits (3)
This introductory course provides students with an understanding of the nonprofit sector in the United States and the distinct leadership and management challenges often faced by nonprofit managers. This course covers both general management practices that apply to all organizations such as marketing, strategic planning, human resources management, ethics, and financial accountability, as well as topics unique to nonprofit organizations such as board governance, volunteer management, advocacy, and fundraising.
40:834:301 Ethics in Public and Nonprofit Organizations (WI) (3)
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.
Writing intensive. Prerequisites: 21:355:101 and 102.
40:834:302 The United States and Global Urban Experience (3)
This course introduces students to the cultural, social, political, economic, and environmental elements and complexities of urban communities from a domestic and international perspective. Students will examine topics such as poverty, health care, education, environmental sustainability, employment opportunities, transportation networks, gentrification, and current social challenges. Through the lens of public service, students explore the interconnection of world efforts in providing for the social, economic, and human service needs of local communities from an international comparative course of study.
40:834:303 Introduction to Data Science (3)
This course introduces students to data tools that are important in today’s government and nonprofit environments. It focuses on key quantitative skills including data interpretation, visualization, management, and analysis. Throughout the class, students learn and demonstrate responsible data practices that can be directly incorporated into professional contexts. Students engage with real-world datasets and problems to explore the ways that data science can positively inform decision making, management practices, and policy
40:834:304 Technology and Public Service (3)
Government and private organizations are recognizing the benefits of data-driven decision making. As such, all business and strategic operations of this era are deploying technologies to improve data integrity in order to better serve their constituency. The course introduces various technologies public organizations may use to collect, manage, and disseminate information used to inform and administer public services.
Prerequisite: 40:834:200.
40:834:305 AI, Government, and Society (3)
New AI tools are released almost every day. As these technologies rapidly evolve, they are becoming embedded across the systems that govern public life. Increasingly, intelligent systems influence decisions once made solely by human judgment – who receives social benefits, which organizations obtain public funding, how risks are assessed, and how scarce public resources are allocated. In this environment, even small design choices in algorithms or data systems can affect millions of people. For public and nonprofit professionals, understanding AI is no longer optional. The challenge is not to chase every new tool, but to grasp the foundations of intelligent systems and recognize how technical design, organizational choices, and regulatory frameworks shape their impact. This course examines how artificial intelligence is transforming public administration and service delivery. Through case studies, simulations, and hands-on interaction with AI tools, students explore how rapidly evolving technologies can both accelerate solutions to complex social problems and introduce new risks. The course equips students to critically understand this technological shift and to engage as informed leaders in shaping how AI is used in government and society.
No prior technical background is required.
40:834:306 Grant Writing for Organizations (WI) (3)
This course examines grant writing for public and nonprofit agencies, including proposal writing, promotional and support materials, budget development, fundraising sources, and grants-management systems.
Writing intensive. Prerequisites: 21:355:101, 102, and 40:834:200.
40:834:307 Servant Leadership (3)
This course examines the concept of the servant as leader, including examples of principles commonly associated with this philosophy of leadership: building community, empathy, foresight, persuasion, and stewardship. Students will review profiles of several historical and contemporary public figures that have utilized characteristics of the servant leader to transform society.
40:834:308 Health and Society: The Social Context of Public Health (3)
Why do poor people die younger than rich people, even in one of the world’s wealthiest countries? Why does your zip code predict your life expectancy more reliably than your genes? Why did it take decades for the medical establishment to accept that stress, racism, and poverty were making people sick? This course introduces students to the study of public health from a sociological perspective. Throughout the course, students will trace trends and inequalities in population health and mortality across the life course, across historical time, and across geographic space, with a focus on the social and structural factors that drive these trends. Drawing on a variety of disciplines, including sociology, epidemiology, public policy, and public health, students will build a framework for understanding health as a social phenomenon and examine how society shapes who gets to be healthy and who does not.
40:834:309 Cross-Sector Leadership (3)
This course examines the unique roles and interconnectedness of the public, private, and nonprofit sectors in addressing complex social challenges. Students will explore how these sectors operate both independently and collaboratively, analyzing their distinct motivations, organizational structures, and the external factors that shape their actions. The course delves into effective strategies for cross-sector collaboration, identifying both the synergies and potential barriers to achieving impactful social change through collective leadership.
40:834:310 Community Impact Lab: Building Community Bridges (3)
This course examines effective strategies for building community partnerships. Topics include the roles of universities in assisting to build strong-healthy communities and exploring various techniques for building sustainable partnerships to support local community partners. Through assigned readings and hands-on experiences, students work with local Community Based Organizations (CBOs) to understand the complexities and challenges for creating sustainable, impactful partnerships. In an effort to bridge theoretical and practical approaches to community engagement, students will be paired with a community/educational organization to cultivate and apply understandings. The history of community engagement at Rutgers-Newark will be explored. The primary goal of this course is to help students develop their capacity to be problem solvers by working collaboratively in class and in the Newark community to create sustainable partnerships.
Sample Syllabus - Community Impact Lab: Building Community Bridges
40:834:311 Introduction to Public Policy Process (3)
This course introduces students to the different stages of the public policy process and its key aspects in policymaking. The course explores the different policy actors' roles in policymaking, such as institutional and social actors (e.g., legislative bodies, chief executives, administrative agencies, courts, interest groups, advocacy coalitions, social movements, non-profit organizations, and the media). The course emphasizes key parameters of public policy formulation (agenda setting, policy development and design, implementation, and evaluation) and theories of policy change. Students will be able to differentiate policy types, ideas, and tools and will appreciate the importance of context (social, economic, political, and technological) in developing effective policies.
40:834:312 Introduction to Policy Analysis (3)
This course introduces students to policy analysis as a tool for identifying and evaluating policy solutions to complex public issues. Students will gain a basic understanding of the stages of policy analysis (including problem definition, gathering evidence, and constructing and comparing policy alternatives) as well as the major types of analyses used to assess policy solutions (e.g., cost-benefit analysis, policy matrices, and cost-effectiveness analysis) and will then apply them using tangible examples of public concern.
40:834:313 Evidence-based Policy (3)
This course introduces students to how governments and leaders rely on the best available evidence to inform policy and program decisions, and how to implement evidence-based approaches effectively. The course emphasizes the importance of reliable evidence and instructs students on finding the best data available through integrated data systems or primary data collection. Evidence-based policy helps decision-makers to better understand community/country needs and consciously select the most appropriate policy solution for specific challenges. Throughout this course, students will learn how to identify, analyze, and interpret the highest-quality evidence and provide actionable insights for policymakers.
40:834:330 Special Topics in Public Service (3)
This course offers an in-depth exploration of selected issues in public service of general relevance and specific interest to course participants.
40:834:331 Independent Study in Public Service (BA)
This course offers a supervised arrangement for readings, research, assignments, fieldwork, and/or internship as agreed upon by faculty instructor and academic dean. Credits are awarded by arrangement.
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor and academic dean.
40:834:402 The Arts and Culture of Public Service (3)
This course focuses on the connection between arts and cultural programs and community building, based on the perspective that arts and cultural programs can be a vehicle for community change and enhancement. Students will examine the role that arts and cultural programs have played in community development and consider that arts and cultural programs form a vital part of our public service commitment.
Prerequisite: 40:834:200.
40:834:404 Philanthropy: Volunteerism, Fundraising, and Community Engagement (3)
This course examines the role of volunteers and philanthropy as vital to the success of nonprofit organizations. Different from the profit and public sector, the nonprofit sector is built upon the good deeds of volunteers and the private financial support of individuals. Student will have the opportunity to develop basic knowledge and skills in how nonprofits recruit, secure, and retain volunteers and financial contributors through a study of the art and science of this important work.
Prerequisite: 40:834:200.
40:834:406 Organizational Dynamics (3)
This course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of organizational intricacies in the public and nonprofit sectors. The course content and activities support students in acquiring knowledge, skills, and tactics necessary for navigating organizational dynamics in these vital sectors. The course includes a focus on organizational theories, a review of pivotal issues and challenges, and discussions of effective managerial processes and strategies.
Prerequisite: 40:834:200.
40:834:408 Leadership in Public Service (3)
In this course students learn about different leadership typologies, traits, roles, and responsibilities. They are guided in developing leadership skills that include communication, conflict resolution, change management, adaptability, problem solving, and team building in the context of public and nonprofit organizations. By successfully completing this course, students are expected to be prepared to address leadership challenges that they will face as professionals in the public and nonprofit sectors.
Prerequisite: 40:834:200.
40:834:429 Career Explorations in Public Service (1)
This course helps students develop a strong foundation for career decision planning through career inventories, research on careers, and personal reflection. The course provides opportunities and resources for students to seek career information related to academic and occupational interests which form the foundation for sound career decision-making. Students will receive career management skills to effectively identify, compete, and secure professional career opportunities. Students are guided through individual and group exercises that assist in identifying needs, values, wants, interest, and abilities. Students also learn job search, networking, and interview skills in preparation for an internship or career search.
40:834:430 Service-Learning Internship I (4)
This course is designed to provide students field experiences with community agencies to link academic work with meaningful community service that will benefit both the student and the agency. Students will develop a deeper understanding of their role as leaders in their communities as well as increase their civic and citizenship skills. The director of the undergraduate major will work in conjunction with the Career Development Center of Rutgers-Newark and other campus units to place students in a viable internship.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of three core courses.
40:834:431 Service-Learning Internship II (4)
This course is designed to provide students field experiences with community agencies to link academic work with meaningful community service that will benefit both the student and the agency. Students will develop a deeper understanding of their role as leaders in their communities as well as increase their civic and citizenship skills. The director of the undergraduate major will work in conjunction with the Career Development Center of Rutgers-Newark and other campus units to place students in a viable internship.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of three core courses and 40:834:430.