Public Service Admin Policy (PSAP)

This course will provide a survey of the theories, which are foundational to the study of Public Administration, Including the intellectual history of the theoretical and philosophical dimensions of the field. Specifically, this course is designed to provide the student with theoretical perspectives, which will be useful in understanding the significance of bureaucracy, public service, ethics, and constitutional foundations in society and in analyzing problems in the public sector. Letter grade only. Not challengeable.

The course aims to introduce students to contemporary theories and scholastic discussion on public administration and applied public policy. Students will explore modern examples and current issues faced by public administrators and policymakers that may have impact on service delivery and policy implementation. Letter grade only. Not challengeable.

This course is grounded in the notion that most of the organizational theories in use in the field of public administration today are derived from specific theory perspectives. Based on this conception, the course will pursue the theme that organization theories are only partially able to explain organizational events, and that scholars and practitioners who seek to understand organizations or manage effectively within them must possess and be skilled in the manipulation of a variety of different theories rather than one or two which a particular theorist might champion as the most correct. The ability to make good use of various theories depends in large part on the individual's ability to visualize and comprehend both the contextual and structural events of organizations. The capability to recognize the multitude of dynamic movements of human behavior within the organization allows an individual to choose the theory that best fits the organizational situation being confronted. Letter grade only. Not challengeable.

The purpose of this course is to explore issues of public morality and responsible behavior, with a special emphasis on how these issues are pertinent within organizational and public policy settings. Letter grade only. Not challengeable.

Public Policymaking is designed to provide an overview of the processes, contexts, and institutions involved in policymaking. Students will gain a deeper understanding of the nature of policymaking, as well as actors and features that shape public policy. Students will also be able to identify issues that help or hinder the policy cycle. Letter grade only. Not challengeable.

This course offers an in-depth exploration of key topics in public administration and policy, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities and challenges inherent in governing institutions and decision-making processes. This course is designed to maintain currency across analytical tools, conceptual frameworks, and practical skills as they evolve in the field of public administration and policymaking. Letter grade only, Not challengeable.

This course will provide an in-depth and multidisciplinary exploration of the fundamental principles, theories in the field of public administration and policy. This course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the complex and dynamic world of public governance and the knowledge and skills needed to address contemporary public challenges and promote effective policy development and implementation. Letter grade only. Not challengeable.

This course covers a range of methods and systems for policy analysis. It also reviews common tools and practices useful for evaluation of public policy and governmental programs. Students will apply and refine critical thinking skills in the context of public policy analysis and evaluative criteria. Letter grade only. Not challengeable.

Students will learn the nature of social science inquiry, focusing emphatically on questions and issues related to public administration and public policy. Throughout the course, students will gain an understanding of the different types of scholarship in the relevant academic literature. Students will use epistemology and ontology to explore common questions and issues the fields of public administration and policy studies. Letter grade only. Not challengeable.

Students will learn about common research methods and techniques widely used in the field of social sciences, with an emphasis on its applications to public administration and policy research. The course will introduce various methodologies conducive to learning about the research process as a whole, and for future application in the dissertation process. Letter grade only. Not challengeable.

Students will learn how to handle qualitative and quantitative data for applied research in public administration and public policy. The course provides an overview of qualitative methodologies, descriptive quantitative approaches, and the applicability of mixed methods for research in the social sciences. Letter grade only. Not challengeable.

This course complements the research sequence started with PSAP 622 Applied Research Methods and Techniques I. Students will learn data analysis techniques broadly applicable, but with an emphasis on the advanced analysis of quantitative data. Letter grade only. Not challengeable.

This course is the first of two courses designed to help students consolidate their dissertation research and writing. Students work with their Dissertation Committee Chair on the development of a problem statement, research questions, literature review, and any other research-oriented activities determined by the Dissertation Committee Chair. Letter grade only. Not challengeable.

This course is the second of two courses designed to help students consolidate their dissertation research and writing. Students work with their Dissertation Committee Chair on the development of a problem statement, research questions, literature review, and any other research-oriented activities determined by the Dissertation Committee Chair. Letter grade only. Not challengeable.

This course is an applied research course centered on developing students’ dissertations further. The course is the first of a three-course sequence and is made up of an ongoing research project in which students will work on their dissertation topics. Throughout this course, relevant information on the dissertation process will be shared to facilitate the initial development and design of a dissertation research project. Students are expected to develop their problem statement, research questions and theoretical framework by the end of this seminar. Letter grade only. Not challengeable.

This course is an applied research course centered on developing students’ dissertations further. The course is the first of a two-course sequence and is made up of an ongoing research project in which students will work on their dissertation topics. The projects involve students’ chosen line of inquiry. Throughout this course, relevant information on the dissertation process will be shared to facilitate the initial development and design of a dissertation research project. The class involves both in-person and virtual components. Letter grade only. Not challengeable.

This course is an applied research course centered on developing students’ dissertations further. The course is the third of a three-course sequence to help students develop their dissertation project. Students are expected to develop a working draft of their methodology chapter. Letter grade only. Not challengeable.

This course aims to help students prepare their dissertation defense. Letter grade only. Not challengeable.

Continued enrollment beyond advancement to candidacy. Ongoing dissertation writing. CRD/NCR only. Not challengeable.

This course continues dissertation hours post advancement to candidacy. CRD/NCR only. Not challengeable.