Public Administration
Are you a busy, public professional? Interested in improving your leadership abilities? Looking to better understand human resources, budgets, and finance? Improve your performance and career opportunities with a Master's in Public Administration!
Why a Master's in Public Administration? A degree or classes in public administration develops the skills and techniques required by public leaders and managers. The Master's of Public Administration degree at UAS is perfect for working professionals that seek training to improve their work performance and advance in their career. E-Learning classes are offered online in the evening to better fit the working student's schedule.
Students with their Master of Public Administration degree work in varied public sector departments and fields. You’ll find our graduates working across Alaska as school principals, state troopers, public radio program directors, city managers, and executive directors.
Want to learn more? Check out our programs and classes below, request more information, or even apply for admission today!
Master's of Public Administration
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS (2012-2013 CATALOG)
Candidates for the Master of Public Administration degree must satisfy all University graduate degree requirements in this catalog as well as the specific program requirements in this section. A minimum of 36 approved credits is required for the degree, in addition to evidence of practical experience in public or nonprofit administration.
In order to permit students to pursue individual interests, a limited substitution of required courses is possible. Course substitutions must be approved by the student's advisor and the program dean. The student's approved program of study is reflected in the Application for Advancement to Candidacy.
| Minimum Credit Hours | 36 | ||
| Major Requirements | 24 | ||
| PADM | S601 | Introduction to Public Administration | 3 |
| PADM | S604 | Research Methods in Administration | 3 |
| PADM | S610 | Organization Theory and Behavior | 3 |
| PADM | S618 | Law for Public Managers | 3 |
| PADM | S625 | Economics and Public Policy | 3 |
| PADM | S628 | Public Financial Management | 3 |
| PADM | S624 | Human Resources Administration | 3 |
| PADM | S688 | Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement | 3 |
| PADM | S690 | Public Administration Capstone* | 3 |
| ___ | ___ | Advisor-approved electives | 9 |
 | |||
*To qualify for graduation from the MPA program, students must complete the Capstone coursebwith a grade of B or higher. | |||
| Master of Public Administration Concentrations | |||
| MPA students have the option to use their electives to establish a concentration in either Rural Development or Criminal Justice. Coursework for these concentrations is offered by distance technologies through the Rural Development and Justice programs at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. | |||
| Concentration in Rural Development | |||
| The Rural Development concentration has a special focus on needs of indigenous and other rural communities, including management of tribal governments, community organizations, and indigenous-controlled profit and non-profit corporations. | |||
| Concentration Requirements | 9 | ||
| RD | F601 | Political Economy of the Circumpolar North | 3 |
| RD | F651 | Management Strategies for Rural Development | 3 |
| ___ | ___ | Advisor-approved course* | 3 |
| *To be selected in consultation with the UAF Rural Development Advisor and MPA Program Director. | |||
| |||
| Concentration in Natural Resources Management | |||
| The Natural Resource Management concentration addresses the need and strong demand for professional management training in Alaskan natural resources and environmental management issues. Alaska with it abundance of natural resources and concomitant management issues are uniquely Alaskan as addressed in the State Constitution need unique management solutions which this concentration provides. This program also supports and builds upon UAS’s strong undergraduate natural science and in particular the Environmental Studies program. | |||
| Concentration Requirements | 9 | ||
| Select three from the following (9 credits): | |||
| PADM | S635 | Natural Resource Policy | 3 |
| PADM | S637 | Local and Global Sustainability | 3 |
| PADM | S638 | Sustainable Energy and Environment | 3 |
| PADM | S639 | Adaptive Management | 3 |
UAS is an open enrollment institution, this means that you do not have to be in a UAS degree program to take a class. Anyone can take our classes as long as they meet the course pre-requisites.
Introduction to the field of public administration, dealing with the scope, nature, history, current context, and basic tools in the study of public administration. Topics include the social, economic, and political environments of public administration, bureaucratic politics, power and authority, law, ethics, basic models, and comparative administration. This gateway course for the MPA program provides an introduction to graduate studies, library research skills, and a focus on written and oral communication skills.
Prerequisite: Restricted to students admitted to the MPA program or by permission.
| CRN | SECTION | INSTRUCTOR | MEETS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 78029 | JD1 | Kathlene Dilorenzo | DISTELIVE Tuesday 6:00p - 8:45p 9/3 - 12/14 |
Course meets online via Elluminate. Requires access to a computer with Internet, e-mail, microphone and speakers (or earphones). Registered Students must access UAS-Online at uas.alaska.edu/online for textbook and course information and to edit their personal profile. Order books from MBS at direct.mbsbooks.com/ualaska.htm or call 1-800-325-3252. Students are responsible to order textbooks at least one week prior to the first class to ensure timely receipt of materials. For more information and permission to enroll call (907) 796-6402 in Juneau, or 1-800-478-9069 toll-free.
Tuition and fees: $1197 (additional charges may apply)
Introduces basic quantitative and qualitative methods of social science research as applied to policy and administrative problems. Addresses research design, data collection and analysis methods, interpretation and evaluation of published research.
Prerequisite: Restricted to students admitted to the MPA program or by permission.
| CRN | SECTION | INSTRUCTOR | MEETS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 78030 | JD1 | Kathlene Dilorenzo | DISTELIVE Thursday 6:00p - 8:45p 9/3 - 12/14 |
Course meets online via Elluminate. Requires access to a computer with Internet, e-mail, microphone and speakers (or earphones). Registered Students must access UAS-Online at uas.alaska.edu/online for textbook and course information and to edit their personal profile. Order books from MBS at direct.mbsbooks.com/ualaska.htm or call 1-800-325-3252. Students are responsible to order textbooks at least one week prior to the first class to ensure timely receipt of materials. For more information and permission to enroll call (907) 796-6402 in Juneau, or 1-800-478-9069 toll-free.
Tuition and fees: $1197 (additional charges may apply)
Presents organization theory and builds practical management skills. Develops a working understanding of how organizational structure and environment relate to the success of an organization, and improves skills critical to leading, managing, and working in an organization, including leadership, individual and group decision-making, personal and group communication, motivation and fostering creativity, and conflict resolution.
| CRN | SECTION | INSTRUCTOR | MEETS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 78031 | JD1 | Lindsey Doctorman | DISTELIVE Monday 6:00p - 8:45p 9/3 - 12/14 |
Prerequisite: Restricted to students admitted to the MPA program or by permission. Course meets online via Elluminate. Requires access to a computer with Internet, e-mail, microphone and speakers (or earphones). Registered Students must access UAS-Online at uas.alaska.edu/online for textbook and course information and to edit their personal profile. Order books from MBS at direct.mbsbooks.com/ualaska.htm or call 1-800-325-3252. Students are responsible to order textbooks at least one week prior to the first class to ensure timely receipt of materials prior to class. For more information and permission to enroll call (907) 796-6402 in Juneau, or 1-800-478-9069 toll-free.
Tuition and fees: $1197 (additional charges may apply)
| CRN | SECTION | INSTRUCTOR | MEETS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80676 | JD2 | Lindsey Doctorman | DISTELIVE Wednesday 6:00p - 8:45p 9/3 - 12/14 |
Prerequisite: Restricted to students admitted to the MPA program or by permission. Course meets online via Elluminate. Requires access to a computer with Internet, e-mail, microphone and speakers (or earphones). Registered Students must access UAS-Online at uas.alaska.edu/online for textbook and course information and to edit their personal profile. Order books from MBS at direct.mbsbooks.com/ualaska.htm textbooks at least one week prior to the first class to ensure timely receipt of materials prior to class. For more information and permission to enroll call (907) 796-6402 in Juneau, or 1-800-478-9069 toll-free.
Tuition and fees: $1197 (additional charges may apply)
Examines economics both as a determinant of public policy and as a tool of public administration. Topics include how markets allocate resources, the role of government in a market economy, market failures and responses, problems of efficiency vs. equity, and application of microeconomic tools to analysis of Alaska and national policy issues.
Prerequisite: Microeconomics (ECON S202 or equivalent).
| CRN | SECTION | INSTRUCTOR | MEETS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 78032 | JD1 | Lindsey Doctorman | DISTELIVE Tuesday 6:00p - 8:45p 9/3 - 12/14 |
Prerequisite: Restricted to students admitted to the MPA program or by permission. Course meets online via Elluminate. Requires access to a computer with Internet, e-mail, microphone and speakers (or earphones). Registered students must access UAS-Online at uas.alaska.edu/online for textbook and course information and to edit their personal profile. Order books from MBS at direct.mbsbooks.com/ualaska.htm or call 1-800-325-3252. Students are responsible to order textbooks at least one week prior to the first class to ensure timely receipt of materials. For more information and permission to enroll call (907) 796-6402 in Juneau, or 1-800-478-9069 toll-free.
Tuition and fees: $1197 (additional charges may apply)
Examines legal issues relevant to American colleges and universities. The course will utilize a case study approach to provide students with the fundamental knowledge of higher education law for administrators. Topics will include the legal governance of higher education, academic freedom, affirmative action and legal issues pertinent to administration, staff, faculty and students.
Prerequisite: Restricted to students admitted to the MPA program or by permission.
| CRN | SECTION | INSTRUCTOR | MEETS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80169 | JD1 | Kathlene Dilorenzo | DISTELIVE Monday 6:00p - 8:45p 9/3 - 12/14 |
Course meets online via Elluminate. Requires access to a computer with Internet, e-mail, microphone and speakers or headset. Registered Students must access UAS-Online at uas.alaska.edu/online for textbook and course information and to edit their personal profile. For more information and permission to enroll call (907) 796-6402 or 1-800-478-9069 toll-free.
Tuition and fees: $1197 (additional charges may apply)
Final course in the MPA curriculum. Students review, synthesize and apply concepts and methods learned during the degree program to the evaluation of a public or nonprofit organization. Intended as a program review and assessment tool.
Prerequisite: Completion of all other MPA requirements.
| CRN | SECTION | INSTRUCTOR | MEETS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 78035 | JD1 | Kathlene Dilorenzo | DISTELIVE Wednesday 6:00p - 8:45p 9/3 - 12/14 |
Prerequisite: Restricted to students admitted to the MPA program or by permission. Department approval is required to register. Course meets online via Elluminate. Requires access to a computer with Internet, e-mail, microphone and speakers (or earphones). Registered students must access UAS-Online at uas.alaska.edu/online for textbook, Elluminate, and course information and to edit their personal profile. Order books from MBS at direct.mbsbooks.com/ualaska.htm or call 1-800-325-3252. Students are responsible for ordering textbooks at least one week prior to the first class to ensure timely receipt of materials. For more information and permission to enroll call (907) 796-6402 in Juneau, or 1-800-478-9069 toll-free.
Tuition and fees: $1197 (additional charges may apply)