MPA Graduate Courses

PA/AG401G COMMUNITY PLANNING (3) Fall/Odd Years

This course is an introduction to community planning; relationships of physical form to environment, function, aesthetic principles, cultural values, planning as a synthesis of a frame of reference based on economic, political, social, cultural, physical, and administrative factors.

PA501 INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH (3) Fall/Spring

Concentrated study of research methodology, including planning, organizing and executing research projects; techniques of gathering data; use of library facilities and other sources of information; analysis and interpretation of data; the art and strategy of presenting oral and written findings.

PA510 ADMINISTRATIVE THOUGHT (3) Fall

This course offers an overview of classic and contemporary theories of public administration and bureaucracy. The role and process of American public administration are studies in the social and political context of legislatures, executives, legal and judicial structures, and in relationship to political parties and clientele groups. The modern administrative state and its illustrations of democratic theory and practice, are examined.

PA525 PUBLIC BUDGETING (3) Fall

Budgetary practices of federal, state, territorial, and local governments. The budget cycle, budget preparation, and execution. Includes techniques such as PPB (Planning, Programming, Budgeting) in the Federal government and zero-base in GovGuam budgeting.

PA526 PRIVATE ENTERPRISE AND PUBLIC POLICY (3) Spring

Governmental process in the formulation of policy in relation to the private enterprise sector. Framework and organization of administrative agencies in the regulation and supervision of private industry. Nature of the "public interest" and the interrelationship of interests affecting governmental policy toward business enterprise.

PA530 PUBLIC MANAGEMENT (3) Fall

The study of government organization management practices and problems; the general effectiveness of major agencies including their relationships with U.S., local legislative bodies, clientele and other governmental units and public bodies. This course establishes the broad parameters of what constitutes the major roles, responsibilities and activities of public managers. This course is particularly suited for students with limited background in public management. Stress is placed on the development of analytical techniques that are useful in the identification and resolution of commonly occurring problems in public management.

PA535 INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS (3) Spring

Study of the dynamics of relations among governmental units, including the movement towards regionalization and councils of government. Study of the impact of "new federalism" concepts and revenue sharing upon states, territories and of local issues and problems.

PA540 ADMINISTRATIVE LAW (3) Spring

Study of administrative law, including issues of separation of powers; regulatory commissions; processes of administrative adjudication; and judicial review.

PA545 ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR AND THEORY (3) Fall/Spring

Readings and discussion of advanced organization and management theory including organization, systems design and analysis, decision theory, power, politics, and authority. Prerequisite: BA240.

PA550 COMPARATIVE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (3) Fall/Even Years Administrative structures and processes of industrialized and developing areas of the world. Distribution of government services in the various bureaucratic organizations.

PA560 MORAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF ORGANIZATIONS (3) Spring

An examination of the meaning of business ethics and its significance in business decision making. By thoughtful analysis of the moral issues raised by business practices, graduate students will raise their comprehension of the moral decisions of business. Students will apply ethical theories and concepts to social issues. In addition, students will gain practice during examinations and interpretations of positions taken by various stakeholder groups affected by business and vice-versa.

PA561 PUBLIC PLANNING (3) Spring/Even Years

This course deals with methods of social, economic, and physical planning. The concept of planning is approached from the theoretical, methodological and philosophical perspectives. It focuses on problem analysis to the final stages of program implementation and evaluation.

PA565 PUBLIC CONTRACTING POLICY AND PRACTICES (3) Spring/Odd Years

An examination of the legal and regulatory framework governing public contracting within the dimensions of past and present national and local objectives. A particular emphasis is placed on its contribution to government efficiency and effectiveness.

PA570 SPECIAL TOPICS IN PUBLIC PERSONNEL Summer a,b,c,d,e ADMINISTRATION (3)

a) Policy; b) Sanctions; c) Employment Law; d) Organizations; e) Systems Current problems and issues in the management of government programs. The changing character of public management as affected by citizen participation and representation, community action groups, minority employment, environmental concerns, upward mobility, development crises and problems, labor-management relations, public interest advocacy, decentralization and devaluation of administrative activities, and management information systems.

PA598  INTERNSHIP: Public Administration (3) Fall/Spring

PA690 SPECIAL PROJECT (in lieu of Thesis only) (3) Fall/Spring

Course is open to students admitted to degree candidacy and qualified to do independent study in business, economics or public administration under the direction of a professor in the field.

PA692 PRACTICUM (3) Fall/Spring

Applied research in the field under the guidance of a major professor. Prerequisite: Consent of MPA Chair.

PA695 THESIS (6) Fall/Spring