Core Classes

Core Classes in the MPA Program

The MPA Curriculum consists of eight core classes (plus the Capstone):

1. PADM 601 Introduction to Public Administration
This class is the gateway course of the program and should be taken first, if possible. The course provides an orientation to the MPA program and our educational technologies. It surveys the various subfields of public administration emphasizing the democratic nature of public administration in the US and Canada. The course involves significant reading and writing.
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2. PADM 610 (formerly 612) 0rganizational Theory and Behavior
This course is an introduction to managing organizations. We look at individual and group behavior in organizations and how organizational structures shape them. Attention is paid to interpersonal relations, individual motivation and leadership.
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3. PADM 618 Law for Public Managers
This class provides the legal background for managing public sector organizations. Much of what government organizations can, cannot and must do, is governed by law or regulation. This class explores that framework and the legal cases that shaped it. It also addresses how administrative law is made and evolves.
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4. PADM 625 Economics of Public Policy
Prerequisite - Introductory microeconomics
This class explores applying economic principles to the management of public policy. It introduces students to the economic rationale for government intervention. Students will study strengths and weaknesses of using economic rationales for decision making on public issues.
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5. PADM 628 (formerly 632)Public Financial Management
Prerequisite - PADM 625 Economics of Public Policy
The budget, along with organizational structure, is the central framework of government organization. Government budgeting is the allocation of resources to political ends. The budget has purposes of both planning and control. This class explores how budget decisions are arrived at, and some of the mechanics of actually creating a budget.
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6. PADM 624 (formerly 670) Human Resources Administration
The work of government is carried out by individual persons. The management of human capital for organizations covers an incredibly wide area- recruitment, discipline, benefits, budgeting, job classification, performance evaluation, training and many other tasks. This course surveys how these functions are carried out in the public sector. It discusses the influence of politics on the function and strategic human resource planning.
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7. PADM 688 Public Program Evaluation
Prerequisite - PADM 604 Research Methods in Administration
Program Evaluation deals with the practical skills of discovering whether our public programs are successful in doing what they intend to do. It explores the difficulty of carrying out this function in a fragmented political environment. Students will carry out a program evaluation.
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8. PADM 604 (formerly 689) Research Methods in Administration
Prerequisite: Introductory Statistics
This course studies clear thinking. How do we know things? How can we learn how the world works? What is logical and what are unwarranted assumptions. The class will explore various research methods, both quantitative and qualitative and focus on how to do them. It will also address evaluation of research done by others.
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