Colleges and Schools
- Core Courses
- Health Policy Specialization Courses
- Homeland Security Policy Specialization Courses
- Interdisciplinary Policy Studies Specialization Courses
- Law and Public Policy Specialization Courses
- Local Government Management for Sustainable Communities Specialization Courses
- Nonprofit Management and Leadership Specialization Courses
- Policy Analysis Specialization Courses
MMPA 6200 Introduction to Public Administration (5 cr.)
Public administrators work to increase the effectiveness of government and organizations locally and internationally. This course explores the history, foundations, and theories of public administration and the diverse political, social, and economic contexts within which they exist and builds an understanding of public policy and organizational environments. Topics include ethical and legal issues, governance, fiscal planning, and current topics and trends in public administration. Students choose a public organization, examine its overall history, purpose, and operation, and apply public administration theory to describe its operation and health.
MMPA 6115 Foundations for Graduate Study (1 cr.)
This course introduces students to Walden University and to the requirements for successful participation in an online curriculum. It provides a foundation for academic and professional success as a scholar-practitioner and social change agent. Topics include the relation of mission and vision to professional goals, development of the program of study, strategies for online success, introduction to the online library, and an introduction to critical thinking, professional writing, and academic integrity. Course assignments focus on the practical application of writing and critical-thinking skills and promote professional and academic excellence.
MMPA 6405 Ethics and Social Justice (5 cr.)
Ethics is a foundational element of leadership. Leaders face increasingly complex social and political challenges as they seek to meet the needs of diverse constituents. This course explores ethics and social justice related to economic disparity, power, and privilege. Students use demographic data and current social trends and themes to understand, analyze, and address ethical and social justice issues that impact service delivery in a global community.
MMPA 6420 Organizational Management and Leadership (5 cr.)
Public and nonprofit leaders require a deep understanding of their roles as directors and managers of diverse and complex organizations. This course examines the distinction between leadership and management, organizational culture, change management, systems theories, and organizational development from a theoretical and applied perspective. Students apply principles to public, private, and nonprofit organizational settings.
MMPA 6431 Finance and Budgeting for the Public Sector (5 cr.)
Sound financial practices are crucial to managing scarce funds in both public and nonprofit operations. This course examines finance and budgeting concepts, policies, and practices related to organizations, as well as the fiscal climate within which they operate. Students gain an understanding of theories motivating major fiscal-policy debates; read, analyze, and construct budgets; and read and analyze financial statements and reports. Other topics include auditing practices, tax systems, financial management, budgetary reform, financial technology systems specific to government organizations, and the use of dashboards for financial reporting. Students apply what they learn to develop a budget and financial plan for either a public or private organization.
MMPA 6435 Human Resource Management: Building a Capable Workforce (5 cr.)
The acquisition, development, and retention of talent are critical to the success of any organization. This course examines theories, approaches, and systems related to the acquisition, management, development, and retention of employees in government and nonprofit organizations. Students explore topics including legal and ethical considerations, diversity, performance management, technology, conflict management, and the establishment and implementation of policies through the use of case studies. Students apply principles learned in this course to situations encountered in public, private, and nonprofit organizations.
MMPA 6461 Public Sector Economics (5 cr.)
Domestic and international economic trends impact the success of public service organizations. In this course students gain an understanding of applied economic theory, practice, and thought related to organizations and government. Topics include microeconomics and macroeconomics, supply and demand, privatization, market mechanics, contracting and outsourcing, social security, Medicaid, and Medicare. Students apply economic concepts and principles to case studies and contemporary problems and events.
MMPA 6465 Strategic Planning: Collaboration, Cooperation, and Coordination (5 cr.)
In an increasingly complex world, leaders and managers in public, private, and nonprofit organizations need to be strategic in planning and creating effective, collaborative programs and services. This course explores the role and process of strategic planning with an emphasis on collaboration, cooperation, and coordination within and among organizations. Students apply these concepts to real-life situations and organizations.
MMPA 6451 Public Policy Analysis (5 cr.)
Public administrators address increasing policy challenges in areas such as education, crime, and environmental issues. This course examines concepts, principles, and stages of public policy process and development. It provides an introduction to the models and tools used by policymakers and policy analysts to evaluate the impact of programs and projects and to solve societal problems. Topics include political, legal, economic, and social institutions and processes; the impact and consequences of policy; policy assessment; and global complications of policy processes. Students examine public policy in both historical and contemporary contexts. Students deconstruct a current policy in order to understand its historical development and overall effectiveness.
MMPA 6480 Applied Research and Evaluation Methods (5 cr.)
Organizational credibility, community trust, and fundraising are increasingly dependent upon demonstration program effectiveness and success. This course introduces research and evaluation methods in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Students examine models, quantitative metrics, and tools used to evaluate programs and policies; legal and ethical issues associated with research and evaluation methods; and the strengths, limitations, and threats to validity. Students critically evaluate sample research using these parameters.
MMPA 6910 Capstone Seminar (5 cr.)
The course provides students with an opportunity to integrate learning from courses in the program in a capstone project, defined as an applied project with a written paper or a research paper. The capstone may focus on governance, policy, or leadership and management in either the public or nonprofit sectors or take a cross-sector comparative perspective.
Health Policy Specialization Courses
MMPA 6840 Health Policy and Management (5 cr.)
This course examines the factors that influence and improve health outcomes of individuals and populations, with attention to the goals of Healthy People 2010 and the main components and issues of organization, financing, and delivery of health services and public health systems in the United States. Topics include management theories and processes, systems thinking, strategic planning and partnerships, quality and performance improvement, leadership, and organizational behavior. The policy process is addressed, as well as the advocacy role of the public health professional in influencing local, state, and federal policy. The impact of global trends on public health practice, policy, and systems is also considered.
MMPA 6841 Legal and Regulatory Aspects of Public Health (5 cr.)
This course examines the role of federal, state, and local government in the assurance of public health through legislation and regulation. Consideration is given to contemporary legal and regulatory issues arising in public health practice and emergencies with attention to public health security and preparedness in response to bioterrorism and disasters.
MMPA 6842 Leadership, Professionalism, and Ethics in Public Health Practice (5 cr.)
This course examines theories of leadership as well as the professional attributes, skills, styles, and strategies required to advance public health goals. Ethical choices, values, professionalism, opportunities for advocacy, and the application of principles of social justice implicit in public health decisions and practice are considered with emphasis on a collaborative approach to working with diverse communities and constituencies.
Homeland Security Policy Specialization Courses
MMPA 6830 Current Issues in Homeland Security (5 cr.)
Since its inception, the Department of Homeland Security has profoundly impacted public policy and administration. This course examines homeland security history, concepts, policies, and strategies of prevention and response. Topics include ethical issues, telecommunications, technology, threat assessment, contingency planning, and risk management. Students apply fundamental concepts and principles of homeland security to case studies and current issues.
MMPA 6831 Critical Incident Leadership and Planning (5 cr.)
Strategic leadership is required to address the challenges and complexities of homeland security. To respond to critical incidents while and after they occur, leaders must plan tactically and understand how to obtain and mobilize resources. Students explore the roles of leaders in relation to activating or coordinating funding, personnel, jurisdictional issues, training, communication, information management, technology, and health care in order to create an effective response to homeland security needs. Course participants critically analyze case studies, identifying weaknesses and potential solutions.
MMPA 6832 Terrorism: Legislation and Policy (5 cr.)
The events of Sept. 11 resulted in a new and intense focus on the issue of terrorism in the United States and abroad. In this course students explore the history of terrorism; laws, regulations, and legislation related to terrorism; and the roles of the media, governmental agencies, and entities in the prevention of and response to terrorism. Students apply their knowledge to case studies and current trends related to terrorism.
Interdisciplinary Policy Studies Specialization Courses
MMPA 6830 Current Issues in Homeland Security (5 cr.)
Since its inception, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has profoundly impacted public policy and administration. This course examines the history of homeland security history and its concepts, policies, and strategies of prevention and response. Topics include ethical issues, telecommunications, technology, threat assessment, contingency planning, and risk management. Students apply fundamental concepts and principles of homeland security to case studies and current issues.
MMPA 6822 Current Issues in Regional and Local Public Policy (5 cr.)
Local government leaders must understand and address complex and interrelated issues including public health and safety, urban sprawl, immigration, transportation, the aging of the baby-boom generation, affordable housing, living wage jobs, and the threats to natural resources. This course explores current concepts with an emphasis on creating livable and sustainable communities through cooperation, coordination, and collaboration of community stakeholders. Students use local community examples to assess critical issues and identify problem solving strategies.
MMPA 6812 Contemporary Cases and Issues in the Courts (5 cr.)
Major issues in the Supreme Court have an impact on public policy at the state and local levels. This course examines major past and current U.S. Supreme Court decisions and explores how these decisions affect public policy. Topics include individual rights, property rights, administrative law, immigration law, and foreign policy. Students apply legal research and verdicts to case studies and current issues.
Law and Public Policy Specialization Courses
MMPA 6810 Fundamentals of Law and Public Policy (5 cr.)
Legal decisions and the law have an impact on the creation of public policy. This course explores the relationship between laws and public policy and the impact court decisions have on policy and policy leaders. Topics include legal concepts and terminology, legal jurisdictions, case law, seminal cases, and the Supreme Court’s roles and procedures. Students apply fundamental legal concepts and principles to case studies and contemporary problems.
MMPA 6811 Legal Research for Policy Practitioners (5 cr.)
There is a wealth of vital legal knowledge available to public policy practitioners. In this course, students will be introduced to a number of print and electronic resources available for legal research and will gain an understanding of how the law is used to inform the creation of public policy. Topics include navigating legal libraries, citing cases, and using research to support public policy. Students apply legal research to case studies and contemporary issues.
MMPA 6812 Contemporary Cases and Issues in the Courts (5 cr.)
Major issues in the Supreme Court have an impact on public policy at the state and local levels. This course examines major past and current U.S. Supreme Court decisions and explores how these decisions affect public policy. Topics include individual rights, property rights, administrative law, immigration law, and foreign policy. Students apply legal research and verdicts to case studies and current issues.
Local Government Management for Sustainable Communities Specialization Courses
MMPA 6820 Elements of Livable and Sustainable Communities (5 cr.)
Creating and maintaining livable and sustainable communities requires leaders who understand and can assess the interrelated elements that make a community viable over time. This course explores demographics, health, education, employment opportunities, transportation, recreation, housing, natural resources, technology, and other elements necessary to sustain a thriving community. Students define and explore these concepts through case studies and local-community examples.
MMPA 6821 Tools for Sustainable Community Development (5 cr.)
Effective community leaders require comprehensive tools and resources to create livable and sustainable communities. Students explore topics that include demographic analysis and forecasting, citizen engagement, economic forecasting and budgeting, acquisition of alternative funding sources, GIS (geographic information system) technology, comprehensive-use planning, and other tools and resources needed to meet the challenge of creating and maintaining sustainable communities. Students use case studies and examples drawn from local communities to identify and apply appropriate strategies.
MMPA 6822 Current Issues in Regional and Local Public Policy (5 cr.)
Local government leaders must understand and address complex and interrelated issues, including public health and safety, urban sprawl, immigration, transportation, the aging of the baby-boom generation, affordable housing, living wage jobs, and the threats to natural resources. This course explores current concepts with an emphasis on creating livable and sustainable communities through cooperation, coordination, and collaboration of community stakeholders. Students use local community examples to assess critical issues and identify problem-solving strategies.
Nonprofit Management and Leadership Specialization Courses
MMPA 6850 Introduction to the Nonprofit Sector (5 cr.)
Nonprofit organizations serve as the foundation for many social change efforts. This course explores the history, foundations, and types of nonprofit organizations and the diverse political, social, and economic contexts within which they exist. Students examine and apply marketing, public relations, and communication concepts and strategies to case studies and contemporary situations. Ethical, legal, and global lenses are applied to the study of the nonprofit sector. Students develop a concept paper guiding the development of a nonprofit organization.
MMPA 6851 Board Governance and Volunteer Management (5 cr.)
Volunteers are the “lifeblood” of many nonprofit organizations. These organizations rely heavily on their volunteer board of directors to govern and guide them toward their mission. The success of nonprofit organizations is largely dependent on the effective management of program volunteers and board members. This course explores the volunteer management process, including volunteer recruitment, orientation, training, supervision, and evaluation, with an emphasis on creating and maintaining an effective board of directors. Students design a board development or volunteer management plan based on the concept paper they developed in the Introduction to the Nonprofit Sector course.
MMPA 6852 Resource Development (5 cr.)
All nonprofit organizations require financial resources. Obtaining philanthropic financial support is essential to program delivery and stability. Students explore the concepts of philanthropy and development, identification of funding sources, donor/prospect cultivation and education, and solicitation and appreciation strategies. An emphasis is placed on creating an organizational philanthropic culture based on ethics and donor relationships. Students create a resource development plan for the organization designed in the Introduction to the Nonprofit Sector course.
Policy Analysis Specialization Courses
MMPA 6380 Policy and Politics in American Political Institutions (4 cr.)
This course introduces students to the crafts of policymaking and policy analysis in the American democratic system. It covers the policy process—setting agendas, using policy analysis tools, managing the political process, implementing policy, and providing evaluations and feedback. Students develop skills in policy and economic analyses as well as in determining the political feasibility of proposed policies. Regulation as a policy choice will be discussed. Students completing this course will enhance their abilities to develop alternatives and to assess strategies proposed to achieve certain policy objectives. Policy areas of interest to students form the foundation of this course and may include communications, immigration, social, transportation, housing, labor, arts, and environmental policies.
MMPA 6381 Program Evaluation (4 cr.)
This course provides an introduction to the tools used by policymakers and policy analysts to evaluate the impact of social programs. Topics include selecting programs to evaluate, crafting program descriptions, identifying stakeholders and their interests, developing logic models, framing evaluation questions, applying utilization-focused evaluation techniques, using quantitative and qualitative tools to complete formative and summative evaluations, and providing evaluation reports and feedback to decision-makers. By the end of the course, each student will develop a program-evaluation design for a social program.
MMPA 6382 Public Policy and Finance (4 cr.)
This course covers microeconomic and macroeconomic models used in policy formulation and how public finance influences policy choices as well as implementation alternatives. Students examine tax policies and tax incentive models, budgeting, public/private models, market influences on policy, the impact of government expenditures on income redistribution, and economic considerations of welfare, food stamps, workers’ compensation, and Social Security. Outsourcing of public programs is also examined.
