Master of Public Policy and Management 36 Hour Program PPAM 6308 International & Comparative Policy & Management designed to provide accessible, affordable, high-quality graduate education to prepare students for, or advance them in, careers has a dual-purpose mission: to conduct research into pressing policy issues and then to share the findings with leaders and citizens in an effort to find viable solutions. Graduates will be skilled public managers with specific expertise in one of several policy areas. Current specializations include Community and Economic Development, Health Care Policy, Criminal Justice, Environmental Policy, International and Development Policy, and Non Profit Management. Required Courses: 36 hour Professional Report core and elective courses. In addition, students must complete a thesis (6 hours). Graduation from this program is contingent on the completion of required courses, concentration courses, and thesis, or professional report. Some students may be required to complete an internship if they have not had any previous government or nonprofit organization employment experience. Required Courses: 18 hours: PPAM 6301 Principles of Public Administration PPAM 6302 Public Policy and Economics PPAM 6303 Public Budgeting, Finance & Program Evaluation PPAM 6305 Leadership and Ethics PPAM 6306 Public Human Resource Management PPAM 6307 Research Methods and Information Technology PPAM 7303 Professional Report (3 hours) or (6 hours) Concentration courses prescribed: Minimum of 12 credits within a specialization. Courses with a plus symbol (+) are required for that specialization. Community and Economic Development PPAM 6310 Seminar in Community & Economic Development (+) PPAM 6311 Urban Policy, Planning and Management (+) PPAM 6312 Intergovernmental Relations ECON 6301 Business Economics. ECON 6351 Economics Seminar. GOVT 6310 Seminar and Problems in Political Science Criminal Justice Policy and Management CRIJ 6301 Criminal Justice System (+) CRIJ 6302 Crime, Criminal Behavior, and Criminology (+) CRIJ 6304 Law, Courts and Criminal Procedure CRIJ 6308 Juvenile Justice System CRIJ 6311 Special Topics in Criminal Justice GOVT 6310 Seminar & Problems in Political Science GOVT 6367 Public Law Environmental Policy and Management PPAM 6320 Environmental Policy and Management (+) PPAM 6312 Intergovernmental Relations PPAM 6341 Cases in Public Policy & Management PPAM 6380 Current Issues in Public Policy & Management Health Care Policy and Management SOCI 6324 Problems of U.S. Health Care System PH 3720 Determinants of Health PH 3910 Introduction to Health Ecomomics International and Developmental Policy and Management PPAM 6340 Seminar in International and Developmental Policy and Management (+) BLAW 6305 Comparative Business Law BUSI 6380 International Business GOVT 6310 Seminar and Problems in Political Science HIST 6314 Seminar and Studies in Mexico and the Borderlands HIST 6330 Seminar and Studies in European History Non Profit Policy & Management PPAM 6360 Non Profit Policy & Management (+) PPAM 6363 Financial & Strategic Planning Issues for Non Profits PPAM 6369 Legal Issues of Non Profit PPAM 6371 Non Profit Governance (+) GOVT 6367 Public Law GOVT 6310 Seminar & Problems in Political Science Advisor Charles W. Chapman, Ph.D., J.D. MRCHS 277 882-8877 charles.chapman@utb.edu
Careers: These can vary much by specialization, generally, a professional career in public service, whether working for local, state or federal government agencies, or working for international, national or state non-profit organizations. Private Sector: Consultant, management consulting firm Project Manager, Administrator, private business Mental Health Specialist, consulting firm Analyst, private research and consulting firm Staff Writer, newspaper. Public Sector: City/Borough Manager, or Planner, local government Analyst, Program Analyst, Budget Examiner, state or federal government agencies Project Manager, state or local government agencies Mental Health Specialist, public agency. Nonprofit Sector and Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) : Development Director/Grants Administration, charity organization Program/Community/Grants Coordinator, non-profit organization Program Officer, non-profit organization Community Organizer, non-profit organization Admission Requirements Evidence of academic achievement and potential for advanced study and research is required for graduate admission. Specific criteria for Unconditional Admission for Master s degree seeking students in Public Policy are: Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 GRE Verbal score of 450 GRE Quantitative score of 550 GRE Analytical score of 4.0 Satisfactory letters of recommendation: 2, one of which should be academic Satisfactory essay: 750 words briefly analyzing a public policy issue of their choice and discussing what insights into that issue they expect to gain in the pursuit of the MPPM Resume Applicants with an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5 and/or GRE scores lower than those specified are also encouraged to apply. For further information regarding the MPPM program, please visit http://www.mppm.utb.edu Notification of decisions on graduate admission is made by the office of Graduate Studies based on the admission criteria and recommendation of the academic department. Information related to application procedures and deadlines is available through the Office of Graduate Studies.
Graduate Courses in Public Policy and Management PPAM 6301 Principles of Public Administration This course is an introduction and overview of the field of public administration. It examines the historical background and contemporary issues and problems in the subject areas of public administration. Special emphasis is placed upon organizational theory and behavior as related to theoretical foundations and substance of public management. PPAM 6302 Public Policy and Economics This course examines public policy and program formulation, implementation and evaluation including the politics and history of fiscal and monetary policy. The theories, framework, approaches and analytical tools to perform policy analysis including how microeconomic theories and concepts can be used in the analysis of public policy is also covered. Prerequisite: PPAM 6307 PPAM 6303 Public Budgeting, Financial Management and Program Evaluation This course provides an introduction to the use of financial information in organizational decision-making in the public and nonprofit sector including the politics and history of the budgetary process. It teaches the theory and practice of how accounting information is generated, recorded, presented and how it can be used to provide meaningful conclusions about the financial position and performance of a pubic service organization. It also teaches the use of principles of financial management to make operating and capital budgeting decisions and to analyze long-term financial alternatives. Emphasis is placed on the practice of budgeting, accounting, revenue generation, capital budgeting and debt management. PPAM 6304 Professional Ethics This course delves into the philosophical and legal foundations of ethics. Special emphasis is placed on the propriety, application and enforcement of ethical standards especially for public service individuals. PPAM 6305 Leadership and Ethics This course delves into the historical, theoretical, behavioral, political, and administrative perspective of leadership and its impact on decision-making and problem solving with special emphasis on the application and enforcement of ethical standards for public servants. PPAM 6306 Public Human Resource Management This course is an examination of the history, theory and practice of human resource management in public and nonprofit organizations, including the legal, economic, political and social factors shaping human resource policies in the public and nonprofit sector. Particular attention is given to the policies and management practices associated with cultural, ethnic, and gender differences in the workplace. Emphasis is placed on identifying effective techniques for managing diversity. PPAM 6307 Research Methods and Information Technology This course covers the quantitative aspects of analysis and decision- making and the role and application of technology and information systems in data management. The quantitative aspect covers research methods including research design and the use of inferential and descriptive statistics, univariate through multivariate analysis with computer applications will be covered. PPAM 6308 International & Comparative Public Policy & Management This course studies the similarities and differences in the organization, management, and public policy making among countries. It examines paradigms, theories and models along with the practical application to provide information for real management and policy problems. Other Courses: PPAM 7301-7302 Thesis This course requires a student to work on/complete a thesis under the direction of a thesis committee. The thesis will be defended publicly and approved by a majority of the committee. See Graduate Catalog for more details. Prerequisite: Approval of the advisor. PPAM 7311-7312 Internship This course is a practical public management experience through an arranged internship in a governmental, non-profit or private agency serving the public interest. Periodic seminars, supervision and a final administrative report are required. Prerequisite: Approval of the Department Chair. Pass/Fail Grade PPAM 7303 Professional Report This course requires the student to develop an applied project and professional report that focuses on the practice of public administration or public policy making or on related management/planning practices in government, non profit, or private agency servicing the public interest. May be repeated until successful professional report defense. Concentration courses: Each concentration requires a minimum of 12 hours. The 12 hours for each concentration may be selected from the courses listed under each concentration. A plus symbol (+) indicates courses that are required for the concentration. Some courses may be available as a selection for more than one concentration. Community and Economic Development: PPAM 6310 Seminar in Community and Economic Development (+) This course is an introduction and overview of community and economic development. It encompasses zoning, transportation, comprehensive planning, community development and other activities as well as the political realities related to community and economic development. Prerequisite: PPAM 6301
PPAM 6311 Urban Policy, Planning and Management (+) This course covers the development and evolution of urban policy, planning and management. It examines the major economic, social and political processes and the major concepts and procedures involved in urban policy, planning and management. Prerequisite: PPAM 6310 PPAM 6312 Intergovernmental Relations This course covers the administrative and political effects of the division of authority among coordinate units of government Federal-state, state-local, local-federal, state-state, local-local, and governmental nongovernmental relations are examined. ECON 6301 Business Economics The relationship among basic economic concepts and methods. The competitive market system, problems in resource allocation and economic efficiency, government regulations and the public sector, money and banking, unemployment and inflation in economic policy making. ECON 6351 Economics Seminar Readings and discussion of selected topics in economics. Criminal Justice Policy and Management CRIJ 6301 Criminal Justice System (+) This course is designed to give students a current, thorough, and comprehensive overview of all facets of the criminal justice system in the United States, its functions, current controversial issues and future trends. The philosophy, history and development of criminal justice agencies will be examined. CRIJ 6302 Crime, Criminal Behavior, and Criminology (+) Major theoretical approaches to the study of crime and criminology, including biological, economic, political, psychological, and sociological views on crime and criminal behavior. CRIJ 6304 Law, Courts, and Criminal Procedure Advanced study of the legal system of the United States. Discussion of the sociology of law as related to the application and operation of the judicial system and police procedure. Analysis of current research and literature related to the United States legal system. CRIJ 6308 Juvenile Justice System An overview of the juvenile justice system in the United States. The administration of juvenile institutions and agencies, the juvenile court system, theories of juvenile delinquency and innovative strategies for treatment. Current research and trends in juvenile justice. CRIJ 6311 Special Topics in Criminal Justice This course gives graduate students an opportunity to study contemporary issues in crime and criminal justice. This course will also focus attention on international criminal justice issues and topics. May be repeated once as the topics change. Environmental Policy and Management PPAM 6320 Environmental Policy and Management (+) This course is an introduction and overview of environmental policy and management at the local, state, national and international level. It is designed to help students develop a working knowledge of the basic concepts of environmental policy and management. This includes its history, theories, methods, institutions, and issues and the guidelines and rules that establish goals and standards regarding the use and preservation of the physical environment, including soil, water, air, wildlife and vegetation. Prerequisite: PPAM 6301, PPAM 6302. GOVT 6310 Seminar and Problems in Political Science PPAM 6341 Cases in Public Policy and Management Based on the theoretical foundations built in the concentration graduate seminars, this courses focuses on applying that knowledge on cases addressing public policies and management
in a selected field of concentration in public policy and management. This course can be repeated for up to 9 credit hours as long as the set of cases varies. Sets of cases are selected from international development, environmental, nonprofit, economic development, health care policy and management cases. Lec 3, Cr 3. Prerequisite: PPAM 6301, PPAM 6302, PPAM 6308, seminar depending on concrentration from among PPAM 6320 or 6340 or PPAM 6360 or 6370 or advisor permission. PPAM 6380 Current Problems in Public Policy and Management This course focuses on current issues in public policy and management. This course can be repeated for up to 9 credit hours as long as the topic varies. Current problems are selected from international development, environmental, nonprofit, economic development, health care, criminal justice policy and management issues. Prerequisite: PPAM 6301, PPAM 6302, or advisor permission. Cr 3, Cr 3. Health Care Policy and Management: SOCI 6324 Problems of U.S. Health Care System A seminar course that allows student investigation into the nature and functioning of the health care institutions of modern industrial societies, with special emphasis on current problems in providing health care to the complex social populations of the U.S., especially to the poor and racial ethnic minorities. A seminar analysis of the demographic, economic, social, political and health care problems created by the aging of the population in industrial societies. Special attention is paid to the problems of the elderly poverty and minority populations of the Rio Grande Valley. PH 1110 B Social and Psychological Aspects of Community Health This course focuses on health problems and health issues having a major social or behavioral component and is intended for the student with little or no background in the behavioral sciences. The problems considered in this course will vary from year to year but include topics such as the misuse of alcohol and other drugs, accidental and intentional injuries, and barriers to the utilization and availability of medical care because these are particularly related to attitudes, behavior and life styles. The implications of the various conceptual approaches for policy formulation, measurement, monitoring and control strategies are explored. PH 4410 D Health Program Planning Implementation and Evaluation This course is designed for students who expect their work experience to include development or management of intervention at the program level. In satisfying course objectives, students will improve their understanding of the theoretical basis for meeting health needs of populations through organized programs. In addition, they will learn technical skills and the use of essential techniques in planning, implementation and evaluation of health programs. Course methods include presentation and discussion of program concepts and techniques, illustration of programs through a series of presentations and guest speakers, and group exercises by class members. PH 3720 Social Determinants of Health This course introduces the concept of health of populations and studies the reason for health disparities between countries and between socioeconomic and racial ethnic groups within countries. It takes an approach to health that identifies the social factors (such as inequalities in income and opportunities and racial/ethnic disparities) that influence the health of populations. The course presents an overview of these concepts, and is intended as the introductory course for students interestedd on the topic. The objectives of the Social and Economic Determinants if Health course are: To explore the social, cultural, and economic factors that influence the health populations To identify systematic variation in these social, cultural and economic factors and how these are reflected in health disparities among population groups. To explore the pathways by which social, cultural, and economic conditions affect individual risk factors and human behavior and biology. To assess social and economic policies and their influence on the health of population groups. PH 3910 Introduction to Health Economics This course covers the theory of microeconomics analysis and it s application to health services. It emphasizes the use of theory to understand problems of organization, delivery, and financing of health services; discrepancies in health levels among members of society; and the choices available to society regarding these issues. International and Developmental Policy and Management PPAM 6340 Seminar in International and Developmental Policy and Management (+) Focuses on the changing roles and functions of different public and private international organizations and the services they provide. Provides an understanding of the way intergovernmental organizations work and specific responsibilities of the various bodies and organizations such as the U.N., Security Council, General Assembly, ECOSOC, and regional economic commissions. Prerequisite: PPAM 6301, PPAM 6308.
BLAW 6305 Comparative Business Law Various areas of Business Law in the U.S. and Mexico will be compared. Issues include: contracting for international sale of goods, forms of business organizations, maquiladora laws, foreign trade zones. BUSI 6380 International Business Readings and case studies in international business. Emphasizes the impact of comparative differences in the domestic and international business environments and operations, including the impact of historical, economic, cultural, and political foundations on operations. Special international business topics of unique contemporary importance are also studied. HIST 6314 Seminar and Studies in Mexico and the Borderlands Investigation of significant issues an themes in the history of Mexico and/or the Borderlands, including the U.S.-Mexico border. HIST 6330 Seminar and Studies in European History An investigation of significant issues and themes in European history. PPAM 6369 Legal Issues of Non Profit This course provides an in depth examination of the legal context and issues facing non-profit organizations. This includes an understanding of federal and state laws governing the organizational tax and political and legislative activities of non profit organizations; legal risk management for boards, employees, and volunteers; and other related legal issues for non profit organizations. PPAM 6371 Nonprofit Governance This course provides an overview of the characteristics and leadership of boards in nonprofit organizations. The course will cover the structure, functions, and composition of boards; the relation of boards to management; the board s role in strategic planning; and improving boards performance and accountability. Prerequisite: PPAM 6360 or Advisor permission. Lec 3, Cr 3. PPAM 6310 Seminar and Problems in Political Science varios fields of political science. A seminar analysis of the demographic, economic, social, political and health care problems created by the aging of the population in industrial societies. Special attention is paid to the problems of the elderly poverty and minority populations of the Rio Grande Valley. Non Profit Policy & Management PPAM 6360 Nonprofit Policy and Management This course is an overview of nonprofit policy and management sector on a national and international scope. It covers the historical, descriptive, theoretical, and ethical issues relevant to the sector. It also covers the application of mangagerial concepts and techniques to the management, problems and concerns of nonprofit institutions and enterprises. 3, Cr 3. Prerequisite: PPAM 6301; PPAM 6303; PPAM 6306 or advisor permission. PPAM 6363 Financial and Strategic Planning Issues for Non Profits This course provides an in depth examination of successful financial management and stategic planning appropiate for non profit organizations. It provides an understanding of practical uses of positioning and organization in the community and service or advocacy arena; developing an integrated and divirsified financial plan and creative strategy; and strategic and long-range panning.