Public Administration (PADM)

PADM 5381. Dynamics of Public Administrtn. 3 Hours.

Students examine the history and theoretical basis of public administration and the basic issues that confront it, including administrative responsibility and ethics, and the formulation and implementation of public policy.

PADM 5383. Program Evaluation. 3 Hours.

Students examine techniques for the collection, manipulation, interpretation, and presentation of data and information in public policy/management processes, and demonstrates application of the techniques using computer technology. The course covers the relevant literature and engages students in appropriate research and/or professional practice.

PADM 5384. Organizational Theory & Behavr. 3 Hours.

Students examine the major topics, issues, and contributions in the literature on organizations, their structures and functions, and the behavior of people in them, with emphasis on applications to government and nonprofit organizations. Students explore examples of organizations at federal, state, and local levels of government and a variety of nonprofit organizations, such as hospitals, social service agencies, and faith-based/non-governmental organizations.

PADM 5386. Human Resource Management. 3 Hours.

Students examine the evolution and context of human resource management. Specific topics include: human resources planning, recruitment and selection, performance evaluation, compensation, promotion and benefits, staff development, labor relations, discipline, and control structures.

PADM 5387. Public Budgeting and Finance. 3 Hours.

Students examine the public budgetary process and related financial management techniques.

PADM 5388. Ethics in Government. 3 Hours.

Students examine the classical and contemporary literature on the role and practice of ethics in public administration. Students study contemporary empirical research, case studies, and ethical problem solving around questions of right action and good conduct in public organizations and public policy making.

PADM 5389. Public Management. 3 Hours.

Students examine and evaluate current public management techniques and theories with a specific focus on organizations in the public and nonprofit sectors. Topics may include theories related to the field of public management, the political context of public management, contracting out, networking, strategic management and planning, performance management, and public participation.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing in MPA program or departmental approval.

PADM 5390. Global Disaster Politics. 3 Hours.

Students examine the politics that underpin the phases of disaster management. Using a comparative analytical approach, students draw inferences and lessons about the effects of politics on different localities and contexts around the world.
Prerequisite: Admission to the Master of Public Administration program or departmental approval.

PADM 5391. Emergency Management. 3 Hours.

Students examine the system of emergency management in the U.S, applying public administration frameworks of budgeting, human resources, intergovernmental relations, and decision making to analyze and evaluate emergency management responses.
Prerequisite: Admission to the Master of Public Administration program or departmental approval.

PADM 5392. Decision Making in Pub Adm. 3 Hours.

Students examine theories and practical applications of administrative decisions. In public administration, decision are often made under conditions of uncertainty. Students evaluate strategies used by public and nonprofit managers to reduce risk, and they create their own strategies through a series of simulation exercises.
Prerequisite: Admission to the Master of Public Administration program or departmental approval.

PADM 5393. Disaster Resilience. 3 Hours.

Students examine theories and conceptual frameworks of disaster resilience. Students evaluate approaches to the measurement of resilience and apply these to create a disaster resilience assessment of a community.
Prerequisite: Admission to the Master of Public Administration program or departmental approval.