Public Policy
The Public Policy and Management track has a dual-purpose mission: to conduct research into pressing policy issues and to share the findings with leaders and citizens in an effort to find viable solutions. Graduates will be skilled public managers with specific expertise in one of several policy areas.
Time to Degree: 2 years
Total Credit Hours: 36 hours
Areas of Concentration: Public Policy Analysis, National and International Policy Studies, Comparative Policy Studies
Program Requirements
PUBLIC POLICY CONCENTRATION
Required Core Courses (18 hrs)
PAFF 6301 — Graduate Seminar in Public Administration
This course is the introduction to the study of public administration. Students are introduced to basic concepts and foundational theories relating to bureaucratic analysis, organizational theory and behavior; functions of public management such as personnel administration, budget decision making, government regulations and administrative law. In addition students are introduced to the necessary Critical Thinking techniques and intellectual standards of thought that will be essential in the rest of the course work in the program.
PAFF 6302 — Scope &Methods
The primary objectives of this course are to help the students to gain skills in research methods and the quantitative analysis of data. This course introduces students to the basic concepts, tools, techniques and uses of applied quantitative and qualitative research relative to public administration. Topics discussed include: research design, data gathering, statistical analysis and the methods of formal preparation and presentation of reports
This course also covers advanced topics in applied research including the various steps in the creation of a research design. The course includes laboratory assignments that cover univariate and bivariate analysis as well as multiple regression. A survey of advanced statistical methods is also provided. Students will get hands on experience using SPSS.
PAFF 6303 — Policy Implementation/Program Evaluation
Policy Implementation and Program Evaluation is an advanced course with the application of quantitative methods to the evaluation of public policies and programs regarding their implementation. The main objective of this course is to provide the students with up-to-date tools of program evaluation. This course will examine key concepts, methods, and approaches in the field of evaluation research. Students will be exposed to the theoretical and methodological diversity inherent in current evaluation practices across a number of substantive areas (e.g., social services, education, and business). The comprehensive range of activities involved in designing, implementing, and assessing the utility of social programs will be a primary focus of the course.
Practical training in program evaluation is provided as students learn techniques in all phases of designing and implementing a program evaluation. Included in the training is the development of a model, conducting the study, analyzing the results, and writing the evaluation report. Students are expected to fully design an evaluation plan capable of implementation in a real life setting of public management.
Students successfully completing this course should be able to understand an evaluation study in great detail and form a well-grounded judgment about its value. Complemented with appropriate technical background or help, they should be able to design an evaluation study best suited for the program and the practical constraints at hand.
PAFF 6304 — Budgeting and Finance
Public Budgeting and Finance is an advanced course with the applications of applying budgeting and finance systems to organizations different organizations. This course will focus on the implementation of public budgeting and finance systems in major organizations and the student will determine if the budgeting systems were implemented correctly. Students successfully completing this course will become knowledgeable in several aspects of public budgeting and finance systems.
PAFF 6305 — Political Leadership: Decision-Making/Management
This course defines leadership and identifies critical attributes that make for good leadership. It also examines the role of public institutions in promoting leadership. The examination covers various leadership styles and the theories of leadership attributed to them.
PAFF 6306 — Public Personnel Administration
This course examines various principles and issues regarding public personnel. Included in this course is a discussion of effective techniques for hiring, motivating, training, compensating, and evaluating employees. Other topics covered include job discrimination, collective bargaining, and employee conflict resolution.
Electives (12 - 15 hrs)
PAFF 6330 — Public Policy Analysis
This overview course introduces students to public policy analysis and economics. The broad scope includes policy development, the policy community, implementation strategies, and evaluative tools. Various micro- and macroeconomic approaches to understanding public policy, its creation and limitations will be covered.PAFF 6331 — Qualitative Methods
This is a course designed to identify current qualitative methods of analysis in the public sector. The primary objective of the course is to acquaint students with the analytical and interpretive techniques in current use, including action research, content analysis, ethnography and narratology.
PAFF 6332 — Environmental Policy
This course is an introduction and overview of environmental policy and management at the local, state, national and international level. It is designed to help students develop a working knowledge of the basic concepts of environmental policy. This includes its history, theories, methods, institutions and issues and the guidelines and rules that establish goals and standards regarding the use and preservation of the physical environment, including soil, water, air, wildlife and vegetation.
PAFF 6333 — Seminar in Health Care Policy
This course provides a comprehensive overview of health care programs and policies in the United States. Students will make use of case studies to understand the major stakeholders involved in health care and introduce them to current public health issues, health care delivery systems and factors that determine health policy and managerial practice.
PAFF 6334 — Issues: Policy/Global Security
This course focuses on current issues in public policy and may be repeated for up to six credit hours as long as the topic varies. Current problems are selected from international development, environmental, economic development, health care and national security policy issues.
PAFF 6335 — Comparative Public Policy
This course studies the similarities and differences in the organization, management and public policy making among countries. It examines paradigms, the comparative method, theories and models along with the practical application to provide information for real management and policy problems.PAFF 6336 —International and Developmental Policy
This seminar focuses on the changing roles and functions of different public, nongovernmental and private international organizations and the services they provide. It provides an understanding of the way intergovernmental organizations work and specific responsibilities of the various bodies and organizations such as the U.N., Security Council, General Assembly, ECOSOC and regional economic commissions.
PAFF 6337 — US-Mexico Border Policy
This course examines the political dynamics and the main policy issues arising in the Mexico-U.S. international border region. It analyzes border politics and policy in the following six areas: economic development, labor, migration, public health, the environment, and security.
PAFF 6350 — Introduction to Urban Planning
This course provides an exposure to city and county planning from the perspective of those who are involved in the process. Local political leaders and planning professionals are invited to speak on selected topics. This course includes land-use planning, the comprehensive planning process, planning policy, transportation, community development, financial management and social services. Planning as a governmental activity is the major component of this course.
PAFF 6351 — Introduction to Community Development
This course provides an insight into how local governments address issues concerning low-income persons and families. It emphasizes topics such as community organizing to address social issues, community health, law enforcement, housing, and economic development. Funding resources such as Community Development Block Grant Program and other combinations of federal, state and private financial assistance are discussed. This course relies on guest speakers actively involved in creating communities that address the needs of their citizens. Students acquire both academic and political skills. The term Community Development is used in its broadest sense and requires both the guidance of local governments and the participation of citizens.
PAFF 6361 — Internship - Public Policy
This course is a practical public policy and management experience through an arranged internship in a governmental, nonprofit or private agency serving the public interest. Periodic seminars, supervision and a final administrative report are required.
PAFF 6373 — Independent Study - Public Policy
Requires the approval of the supervising faculty member. Allows student to work independently on a specialized area of public policy. The student will submit a written plan, with outcomes and time lines which must be approved by the supervising faculty.
Exit Options
Thesis (6 hrs)
PAFF 7304 Thesis I — Public Policy
This course requires a student to work on/complete a thesis under the direction of a thesis committee. The thesis will be defended publicly and approved by a majority of the committee.
PAFF 7305 Thesis II — Public Policy
This course requires a student to work on/complete a thesis under the direction of a thesis committee. The thesis will be defended publicly and approved by a majority of the committee.
(OR)
Professional Report (3 hrs)
PAFF 7306 — Professional Report: Public Policy
This course requires the student to develop an applied project and professional report that focuses on the practice of public policy making or on related management/planning practices in government, nonprofit or private agency servicing the public interest. May be repeated until successful professional report defense.