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2006-2007
Catalog Course List - MPA Section
PADM 5300. 3 sem hrs.
U.S. GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS
A survey of the major institutions of the U.S. national government,
with special attention to the presidency, Congress, and the U.S.
Supreme Court. Some comparative discussion of federalism, parliamentary
systems of government, and proportional representation. Brief review
of the U.S. Constitution, the federal court structure, and the role
of Federal Reserve System.
PADM 5301. 3 sem. hrs.
THEORY & PRACTICE OF P.A.
An introduction to the concepts, theories, literature, legal aspects,
and practices of public administration and management. Topics include
administrative behavior; program planning, management and evaluation;
decision-making; structure and processes of organizations; and ethics.
PADM
5302. 3 sem. hrs.
POLICY MAKING & P.A.
Relationship of politics and administration with
reference to the influence of administration and
bureaucracy, legislative bodies, parties, political
leadership, interest groups and other forces in the
formation and execution of public policy in various
levels of, primarily, American
government
PADM
5303. 3 sem. hrs.
ADMINISTRATIVE ETHICS
A survey of ethical issues faced by public
administrators. The course will provide a general
grounding in the philosophical and theoretical
foundations of ethical inquiry. Special attention
will be given to ethical problems arising within
hierarchical organizations and to the ethical
implications of particular public
policies.
PADM 5304. 3 sem.
hrs.
HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Analysis of the major personnel management problems and issues in
the public sector. The functions of recruitment, selection, development,
compensation, and employee relations will be studied. Special attention
will be given to the legal environment of personnel.
Prerequisite: PADM 5301.
PADM
5305. 3 sem. hrs.
PUBLIC BUDGETING AND FINANCE
An analysis of the formation, management, and
administration of fiscal policies at all levels of
government in the United States. Basic financial
management planning, preparation, presentation, and
resource allocation analysis.
PADM 5306.
3 sem. hrs.
PUBLIC SECTOR FISCAL MANAGEMENT AND ANALYSIS
This course takes an in-depth look at public finance and focuses
on budget reform techniques, revenue sources, structure and control,
the administration of debt and cash management; including strategies
for reducing borrowing costs and increasing the interest earnings
of government.
Prerequisite: PADM
5305.
PADM 5307.
3 sem. hrs.
COMMUNICATIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS.
The theories and current practice of communication within organizations
with a particular emphasis on the administrator. Topics will include
communication with the external environment, problems of communication
within the organizational structure, design of communication systems
within the organization, enhancement of written communication skills
and oral presentation skills. The course will include some laboratory
experiences. Offered on sufficient demand.
PADM 5308. 3
sem. hrs.
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW
Analysis of the nature of law, especially the law of administrative
procedure. The course examines the separation and delegation of
powers, the meaning and functioning of the Administrative Procedures
Act, the scope of judicial review, and other remedies against administrative
actions.
PADM
5310. 3 sem. hrs.
PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS
A course designed to develop an understanding about
public sector organizations, their environments,
and the political subsystems in which they exist.
The course explores organization theory and
administrative behavior to understand and diagnose
organizational problems and dynamics in the public
sector. Emphasis is placed on
organization-environment relationships.
PADM 5311. 3 sem.
hrs.
RESEARCH METHODS IN P.A.
Examination of analytical methods, research techniques, and models
of inquiry in the social and administrative sciences. Topics may
include problem definition; needs assessment; data gathering, processing
and interpretation; survey research; secondary analysis; and demographics.
Assumes computer literacy and completion of an introductory statistics
course, or equivalent, prior to student's entry in to the class.
[Cross-listed with IDSY 5311.] Prerequisite: POLS 1342 [Common Course
MATH 1342] or equivalent.
PADM 5312. 3 sem. hrs.
STATISTICS FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATORS
Examination of the statistical techniques used by public administrators
to include descriptive and inferential statistics. Use of SPSS for
analysis of empirical and secondary data sources. Interpretation,
analysis and presentation is emphasized. Integration of research
design and statistical techniques. Prerequisite: PADM 5311.
PADM 5313. 3 sem.
hrs.
SURVEY RESEARCH FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATORS
The ability to conduct and interpret survey research is becoming
an integral part of public management. This course provides students
with the knowledge and skills needed to direct, understand and make
effective use of administrative and policy information from survey
research data.
PADM 5314. 3 sem. hrs.
CULTURAL ANALYSIS AND INTERVENTION
An introduction to the theories and skills of cultural analysis
and organizational development. The course will show students how
to assess the current cultural environment of an organization and
help them understand the science of change. Students will also learn
how to deal with the uncertainty of change using proven organizational
development strategies.
Prerequisite: PADM 5310.
PADM 5325. 3 sem.
hrs.
PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS
The role of policy analysis in informing the process of change and
reform in American society. It is concerned with applied policy
research. A central theme of the course is that performing policy
analysis requires learning how to think about any area of policy.
It requires substantive knowledge of the problem of interest and
of possible approaches of inquiry into the problem.
PADM 5331. 3 sem. hrs.
MANAGING THE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
Examination of the forces present and acting on non-profits, the
effect of these forces on the non-profit world, position and reactions
of the non-profit sector, and possible interventions at the macro
and micro level.
PADM 5332.
3 sem. hrs.
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT FOR NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
Examination of the theoretical and practical applications of fundraising.
A study of government or nonprofit agency grant and contract administration.
Applications for responding to funding assistance and solicitations
and grants. Contract preparation, evaluation and presentation.
PADM 5335. 3 sem.
hrs.
PROGRAM EVALUATION
This course is designed to help the pre- and in-service professional
public manager conceptualize the program evaluation effort as a
meaningful and understandable set of tasks. The course will examine
various means of evaluating programs. The course is designed to
develop the program evaluation skills so that students become better
contributors and consumers of evaluation and research reports.
PADM
5340. 3 sem. hrs.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
A study of the political factors that influence the
environmental policy of the United States. Emphasis
is on the policy process rather than the details of
environmental regulations. South Texas issues are
studied in order to understand the complexities
facing public administrators at the local level.
Offered on sufficient demand.
PADM
5360. 3 sem. hrs.
STRATEGIC PLANNING
A seminar course that gives pre- or in-service
public managers the tools necessary to consider the
long-term mission and direction of the agency and
craft strategy and operations from both internal
and external stakeholders to achieve those goals.
Consideration of strategic planning as a process
for implementing strategic management.
PADM 5365. 3 sem.
hrs.
SEMINAR IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION. CAPSTONE
The capstone course for the MPA program is an integrative approach
applying the skills, knowledge and values considered, discussed
and acquired throughout the core courses to selected public and
administrative problems through analytical exercises and case studies.
All core courses should be completed prior to enrollment in the
capstone. This is the exit requirement for the MPA program. This
course must be taken during the last semester prior to graduation.
PADM 5370. 3 sem.
hrs.
SEMINAR IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
Seminar in identified topics in Public Administration. May be repeated
when topics vary. Offered on sufficient demand.
PADM
5396 3 sem. hrs.
INDIVIDUAL STUDY
See college description. Offered on
application.
PADM.
5397 3 sem. hrs.
INTERNSHIP
Practical experience with a government or not-for-profit agency
arranged in advance by the supervising professor. Periodic visits,
consultations, and a final paper. Offered on sufficient demand and
by application.
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