Concentrations
There are four concentrations within the program. All students must choose one. Students must choose a concentration by the time they file their study plan, typically after completion of 12 MPA units.
HUMAN RESOURCES
The human resources concentration is designed to prepare students to work in the field of personnel management. The concentration helps students learn the managerial skills and knowledge needed to manage essential human resource functions in public or non-profit organizations.
Core Course
POSC 572 Human Resources Management for Public and Nonprofit Organizations
Electives (take two)
POSC 423: Diversity in Public Management
POSC 475: Administrative Law
POSC 522: Seminar in Public Personnel Administration
POSC 582: Organizational Development and Change
MGMT 441: Labor-Management Relations
LOCAL GOVERNMENT MANAGEMENT
The purpose of the concentration in local government management is to prepare students for a career in local government. This is accomplished by a mix of courses that focus on theoretical and conceptual issues relevant to local government managers and those that impart practical skills.
Core Course
POSC 525: Local Government Management
Take One
POSC 427: Metropolitan Politics and Policymaking
POSC 519: State and Local Government
Electives (take any one)
POSC/GEOG 478: Urban Planning Principles
POSC/GEOG 484: Planning Methods
POSC 427: Metropolitan Politics and Policymaking
POSC 519: State and Local Government
POSC 580: Emergency Management in Public Administration
POSC 588: Collaborative Governance
ENST 595T: Selected Topics in Environmental Problems (note: only certain sections of this course will count. Be sure to check with the MPA advisor in advance)
PUBLIC FINANCE
The purpose of the concentration in public finance is to prepare students for future careers in public financial management. This is accomplished by helping students to become literate in public finance concepts, knowledgeable of best practices in public financial management, and able to interpret financial reports and economic data.
Core Courses
POSC 571: Public Budgeting and Finance (prerequisite for POSC 583)
POSC 583: Public Budgeting and Finance II
Electives (take one)
POSC 421: Government & the Economy
POSC 425: Policy Analysis
ECON 416: Benefit Cost and Microeconomic Policy Analysis
ECON 417: Public Finance
PUBLIC POLICY
The purpose of the concentration in public policy is to prepare students for future careers in the policy process and public policy analysis. This is accomplished by taking a course in the public policy process, a course policy analysis and at least one additional course in a substantive policy area.
Core Courses
POSC 425: Policy Analysis
POSC 528: Seminar in Public Policy
Electives (take one)
POSC 421: Government and the Economy
POSC 426: Education Politics and Policy
POSC 427: Metropolitan Politics and Policymaking
POSC 539: Seminar in Nonprofit Sector Management
CRJU 405: Criminal Justice Policy
CRJU/POSC 491: Applied Policy Research
ECON 416: Benefit Cost and Microeconomic Policy Analysis
PUBH 524 Public Health Administration
