A required class for public policy majors, the Public Policy Lab serves as a foundations of public policy course, introducing students to core concepts, theories, and practices in public policy and policy analysis. In addition, students deepen their civic engagement through service learning, completing 10 volunteer hours through the semester at organizations of their choice focused on voting and other public policy issues.
This class is required for the Master of Public Administration. Administrative Theory establishes the theoretical foundation for the field of public administration by introducing students to a comprehensive set of historical and current theories, concepts, and approaches in public administration. Students develop their writing skills through memos that requirement the application of theory to current public and non-profit administration issues.
This class is required for the Master of Public Administration. This course is guided by the question, “Why do public managers do what they do?” The course focuses on understanding three distinct dimensions of public action: structure, culture, and craft. Students develop the necessary cognitive tools to manage a public organization effectively, efficiently, and equitably to produce public services, given the constraints presented by political, economic, social, cultural, and institutional factors.
This is a required course for the Master of Public Administration. Students engage in an individual research project that may take on the form of a traditional research project or a consulting engagement with an approved public or non-profit organization.
For undergraduate students looking to complete a research project for their capstone, they may be able to do a the Senior Thesis. Students engage in an individual research project that may take on the form of a traditional research project or a consulting engagement with an approved organization.