This elective course introduces public service professions and serves as a foundation for students considering entry-level careers in the government, nonprofit and health care sectors. It is intended for students exploring the BAPA Major, Minor or Public Administration Concentration in Business.

This course examines the field of public administration. Topics include government and politics, intergovernmental relations, bureaucracy, financial management, and policy making and implementation. Prerequisite: GE A3. Satisfies general education requirement Area U.S. and California government portion of the American Institutions.

Introduces basic principles of responsible leadership, effective management, organizational change in public, nonprofit and health care management settings. Includes social science issues in: authority, motivation, organization behavior and leadership styles.

This course is an introduction to the policy-making process. It examines the stages in the policy process (like agenda setting, policy adoption, policy implementation, etc.). The course also examines policy areas including economic policy, energy and environmental policy, crime and criminal justice, and welfare policy. Prerequisites: At least 45 units and completion of LD Area D. Satisfies general education upper division Area UDD and Theme S: Sustainability and Justice.

This seminar provides an introduction to applied research for decision-making in government, health care and nonprofit agencies. The course covers experimental, quasi-experimental and non-experimental research designs, measurement, data collection, analysis, evaluation, and communication of findings. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or higher.

This course examines major policy areas and public policy-making processes (including problem definition, agenda setting, policy formulation, legitimization, implementation, and evaluation) at the federal, state, and local levels. Prerequisite: Junior or higher and completion of GE A2. Satisfies the Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement.

This course focuses on the administration of aging services. It also surveys related policies at the national, state and local levels. There is special emphasis on services present in Kern County. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or higher.

This undergraduate course examines the principles, practices, and issues of contract management within government, nonprofit, health care and business organizations. The primary theme is a comprehensive review of the fundamentals of creating and managing the contract life cycle of small to large transactions. Students develop practical competencies in using contract management planning, development, implementation, monitoring, and close-out guidelines, as well as techniques relating to critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or higher.

This course examines the issues surrounding emergency management. We will explore the four phases of emergency management (mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery), the organization of emergency management, and the politics of emergency management. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or higher.

This course is structured to assist class members in better understanding the major themes, issues, and dynamics of the principles, methods, and policies that govern and impact executive level supervision strategies in the fields of public administration and health care management.

This course covers the full human resources life cycle as well as state and federal employment laws, and HR in union and non-union settings. Current HR trends, models, and methods are highlighted. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or higher.

This course provides students with basic concepts and practical experience of public budgeting in the United States. Budget issues at the federal, state, and local levels and in other public organizations will be presented. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or higher.

This course introduces the student to the theory and practice of urban planning within the structure, functions, and demands of contemporary communities. Topics include the context, function, and legal aspects of land use controls, construction codes, mass transit, urban renewal, model cities, new towns, and related aspects of policy and programs implementation. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or higher.

In-depth study of select topics not covered in regular courses. Topics vary each term; prerequisites announced for each topic. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or higher. Conducted as a seminar. May be repeated for credit with different topics up to a maximum of 20 units

Individual supervised projects or directed reading projects for students qualified to carry on independent work. Three units may be used to satisfy elective degree requirements. Note: To count for graduate elective credit and maintain graduate course standards, students must register for PPA 6850. Prerequisite: permission of instructor and department chair. Sophomore standing or higher. May be repeated for credit with different topics up to a maximum of 20 units.

Students are assigned an internship site for supervised work on an assigned project. Completion of the course involves a formal evaluation by the host organization¿s sponsor. This course is graded credit/no credit and does not satisfy the requirements for an elective. Department determines application and number of units. Offered on a credit, no-credit basis only. May be repeated with different topics up to a maximum of 15 units.

This course examines the structure and environment of modern public bureaucracy and key administrative processes. Prerequisite: At least 90 units, completion of JYDR, PPA 2008, PPA 3000, PPA 4660 (or MGMT 3100), and PPA 4680. Satisfies general education requirement Senior Capstone.

This course examines the fundamental areas of public administration. A deep analysis is made of the essential theories, principles, structures, practices, and trends that affect American public service. This course may be taken as a senior elective with department approval.

This course organizes students to evaluate government programs. This form of research provides knowledge of services, identifies the consequences of service interventions, and contributes information for policy decisions. Designated service-learning course. Prerequisite: PPA 4010 (grade of B or higher).

This elective seminar focuses on distinctive features of managing and governing nonprofit organizations. Drawing on current theories, concepts and real-world examples, this course helps students develop a comprehensive understanding of nonprofit management, and thus become effective organizational leaders and managers.

Topics in this elective course include researching funding sources, developing a case for funding, identifying assessment strategies, and writing a grant proposal. Students will learn about grants in the context of wider fundraising strategies that support an organization¿s mission.

This seminar emphasizes state, local, and intergovernmental administration in the context of our constitutional and policy system. The course will examine how America¿s complex multi-layered government is coping with various policy issues like for example in the economic, environmental, and homeland security domains.

This elective course explores effective management in multicultural contexts. The course examines what it means to be an inclusive and respectful public manager within the framework of the program¿s Public Service Values. The course will also examine organizational change strategies that align with such inclusive public management

This course explores a range of leadership theories and practices. Leadership is a process of social influence in which one person can enlist the support of others to accomplish a common task. Topics include leadership self-assessment and development.

This course examines the principles and practices of contract management within public organizations. It offers a comprehensive review of the fundamentals of creating and managing the contract life cycle. Students develop practical competencies in using contract management planning, development, implementation, monitoring, and close-out guidelines, as well as techniques relating to critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making.

This elective seminar focuses on the field of emergency management and its interface with homeland security. The course surveys public and private sector responses to emergencies, disasters, and terrorism. The course will conclude with an emergency management/homeland security simulation.

This elective seminar emphasizes research and field investigations of current justice administrative and policy problems, which cut across the total system. Topics may vary each term.

In-depth study of selected topic or topics not covered in regular courses. Topics vary each term; prerequisites announced for each topic. May be repeated for credit with different topics up to a maximum of 9 units.

This course provides an in-depth study of the personnel and civil service systems in public organizations. Review of the methods of recruitment, promotion, discipline, and termination, as well as collective bargaining and labor relations are explored through case studies, discussion, and simulations. Prerequisite: Classified standing

This graduate seminar provides a survey of current public policies, principles, processes, and issues related to public, nonprofit, and healthcare finance and budgeting. Prerequisite: Classified standing

This graduate seminar provides an overview of key organizational theory and behavior theories impacting public, healthcare, and nonprofit organizations. Students will also have an opportunity to explore emerging issues through class discussions and research.

This integrating MPA graduate seminar explores qualitative and quantitative policy analysis theories, and decision-making methods. Selected contemporary policy areas such as energy, the environment, criminal justice, welfare, health care, and education are explored. Prerequisite: Classified standing

In-depth study of selected topic or topics not covered in regular courses. Topics vary each quarter; prerequisites announced for each topic. Prerequisite: Classified standing. May be repeated for credit with different topics up to a maximum of 15 units.

Supervised investigation of an approved project leading to a written report. Project is selected in consultation with an instructor in the area of major interest; regular meetings to be arranged with instructor. Needs Program Director¿s approval. Prerequisite: Classified standing. May be repeated for credit up to a maximum of 20 units

Internship experience is required for all students that are considered pre-service. Students are typically expected to complete 200 hours of supervised work on an assigned project. Completion of the course involves a formal evaluation by the host organization¿s sponsor. This course is graded credit/no credit and does not satisfy the requirements for an elective. Prerequisite: Classified standing. May be repeated up to a maximum of 15 units

In this culminating experience class, students will complete an applied research paper. Students must demonstrate mastery of knowledge in the discipline and be able to integrate theories and methods learned in their MPA coursework. Students will take either this class or PPA 6990. Prerequisites: Advancing to candidacy and approval by the MPA Director. May be repeated for credit up to a maximum of 9 units.

In this culminating experience class, students will integrate and apply the knowledge they gained throughout their MPA course of study through a case study analysis. Cases present multi-dimensional organizational issues. Students¿ analysis should be guided by the MPA program¿s Public Service Values. This course is taken in the last semester of a student¿s MPA program. Students will take either this class or PPA 6980. Prerequisites: Advancing to candidacy and approval by the MPA Director. May be repeated for credit up to a maximum of 9 units.

Graduate students who have completed the majority of their coursework but have not completed their culminating experience or thesis may enroll in this 0-unit course for the purpose of maintaining continuous enrollment. Prerequisite: approval of the Program Coordinator.