Electives & Area of Interest
Electives (9 Semester hours)
The second academic component of the MPA is a concentration area, chosen by the student to serve his or her academic and career goals. These areas include either a class in public law and ethics and additional classes in public management, public policy, human resources, budget and finance or area designed by the student and approved by the Graduate Coordinator.
Regardless of the student's concentration area, when taking courses from other departments and colleges, any prerequisites, sequences, class availability, and admissibility should be discussed with the course instructor. The student's Advisor will assist in picking appropriate courses, but ultimately they must conform to the Program of Study and be reviewed by the Graduate Coordinator.
Suggested Courses in Related Disciplines
| Course | Description |
|---|---|
| MPA 5200 Intergovernmental Relations (3) | Issues explored: governance structures, federalism, intergovernmental grants, local and state relationships, legislative and administrative relationships, legislative intent, oversight and monitoring, intergovernmental decision making, and administrative ethics. (3 hours) |
| MPA 5225: City Management (3) | Explores the theories, issues, and practical realities of being a city manager. Integrates public management and policy theory with the practice of city administration and addresses the ethical challenges faced while attempting to serve and develop communities. (3 hours) |
| MPA 5245 Non -Governmental Organizations (3) | Identifies and assesses the challenges and opportunities facing nonprofits. Focuses on public benefit charities and this sectors historical roots, tax and regulatory processes, organizational models, agency planning/management functions, ethical issues, cross-cultural and international approaches, future trends and career opportunities. (3 hours) |
| MPA 5265 Emergency Management (3) | Core concepts of emergency and crisis management with an emphasis on the threats that fall under the heading of emergency management, the connections between emergency management and homeland security, and the administrative skills involved in the practice of emergency management, planning, mitigation and response. (3 hours) |
| MPA 5285 Leadership in Public Organizations (3) | Role of leadership versus management; leadership qualities, skills (such as conflict management and team building), leadership tasks (envisioning, agenda setting, and mobilizing resources), leadership in organizational and political setting, the role of followership and impact of diversity on leadership. (3 hours) |
| MPA 5500 Public Policy Program Evaluation (3) | Public policy history, successes, failures; policy analyst's role, function; relationship to legislative, executive processes; policy alternatives and options, new models for program development, implementation. (3 hours seminar) |
| MPA 5585 Urban Governance Policy and Administration (3) | The course approaches to urban governance and public policies in both theoretical and practical manners. Examines current urban issues against the history of urban development and the politics of cities; addresses the basic concepts, institutions and procedures of politics in urban context; discusses important urban policy issues, such as urban sprawl, transportation, and public schools; and debates on the national urban policy and the ongoing reforms towards urban governance. (3 hours) |
| MPA 5605 Criminal Justice Politics and Administration (3) | Criminal justice administration concepts, institutions; relationship to legislative functions and issues; interagency and intergovernmental collaboration; politics of crime, Constitutional issues, ethics, white collar crime, prison reform, rehabilitation, and re-entry issues. (3 hours seminar) |
| MPA 5655 Community Sustainability Policy (3) | Social, Economic, and Environmental Aspects of Sustainability. Regenerative principles and theories and practices of resilience; mitigation of energy and climate change; roles of government, business, and third sector organizations. (3 hours) |
| MPA 5990/5990A/5990L Special Topics for Graduate Students (1-3) | Group study of selected topics, the title to be specified in advance. Instruction by lecture, seminar, activity, laboratory, research, or a combination. Course may be repeated. EXAMPLE: Organizational development, change and innovation, models of organization, structure and design; social values. Context of public organization development; legal structure, political issues, public organization innovation; political and executive leadership characteristics. Faculty team, public administration and business administration will teach this course. [formerly Qualitative Analytic Methods in the Public Sector (3) ] |
Areas of Interest for Electives
| Areas of Interest | Recommended Colleges And Courses (Consult with MPA Director prior to enrolling) Courses not seen on this list can be taken if approved by MPA director. |
|---|---|
| Community Development and Urban Planning |
URP 3010 Introduction to Urban Planning* URP 4200/A Methods of Engagement: Participation, Negotiation, Mediation URP 4220 The Just City URP 4240 Public Participation URP 4240/L Community Development and Housing URP 4370 Planning for Infrastructure URP 4380 Land Use Entitlements URP 4390 Infrastructure Finance URP 4510/A Land Use and Urban Design Policy URP 4830/A Development Processes URP 4840/A Neighborhood Development URP 5400 Planning for Community Change URP 5340/A Urban Housing and Community Development |
| Education Administration |
EC 5510 Diversity & Cultural Perspectives EC 5530 Leadership in Multicultural Commuities of Learners EDL 5470 Theory, Practice II, and School Improvement Leadership EDL 5490 Learning to Lead Content Module I: Professional Learning and Growth EDL 5500 Learning to Lead Content Module III: Organizational and Systems Leadership EDL 5480 Theory, Practice III, and Community Leadership EDL 5530 Schoolwide Change Initiative and Candidate Assessment |
| Environmental Issues and Administration |
RS 3030 Organization for Regenerative Practices* RS 4140 Current Applications in Regenerative Studies: Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation RS 4500 Sustainable Communities RS 4990 Urban Resiliency URP 4820 California Water URP 4870 Local/Regional Environmental Planning URP 4910/A Climate Change URP 5370 Environmental Policy |
| Finance and Accounting |
EC 4408 Money and Banking EC 4407 History of Economic Thought EC 4430 Economic Development |