School of Public Service

Introduction to the profession of public administration; the evolution and development of the field, the role of organizations in contemporary American government, and the roles of politics and administration. The course also provides an introduction to the necessary skills for successful graduate study.

Introduction to management in the public sector. Topics include: organizing public agencies, managing people and work groups, introduction to organizational systems (human resources, budget, and information systems), and effective leadership and decision-making processes.

This course deals with some of the many complex, intractable, or "wicked" problems that public and non-profit sector professionals will struggle with during the course of their careers. In the context of public administration, a wicked problem is a set of conditions and circumstances that seems to defy resolution or even amelioration because of the incredibly complex nature of the situation.

Required of all students without previous experience in government service. Supervised work experience in a public agency. A written report will be required.

The purpose of this course is to examine the institutions, principles, and techniques of national, state, and local budgeting processes and financial administration. The course explores the allocation as well as the re-distributive role of government and the market. While applying information technology, students will analyze the practices and fundamental concepts of government budgeting, financial management, and public finance, with an emphasis on revenue, expenditure, capital budgeting and debt structures.

Topics vary each semester.

Specifically planned readings for the graduate student who wishes to pursue special interests outside the scope of formal studies. Supervised on an individual basis.

Supervised research on a specific program. A written report will be required.

An approved research project, written under the supervision of a faculty committee, in which the student demonstrates the capacity to design and complete independent scholarly investigation. The completed project must be approved by the thesis committee.

Exploration of key theories and approaches to public policy. This course covers all phases of the policy process, from formulation to evaluation, with particular focus upon the substance, political dynamics, and evolution of public policy.

This course examines the theory and practice of urban and regional economic development. The tools, institutions, and analytical techniques of urban and regional economic development are examined in light of relevant public policy issues.

Explores policy and regulatory issues of emergency management; intergovernmental responsibilities and relationships among local, state and federal agencies in an "all hazards" approach to preparing and responding to manmade and natural disasters. Examines challenges faced by local, state, and federal managers during a large scale disaster.

This course introduces students to fundraising principles of nonprofit organizations with an emphasis on different types of philanthropy, fundraising theories and practices, and motivations of givers. They will develop skills in creative problem solving for fundraising practice while learning to analyze and evaluate the fundraising process and methods. Additionally, students will develop the ability to synthesize and integrate current information and emerging ideas into a fundraising strategy and to think critically and analytically about a variety of fundraising perspectives.

An in-depth analysis of the forces behind the privatization movement. Examines the context of privatization, the theoretical and empirical arguments on both sides of the debate, and the different forms of privatization practiced in the U.S. The course draws on a wide range of disciplines in a quest for an understanding of the privatization phenomenon-political science, public administration, public policy, sociology, economics, management, and others. (Cross listed with PPCM 714)

Successful nonprofit organizations require substantial capability in key areas of management such as developing a strong board of directors, recruiting and motivating talented staff and volunteers, creating a strategic plan, and wisely managing fiscal and human resources. The course is built around understanding nonprofit governance structures, relationships, and responsibilities as well as unique management issues associated with them. This course addresses these topics from theoretical and practitioner perspectives.

This course provides students with the knowledge to become effective financial managers by giving them practical applications of theory and skill-building in fiscal and accounting processes of nonprofit organizations.

Examines the actions that must be taken following the award of a contract, including assurance of required outcomes, assurance of compliance, proper contract launch, proper contract close-out, and documentation and carrying forward lessons learned. Connections to steps that must be taken in the other two phases of the procurement process are noted. (Course is cross listed with PPCM 718)

Examines leadership through theoretical and practice-based frameworks. Offers analytical and intellectual examination and reflection on core issues in the practice of leadership. These objectives will be achieved through open discussion, honest self-assessment, experiential exercises, and observation of real-life leadership practice. (Cross listed with PPCM 719)

Examines the basic framework of the public personnel system beginning with the legal requirements imposed by federal and state laws and regulations. General considerations of policy and procedures development, the organization of the public personnel system, the adoption of the personnel ordinance, the determination of various levels of employee status and the coverage of the personnel system are included.

Lecture, 3 hours; 3 credits. This course focuses on surface transportation policy and planning, and highways and roads in particular. Topics include local, state and federal policies, public involvement in transportation planning, transportation and highway finance, privatization and public-private partnerships, critical issues and policy questions.

This course reviews the theory and application of ethics in the public sector, identifying public values and how they apply in the administration of government. It reviews sources of values employed in public sector decision-making, and reviews how values in public administration are managed and applied. Systems of professional ethics are reviewed in the context of public professions. Case studies and best practices are examined to help the student understand the application of administrative ethics in public management.

Analysis of human services involving direct client/agency interaction. Problems of discretion and control are examined as alternative service delivery strategies which can deal with these problems.

This course studies the interdependencies and interactions among three broad entities - business, government, and society - in the delivery of public services, paying special attention to their implications for public policy.

This course provides an overview of procurement and contract management as a core function in public sector organizations. The course introduces the student to how properly-aligned, best practice acquisitions can support public entities' strategic goals. Challenges and opportunities for all stakeholders are addressed. Special attention is given to ongoing changes in public procurement. (Cross listed with PPCM 726)

Course covers each phase of the public procurement project cycle, with an emphasis on tools and techniques to manage a public procurement project. (Cross listed with PPCM 727)

This course provides insight into why and how public sector contracts should be planned and formed properly. A strong emphasis is placed on the strategic role that procurement can play in public sector organizations and how procurement planning and source selection, in particular, fit into that role. (Cross listed with PPCM 728.)

This course surveys the laws and ethics applicable to public sector procurement and contract management. A theoretical and problem-based, interdisciplinary approach is used to address the major legal and ethical issues that arise when public sector organizations plan, form, and administer contracts. Attention is given to the role of professionalization in socializing appropriate ethics. (Cross listed with PPCM 731)

Across every economic and social indicator, there are disparities that are based on race, gender, and culture. In the U.S., some of the disparities have been created by explicit and intentional discrimination that was incorporated into the U.S. Constitution and various federal, state, and local laws. Other disparities grew out of unconscious or unintended impacts of federal, state, and local laws, policies, and practices. This course will examine these issues within the context of public administration, developing an awareness of inequities and the skills to dismantle discriminatory policies and practices.

This course focuses on the growing challenges and opportunities created by our interconnected world and the knowledge and abilities necessary to lead through situations in which there are misunderstandings or conflicts rooted in differences. The course explores the structure and dynamics of all forms of diversity in public, non-profit, and governmental organizations, the resulting implications for organizational health, and the critical role of cultural-competent leadership.

This course examines the importance of social, economic, cultural, religious, and civic organizations in building or restoring communities. The course focuses on the revitalization, restoration, or upgrading of communities, cities, and localities or neighborhoods within or adjacent to cities, by the residents themselves. Viewed through the lens of social capital theory, the course further explores examples of short- and long-term change accomplished by community members on their own, within organizations, or in partnership with government officials.

Examination of the theory and practice of organization development. Participants will take the role of change agent and public manager and apply a range of organization development techniques to public agency situations while giving attention to the particular cultural, political, legal and organizational characteristics of public organizations.

Presents an integrated approach to the field of public administration, and examines the political, administrative, and social implications of administrative choices. The emphasis of the course will be a case approach to public administration and public management.

This course focuses on performance-based management approaches in public and non-profit settings. It addresses the performance measurement and management process, the identification of appropriate performance measures, and the implementation of a performance measurement system, as well as managing for performance.

This course examines various methods for designing and conducting research, collecting and organizing data, and disseminating results. Information technology and applications to practical management problems and public research topics are emphasized.

An examination of the fundamental concepts of collaborative governance in the field of public administration and public policy. Emphasis is placed on the government and/or nonprofit management and process of collaborative problem solving and policy implementation in cross-sector and intra-sector environments.

Examination of public sector financial principles, practices, and processes. A public manager's perspective of the decision making and practices of managing public funds. Introduction to governmental accounting practices. Emphasis on analyzing financial statements for decision making. Extensive use of Excel spreadsheet. Exploration of public financial management research and the link between public financial management practices and public fiscal and monetary policies.

This course provides students with the professional knowledge, skills, and abilities to engage successfully with local governments from the following perspectives: as a generalist public administrator, as a local government specialist, and as a citizen, non-profit leader, or businessperson. In addition, this course provides students with the theoretical and policy context within which local governments operate. Students will master that knowledge by researching how local governments use those concepts in every day administration.

Analysis of relationships among federal, state, and local governmental units in the delivery of governmental programs. Focus on intergovernmental issues in urban metropolitan regions. (Cross listed with PPCM 781)

This course examines state government administration in Virginia, including its history, political systems, public policies, and intergovernmental relations. Particular attention is paid to the role of public administrators within the existing pattern of relationships among federal, state, and local systems, with emphasis on state structure and public policy.

The course is an examination of the principles, practices, and use of Social Marketing - the use of techniques to influence a target audience to voluntarily accept, reject, modify, or abandon a behavior for the benefit of individuals, groups, or society as a whole - in the public sector. In addition, the course will familiarize students with current and potential uses of Social Marketing to accomplish public sector goals.

This course introduces students to the field, the academy, the School of Public Service faculty, and university resources; it also sets program expectations for students. Topics include: research process, developing a research agenda, critical analysis of literature, professional development, comprehensive exams process, and academic v. nonacademic careers.

This course provides an overview of theories of public policy. It provides a solid foundation for knowledge in this area. Students will be introduced to the leading theories, frameworks, and models that help describe and explain the policy process. The course examines the historical heritages of the policy sciences and the bases upon which public policy discussions take place at all stages of the policy process.

The course reviews the history of administrative theory and the broad topics of administrative theory. The course is intended to address the impact that organizational structure and political/social environment have on administration. This course will not cover every theory, model, or framework relevant to public administration. However, this course is intended to provide the doctoral student with the theoretical foundations of public administration and understanding of their historical context in the field.

This course is a continuation of PADM 802 and is intended to provide a framework for doctoral students to develop their understanding of public and nonprofit management organizational practices in the American context. The course is not exclusively directed to any one level of government, but includes national, state, and local management and organizational behavior. The course provides material on the concepts and perspectives on managerial rationale, responsibilities, decision making, and approaches to administration.

The course explores public administration from Neoliberalism and beyond to focus on the development of multi-sector administration, where multi-sector is defined as policy action across governments, nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations, and/or grass-roots groups and individuals. The course is expected to cover the methods, challenges, and consequences of multi-sector administration. This course will also address the management and evaluation of multi-sector relationships. This is not an introduction to organizational structure or theory.

The course examines advanced research design and evaluation methods used in public administration and management research. Experimental, quasi-experimental, and non­experimental procedures in the context of urban settings will be emphasized. Includes usage of various statistical software.

This course explores the proper use, calculation, and interpretation of multivariate statistics as commonly found in the literature in public administration. The course will prepare students to choose the appropriate statistical tools, generate testable hypotheses, correctly apply the statistical tool, analyze the results, and present and interpret the results of those tests in a manner appropriate for public administration in the field.

This course offers a rigorous, integrated study of statistical analysis, starting with fundamental concepts and rapidly progressing to advanced methods essential for public administration, policy analysis, and governance research. The course structure is designed to first solidify basic statistical literacy before diving into complex modeling techniques necessary for sophisticated, data-driven research.

This course examines the theory and practice of urban and regional economic development. The tools, institutions, and analytical techniques of urban and regional economic development are examined in light of relevant public policy issues.

Examination of various methodologies for designing and conducting public policy and program evaluation and research. Experimental, quasi-experimental and non-experimental procedures will be covered.

Explores policy and regulatory issues of emergency management; intergovernmental responsibilities and relationships among local, state and federal agencies in an "all hazards" approach to preparing and responding to manmade and natural disasters. Examines challenges faced by local, state, and federal managers during a large scale disaster.

This course introduces students to fundraising principles of nonprofit organizations with an emphasis on different types of philanthropy, fundraising theories and practices, and motivations of givers. They will develop skills in creative problem solving for fundraising practice while learning to analyze and evaluate the fundraising process and methods. Additionally, students will develop the ability to synthesize and integrate current information and emerging ideas into a fundraising strategy and to think critically and analytically about a variety of fundraising perspectives.

An in-depth analysis of the forces behind the privatization movement. Examines the context of privatization, the theoretical and empirical arguments on both sides of the debate, and the different forms of privatization practiced in the U.S. The course draws on a wide range of disciplines in a quest for an understanding of the privatization phenomenon-political science, public administration, public policy, sociology, economics, management, and others.

This course offers a broad introduction to the study and practice of the nonprofit sector. The course explores the history, scope, and significance of the nonprofit sector as it relates to philanthropy, voluntary action, civil society, and civic engagement.

Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. This course provides students with the knowledge to become effective financial managers by giving them practical applications of theory and skill-building in fiscal processes and fundraising of nonprofit organizations.

Examines leadership through theoretical and practice-based frameworks. Offers analytical and intellectual examination and reflection on core issues in the practice of leadership. These objectives will be achieved through open discussion, honest self-assessment, experiential exercises, and observation of real-life leadership practice.

Examines the basic framework of the public personnel system beginning with the legal requirements imposed by federal and state laws and regulations. General considerations of policy and procedures development, the organization of the public personnel system, the adoption of the personnel ordinance, the determination of various levels of employee status and the coverage of the personnel system are included.

This course reviews the theory and application of ethics in the public sector, identifying public values and how they apply in the administration of government. It reviews sources of values employed in public sector decision-making, and reviews how values in public administration are managed and applied. Systems of professional ethics are reviewed in the context of public professions. Case studies and best practices are examined to help the student understand the application of administrative ethics in public management.

Analysis of human services involving direct client/agency interaction. Problems of discretion and control are examined as alternative service delivery strategies which can deal with these problems.

An overview of business-government society interactions, with special attention to the influence of public policy and corporate strategy on corporate social responsibility. An important theme is the ethical component of management decision making.

This course focuses on the growing challenges and opportunities created by our interconnected world and the knowledge and abilities necessary to lead through situations in which there are misunderstandings or conflicts rooted in differences. The course explores the structure and dynamics of all forms of diversity in public, non-profit, and governmental organizations, the resulting implications for organizational health, and the critical role of cultural-competent leadership.

This course examines the importance of social, economic, cultural, religious, and civic organizations in building or restoring communities. The course focuses on the revitalization, restoration, or upgrading of communities, cities, and localities or neighborhoods within or adjacent to cities, by the residents themselves. Viewed through the lens of social capital theory, the course further explores examples of short- and long-term change accomplished by community members on their own, within organizations, or in partnership with government officials.

An examination of the fundamental concepts of collaborative governance in the field of public administration and public policy. Emphasis is placed on the government and/or nonprofit management and process of collaborative problem solving and policy implementation in cross-sector and intra-sector environments.

Examination of public sector financial principles, practices, and processes. A public manager's perspective of the decision making and practices of managing public funds. Introduction to governmental accounting practices. Emphasis on analyzing financial statements for decision making. Extensive use of Excel spreadsheet. Exploration of public financial management research and the link between public financial management practices and public fiscal and monetary policies.

This course provides students with the professional knowledge, skills, and abilities to engage successfully with local governments from the following perspectives: as a generalist public administrator, as a local government specialist, and as a citizen, non-profit leader, or businessperson. In addition, this course provides students with the theoretical and policy context within which local governments operate. Students will master that knowledge by researching how local governments use those concepts in every day administration.

Analysis of relationship among federal, state, and local governmental units in the delivery of governmental programs. Focus on intergovernmental issues in urban metropolitan regions.

Analysis of relationships among federal, state, and local governmental units in the delivery of governmental programs. Focus on intergovernmental issues in urban metropolitan regions.

Advanced topics in public administration.

Supervised research on a specific problem. A written report is required.

An approved research project, written under the supervision of a faculty advisor, in which the student demonstrates the capacity of design and completes independent applied research. The completed project must be approved by the dissertation committee.

This course is a pass/fail course for master's students in their final semester. It may be taken to fulfill the registration requirement necessary for graduation. All master's students are required to be registered for at least one graduate credit hour in the semester of their graduation.

This course is a pass/fail course doctoral students may take to maintain active status after successfully passing the candidacy examination. All doctoral students are required to be registered for at least one graduate credit hour every semester until their graduation.

Examination of various methodologies for designing and conducting program evaluation and research. Experimental, quasi-experimental and nonexperimental procedures will be covered.

An in-depth analysis of the forces behind the privatization movement. Examines the context of privatization, the theoretical and empirical arguments on both sides of the debate, and the different forms of privatization practiced in the U.S. The course draws on a wide range of disciplines in a quest for an understanding of the privatization phenomenon-political science, public administration, public policy, sociology, economics, management, and others. (Cross listed with PADM 714).

Examines the actions that must be taken following the award of a contract, including assurance of required outcomes, assurance of compliance, proper contract launch, proper contract close-out, and documentation and carrying forward lessons learned. Connections to steps that must be taken in the other two phases of the procurement process are noted. (Course is cross listed with PADM 718.)

Examines leadership through theoretical and practice-based frameworks. Offers analytical and intellectual examination and reflection on core issues in the practice of leadership. These objectives will be achieved through open discussion, honest self-assessment, experiential exercises, and observation of real-life leadership practice. (Cross listed with PADM 719)

This course provides an overview of procurement and contract management as a core function in public sector organizations. The course introduces the student to how properly-aligned, best practice acquisitions can support public entities' strategic goals. Challenges and opportunities for all stakeholders are addressed. Special attention is given to ongoing changes in public procurement. (Cross listed with PADM 726)

Course covers each phase of the public procurement project cycle, with an emphasis on tools and techniques to manage a public procurement project. (Cross listed with PADM 727)

This course provides insight into why and how public sector contracts should be planned and formed properly. A strong emphasis is placed on the strategic role that procurement can play in public sector organizations and how procurement planning and source selection, in particular, fit into that role. (Cross listed with PADM 728)

This course surveys the laws and ethics applicable to public sector procurement and contract management. A theoretical and problem-based, interdisciplinary approach is used to address the major legal and ethical issues that arise when public sector organizations plan, form, and administer contracts. Attention is given to the role of professionalization in socializing appropriate ethics. (Cross listed with PADM 731)

Examination of public sector financial principles, practices, and processes. A public manager's perspective of the decision making and practices of managing public funds. Introduction to governmental accounting practices. Emphasis on analyzing financial statements for decision making. Extensive use of Excel spreadsheet. Exploration of public financial management research and the link between public financial management practices and public fiscal and monetary policies.

Analysis of relationships among federal, state, and local governmental units in the delivery of governmental programs. Focus on intergovernmental issues in urban metropolitan regions. (Cross listed with PADM 781)