Course Descriptions

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Core Courses

MMPA 6200 Introduction to Public Administration  (5 cr.)
Public administrators work to increase the effectiveness of government and organizations locally and internationally. This course explores the history, foundations, and theories of public administration and the diverse political, social, and economic contexts within which they exist and builds an understanding of public policy and organizational environments. Topics include ethical and legal issues, governance, fiscal planning, and current topics and trends in public administration. Students choose a public organization, examine its overall history, purpose, and operation, and apply public administration theory to describe its operation and health.

MMPA 6115 Foundations for Graduate Study  (1 cr.)
This course introduces students to Walden University and to the requirements for successful participation in an online curriculum. It provides a foundation for academic and professional success as a scholar-practitioner and social change agent. Topics include the relation of mission and vision to professional goals, development of the program of study, strategies for online success, introduction to the online library, and an introduction to critical thinking, professional writing, and academic integrity. Course assignments focus on the practical application of writing and critical-thinking skills and promote professional and academic excellence.

MMPA 6405 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 and current social trends and themes to understand, analyze, and address ethical and social justice issues that impact service delivery in a global community.

MMPA 6420 Organizational Management and Leadership  (5 cr.)
Public and nonprofit leaders require a deep understanding of their roles as directors and managers of diverse and complex organizations. This course examines the distinction between leadership and management, organizational culture, change management, systems theories, and organizational development from a theoretical and applied perspective. Students apply principles to public, private, and nonprofit organizational settings.

MMPA 6431 Finance and Budgeting for the Public Sector  (5 cr.)
Sound financial practices are crucial to managing scarce funds in both public and nonprofit operations. 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 motivating major fiscal-policy debates; read, analyze, and construct budgets; and read and analyze financial statements and reports. Other topics include auditing practices, tax systems, financial management, budgetary reform, financial technology systems specific to government organizations, and the use of dashboards for financial reporting. Students apply what they learn to develop a budget and financial plan for either a public or private organization.

MMPA 6435 Human Resource Management: Building a Capable Workforce  (5 cr.)
The acquisition, development, and retention of talent are critical to the success of any organization. This course examines theories, approaches, and systems related to the acquisition, management, development, and retention of employees in government and nonprofit organizations. Students explore topics including legal and ethical considerations, diversity, performance management, technology, conflict management, and the establishment and implementation of policies through the use of case studies. Students apply principles learned in this course to situations encountered in public, private, and nonprofit organizations.

MMPA 6461 Public Sector Economics  (5 cr.)
The economy affects every aspect of daily life. In this course students gain an understanding of public sector economics at the local, state, and national levels. Topics include the role of the government in the market economy including the government's redistributive role; factors affecting the economy; sources of government revenue; the relationship of public goods and the economy; programs and services funded by the government; alternative forms of delivery of programs and services; and the interaction and interconnectedness of the US and global economy. Students apply concepts, processes, and systems related to public sector economics to a specific government program or service.

MMPA 6465 Strategic Planning: Collaboration, Cooperation, and Coordination  (5 cr.)
In an increasingly complex world, leaders and managers in public and nonprofit organizations need to be strategic in their planning in order to fulfill the organizational mission and enhance stakeholder satisfaction.  This course explores the role and process of strategic planning with an appreciation for collaboration, cooperation and coordination as they relate to the strategic planning process.  Students will apply these concepts to real-life situations and organizations and develop a strategic plan.

MMPA 6451 Public Policy Analysis  (5 cr.)
Public administrators today work in a hypercharged, partisan environment with unprecedented access to public policy data. This challenging environment affords public administrators both extraordinary opportunities and severe constraints. This course examines in detail, the key stakeholders and actors in the public policy process with particular attention devoted to understanding the functions, impacts, and constraints of these stakeholders upon policy development and the policy making process. In addition the course explores professional ethics related to the role of the policy analyst and considers the significant social outcomes of public policy. It provides an introduction to the theories and strategies used by policymakers and policy analysts to develop, implement, execute, evaluate, and promulgate public policy.  Students explore the impact and consequences of public policy and consider and evaluate policy in a social justice framework. . Students craft a policy memorandum to a decision maker of their choosing regarding a current public policy problem that examines and evaluates competing policy alternatives.

MMPA 6480 Applied Research and Evaluation Methods  (5 cr.)
Organizational credibility, community trust, and fundraising are increasingly dependent upon demonstration program effectiveness and success. This course introduces research and evaluation methods in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Students examine models, quantitative metrics, and tools used to evaluate programs and policies; legal and ethical issues associated with research and evaluation methods; and the strengths, limitations, and threats to validity. Students critically evaluate sample research using these parameters.

MMPA 6910 Capstone Seminar  (5 cr.)
The course provides students with an opportunity to integrate learning from courses in the program in a capstone project, defined as an applied project with a written paper or a research paper. The capstone may focus on governance, policy, or leadership and management in either the public or nonprofit sectors or take a cross-sector comparative perspective.

Criminal Justice Specialization Courses

MMPA 6450 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.

MMPA 6452 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.

MMPA 6453 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.

Emergency Management Specialization Courses

MMPA 6363 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.
 
MMPA 6364 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.
 
MMPA 6365 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.

Health Policy Specialization Courses

MMPA 6840 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.

MMPA 6841 Legal and Regulatory Aspects of Public Health (5 cr.)
This course examines the role of federal, state, and local government in the assurance of public health through legislation and regulation. Consideration is given to contemporary legal and regulatory issues arising in public health practice and emergencies with attention to public health security and preparedness in response to bioterrorism and disasters.

MMPA 6842 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.

Homeland Security Policy and Coordination Specialization Courses

MMPA 6345 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.

MMPA 6346 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.

MMPA 6347 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.

Homeland Security Policy Specialization Courses

MMPA 6830 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.

MMPA 6831 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.

MMPA 6832 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.

Interdisciplinary Policy Studies Specialization Courses

MMPA 6830 Current Issues in Homeland Security (5 cr.)
Since its inception, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has profoundly impacted public policy and administration. This course examines the history of homeland security history and its 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.

MMPA 6822 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.

MMPA 6812 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.

International Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) Specialization Courses

MMPA 6333 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.)
 
MMPA 6334 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.)
 
MMPA 6335 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.).

Law and Public Policy Specialization Courses

MMPA 6810 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.

MMPA 6811 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.

MMPA 6812 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.

Local Government Management for Sustainable Communities Specialization Courses

MMPA 6820 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.

MMPA 6821 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.

MMPA 6822 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.

Nonprofit Management and Leadership Specialization Courses

MMPA 6850 Introduction to the Nonprofit Sector (5 cr.)
Nonprofit organizations serve as the foundation for many social change efforts. This course explores the history, foundations, and types of nonprofit organizations and the diverse political, social, and economic contexts within which they exist. Students examine and apply marketing, public relations, and communication concepts and strategies to case studies and contemporary situations. Ethical, legal, and global lenses are applied to the study of the nonprofit sector. Students develop a concept paper guiding the development of a nonprofit organization.

MMPA 6851 Board Governance and Volunteer Management (5 cr.)
Volunteers are the “lifeblood” of many nonprofit organizations. These organizations rely heavily on their volunteer board of directors to govern and guide them toward their mission. The success of nonprofit organizations is largely dependent on the effective management of program volunteers and board members. This course explores the volunteer management process, including volunteer recruitment, orientation, training, supervision, and evaluation, with an emphasis on creating and maintaining an effective board of directors. Students design a board development or volunteer management plan based on the concept paper they developed in the Introduction to the Nonprofit Sector course.

MMPA 6852 Resource Development (5 cr.)
All nonprofit organizations require financial resources. Obtaining philanthropic financial support is essential to program delivery and stability. Students explore the concepts of philanthropy and development, identification of funding sources, donor/prospect cultivation and education, and solicitation and appreciation strategies. An emphasis is placed on creating an organizational philanthropic culture based on ethics and donor relationships. Students create a resource development plan for the organization designed in the Introduction to the Nonprofit Sector course.

Policy Analysis Specialization Courses

MMPA 6380 Policy and Politics in American Political Institutions (4 cr.)
This course introduces students to the crafts of policymaking and policy analysis in the American democratic system. It covers the policy process—setting agendas, using policy analysis tools, managing the political process, implementing policy, and providing evaluations and feedback. Students develop skills in policy and economic analyses as well as in determining the political feasibility of proposed policies. Regulation as a policy choice will be discussed. Students completing this course will enhance their abilities to develop alternatives and to assess strategies 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.

MMPA 6381 Program Evaluation (4 cr.)
This course provides an introduction to the tools used by policymakers 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 providing evaluation reports and feedback to decision-makers. By the end of the course, each student will develop a program-evaluation design for a social program.

MMPA 6382 Public Policy and Finance (4 cr.)
This course covers  microeconomic 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.

Public Management and Leadership Specialization Courses

MMPA 6390 Strategic Context of Public Management and Leadership (5 cr.)
This course engages learners in collaborative study of the changing strategic context of public administration. Learners apply a systems perspective to construct a public enterprise model of the public organization of their choice, as a way of understanding the strategic context for practical action and the stakeholder relations involved. This is an organization “mental model,” which is similar to a traditional “business model” but which includes the three interrelated flows of money, knowledge, and influence. Emphasis in this course is on management and leading of the unknown—imagining and creating a future that works in a time of unprecedented and unpredictable change. Students apply strategic scenarios to organizational change for the public organization of special interest to them. Students also develop professional action habits for pragmatic action learning in the practice of public administration.

MMPA 6391 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 are taught a pragmatic action learning process for studying 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.

MMPA 6392 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 both theoretical and practical information; demonstrates the necessary components for making such connections; and shows why stories, symbols, and metaphors are an essential element in the language of leadership.

Terrorism, Mediation, and Peace Specialization Courses

PPPA 8320 Public Policy Implications of Terrorism Legislation and Policies (4 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.

PSYC 6740 Disaster, Crisis, and Trauma (5 cr.)
This course defines natural and human-made disasters such as war, violence, genocide, and terrorist 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).

PSYC 6741 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.

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