Doctor of Public Administration

Orientation Residency

Students entering the program are required to attend a 4-day intensive colloquium. This colloquium will focus on doctoral expectations, program design, coursework introductions and community building. Successful completion of this course is required for continued enrollment in the program. (1 unit)

Leadership in Public Sector

This seminar will examine specific topics that include but not limited to the focus on how the leader?s values and beliefs affect financial and budgetary issues in public sector organizations, collective bargaining, outsourcing, private sector partnering, diversity management leadership, social networking and media. (3 units)

Ethics and Social Justice

In this course, students examine the philosophy of ethics as it relates to issues of social justice and relationships between ethical and moral practices and effective leadership. Theories of economic disparity, power, and privilege and ethical dilemmas will be explored. Attention is focused on accountability in leadership and best practices that result in fair and equitable treatment of employees and service delivery in diverse communities. Current events will be analyzed as well as a variety of moral dilemmas that exist in societies and organizations along with the exploration of key factors in decision-making and ethical principles. Prerequisite: DPA 710. (3 units)

Strategic Planning and Management

This course presents innovative concepts of strategic planning in relation to an organization's mission, and vision for organizational sustainability. Students will learn practical skills of best practices needed to develop strategic plans that focus on key aspects of resource allocation, implementation, collaboration, and budgeting. Prerequisite: DPA720. (3 units)

Performance Management and Evaluation

This course introduces students to public sector performance measurement. Benchmarking within strategic management principles is discussed. Focus on how changes in an organizational climate and culture affect operational strategies as well as how internal/external politics of program planning will be addressed. Examples of methodologies used in relation to government program planning and evaluation is explored. Prerequisite: DPA725. (3 units)

Collaboration and Networked Governance

This course examines introduces the concepts and practices of managing networks. Theories, analytical skills, and processes of designing, developing, sustaining, evaluating, networks will be addressed. Concepts of successful and challenging collaboration efforts among public, private, and nonprofit organizations will be explored. Integration of budgetary factors will be included as it relates to service delivery. Prerequisite: DPA730. (3 units)

Public Policy, Advocacy, and Economics

This course will explore trends, characteristics, imperatives, and consequences of public-policy making. Discussion includes how global economies affect the political climate and how representation of powerful actors, PACS, and institutions are representative factors of collective action, electoral processes, fiscal policy, bureaucracy, regulation and constitutional reforms. Prerequisite: DPA740. (3 units)

Professional Residency

Doctoral students are required to attend this professional colloquium. The focus of this colloquium is to develop professional skills and retrospectively review the first year process as well as next steps for scholarship. Colloquium may coincide and require attendance at a public administration focused conference. Successful completion of this course is required for continued enrollment in the program. Prerequisite: DPA 750. (1 unit)

Legitimate Bureaucracy and Accountability

This course examines the political role of the bureaucracy and the impact of other government institutions on bureaucratic structure, functions, and behavior. Issues related to cross cultural dynamics, ethical and accountable leadership, and the influence of politics in public organizational life is examined. Concepts related to constituent representation, legislative processes, and voting trends/behaviors are of importance in how these factors impact public sector organizations. Prerequisite: DPA750. (3 units)

Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis

The purpose of this course is to introduce the field of qualitative research and preparation for public administration doctoral students. This course addresses how to apply advanced, qualitative research principles, and data collection and analysis methods. Prerequisite: DPA760. (3 units)

Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis

The purpose of this course is to present an examination of quantitative methods and designs that are utilized in public sector. Areas of focus include measurement, sampling, and design issues in generating and testing research questions. Experimental, quasi-experimental, and survey research designs are assessed and applied to practice and policy issues. Prerequisite: DPA765. (3 units)

Comprehensive Experience

This course is designed to explore the theoretical framework of a potential dissertation topic. Application of theory, structure and design is the focus and the goal of this course. Successful completion of a defense experience must be completed prior to advancing to candidacy. Prerequisite: DPA770. (3 units)

Comprehensive Residency

The Comprehensive Colloquium is a requirement of all doctoral students desiring to advance to candidacy. Assessment of the student?s preparation and scholarship leading to dissertation development is determined prior to this colloquium. Prerequisite: Permission of Comprehensive Experience Chair. (1 unit)

Public Administration Special Topics

This course is designed to complete an outline for the first three chapters of the dissertation. Topic area is determined and preliminary research on topic is explored. Prerequisite: DPA 781. (3 units)

Proposal Exploration and Development

This course addresses both the theoretical and practical aspects of designing dissertation research. The goal of the course is to assist students with the proposal writing processes and defense expectations. Development of the first three chapters is expected. Committee formation must be executed by the end of this course. Repeatable for credit. Prerequisite: DPA 795. (3 units)

Dissertation Development

Students will be guided through the research process after completed dissertation proposal. This will include completion of the literature review and description of methodologies necessary for their projects as well as obtaining consent from subjects, and beginning the data collection process, if applicable. Students will work with their dissertation advisors both individually and in small groups. Repeatable for credit. Prerequisite: DPA796. (3 units)

Dissertation Defense

The dissertation defense will be a public oral examination open to all members (faculty, students and invited guests) of the University community. Questioning of the candidate will be directed by the student's dissertation supervising committee. All members of the student's committee must be present at the defense. Although the defense is concerned primarily with the dissertation research and its interpretation, the examining committee may explore the student's knowledge of areas relevant to the core of the dissertation problem. Prerequisite: Permission of Dissertation Chair. (1 unit)

Defense Residency

The Defense Preparation is the culminating colloquium that will prepare the student for the dissertation defense. All prior forms and approvals must be completed. Prerequisite: Permission of Dissertation Chair. (1 unit)