This course introduces basic law subjects likely to be encountered in public administration.  Topics include constitutional foundations, due process and equal protection, and First Amendment rights;  property, contracts, employment, torts, criminal law, administrative law, and public ethics laws; and basic legal research, managing litigation, and working with lawyers.

Students learn about their leadership style and values, as well as strengths and weaknesses, with regard to public leadership at the personal, interpersonal, organizational, and community levels. Readings, assignments, and class activities focus on developing knowledge and skills necessary to successfully lead in public service settings.

This is the first course in a two-course sequence introducing students to applied research design, data collection, data management, data analysis, and analytical reporting to allow them to conduct original research, be informed consumers of other research, and ultimately improve public program planning and evaluation decisions. To be taken with PUBA 720.

This is the second course in a two-course sequence introducing students to applied research design, data collection, data management, data analysis, and analytical reporting to allow them to conduct original research, be informed consumers of other research, and ultimately improve public program planning and evaluation decisions.

This course prepares students to communicate clearly and effectively as public service leaders, which includes reading, listening, and thinking critically; writing and speaking clearly, concisely, and unambiguously; giving organized and convincing oral presentations, and using appropriate tools and tone in preparing oral and written communications for diverse audiences.

This course teaches the principles of accounting and financial reporting in governmental and nonprofit environments. It provides skills for analyzing the financial condition of governments and the efficiency and effectiveness of governmental programs.

This course addresses current trends affecting the management of service delivery in local governments of all sizes. Case examples and guest practitioners offer glimpses into real world challenges and solutions.

This course explores alternative approaches to planning and administering the budgets and financial operations of public agencies. It involves extensive use of case materials.

This course introduces students to how local officials measure the inputs, outputs, and outcomes of service delivery and how they use these performance data for making management and policy decisions. It explores the use of other types of data to information decision making, including content analysis, benchmarking, financial condition analysis, and benefit-cost analysis.

This course provides a conceptual and experiential grounding in theories of management and organizational operation. Students learn how to analyze organizations and their environments from multiple perspectives. Students systematically examine important dimensions of organizational life—what motivates people, how decisions are made, challenges of diversity, conflict, and power dynamics.