Bachelor of Science in Public Administration​ Degree

3 Credits

This course explores the rich field of management in theory and practice, and as both a science and an art. Students learn to apply management concepts to current workplace issues. Other topics include increasing competitive forces, expectations for successful performance of employees and organizations, and achieving desired business goals.

3 Credits

This course provides a foundational perspective for ethics and social responsibility in relationship to individuals, organizations, and the community. Emphasis is placed on the interrelated nature of ethics, morality, legal responsibility, and social issues.

3 Credits

This course introduces students to the foundations of communication in a business setting. Students are exposed to various topics related to interpersonal and group communication within the context of applications in an office or virtual office setting. Students will develop skills in various mediums of written communication to, include: memos, emails, business letters, and reports. Communication ethics and cross-cultural communications are also explored. Upon completing the course, students will have an awareness of their personal communication style and be able to identify areas for further exploration of communication as a business skill.

3 Credits

This course serves as an introduction to the study of public administration. During this course, students will review the political and social theories of public administration. Students will review leadership, human resources, finance, and ethics within a public policy-making environment. This course guides students to become familiar with the contemporary, complex issues facing local, state, and federal public administrators.

3 Credits

This course provides students constitutional foundations and governing entities of the federal, state, and local governments. Students will learn about political themes, governmental reach, democracy, and political behavior at each level of government.

3 Credits

This course provides students opportunities for analysis, synthesis, prescription, and application of critical thinking and decision making within the organization. Emphasis is placed on preparing managers who can deal clearly, rationally, and creatively with a diverse workforce in a dynamic workplace. This course equips students with concrete skills in critical thinking and decision making that will allow them to identify and solve organizational problems, as well as provide strategic direction.

3 Credits

This course explores the dynamic field of public policy development and examines decision-making in the ever-changing political environment. This course will require students to discuss multiple sources of policy input ranging from grass roots to legislative arenas. Current data sources and application of analytical tools will be presented as a means to best satisfy multiple needs.

3 Credits

This course focuses on principles of governmental accounting. This course emphasizes accounting equations and transactions, financial statement preparation and analysis, internal controls, regulatory environment, compliance, and local, state and federal, global civic implications.

3 Credits

This course introduces skills necessary to manage a dynamic and diverse civic leadership workforce, including: executives, directors, chiefs, commissioners, administrators and superintendents. This workforce could also include public health, public safety, community services, public works, and other civic departments, including: elected, appointed, at-will, volunteer and non-profit personnel.

3 Credits

This course focuses on the key financial concepts to effectively obtain desired goals and objectives by public and private sector non-profit organizations as well as in the international arena.

3 Credits

This course focuses on the implementation of public policy decisions through the identification and development of specific methods for servicing the public good. It incorporates an emphasis on intergovernmental relations and the increasing use of private resources in the service delivery system. A strong emphasis is placed on evaluating both the delivery processes and service outcomes as a means to continuously improve service delivery effectiveness.

3 Credits

This course evaluates the process of conducting research for improving decision making within public administration to include the non-profit sector. Students will learn to apply an understanding of commonly employed business research techniques to improve a situation, solve a problem, or change a process. Other topics include problem framing, data collection, data analysis, and data presentation.

3 Credits

This course explores the basics of grant and proposal writing in public administration for federal, state, and private funding. This course includes research, design, and evaluation of grant writing components and explores requirements for the various types of grants available. This course also includes developmental steps for an effective grant proposal.

3 Credits

This class examines the relationships between different levels of government: federal, state, and local jurisdictions and the relationship between local governments. Partnerships between jurisdictions, both public- public and public- private, will be explored as will the use of quasi-governmental agencies.

3 Credits

This course analyzes the nature, formation and system of law in the United States, and applies them to the public administration environment.

3 Credits

Students will analyze and discuss budget issues as related to both government and non-profit organizations. This course will focus on accounting, revenue, and expenses allocated to various public administration entities. Students will examine reporting issues and discuss various solutions.

3 Credits

This course explores the sources of revenue necessary to operate public programs, the ways in which funds are allocated and utilized, the responsibility for public stewardship, economic fiscal policy, and includes the need for accurate and complete reporting. This course will cover different approaches to public finance by federal, state, and local agencies.

3 Credits

This course focuses on the study of individual and group behavior in public administration settings and explores the ethical issues to which employees are exposed. Students will learn to recognize ethical dilemmas and resolve them through active deliberation and sound decision making.

3 Credits

Leaders in public organizations face daily challenges. In this course, students will choose a contemporary leader and study his/her leadership style, strengths, and core values. Students will examine the application of these characteristics in public administration. This course will also help students learn to manage conflict, negotiate, and develop effective leadership skills.

3 Credits

This class addresses the importance of planning for future growth along with evolving land use patterns. Issues like urban and suburban sprawl, infill, density, redevelopment, and transportation modalities will be covered. Tools for implementing general plans, zoning, and eminent domain will be addressed.

3 Credits

As today's public infrastructures like roads, parks or water treatment facilities near the end of their design lifecycle, it is important to begin planning for renewal/restructure. This course will explore planning, building and maintaining these infrastructures while addressing the impact on stakeholders.

3 Credits

Utilizing skills developed in civic foundation coursework completed throughout this program, students will demonstrate a deeper understanding of regulatory and environmental impact, issues, and topics in the public administration field. This course will provide an emphasis on content mastery assessment.