MPA 201. Quantitative Applications for Public Administration (3)
Exploring different methods of data analysis for understanding how public decisions are
made and public policies are evaluated. Data collection, measurement, sampling, and
data analysis — including regression — are explored with practical applications.
(Formerly MPA120g; GPA 120G)
MPA 210. Organizational Theory in Public Administration (3)
A study of the key issues involved in the management of public organizations. This
examination of organizational behavior and theories of complex organizations includes
the following: leadership styles, communication, organizational change, hierarchy and
organizational structure, and organizational culture. (Formerly GPA 210)
MPA 215. State and Local Government (3)
Helps students understand state and local government history and how these
governmental units interact with the federal government. Legislatures, executives,
courts and city, and county councils are studied, particularly in terms of their emphasis
on public policy. (Formerly GPA 280T, GPA215)
MPA 230. Public Budgeting (3)
Examines the budget process, the use of economic analysis in evaluating taxation
and expenditure issues, and the development and analysis of budget proposals.
Also includes discussion of burdens and effectiveness of different taxes and considers
potential reforms to the budgeting process. (Formerly GPA 230)
MPA 240. Seminar in Public Management (3)
An inquiry into contemporary issues facing public managers. Topics that can be covered
include accountability, performance management, development of information
technology, e-government, public management reforms, implications of
privatization/contracting out, and public governance. (Formerly GPA 240)
MPA 245. Human Resources Management (3)
Explores the development of the merit system in government, hiring and termination,
career development, human resource planning, management-labor relations, equal
opportunity, affirmative action, workplace diversity, and the legal dimension of the
public personnel system.
MPA 250. Ethics and Public Administration (3)
(Same as AETH 202.) Prerequisite: MPA 210. The moral dimensions of public
administrative decision-making. The nature of public and private morality;
psychological and ethical egoism; relativism; utilitarianism and deontological theories;
rights and goods in the public service context; sensitive applications of rules in public
agencies. (Formerly GPA 250)
MPA 260. Public Policy Administration (3)
Prerequisites: MPA 200, 201, 210, 240. A study of policy initiation, formulation, and
implementation and a public manager’s role in them; management processes and
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