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Online MPA Curriculum

Curriculum Details

  • 10 courses
  • 30 credits
  • 15-week course duration

In the online Master of Public Administration program from Auburn University at Montgomery, you will gain the competencies you need for high-impact leadership roles in public service. Our program is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA), so you can be confident you’re studying a curriculum that meets the highest educational and industry standards.

Every MPA course is led by our expert instructors, who bring valuable academic and field insights to the classroom. Courses are 15 weeks in duration, and the degree is designed to be completed in four semesters.

To build real-world experience, you can choose to pursue a three-credit internship during the program. Built-in electives are also included to align your studies with your professional goals.

Required

Credits

Examines the constitutional, institutional, political, and social environment in which public administration occurs and introduces students to the important theories, concepts, functions and issues in the discipline of public administration.
An examination of the processes, politics, and techniques of public and nonprofit sector budgeting. Topics include formulation, authorization, appropriation and execution stages.
Examines the nature of employment/merit systems in the context of public sector. Focuses on the value/ethical dimensions of the personnel field and on selected personnel processes such as job analysis, job evaluation, recruitment and selection.

Course introduces students to fundamental concepts in statistical description and inference. It seeks to provide students with the capacity to use statistical theory and software to generate and evaluate information, important tools for assessing and developing policies and programs.

Can take this or INFO 5880

This course is an introduction to the use of Business Analytics and big data as a strategic resource. A focus is placed on integrating the knowledge of analytics tools with an understanding of how companies leverage data analytics to gain strategic advantage. The key areas of customer analytics and surveys of data mining techniques and applications will also be covered. Case approach is used to emphasize hands-on learning and a real-world view of Business and big data analytics.

Can take this or PUAD 6080

The course serves as an introduction to evaluation methodology and tools used in designing and delivering effective public service programs.

Elective

Credits

Studies how economic decisions of managers can be impacted by changing market, political and global conditions. Decisions about optimal resource use, production and pricing examined.

In this class we will develop models that help us explain the behavior and structure of the economy in the short- and long-run. These models will provide a set of tools to understand the determinants of gross domestic product, inflation and unemployment and the effects of monetary and fiscal policies on these variables. Upon completion of this course, you should be able to analyze the economic effects of government policies and identify and interpret key Macroeconomic indicators.

This course is an introduction to the fundamental aspects of empirical economic research. You will learn key concepts related to sampling, descriptive statistics, probability theory and application, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis. You will have the opportunity to use EXCEL and STATA to apply these concepts to actual data.

Using large-data analytics tools to develop visual representation of high-dimensionality data to communicate results, predictive, and prescriptive data to management and decision makers. Theory of various visualization techniques, identifying and correcting misleading visuals, documenting and communicating results. MS PowerBI will be used a platform for exercises.

Designed to enhanced awareness of how organizational problems can arise from poor people skills, how problems can be minimized or solved by improved people skills and how to develop more effective people skills.

This course develops skills and knowledge for conducting and evaluating policy-relevant research. Various research designs and data collection techniques are discussed.
An advanced course on staffing, recruiting, and selecting personnel, including such topics as analyzing jobs and performance, measuring psychological characteristics, legal considerations, and more.

This course covers aspects of motivation science as they generally apply to employees, organizations, leaders, and managers, and other stakeholders.

Surveys major theoretical, conceptual and ethical issues in understanding the behavior of public organizations. Compares the behavior of public and private organizations and introduces strategies for responding to problems in leadership, motivation, structure, decision making, communication and organizational change.
A systematic examination of function, problems and issues within the political and constitutional framework of selected areas of state and local government.
An introduction to management issues in the nonprofit sector. Topics include the history and structure of nonprofits, total quality management applications, strategic planning and the role of a board of directors.
This course focuses on the process of developing and writing a strong grant or contract proposal on behalf of a public or nonprofit agency. The course will also discuss best practices for project management to ensure successful implementation of the resulting project.
Provides pre-service students practical knowledge of some of the concepts and theories taught in class.
In-depth examination of specific topics. Course may be repeated as topics change.

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