1. NASPAA Competencies
1.1. To lead and manage in the public interest
1.2. To participate in, and contribute to, the public process
1.3. To analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems, and make evidence-informed decisions in a complex and dynamic environment
1.4. To articulate, apply, and advance a public service perspective
1.5. To communicate and interact productively and in culturally responsive ways with a diverse and changing workforce and society at large
2. BUSH MPSA Courses
2.1. Required
2.1.1. BUSH 631: Quantitative Methods I
2.1.1.1. Identify different methods of research design and be able to discuss why particular methods might be appropriate.
2.1.1.2. Discuss methods of data collection including surveys and survey question design, survey sampling options, and determining sample size.
2.1.1.3. Complete training leading to certification to conduct Human Subjects research.
2.1.1.4. Assess the reliability and validity of various research projects, including experimental and quasi-experimental research designs.
2.1.1.5. Generate and interpret basic descriptive statistics, and measures of central tendency and dispersion.
2.1.1.6. Generate, interpret, and perform hypothesis tests using basic inferential statistics.
2.1.1.7. Analyze contingency tables or similar tools illustrating that correlation is not causation.
2.1.1.8. Understand basic linear regression.
2.1.1.9. Determine and interpret the relationship between a dependent and independent variable using a model with control variables.
2.1.1.10. Read and critique scholarly articles presenting statistical information.
2.1.1.11. Understand the normal, binomial, and Poisson probability distributions and be able to determine which situations are most apt for each distribution.
2.1.2. PSAA 643: Foundations of Nonprofit
2.1.3. PSAA 601: Foundations of Public Service
2.1.3.1. Examine how public administrators use a combination of formal and informal leadership strategies to gain influence and power within their organizations.
2.1.3.2. Explore and describe the role played by citizens in the creation, implementation, and practice of public programs.
2.1.3.3. Develop a general appreciation for core management functions performed by public organizations such as budgeting and human resources administration.
2.1.3.4. Develop a general appreciation for the role of practical theories of organization in public management.
2.1.3.5. Understand the changes and developments in study and practice of American public administration from the founding period to the present.
2.1.3.6. Understand how disciplines such as history, political science, philosophy, and organizational science have come to influence and shape modern public administration.
2.1.3.7. Apply the material learned in class to the dilemmas and challenges faced by public managers.
2.1.4. PSAA 621: Economic Analysis
2.1.4.1. Use supply and demand analysis to analyze the effects of policy.
2.1.4.2. Use consumer and producer surplus to analyse the effects of policy.
2.1.4.3. Use indifference curves to analyze the effects of policy.
2.1.4.4. Calculate and interpret price and income elasticities.
2.1.4.5. Understand and interpret the relationship between average cost, marginal cost, and supply.
2.1.4.6. Determine the incidence of taxes and subsidies.
2.1.4.7. Describe the necessary conditions for perfect competition and the welfare effects of perfect competition.
2.1.4.8. Analyze the effects of monopoly.
2.1.4.9. Analyze the effects of externalities and public goods
2.1.5. PSAA 611: Public Policy Formation
2.1.5.1. Be familiar with the leading perspectives on particular aspects of policy making such as agenda setting, implementation, and evaluation.
2.1.5.2. Understand the policy-making roles of the three constitutional branches and of the bureaucracy in American government
2.1.5.3. Understand and evaluate how separation of powers and federalism shape the policy-making process.
2.1.5.4. Understand how policy-making processes can vary with regard to key dimensions such as the amount of conflict, the level of participation, and the dynamics of decision making.
2.1.5.5. Understand how interest groups, nonprofit organizations, and other non-governmental actors influence policy making.
2.1.5.6. Understand how other organizational arrangements and procedural requirements can determine policy outcomes.
2.1.5.7. Be familiar with the various democratic and technical criteria that are used to evaluate the policy-making process and be able to apply these criteria in discussing specific issues.
2.1.5.8. Be familiar with the leading theories and concepts used to describe policy making in American and be able to apply these theories in discussing specific issues.
2.1.5.9. In the foregoing respects, be able to think critically and analytically about the character of the policy-making process as it related to practical issues of effective and ethical public service.
2.1.6. PSAA 675/676: Capstone
2.2. Nonprofit Management
2.2.1. PSAA 632: Fiscal Management of Nonprofits
2.2.1.1. Analyze and discuss the present-day context of nonprofit financial management.
2.2.1.2. Compare and contrast financing/revenue stream policies and assess their value in various nonprofit organizational situations.
2.2.1.3. Evaluate accounting, internal controls, auditing concepts and practices, and risk management and their application.
2.2.1.4. Distinguish between the various components of nonprofit financial statements and discuss their preparation, and analytical use.
2.2.1.5. Explain the process of budget preparation and execution concepts and practices.
2.2.1.6. Identify cash management concepts and practices and their application to specific financial situations.
2.2.1.7. Effectively communicate financial terms and analyses to organizational stakeholders.
2.2.2. PSAA 644: Management and Leadership of Nonprofits
2.2.3. PSAA 630: Program Evaluation in the Public and Nonprofit Organizations
2.2.3.1. Use techniques of problem structure modeling such as hierarchy analysis, boundary analysis, assumption analysis, and path analysis.
2.2.3.2. Understand the methodological foundations and key concepts of evaluation such as the conditions of causality, internal and external validity, and threats to validity.
2.2.3.3. Explore the political context of evaluation in public/ nonprofit organizations from the standpoint of rational choice, bounded rationality, incrementalism, garbage can, group theory, and the polis.
2.2.3.4. Understand the differences among non-experimental, quasi-experimental, or truly experimental evaluative designs, and their relationship to causality and validity.
2.2.3.5. Compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of various data collection methods and research techniques such as paper surveys, interviews, focus groups, case studies, and quantitative /qualitative analysis.
2.2.3.6. Compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of various sampling techniques and key concepts such as probability/ non-probability sampling, sampling frames, randomization, measures and indicators, and sample size.
2.2.3.7. Develop a comprehensive strategy for evaluating the impact of a program/policy that addresses the operationalization of impact measures and indicators, research design, sampling techniques, data collection strategies, and analysis method.
2.2.3.8. Understand the ethical issues related to evaluation research and the various roles that evaluators can take to improve the usability of results.
2.3. Policy Anlaysis
2.3.1. PSAA 622: Public Finance
2.3.1.1. Discuss the implications of social welfare theory.
2.3.1.2. Understand the rationale for and consequences of government intervention in a market economy.
2.3.1.3. Understand and analyze the sources and implications of market failure, including public goods, externalities, monopolies and information asymmetries
2.3.1.4. Understand the mechanisms and implications of redistributive policy.
2.3.1.5. Understand and analyze the equity and efficiency implications of various sources of government revenue, including income taxes, consumption taxes, sales taxes, property taxes, payroll taxes, corporate income taxes, tariffs and excise taxes.
2.3.1.6. Understand the implications of tax policy for nongovernmental organizations.
2.3.1.7. Understand the potential for government failure, and the political economy of optimal government behavior.
2.3.1.8. Discuss institutions of public finance from a comparative perspective
2.3.2. PSAA 615: Public Policy Analysis
2.3.2.1. Understand the policy-making roles of the three constitutional branches and of the bureaucracy in American government.
2.3.2.2. Understand and evaluate how separation of powers and federalism shape the policy-making process.
2.3.2.3. Understand how other organizational arrangements and procedural requirements can determine policy outcomes.
2.3.2.4. Understand how interest groups, nonprofit organizations, and other non-governmental actors influence policy making.
2.3.2.5. Be familiar with the leading theories and concepts used to describe policy making in America and be able to apply these theories in discussing specific issues.
2.3.2.6. Understand how policy-making processes can vary with regard to key dimensions such as the amount of conflict, the level of participation, and the dynamics of decision making.
2.3.2.7. Be familiar with the leading perspectives on particular aspects of policy making such as agenda setting, implementation, and evaluation.
2.3.2.8. Be familiar with the various democratic and technical criteria that are used to evaluate the policy-making process and be able to apply these criteria in discussing specific issues.
2.3.2.9. To communicate and interact productively and in culturally responsive ways with a diverse and changing workforce and society at large
2.3.3. BUSH 632/635: Quantitative Methods II: (Policy Analysis Emphasis)
2.4. Public Management
2.4.1. PSAA 623: Budgeting in Public Service
2.4.2. PSAA 634: Public Management
2.4.2.1. Apply models of decision making (esp. rational choice, bounded rationality, and sense-making/institutional theories).
2.4.2.2. Apply principles of group/team management (principal/agent and collective action problems in teams, group think, etc.).
2.4.2.3. Understand diversity management.
2.4.2.4. Explain the importance of and implementation of strategic management and performance management systems, including the rationale for evidence-based management generally.
2.4.2.5. Describe intergovernmental relations, the processes related to inter-organizational relations, and their impact on public management.
2.4.2.6. Broaden understanding of what accountability is and why it is essential in public management.
2.4.2.7. Recognize the legal context of public management (Judicial control of administrative decisions/policies, rule-making, etc.).
2.4.2.8. Emphasize the importance of constant attention to ethical behavior and performance in public service.
2.4.2.9. Increase understanding of the challenges of introducing and leading change processes in public organizations.
2.4.3. BUSH 632: Quantitative Methods II
2.4.3.1. Use methods of data collection including surveys and survey question design, survey sampling options, and determining sample size.
2.4.3.2. Conduct a variety of psychometric analyses including test construction, item analysis, reliability, and validity.
2.4.3.3. Utilize data collected from the field and data collected from agency records.
2.4.3.4. Make program and organization decisions based on useful data and empirical analysis.
2.4.3.5. Consume statistical information in a critical manner
2.4.3.6. Present statistical analysis results to a variety of stakeholder groups in a clear and concise manner.
2.4.3.7. Effectively use commercial spreadsheet software.
2.4.3.8. Have a deeper understanding of multivariate regression analysis, and understand how it relates to: t-tests, correlations, and other methodological techniques.
2.4.3.9. Have a deeper understanding of confounds/endogeneity and methods of correcting for them/it.
2.4.3.10. Understand the limits of linear regression and the estimation strategies used when linear regression is not appropriate. These can include, but are not limited to: Non-linear regression, Probits, logits, quadratic, log, difference-in-differences, instrumental variables, and regression discontinuity.
2.4.3.11. Understand how quantitative methods can help with program evaluation.
2.4.3.12. Have a more thorough mastery of a statistical package, such as STATA. 6. Apply #1-5 in program evaluative settings.
2.4.4. PSAA 630: Program Evaluation in Public and Nonprofit Organizations