Course Descriptions
PPPA 8000 Foundations for Doctoral Study (1 cr.)
This course introduces students to Walden University and the requirements for successfully participating in an online curriculum, to provide a foundation for academic and professional success as a scholar-practitioner and social change agent. Course assignments focus on practical application of writing and critical-thinking skills and the integration of professional practice with professional and academic excellence as they relate to practice in public policy and administration.
PPPA 8008 Foundations for Doctoral Study (6 cr.)
All beginning Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration students are required to successfully complete this course, and are automatically enrolled in it during their first quarter. In this course, students develop a Professional Development Plan and a Plan of Study as their guide to the rest of their program.
PPPA 8111 Leadership and Organizational Change (5cr.)
Successful organizations in a rapidly changing and complex world require leaders who embrace change and are able to engage others in change. Students examine theories and models of leadership and organizational change, as well as consider the relationship between leadership and organizational change. They explore qualities, characteristics, and skills of effective leaders, ethical issues and standards, opportunities and challenges related to leading diverse organizations through change, and the contribution of leadership and organizational change to social change.
PPPA 8112 Governance and Public Policy (5 cr.)
Democratic principles are the foundation of modern life. The course provides an overview of democratic governance in public administration, public policy, or nonprofit/nongovernmental organizations in modern society. Students will examine the theoretical underpinnings of democratic governance and public policy in their chosen area of specialization necessary for doctoral-level research. Students will review fundamental theories of governance, research current literature on a specialized topic, and apply best practices within the area of specialization. The emphasis is on the context in which public and nonprofit leaders function and the social institutions that influence public policy and guide administrative decision making.
PPPA 8115 Writing a Quality Prospectus (5cr.)
This five-credit course is focused specifically on the process of writing the doctoral study prospectus. Students will use their preliminary research plan, developed previously, and develop a problem statement, to be used in the doctoral study. They further refine the problem statement and carry out the planning and the library research that will bring them to the formulation of a doctoral study prospectus. The prospectus is a brief paper, typically 15–20 pages in length, that lays out the background for the problem statement, the problem statement itself, a survey of the relevant literature (typically 25–75 references), and a research, implementation, and evaluation plan for the solution of the problem.
PPPA 8250 U.S. and International Health Care Systems (5 cr.)
This course examines international health care system reform. Focus is given to the influence of corporate and governmental agencies in the delivery and financing of health services and the legal issues confronting health care institutions. The course also explores fiscal and public policy forces on national and international health systems and investigates the opportunities and challenges facing the management of community-based health care organizations.
PPPA 8320 Public Policy Implications of Terrorism Legislation and Policies (5 cr.)
This course provides a broad perspective on the history of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, similar terroristic legislation and immigration laws, and their policy implications on law enforcement, governmental entities, organizations, and individuals. It provides a basic foundation upon which to build for those public administrators and public policy analysts who are charged with drafting and implementing public policy and enforcing and/or responding to potential terroristic threats, while simultaneously upholding and protecting constitutional freedoms. Material for this course is drawn from contemporary texts, Web sites, case studies, and material representing international, national, and local governments and organizations. Learners critically review and analyze the U.S.A. Patriot Act and similar terroristic legislation and policies, and participate in online discussions about these laws and their implications on U.S. Constitutional freedoms.
PPPA 8321 Terrorism: A Systemic Approach for Emergency Preparedness (5 cr.)
This course provides participants with an overview of terrorism—local, national, and international—and the need to develop a systemic approach for emergency preparedness. Topics include, but are not limited to, terrorism overview, terrorism and public health, bioterrorism, biosecurity, cyberterrorism, risk assessment, implications for public health, and components of a systemic preparedness infrastructure. Course participants begin the development and/or analysis of a terrorism preparedness infrastructure, and participate in online discussions.
PPPA 8322 Critical Incident Planning and Leadership (5 cr.)
This course examines the principles of emergency planning, selection of leaders, specialized planning (e.g., schools, tourism), mutual aid, and leadership theories. It provides a basic foundation for public administrators to develop a critical incident plan and also understand leadership theories. Course participants critically analyze case studies, identifying weaknesses and potential solutions.
PPPA 8330 Holding Up the Mirror: Understanding Different Cultures and Increasing Global Consciousness (5 cr.)
This course offers students an opportunity to explore and understand the cultural values and styles of communication, reasoning, and leadership unique to their home culture. Students apply their increased understanding to other cultures. They also identify and become familiar with the challenges American nonprofits face as they work internationally or cross-culturally within the United States. (Prerequisite: A course or direct experience in nonprofit management is strongly advised.)
PPPA 8331 Crossing Borders: U.S. and International NGO Cultures and Environments (5 cr.)
In this course, students study in depth the cultures, structures, and activities of NGOs in select countries and compare their activities, organizational cultures, structures, and working environments with nonprofits in the United States. (Prerequisite: A course or direct experience in nonprofit management is strongly advised.)
PPPA 8332 Placing NGOs in the Global Context (5 cr.)
This course offers students knowledge and understanding about the geopolitical and economic contexts in which international, nongovernmental, and voluntary agencies function in other countries. Students analyze the historical, political, social, and cultural contexts in which NGOs work and the implications these contexts have on the work of local and international NGOs. Students identify strategies that make the international and cross-cultural efforts of NGOs successful. (Prerequisite: A course or direct experience in nonprofit management is strongly advised.)
PPPA 8340 Leadership for the Nonprofit Sector (5 cr.)
This course provides an overview and history of the third sector in American society, featuring governance and nonprofit corporation law. Government and business are the first two sides of the sector triangle. The course covers the relationships between the board and the executive director. Ethics topics typical to nonprofit organizations, such as conflict of interest, fiduciary responsibility, human resources, and board organizational structures, are examined in depth. The role of nonprofit organizations in fostering social change is a major component of this course, and the emerging trend toward entrepreneurship in nonprofits is examined in detail.
PPPA 8341 Fund Raising and Marketing in Nonprofit Organizations (5 cr.)
This course examines the history of philanthropy and the philosophy of giving, and their relationship to the nonprofit sector in the United States. The principles of development and their relationship to organizational mission, governance, and capacity are a core part of the course. The course provides students with an understanding of the many fund-raising techniques and funding sources that generate financial support for nonprofits, as well as the contexts of their use.
PPPA 8342 Nonprofit Management (5 cr.)
This course provides the basis for understanding nonprofit management issues and for understanding how management in the nonprofit sector differs from both public and business administration. It includes special issues of nonprofit management, such as mission, budgeting, financial management, strategic planning, and outcome evaluation and assessment.
PPPA 8350 Historical and Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice (5 cr.)
This course looks at the evolution of crime—from lone criminals to worldwide syndicates—using the scientific rigor built into the selected readings and discussions. Among the topics examined are the philosophy of community- and problem-oriented policing, transnational crime, terrorism, and the new nexus between them. The course equips current and future leaders with the knowledge and depth of understanding to assess and manage the opportunities, innovations, and challenges in their profession.
PPPA 8351 Policy Analysis in the Criminal Justice System (5 cr.)
This course reviews key court decisions and explores the tension between constitutionally guaranteed individual rights and crime-prevention and public-safety efforts. The course also covers policy analysis and planning in the criminal justice field, and offers an understanding of the policy context in which the criminal justice system functions.
PPPA 8352 Leadership: Putting Theory into Practice in Criminal Justice Administration (5 cr.)
This course introduces students to the problems that currently confront the administration of the criminal justice system, as well as problems predicted for the future. So that students are prepared to lead efforts to address these challenges, this course offers powerful models for strategic, critical, and reflective thinking. This course also immerses students in discussion about the major components of effective justice administration: organizational thought and theory, leadership, human capital, policy development and implementation, and collaboration with other public safety and community organizations.
PPPA 8360 Public Safety Issues (5 cr.)
This is a comprehensive survey of the issues faced by public safety agencies and personnel at the local, state, and national level, including police and sheriff, emergency medical, and fire services and related organizations. It emphasizes communication and coordination between public safety organizations.
PPPA 8361 Managing Public Safety Organizations (5 cr.)
This course examines how public safety leaders find solutions to major issues confronting their operating systems, both organizations and communities, through research, analysis, planning, and decision making. It adapts classic business management techniques and leadership principles to public safety operations. The concepts of “first-planner” and “first-responder” are introduced. Solutions and alternatives to varied situations confronting public safety managers are developed. Emphasis is on systems approaches, environmental analyses, contingency planning, implications for change, coordination, and controls.
PPPA 8362 Ethics in Preserving Public Safety (5 cr.)
This course applies the lessons of the first two courses in the specialization—management issues and planning solutions—to specific cases of leadership and personal responsibility in the public safety field. Using primarily the case study method, students will analyze leadership and ethical issues public safety officials encounter in their work and develop effective approaches for how standards and ethics can best be instilled throughout a public safety organization. Students analyze classic cases, including the federal 9/11 Commission report, for lessons applicable to any public safety agency and situation—in intelligence, planning, operations, command, interagency coordination, communication, and technology.
PPPA 8380 Policy and Politics in American Political Institutions (5 cr.)
This course introduces students to the crafts of policy making and analysis in the American democratic system. It covers the policy process—agenda setting, using policy analysis tools, managing the political process, implementing policy, and providing evaluation and feedback. Students develop skills in policy and economic analysis, as well as skills in determining the political feasibility of proposed policies. Regulation as a policy choice is discussed. Students completing this course will enhance their abilities to develop alternatives and to assess strategies that are proposed to achieve certain policy objectives. Policy areas of interest to students form the foundation of this course and may include communications, immigration, social, transportation, housing, labor, arts, and environmental policies.
PPPA 8381 Public Policy and Evaluation (5 cr.)
This course provides an introduction to the tools used by policy makers and policy analysts to evaluate the impact of social programs. Topics include selecting programs to evaluate, crafting program descriptions, identifying stakeholders and their interests, developing logic models, framing evaluation questions, applying utilization-focused evaluation techniques, using quantitative and qualitative tools to complete formative and summative evaluations, and formulating evaluation reports, and providing feedback to decision-makers. By the end of the course, each student develops a program evaluation design for a social program.
PPPA 8382 Public Policy and Finance (5 cr.)
This course covers both micro- and macroeconomic models used in policy formulation and how public finance influences policy choices as well as implementation alternatives. Students examine tax policies and tax incentive models, budgeting, public/private models, market influences on policy, the impact of government expenditures on income redistribution, and economic considerations of welfare, food stamps, workers’ compensation, and Social Security. Outsourcing of public programs is also examined.
PPPA 8390 Strategic Context of Public Management and Leadership (5 cr.)
Public policy implementation can take place in either a public organization, a private one, a nonprofit one, or a combined or networked one. This course engages learners in a collaborative study of the changing strategic context of public administration as they apply a strategic planning and management approach to the implementation of public policy. Learners are introduced to planning, management, financial management, performance management, and contracting processes in the organization whose purpose it is to implement public policy.
PPPA 8391 Transformative Change in a Shared Power World (5 cr.)
This course engages students in collaborative study of the nature and methods of transformative change in the complex human systems of contemporary public organizations. Students learn a pragmatic action learning process for learning from the experience of transformative change in complex systems. The dynamics of complex adaptive systems are studied to gain an understanding of how large-scale and highly interrelated human systems change through self-organization. Appreciative inquiry and other selected methods of transformative change are studied and applied to a positive organizational change situation of special interest to the students. Students also develop professional action habits for pragmatic action learning in the practice of public administration.
PPPA 8392 The Language of Leadership (5 cr.)
In today’s complex environment, leaders engaged in shaping public policy must know how to use the emotional as well as the intellectual power of language to motivate, inspire, and competently manage their organizations. Dynamic leadership requires understanding and use of techniques that affect both conscious and unconscious influences on human behavior. Effective communication connects at many different levels. This course provides students both theoretical and practical information demonstrating the necessary components for making such connections and shows them why stories, symbols, and metaphors are an essential element in the language of leadership.
PPPA 8405 Ethics and Social Justice (5 cr.)
Ethics is a foundational element of leadership. Leaders face increasingly complex social and political challenges as they seek to meet the needs of diverse constituents. This course explores ethics and social justice related to economic disparity, power, and privilege. Students use demographic data, current social trends, and themes to understand, analyze, and address ethical and social justice issues that impact service delivery in a global community.
PPPA 8410 U.S. Healthcare Delivery System (5 cr.)
This course provides the student with an understanding of the structure and components of health services and the health services delivery system in the United States. The components of the system, including patients, organizations, healthcare professionals, public and private third-party payers, regulators, reimbursement and reimbursement methods, and technology are identified and described, including the continuum of health services such as hospitals and hospital systems, ambulatory care services, long-term care services, wellness/prevention services, and community/public health services. In addition, the course provides an abbreviated history of health and health services in the United States and addresses the nature of population illness and disease. Contextual factors and challenges that are linked to the healthcare delivery system are addressed, and the impact of these challenges on the delivery of services and healthcare management is explored.
PPPA 8431 Finance and Budgeting for the Public Sector (5 cr.)
Sound financial practices are crucial to managing scarce funds in the public sector. This course examines finance and budgeting concepts, policies, and practices related to organizations as well as the fiscal climate within which they operate. Students gain an understanding of theories underlying fiscal policy; they read and analyze budgets, financial statements, and financial reports. Other topics include the use of auditing practices, tax systems, financial management, budgetary reform, and financial technology systems specific to government organizations. Students apply what they learn to developing budget and financial projects relevant to public organizations.
PPPA 8465 Strategic Planning: Collaboration, Cooperation, and Coordination (5 cr.)
In an increasingly complex world, leaders and managers in public, private, and nonprofit organizations need to be strategic in planning and creating effective, collaborative programs and services. This course explores the role and process of strategic planning with an emphasis on collaboration, cooperation, and coordination within and among organizations. Students apply these concepts to real-life situations and organizations.
PPPA 8740 Disaster, Crisis, and Trauma (5 cr.)
This course defines natural and human-made disasters, such as war, violence, genocide, and terroristic activities, and reviews how they impact the psychology of individuals and groups. Topics include theories of trauma; actions and behaviors following a disaster; stress, coping, and adjustment difficulties; psychological disorders (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder); and available resources to deal with the trauma. The course emphasizes the importance and development of culturally appropriate service delivery programs and interventions for individuals affected and traumatized by disaster(s).
PPPA 8741 Psychology of Terrorism (5 cr.)
This course will examine the history, philosophy, techniques, and countermeasures to terroristic threats to public safety. Topics include aspects of international and domestic terrorism with an emphasis on its roots viewed from the broadest possible political, sociological, and cultural perspectives; factors and catalysts attributed to the terrorism phenomena, including poverty, psychology (e.g., motivational factors, antisocial behaviors), social injustice, oppression, and religion; and impact of media and technology in aiding and countering terroristic activities.
PPPA 8800 Strategic Management of Information (4 cr.)
This course is designed to give students an in-depth understanding of information resources and their implications for the public and nonprofit sectors. Advancements in information technology, which are making e-government a reality and are causing administrators to rethink their approach to service delivery, are explored as well as new ways of structuring organizations for greater productivity. The human systems and organizational culture impacts of information technology are also examined.
PPPA 8810 Fundamentals of Law and Public Policy (5 cr.)
Legal decisions and the law have an impact on the creation of public policy. This course explores the relationship between laws and public policy and the impact court decisions have on policy and policy leaders. Topics include legal concepts and terminology, legal jurisdictions, case law, seminal cases, and the Supreme Court’s roles and procedures. Students apply fundamental legal concepts and principles to case studies and contemporary problems.
PPPA 8811 Legal Research for Policy Practitioners (5 cr.)
There is a wealth of vital legal knowledge available to public policy practitioners. In this course, students will be introduced to a number of print and electronic resources available for legal research and will gain an understanding of how the law is used to inform the creation of public policy. Topics include navigating legal libraries, citing cases, and using research to support public policy. Students apply legal research to case studies and contemporary issues.
PPPA 8812 Contemporary Cases and Issues in the Courts (5 cr.)
Major issues in the Supreme Court have an impact on public policy at the state and local levels. This course examines major past and current U.S. Supreme Court decisions and explores how these decisions affect public policy. Topics include individual rights, property rights, administrative law, immigration law, and foreign policy. Students apply legal research and verdicts to case studies and current issues.
PPPA 8820 Elements of Sustainable and Livable Communities (5 cr.)
Creating and maintaining livable and sustainable communities requires leaders who understand and can assess the interrelated elements that make a community viable over time. This course explores demographics, health, education, employment opportunities, transportation, recreation, housing, natural resources, technology, and other elements necessary to sustain a thriving community. Students define and explore these concepts through case studies and local-community examples.
PPPA 8821 Tools for Sustainable Community Development (5 cr.)
Effective community leaders require comprehensive tools and resources to create livable and sustainable communities. Students explore topics that include demographic analysis and forecasting, citizen engagement, economic forecasting and budgeting, acquisition of alternative funding sources, GIS (geographic information system) technology, comprehensive-use planning, and other tools and resources needed to meet the challenge of creating and maintaining sustainable communities. Students use case studies and examples drawn from local communities to identify and apply appropriate strategies.
PPPA 8822 Current Issues in Regional and Local Public Policy (5 cr.)
Local government leaders must understand and address complex and interrelated issues, including public health and safety, urban sprawl, immigration, transportation, the aging of the baby-boom generation, affordable housing, living wage jobs, and the threats to natural resources. This course explores current concepts with an emphasis on creating livable and sustainable communities through cooperation, coordination, and collaboration of community stakeholders. Students use local community examples to assess critical issues and identify problem-solving strategies.
PPPA 8830 Current Issues in Homeland Security (5 cr.)
Since its inception, the Department of Homeland Security has profoundly impacted public policy and administration. This course examines homeland security history, concepts, policies, and strategies of prevention and response. Topics include ethical issues, telecommunications, technology, threat assessment, contingency planning, and risk management. Students apply fundamental concepts and principles of homeland security to case studies and current issues.
PPPA 8831 Critical Incident Leadership and Planning (5 cr.)
Strategic leadership is required to address the challenges and complexities of homeland security. To respond to critical incidents while and after they occur, leaders must plan tactically and understand how to obtain and mobilize resources. Students explore the roles of leaders in relation to activating or coordinating funding, personnel, jurisdictional issues, training, communication, information management, technology, and healthcare in order to create an effective response to homeland security needs. Course participants critically analyze case studies, identifying weaknesses and potential solutions.
PPPA 8832 Terrorism: Legislation and Policy (5 cr.)
The events of Sept. 11 resulted in a new and intense focus on the issue of terrorism in the United States and abroad. In this course students explore the history of terrorism; laws, regulations, and legislation related to terrorism; and the roles of the media, governmental agencies, and entities in the prevention of and response to terrorism. Students apply their knowledge to case studies and current trends related to terrorism.
PPPA 8841 Health Policy and Management (5 cr.)
This course examines the factors that influence and improve health outcomes of individuals and populations, with attention to the goals of Healthy People 2010 and the main components and issues of organization, financing, and delivery of health services and public health systems in the United States. Topics include management theories and processes, systems thinking, strategic planning and partnerships, quality and performance improvement, leadership, and organizational behavior. The policy process is addressed, as well as the advocacy role of the public health professional in influencing local, state, and federal policy. The impact of global trends on public health practice, policy, and systems is also considered.
PPPA 8842 Leadership, Professionalism, and Ethics in Public Health Practice (5 cr.)
This course examines theories of leadership as well as the professional attributes, skills, styles, and strategies required to advance public health goals. Ethical choices, values, professionalism, opportunities for advocacy, and the application of principles of social justice implicit in public health decisions and practice are considered with emphasis on a collaborative approach to working with diverse communities and constituencies.
PPPA 8920 Health Services Financial Management (5 cr.)
This course focuses on the functional role of the health care finance manager and the basic tools of health care financial decision-making. Topics include financial reporting statements, cost concepts and decision making, budgeting techniques, cost variance analysis, time valuing of money procedures, capital acquisition, debt and equity financing, and working capital cash management.
PPPA 9000 Dissertation (20 cr.)
This course offers doctoral students the opportunity to integrate their program of study into an in-depth exploration of an interest area that includes the completion of a research study. Students complete the dissertation independently, with the guidance of a dissertation supervisory committee chair and committee members. Students complete a prospectus, proposal, Institutional Review Board application, and dissertation. Once students register for PPPA 9000, they will be registered each term until successful completion of the dissertation. (Prerequisites: Core KAMs, SBSF 8417, PPPA 8427.)
RSCH 8100P Research Theory, Design, and Methods (4 cr.)
This research course provides students with core knowledge and skills for understanding, analyzing, and designing research at the doctoral level. Students explore the philosophy of science, the importance of theory in research, and research processes. Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method research designs and methods are introduced. Ethical and social change implications of conducting research, producing knowledge, and engaging in scholarship are emphasized. Students will apply and synthesize their knowledge and skills by developing elements of simple research plans. (Prerequisite: Foundations course or first course in a program)
RSCH 8200P Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis (4 cr.)
This research course provides students with core knowledge and skills for designing quantitative research at the doctoral level, including understanding data analysis and applying statistical concepts. Students explore classical quantitative research designs and common statistical tests; the importance of quality assurance; and ethical and social change implications of conducting quantitative research and producing knowledge. This course approaches statistics from a problem-solving perspective with emphasis on selecting appropriate statistical tests for a research design. Students use statistical software to calculate statistics and interpret and present results. Students will apply and synthesize their knowledge and skills by developing a quantitative research plan. (Prerequisite: RSCH 8100P)
RSCH 8250 Advanced Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis (4 cr.)
This research course builds upon knowledge and skills acquired in RSCH 8200: Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis and provides experience applying them. It provides students with more specialized knowledge and skills for designing quantitative research at the doctoral level, including understanding multivariate data analysis and applying more advanced statistical concepts. Students explore comprehensive quantitative research designs and suitable statistical tests, the importance of quality assurance, and ethical considerations and social change implications of conducting quantitative research and producing knowledge. This course approaches statistics from a problem-solving perspective with emphasis on selecting the appropriate research design and statistical tests for more complex research questions or problems. Students use statistical software to perform analyses and interpret and present results. Students will apply and synthesize their knowledge and skills by developing a quantitative research plan. (Prerequisite: RSCH 8200.)
RSCH 8300P Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis (4 cr.)
This research course provides students with core knowledge and skills for designing qualitative research at the doctoral level, including understanding data analysis. Students explore the nature of qualitative inquiry; fieldwork strategies and the nature of observation; theoretical approaches to qualitative research; the importance of quality assurance; and the ethical, legal, and social change implications of conducting qualitative research and producing knowledge. Students use software to code data and interpret and present results. Students will apply and synthesize their knowledge and skills by developing a qualitative research plan. (Prerequisite: RSCH 8100.)
RSCH 8350 Advanced Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis (4 cr.)
This research course builds upon knowledge and skills acquired in RSCH 8300: Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis and provides experience applying them. It provides students with more specialized knowledge and skills within each of the common qualitative traditions for designing qualitative research at the doctoral level. Students explore more complex qualitative research designs and analyses; multiple approaches to coding and organizing data; core components of a qualitative write up; the importance of quality assurance; and the ethical considerations and social change implications of conducting qualitative research and producing knowledge. Students will apply and synthesize their knowledge and skills by developing a qualitative research plan. (Prerequisite: RSCH 8300.)
RSCH: 8450: Advanced Mixed Methods Reasoning and Analysis
This research course builds upon knowledge and skills acquired in RSCH 8200: Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis and 8300: Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis. It provides students with more specialized knowledge and skills for designing mixed methods research at the doctoral level. Students gain an understanding of the types of mixed methods designs and how to select the most appropriate approach for the research question. The course emphasizes integrating quantitative and qualitative elements into true mixed-methods studies, practice in data analysis, and integration of qualitative and quantitative data within a research write-up. Reliability and validity in mixed methods approaches will be highlighted. Students will apply and synthesize their knowledge and skills by developing a truly mixed methods research plan that appropriately incorporates qualitative and quantitative elements. (Prerequisites RSCH 8200 and RSCH 8300)
