Doctor of Public Administration

Public Administration Foundations and Theory

This course introduces students to the foundational theories and concepts of public administration within the discipline and practice. Historical and seminal works of foundational theorists as well as classical and contemporary perspectives will be addressed as they pertain to efficient and effective practices for both government and non-profit management. Foundational and emerging theories will be studied and applied to organizational constructs of a bureaucracy. (4 units)

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. Prerequisite: DPA701 (4 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. (4 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. (4 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: DPA725. (4 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 at the federal, state and local levels. Prerequisite: DPA740. (4 units)

Comprehensive Experience

This course is designed to expand upon the transition of a prospectus into a formal dissertation. Official committee formation is expected by the end of this course. Successful completion of a defense experience outlining and defending Ch.1-3 of a viable prospectus must be successfully completed in order to progress to DPA 797. Pass/Fail. Prerequisite: RCH 720. (4 units)

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 750. (4 units)

Dissertation Experience

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.

Dissertation Experience

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.

Dissertation Completion

Students who have successfully completed the final oral defense of their dissertation but were unable to complete required modifications to the dissertation manuscript within DPA798 are required to enroll in this course until a professional editor and the committee chair confirm their dissertation manuscript is complete and submitted for publication. Prerequisite: Permission of Dissertation Chair. Pass/Fail. (1 unit)

Research Design

The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to the practice of research and research design. The course develops an understanding of the principles, processes and techniques used in social science research. Topics will include reading and evaluating dissertations, identification of quality research design criteria, and development of quality hypothesis statements and research questions. Students will use this information to evaluate their own thinking about research questions and develop potential research design descriptions. Prerequisite: BUS765 or DPA765 or ORG750. (4 units)

Data Analysis and Interpretation

The purpose of this course is to introduce the principles and methods for descriptive and inferential statistics. The course will focus on understanding how descriptive and inferential statistics can be applied to effectively interpret data. Students will be required to utilize statistical software to select basic statistical tests and interpret results. Prerequisite: RCH705. (4 units)

Quantitative Research

The purpose of this course is to present an examination of quantitative methods and designs that are utilized in social science research. Areas of focus include measurement, sampling, and design issues in generating and testing research questions. Students will be required to utilize statistical software to select complex statistical tests and interpret results. Prerequisite: RCH710. (4 units)

Qualitative Research

This course examines the theoretical foundations of qualitative research methods and techniques applied in social science research. Students will be exposed to a wide array of research methods, design, measurement, analysis, and interpretation techniques that are crucial in descriptive research. Students will learn how to analyze human behavior, perceptions, and reactions as well as the meanings people give to their experiences. Prerequisite: RCH715. (4 units)