Master of Public Administration

Core Curriculum

Students will complete the following three courses prior to choosing a concentration. Students choosing the Policy Analysis and Analytics concentration only complete Foundations of Public Administration & Policy (AD511).

• Foundations of Public Administration & Policy

  AD511 6 credit hours

  This course introduces students to public administration in the United States. The course focuses on governance, inter-governmental relationships, organizational theory, policies, and strategic planning as affected by fiscal constraints, public needs, social change, and politics. Students are introduced to the role of leadership, the necessity for professional ethics and accountability, and personal competence. Students also begin the program-long requirement of developing their skills of critical analysis, research, integration of information, and effective writing.

• Public Administration Research & Analysis

  AD521 6 credit hours

  This course reviews major research method designs and their application to policy development and evaluation. Students are also exposed to statistical techniques commonly found in public administration and social science research from the perspective of managerial control and application of research design/program evaluation. Particular focus is placed on quality assurance and best-evidence management.

• Public Organization Resources and Processes

  AD531 6 credit hours

  This course explores three areas of public administration: the legal environment of the public organization, human resources, and organizational leadership. The first section of the course focuses on creating agency authority, public participation, civil liability, employment law, and due process. The second section focuses on selecting and retaining quality employees and managers, evaluations, coaching, and training. The third section focuses on strategic leadership, organizational analysis and culture, managing conflict, and organizational vision and change.

Choose Your Concentration in Public Administration

After completion of the core curriculum, students focus their studies on a concentration of their choice.

Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Our criminal justice and public safety concentration is designed to help you develop the skills you need to pursue or further your career in law enforcement or even transition into another area of public service. Explore the best practices of law enforcement agencies, corrections administration, and public safety management. Students will pick two of the following courses before moving into the capstone course.

• Law Enforcement Administration

  GJ551 6 credit hours

  This course examines law enforcement best practices, police leadership, workforce development, accountability, internal affairs, productivity, and the management of special units. Students will also study the role of community policy, community policing, restorative justice programs, crime prevention, and the role of technology, integrated justice systems, and information system security.

• Corrections Administration

  GJ552 6 credit hours

  This course examines administration in the corrections environment. Topics include personnel management, budgeting and public finance, workforce development, staffing, special units, correctional policy development, and planning. The roles of technology and integrated justice systems are examined, as well as information system security.

• Critical Incident Management for Public Safety

  GJ556 6 credit hours

  This course explores public administration within the scope of critical incidents and crisis management. Topics include domestic terrorism and counterterrorism, the roles of the National Incident Management System and the National Response Framework, best practices for first responders, and constitutional issues related to the execution of first responder duties. Students will also study the use of specially trained and equipped units such as SWAT teams, and the roles of community policing and community partnerships in responding to crises, whether manmade or natural.

Critical Infrastructure Protection & Cyber Crime

Our coursework examines the security of information critical to national security and the nature of conflict in cyberspace. This course will also strengthen your knowledge of supervisory control and data acquisition systems (SCADA) in the flow of resources such as electricity, water, and fuel.

• Cyber Crime

  GI556 6 credit hours

  This course explores the nature of conflict in cyber space focusing on two major Internet-based threats to the U.S. national security: cyber terrorism and cyber crime. The course addresses questions such as: who is undertaking these cyber activities, what techniques do they use, and what countermeasures can be adopted to mitigate their impact. The course is built around a risk management framework to help information leaders leverage the benefits of Internet technologies while minimizing the risks that such technologies pose to their organizations.

• Critical Infrastructure Protection

  GI566 6 credit hours

  This course examines the security of information in computer and communications networks within infrastructure sectors critical to national security. These include the sectors of banking, securities and commodities markets, industrial supply chain, electrical/smart grid, energy, transportation, communications, water supply and health. Special attention is paid to the risk management of information in critical infrastructure environments through an analysis and synthesis of assets, threats, vulnerabilities, impacts, and countermeasures. Critical consideration is paid to the role of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems in the flow of resources such as electricity, water, and fuel.

Energy Management

Students will complete the following courses before entering into the capstone course.

• Energy Resources and Markets

  GB548 6 credit hours

  This seminar covers the traditional sources of energy supply and the existing markets as a preamble to exploring alternative forms of renewable and sustainable energy. Students will be challenged to understand the coexistence of traditional and renewable energy sources as the U.S. and the world work toward a sustainable future. Towards that end, the U.S., EU, Asian, and Latin American energy, environmental, and climate change policies must be understood as the world develops future policy and climate agreements.

• Energy Savings and Efficiency Projects

  GB558 6 credit hours

  Managing an organization's project to save and use energy in the most efficient way, including introductions to sustainability, energy intensity, energy efficiency and savings are topics of this seminar. These aspects are reviewed for electricity and heat generators energy systems. Students develop an efficiency solution project for a company, including financial aspects, auditing and energy strategies. Prereq: GB 548.

Fiscal Management

Fiscal intelligence is essential in public administration, which is why our fiscal management concentration covers key topics necessary to balance budgets, analyze financial performances, and develop your financial decision-making skills.

• Fiscal Management Accounting and Contracting

  AD558 6 credit hours

  This course explores the legal and regulatory foundation of financial reporting and accountability for public organizations. Topics include development of transactions, enactment of appropriations, and incurrence of obligations or encumbrances. Other topics include financial reporting, analysis of governmental financial performance, costing of government services, and auditing governmental organizations. Students will be provided with the current study guides published by the Association of Government Accountants' Certified Government Financial Manager, designed specifically to prepare professionals and students for the CGFM certification examination.

• Fiscal Management Finance/Tax and Budgeting

  AD559 6 credit hours

  This course introduces students to four major areas of financial concern: preparation of budgets, creating management strategies for the organization based on the principles of strategic financial management, obtaining financial resources by issuing bonds and levying taxes, and managing cash and employee retirement funds. Students will also examine contemporary perspectives on professional ethics and ethical behavior of leaders in the public sector, particularly in regard to their fiduciary responsibility in investing and managing public funds.

Human Resource Leadership Management

Students will complete the following courses before entering into the capstone course.

• Human Resource Leadership

  OL542 6 credit hours

  This course addresses the history and evolution of human resources leadership, along with current trends and future needs regarding various leadership strategies that are utilized within a broad range of organizations. You will examine the impact that factors such as globalization, technology, and worker diversity have on achieving the work/life balance needs and capabilities required by organizations and individuals. You will also explore the role of the leader in developing a value-based organizational culture capable of achieving strategic goals and objectives. Through the discussion and understanding of human resource leadership principles and personal reflection and integration, you will gain the ability to help design, develop, and construct strategies at an executive level while concurrently helping employees grow and develop as individuals.

• Leveraging Human Capacity for Strategic Results

  OL552 6 credit hours

  This course focuses on the various management systems and best practices utilized within an organization to leverage human capacity to achieve strategic goals. The coursework will help you increase your knowledge of workforce development and retention strategies, through studying topics such as rewards and recognition, motivation and productivity, training and development, cultural awareness, and achieving customer excellence through teamwork and collaborative improvisation. Additionally, you will study how maximized utilization of human capital has become the centerpiece for success in an increasingly complex world, and how human resource leaders must confront ambitious goals while balancing a volatile economic market, environmental and legal risks, advancements in technology, and workforce needs that are all evolving at an increasingly rapid pace. You will also explore various measurement tools designed to help assess the efficiency and effectiveness of management systems employed and analyze methods for developing a blueprint for executing strategic objectives.

Nonprofit Management

This concentration is for those who are interested in focusing on nonprofit management and specifically developing skills to lead within the nonprofit sector. Among the topics to be covered are strategic planning, fundraising, stakeholder engagement, governance and performance management. Students first complete Leading the Nonprofit Organization (AD542) followed by choosing one elective from the course list below.

• Leading the Nonprofit Organization

  AD542 6 credit hours

  This course explores the broad scope of leadership responsibilities challenging senior leaders within the nonprofit sector. Among the topics to be studied are strategic planning, fundraising, stakeholder engagement, governance, marketing, and performance management. Students will also examine trends in social entrepreneurship and the use of technology, such as social media, that are transforming the field. The course focuses on developing flexible leadership skills that can be applied in a variety of settings, across the life cycle of both small and large scale nonprofit organizations.

• Nonprofit Administration

  AD552 6 credit hours

  This course of study focuses on the administration and management of tax-exempt organizations that derive their funding and mandates from individuals, foundations, and governmental sources. Topics include the legal framework of nonprofit organizations, organizational design, fiscal management, fundraising, grants, contracts, assessment and planning. Students will study best practices for leadership and management, nonprofit governance, and the effective use of volunteers. Finally, students will review the role of technology with special attention to information integration and assurance.

• Transformational Organizational Culture, Human Resource Development and Management in Nonprofit Organizations

  AD562 6 credit hours

  This course emphasizes a workforce focus for professional and volunteer staff management in the nonprofit organization. Topics covered include nonprofit law, ethics, risk management, leadership, and governance excellence in nonprofit organizations. The course focuses heavily on competencies and the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed by senior managers with major responsibilities for human resource development and management, board and committee development, volunteer resource management, ethics and ethical behavior, organizational core values, diversity awareness, and legal and risk management.

• Resource Development, Management & Efficiency by Nonprofit Organizations

  AD572 6 credit hours

  This course focuses heavily on the competencies and knowledge, skills, and abilities needed by senior managers with major responsibilities in such areas as: financial management, accounting, economics, fundraising, grant writing, mission-focused information technology, and knowledge management for nonprofit organizations. This course is ideal for those in roles such as Chief Executive Officer/President, Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, General Manager, Director of Operations, Director of Administration, Executive Vice President, Vice President, Deputy Executive Director, Director of Development, and Fundraising Manager. Course objectives and learning outcomes emphasize professional and managerial competencies associated with managing efficient, resource-conservative nonprofits.

• Healthcare Management

  AD582 6 credit hours

  This course focuses heavily on competencies and skills needed by senior health care managers with major responsibilities in such areas as the administrative aspects of managing a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization that is focused on health care delivery, system delivery and evaluation. The course addresses all of the competencies outlined in the NCHL Health Leadership model, including: transformation, execution, and people.

Organizational Leadership Management

Students will complete the following courses before entering into the capstone course.

• Leading Change in Organizations

  OL530 6 credit hours

  A leader’s ability to understand and follow the change management process in a collaborative manner is a vital skill to master. This course focuses on the strategic leadership of change in organizations. You will learn about change from a leadership as well as a management perspective in organizations, both national and multinational. This broad-based course differentiates the conceptual and theoretical change models in order to assist the student in understanding the best ways to lead and manage change. You will learn the importance of understanding and following the change management process in a collaborative manner. The course helps students learn about and practice leadership skills that foster positive changes in people and organizations.

• Strategic Organizational Behavior

  OL550 6 credit hours

  This course focuses on strategic organizational behavior in organizations. You will learn about the importance of strategic alignment in order to enable effective organizational behavior. Systems thinking and organizational behavior provide a framework that you can use both to analyze and influence the behavior of individuals and groups within the organization. This broad-based course analyzes and applies various holistic strategic organizational behavior models in order to assist you in understanding the best ways to assess and impact the strategic alignment of organizations. You will also learn the importance of a leader’s ability to understand and use various organizational behavior and organizational strategy models.

Public Sector Leadership & Crisis Management

Develop the skills you need to be at your best during a crisis situation and learn to lead at every level. Build your management, financial, and communication skills, explore ethical decision-making, and learn how to design and implement large-scale action plans.

• Theories and Innovative Practices of Public Sector/Government/Military Leadership

  OL543 6 credit hours

  This course addresses the dynamic economic, social, and cultural transformations faced by contemporary leaders in the public sector, government, and military organizations as they strengthen agencies for tomorrow’s challenges. Part of these challenges comes from the need to cope with new forms of competition, market demands, technological innovations, and global economic and terrain shifts. Combining the latest leadership theories with the most effective lessons from the private sector, students will gain theoretical frameworks and practical tools to help effectively improve and enhance their skills to manage complex systems, influence organizational context, engage stakeholders, and shape institutional culture. The topics covered include: history and theories of successful public sector/government/military management, contemporary leadership strategies, and innovative responses to public sector challenges in a growing global marketplace.

• Public Leadership, Crisis Management, and Organizational Change

  AD586 6 credit hours

  This course explores the role of leadership in public organizations by examining how leadership is intrinsically tied to the organization. Students will gain an understanding of how effective leaders articulate their leadership philosophy, how they embody the ideals and values of the organization, and how they motivate and reward their subordinates. The course also examines the role of leadership in crisis situations including how decisions are made and implemented, how information is communicated in critical situations, how political leaders are held accountable for crisis situations, and how communities can be returned to a state of normalcy after a critical incident has occurred.

Procurement and Government Contract Management

The concentration focuses on the methods and processes of procurement and contract management at all levels of government management - federal, state, and local.

_{The College of Graduate and Continuing Studies at Norwich University has developed the courses within this concentration based upon NIGP’s publications and current standards in order to support the educational goals of the public procurement professional.}

• Public Procurement and Contracting

  AD568 6 credit hours

  This course examines the scope, methods and processes of forming contracts between public and private parties for the purpose of accomplishing the missions of governmental agencies at the international, federal, state/provincial and local levels. It is designed for individuals considering a career in public administration, persons employed in government agencies, public procurement personnel wishing to enhance their knowledge, and suppliers or citizens interested in learning more about the formulation of government contracts. Subject and foundational  areas such as planning, ethics, and of the legal basis of the public procurement function will be explored.

• Government Contract Management

  AD578 6 credit hours

  Students study the concepts of contract management beginning with crafting the Request for Proposal (RFP) through contract negotiations, award, and management. Students gain knowledge of government contract management from both the government and the private sector (industry) perspective including all fields of procurement.

Project Management

Students will complete the following courses before entering into the capstone course.

• Project Management Techniques, Tools and Practices

  GB544 6 credit hours

  This seminar focuses on the fundamentals of project management and practices. The key elements of project management from the project management framework, the project life cycle, project process and key project management knowledge areas are discussed. Additionally, the project integration, scope, time, cost, quality, resource and schedule management are studied. Other areas of focus are project management procurement and overall project communications.

• Project Management Leadership, Communications, and Teams

  GB554 6 credit hours

  This seminar focuses on project management leadership, effective communications and the management of project teams. Students explore the fundamental principles of good project management, including: leadership skills, winning stakeholder cooperation, writing the rules to manage expectations, project risk management, creating realistic schedules, achieving accurate project estimates, trade-offs between project cost, schedule and quality, building strong project teams, clear communications, measuring progress, problem solving, defining clear requirements and applying lean principles in project management. This seminar discusses project leadership, communication and team management skills integrating them with  concepts from previous seminars, resulting in fundamental principles of project management being integrated with leadership, communications and team building practices and challenges.

Supply Chain Management

Students will complete the following courses before entering into the capstone course.

• Supply Chain Management Strategy, Planning and Operations

  GB547 6 credit hours

  The focus of this seminar is the building of business supply chain strategies, which include: supply chain performance, fit and scope, supply chain drivers and metrics, processes, the management of suppliers, inventory strategies, parts management and distribution. Examines demand forecasting, aggregate planning and sales and operation planning, uncertainty, and archetype strategies with a focus on flexibility, speed and technology.

• Supply Chain Management Logistics, Design and Execution

  GB557 6 credit hours

  Students learn supply chain “movement”, warehouse design, capacity management, delivering customer value, measuring logistics cost and performance, matching up supply with demand, creation of a responsive supply chain and the management of complexity and risk.

Non-Specialized

Students will select two courses from below before moving into the capstone course.

• Project Management Techniques, Tools and Practices

  GB544 6 credit hours

  This seminar focuses on the fundamentals of project management and practices. The key elements of project management from the project management framework, the project life cycle, project process and key project management knowledge areas are discussed. Additionally, the project integration, scope, time, cost, quality, resource and schedule management are studied. Other areas of focus are project management procurement and overall project communications.

• Supply Chain Management Strategy, Planning and Operations

  GB547 6 credit hours

  The focus of this seminar is the building of business supply chain strategies, which include: supply chain performance, fit and scope, supply chain drivers and metrics, processes, the management of suppliers, inventory strategies, parts management and distribution. Examines demand forecasting, aggregate planning and sales and operation planning, uncertainty, and archetype strategies with a focus on flexibility, speed and technology.

• Energy Resources and Markets

  GB548 6 credit hours

  This seminar covers the traditional sources of energy supply and the existing markets as a preamble to exploring alternative forms of renewable and sustainable energy. Students will be challenged to understand the coexistence of traditional and renewable energy sources as the U.S. and the world work toward a sustainable future. Towards that end, the U.S., EU, Asian, and Latin American energy, environmental, and climate change policies must be understood as the world develops future policy and climate agreements.

• Technology Management Strategy

  GB549 6 credit hours

  Students explore key technology management concepts related to strategy, planning, processes, the application technologies in key business operational areas from engineering, production, assembly, warehousing, distribution, transportation, procurement, contracts, networking, inventory and overall business operations. 

• International Business Management

  GB552 6 credit hours

  This seminar addresses the strategic management of international organizations, providing a theoretical framework to compare, contrast, and evaluate the differences between domestic-only and internationally active organizations. Students are to examine and apply concepts pertaining to the globalization of business, the internationalization of a specific organization, and the factors that influence these two outcomes. Learn how to make decisions rooted in the increasingly international context of today's business world. 

• Strategic Resources Management

  GB511 6 credit hours

  This seminar focuses on strategic management of intangible assets of an organization: human capital, information capital, and organizational capital. Human motivation, workforce utilization, performance measurement, leadership, organizational culture and change, management information systems, knowledge management, and contingency planning are discussed.

• Strategic Management

  GB560 6 credit hours

  Strategic management of entire organizations, which implies total responsibility for integrating and coordinating all activities and the accomplishment of long-term goals that determine organizational survival are discussed. Analytical models are used to dissect actual case scenarios, identify business problems, and develop strategic recommendations. Students debate topical and controversial current issues in corporate management and have the opportunity to interact with industry leaders. A project that integrates results of prior seminars into a cohesive strategic analysis of an international company is required along with a comprehensive outcomes assessment.

• Human Resources Leadership

  OL542 6 credit hours

  The focus of this seminar is on the history and evolution of human resources leadership, current trends and future needs regarding various leadership strategies utilized within a broad range of organizations. The seminar will examine the impact such factors as globalization, technology, and worker diversity have on achieving the work/life balance needs and capabilities required by organizations and individuals. The seminar also explores the role of the leader in growing its people within the organizational context to develop a value based culture capable of achieving strategic goals and objectives. Through the discussion and understanding of human resource leadership principles and personal reflection and integration, the student will gain the ability to help design, develop and construct worker based strategies at an executive level while concurrently helping workers grow and develop as individuals.

• Leading Change in Organizations

  OL530 6 credit hours

  A leader’s ability to understand and follow the change management process in a collaborative manner is a vital skill to master. This course focuses on the strategic leadership of change in organizations. You will learn about change from a leadership as well as a management perspective in organizations, both national and multinational. This broad-based course differentiates the conceptual and theoretical change models in order to assist the student in understanding the best ways to lead and manage change. You will learn the importance of understanding and following the change management process in a collaborative manner. The course helps students learn about and practice leadership skills that foster positive changes in people and organizations.

• Theories and Innovative Practices of Public Sector/Government/Military Leadership

  OL543 6 credit hours

  This course addresses the dynamic economic, social, and cultural transformations faced by contemporary leaders in the public sector, government, and military organizations as they strengthen agencies for tomorrow’s challenges. Part of these challenges comes from the need to cope with new forms of competition, market demands, technological innovations, and global economic and terrain shifts. Combining the latest leadership theories with the most effective lessons from the private sector, students will gain theoretical frameworks and practical tools to help effectively improve and enhance their skills to manage complex systems, influence organizational context, engage stakeholders, and shape institutional culture. The topics covered include: history and theories of successful public sector/government/military management, contemporary leadership strategies, and innovative responses to public sector challenges in a growing global marketplace.

• Change Management Consulting

  OL544 6 credit hours

  To paraphrase Jack Welch from his book, Straight from the Gut, if the rate of change outside your organization is greater than the rate of change inside your organization, the end is in sight. In order to remain competitive, companies are continually changing and evolving in myriad ways. This course is focused on helping students develop the tips, tools, and techniques to be a successful consultant on change management. You will examine models for implementing change initiatives, learn how the models can be adapted for various circumstances and situations, evaluate the key attributes of successful consultants, and analyze personal strengths and weaknesses for being a consultant.

• Strategic Organizational Behavior

  OL550 6 credit hours

  This course focuses on strategic organizational behavior in organizations. You will learn about the importance of strategic alignment in order to enable effective organizational behavior. Systems thinking and organizational behavior provide a framework that you can use both to analyze and influence the behavior of individuals and groups within the organization. This broad-based course analyzes and applies various holistic strategic organizational behavior models in order to assist you in understanding the best ways to assess and impact the strategic alignment of organizations. You will also learn the importance of a leader’s ability to understand and use various organizational behavior and organizational strategy models.

• Leading the Nonprofit Organization

  AD542 6 credit hours

  This course explores the broad scope of leadership responsibilities challenging senior leaders within the nonprofit sector. Among the topics to be studied are strategic planning, fundraising, stakeholder engagement, governance, marketing, and performance management. Students will also examine trends in social entrepreneurship and the use of technology, such as social media, that are transforming the field. The course focuses on developing flexible leadership skills that can be applied in a variety of settings, across the life cycle of both small and large scale nonprofit organizations.

• Fiscal Management Accounting and Contracting

  AD558 6 credit hours

  This course explores the legal and regulatory foundation of financial reporting and accountability for public organizations. Topics include development of transactions, enactment of appropriations, and incurrence of obligations or encumbrances. Other topics include financial reporting, analysis of governmental financial performance, costing of government services, and auditing governmental organizations. Students will be provided with the current study guides published by the Association of Government Accountants' Certified Government Financial Manager, designed specifically to prepare professionals and students for the CGFM certification examination.

• Healthcare Management

  AD582 6 credit hours

  This course focuses heavily on competencies and skills needed by senior health care managers with major responsibilities in such areas as the administrative aspects of managing a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization that is focused on health care delivery, system delivery and evaluation. The course addresses all of the competencies outlined in the NCHL Health Leadership model, including: transformation, execution, and people.

Capstone Paper or Project

Students in most of the concentrations will enroll in this capstone course as their sixth and final course of the program, and be assessed on an exit portfolio that consists of written work completed throughout the course of the program. Students in the Policy Analysis and Analytics concentration will complete their capstone work and exit portfolio within their concentration.

• Capstone Studies

  AD561 6 credit hours

  This final core course offers students the opportunity to apply their learning in two tangible ways: the preparation of a capstone paper/project that offers a practical or theoretical solution to a program, operation, or policy; and the writing of a paper suitable for publication in a professional journal.