Online Master of Public Administration Courses

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 (5 courses)

Credits

PUAD 6010 Foundations of Public Administration Credit Hours: 3

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.

PUAD 6040 Public and Nonprofit Budgeting Credit Hours: 3

An examination of the processes, politics, and techniques of public and nonprofit sector budgeting. Topics include formulation, authorization, appropriation and execution stages.

PUAD 6050 Human Resource Administration Credit Hours: 3

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.

PUAD 6080 Statistics and Data Analysis Credit Hours: 3

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

INFO 5880 Data Analytics for Competitive Advantage Credit Hours: 3

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

PUAD 6260 Program Evaluation Credit Hours: 3

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

Elective (5 courses)

Credits

ECON 6080 Economics of Decision Making in a Global Environment Credit Hours: 3

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.

MNGT 6150 Managing People Credit Hours: 3

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.

PSYC 6640 Personnel Selection Credit Hours: 3

An advanced course on staffing, recruiting, and selecting personnel, including such topics as analyzing jobs and performance, measuring psychological characteristics, legal considerations, and more.

PSYC 6680 Motivation in the Workplace Credit Hours: 3

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

PUAD 6030 Organizational Behavior Credit Hours: 3

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.

PUAD 6130 State and Local Administration Credit Hours: 3

A systematic examination of function, problems and issues within the political and constitutional framework of selected areas of state and local government.

PUAD 6710 Administration of Nonprofit Administrations Credit Hours: 3

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.

PUAD 6720 Grant Writing Credit Hours: 3

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.

PUAD 6924 Internship in Public Administration Credit Hours: 3

Provides pre-service students practical knowledge of some of the concepts and theories taught in class.

PUAD 6972 Special Topics in Public Administration Credit Hours: 3

In-depth examination of specific topics. Course may be repeated as topics change.

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