Bulletin 2000-2002

School of Public and Environmental Affairs Business/SPEA Building (BS) 3027
801 West Michigan Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 274-4656
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Master of Public Affairs (M.P.A.)

The Master of Public Affairs program is an interdisciplinary, professional program that prepares students for positions in local, state, or federal government, quasi-governmental service, or the nonprofit (including philanthropic) arena. It broadens students’ comprehension of the economic, environmental, political, and social context in which the public servant works. The course of study requires completion of (1) the core requirement, (2) the concentration requirement, (3) the experiential requirement, and (4) sufficient electives and/or mid-career option credit to total 48 credit hours.

The curriculum of this program as contained in the core requirements encompasses preparation in a broad range of skills relevant to the operation of public agencies. It is based on the academic disciplines but not limited to any one and is problem-oriented, bringing the disciplines to bear on critical social, environmental, economic, and administrative issues.

Although the environment of public service is diverse and changing, effectiveness in that environment requires the development of special skills attained through detailed study in a chosen field of concentration. The fields of concentration span the variety of professional specialties found in public service. Thus, the program provides expertise in the core requirements and a specific concentration area as well as a general working knowledge of public affairs.

The M.P.A. program is fully accredited by the NASPAA.

Degree Requirements

(48 credit hours)

Before enrolling in the M.P.A. program, students must show proficiency in the foundation areas of computing, economics, government, mathematics, and statistics to facilitate mastery of core course material. Graduate credit is not given for work done to satisfy these undergraduate requirements.

The core requirements of the M.P.A. degree consist of 21 credit hours of work in nine courses and are common to the five campuses where this degree is offered. Each student must complete the requirements of (at least) one concentration.

The experiential requirement ensures that each graduate of the M.P.A. program has gained insight into the world of public service by way of an experience outside the classroom. This experience may or may not involve the accumulation of credit hours toward the degree. The remaining credit hours necessary for graduation, if any, are general electives that can be used to add breadth to a student’s program; to further explore a field of concentration; or to enhance skills in foreign languages, quantitative tools, or administrative techniques.

Core Requirements

(21 credit hours)

The M.P.A. core is designed to ensure that each student acquires both the prerequisite analytical skills and an understanding of policy issues and governmental processes that compose the environment within which graduates will pursue their careers.

Required Courses
SPEA V501 Professional Development Practicum: Information Technology (1 cr.)
SPEA V502 Public Management (3 cr.)
SPEA V503 Professional Development Practicum: Writing and Presentation (1 cr.)
SPEA V505 Professional Development Practicum: Teamwork and Integrated Policy Project (1 cr.)
SPEA V506 Statistical Analysis for Effective Decision Making (3 cr.)
SPEA V517 Public Management Economics (3 cr.)
SPEA V540 Law and Public Affairs (3 cr.)
SPEA V560 Public Finance and Budgeting (3 cr.)
SPEA V600 Capstone in Public and Environmental Affairs (3 cr.) Extremely well prepared applicants may petition the program director to waive one or more of the core requirements on the basis of advanced course work done elsewhere. Students may be exempted on the basis of satisfactory equivalent course work or by examination. Credit hours waived from the core add to the electives a student may use. Students requesting course waivers should contact the appropriate graduate program director for requirements and guidelines.

Concentration Requirements

(18-30 credit hours)

Concentrations give students educational experiences in a substantive area of interest. The course of study in each concentration area is determined in conjunction with an advisor. Up to 3 credit hours of the concentration may be taken in V585 Practicum in Public Affairs, if approved in advance by an advisor.

Concentration requirements may be waived on the same basis as core requirements. Consult with an advisor about course prerequisites.

Experiential Requirements

Each M.P.A. student must obtain professionally relevant experience through one of the following options: an approved internship (0-6 credit hours); SPEA V590 Research in Public Affairs; SPEA V601 Workshop in Public Affairs; the Lilly Fellowship Program; the Environmental Fellowship Program; or the Mid-Career Credit Option.

General Elective Courses

Graduate courses, or undergraduate courses approved for graduate credit, may be used to complete the overall degree requirement of 48 credit hours.

Fields of Concentration

Concentrations give students a focused educational experience in a substantive area of interest. The concentration is selected in conjunction with a faculty advisor and the appropriate SPEA administrator. Concentrations include criminal justice, environmental management, nonprofit management, policy analysis, public management, and urban management.

Criminal Justice Concentration

(18 credit hours)

The criminal justice concentration is for those interested in the issues, methods, and skills involved in the management of criminal justice or related agencies.

Required Courses (12 credit hours)
SPEA J501 Evolution of Criminological Thought and Policy (3 cr.)
SPEA J502 Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Public Affairs (3 cr.)
SPEA V509 Administrative Ethics in the Public Sector (3 cr.) One of the following: SPEA J666 Criminal Justice Policy and Evaluation (3 cr.)
SPEA J682 Criminal Justice Planning and Management (3 cr.)
Electives (6 credit hours)
Two courses from one of the following groups:

Group A:

SPEA J550 Topics in Criminal Justice (3 cr.)
SPEA J582 Criminal Justice Systems (3 cr.)
SPEA J587 Criminal Violation: Problems and Characteristics (3 cr.)
SPEA J588 Law and Control in Society (3 cr.)
SPEA V580 Readings in Public Affairs (criminal justice topics only) (3 cr.)
SPEA V585 Practicum in Public Affairs (criminal justice topics only) (3 cr.)
SPEA V685 Research Seminar in Public Affairs (criminal justice topics only) (3 cr.)

Group B:

Management, Organizations, and Policy
SPEA H507 Management of Individual and Group Behavior (3 cr.)
SPEA V504 Public Organizations (3 cr.)
SPEA V512 Public Policy Process (3 cr.)
SPEA V539 Management Science for Public Affairs (3 cr.)
SPEA V547 Negotiation and Dispute Resolution for Public Affairs (3 cr.)
SPEA V561 Public Human Resources Management (3 cr.)
SPEA V562 Public Program Evaluation (3 cr.)
SPEA V564 Urban Management (3 cr.)
SPEA V566 Executive Leadership (3 cr.)
SPEA V569 Managing Interpersonal Relations (3 cr.)
SPEA V570 Public Sector Labor Relations (3 cr.)

Nonprofit Management

SPEA V522 Human Resources Management in Nonprofit Organizations (3 cr.)

SPEA V525 Management in the Nonprofit Sector (3 cr.)

Finance

SPEA V541 Benefit-Cost Analysis of Public and Environmental Policies (3 cr.)
SPEA V542 Governmental Financial Accounting and Reporting (3 cr.)

Information Systems

SPEA V516 Public Management Information Systems (3 cr.)
SPEA V518 Intergovernmental Systems Management (3 cr.)
SPEA V519 Database Management Systems (3 cr.)
SPEA V550/J550 Topics in Public Affairs (3 cr.) Other courses approved by a faculty advisor.

Environmental Management Concentration

(21 credit hours)

Students entering this concentration should have a working knowledge of chemistry and calculus prior to admission. The minimum level of competence needed is equivalent to two semesters of undergraduate chemistry and one semester of calculus.

Required Courses (9 credit hours)
SPEA E526 Applied Mathematics for Environmental Science (3 cr.) vSPEA E552 Environmental Engineering (3 cr.)
SPEA V645 Environmental Law (3 cr.)
Electives (12 credit hours)
Four of the following courses or other 500-level or above environment-related courses approved by a concentration advisor. SPEA E431 Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment (3 cr.)
SPEA E510 Hazardous Materials Regulation (3 cr.)
SPEA E512 Risk Communication (3 cr.)
SPEA E515 Fundamentals of Air Pollution (3 cr.)
SPEA E520 Environmental Toxicology (3 cr.)
SPEA E536 Environmental Chemistry (3 cr.)
SPEA E542 Hazardous Materials (3 cr.)
SPEA E549 Environmental Planning (3 cr.)
SPEA E554 Groundwater Flow Modeling (3 cr.)
SPEA E560 Environmental Risk Analysis (3 cr.)
SPEA E562 Solid and Hazardous Waste Management (3 cr.)
SPEA E620 Environmental Analysis Workshop (3 cr.)
SPEA V520 Environmental Policy Analysis (3 cr.)
SPEA V541 Benefit-Cost Analysis of Public and Environmental Policies (3 cr.)

Nonprofit Management Concentration

(18 credit hours)

The nonprofit management concentration prepares persons for leadership positions in nonprofit and volunteer organizations. Students receive a professional degree structured around theories, concepts, and practices essential to the policy and management of nonprofit organizations. Students who choose careers in the third sector will be more enlightened practitioners through a clear understanding of the philanthropic tradition in the broadest sense, that is, voluntary action for the public good, and of modern management techniques.

Required Courses (6 credit hours)
SPEA V521 The Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector (3 cr.)
SPEA V525 Management in the Nonprofit Sector (3 cr.) One of the following nonprofit theoretical courses: ECON E514 The Nonprofit Economy and Public Policy (3 cr.)
HIST H509 History of Philanthropy in the West (3 cr.)
PHIL P542 Ethics and Values of Philanthropy (3 cr.)
SPEA V523 Civil Society and Public Policy (3 cr.)
SPEA V524 Civil Society in Comparative Perspective (3 cr.) Other courses approved by the faculty advisor.

Two of the following nonprofit application courses:

EDUC C595 Legal Aspects of Philanthropy (3 cr.)
SPEA V522 Human Resource Management in Nonprofit Organizations (3 cr.)
SPEA V526 Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations (3 cr.)
SPEA V550 Topics in Public Affairs: Fund Development for Nonprofit Organizations (3 cr.)
SPEA V550 Topics in Public Affairs: Proposal Writing and Grant Administration (3 cr.)
SPEA V602 Strategic Planning of Public and Nonprofit Organizations (3 cr.) One of the following general management courses: SPEA H507 Management of Individual and Group Behavior (3 cr.)
SPEA V516 Public Management Information Systems (3 cr.)
SPEA V539 Management Science of Public Affairs (3 cr.)
SPEA V541 Benefit-Cost Analysis of Public and Environmental Policies (3 cr.)
SPEA V562 Public Program Evaluation (3 cr.)
SPEA V566 Executive Leadership (3 cr.)

Policy Analysis Concentration

(18 credit hours)

The policy analysis concentration focuses on techniques for the rigorous evaluation of public policies and public programs, emphasizing science, operations research techniques, cost-benefit analysis, and program evaluation.

Required Courses (13 credit hours)
SPEA V512 Public Policy Process (3 cr.) Choose two of the following: SPEA H515 Seminar in Health Policy Process Special Topics (3 cr.)
SPEA P550 Topics in Planning (public policy topics approved by an advisor) (3 cr.)
SPEA V520 Environmental Policy Analysis (3 cr.)
SPEA V550 Topics in Public Affairs (public policy topics approved by an advisor) (3 cr.)
SPEA V580 Readings in Public Affairs (3 cr.)
SPEA V622 Seminar in Urban Economic Development (3 cr.) One of the following: SPEA P520 Methods for Planning and Policy Analysis (3 cr.)
SPEA V507 Data Analysis and Modeling for Public Affairs (3 cr.) One of the following: SPEA V539 Management Science for Public Affairs (3 cr.)
SPEA V541 Benefit-Cost Analysis for Public and Environmental Policies (3 cr.)
SPEA V562 Public Program Evaluation (3 cr.)
Research Requirement
SPEA V590 Research in Public Affairs (3 cr.) Students must submit a proposal for the policy analysis project and receive approval from the concentration advisor before undertaking the project. A minimum of 12 credit hours (four courses) must be completed in the policy analysis concentration before a project proposal may be approved.

Public Management Concentration

(18 credit hours)

The public management concentration is a structured program that enables students to develop a managerial perspective. The curriculum ensures breadth of coverage across those areas essential to a managerial career.

Required Courses (12 credit hours)
SPEA H507 Management of Individual and Group Behavior (3 cr.)
SPEA V561 Public Human Resource Management in the Public Sector (3 cr.)
SPEA V602 Strategic Management of Public and Nonprofit Organizations (3 cr.)
SPEA V639 Managing Government Operations (3 cr.) One of the following: SPEA V516 Public Management Information Systems (3 cr.)
SPEA V542 Governmental Financial Accounting and Reporting (3 cr.) One of the following: SPEA V539 Management Science for Public Affairs (3 cr.)
SPEA V541 Benefit-Cost Analysis for Public and Environmental Policies (3 cr.)
SPEA V562 Public Program Evaluation (3 cr.)

Urban Management Concentration

(30 credit hours)

The urban management concentration prepares students for entry and mid-career management and policy positions in local government and nonprofit organizations.

Required Courses (9 credit hours)
SPEA V561 Public Human Resources Management (3 cr.)
SPEA V564 Urban Management (3 cr.)
SPEA V567 Public Financial Administration (3 cr.)
Advanced Electives (9 credit hours)
Take three of the following courses. You must take two from one area and one from another area.

Area 1: Planning

SPEA E549 Environmental Planning (3 cr.)
SPEA P500 Foundations of Planning (3 cr.)
SPEA P510 Social and Economic Aspects of Human Settlements (3 cr.)
SPEA P515 Physical Systems, Development, and Infrastructure (3 cr.)
SPEA P530 Land Use Law (3 cr.)
SPEA V563 The Planning Process (3 cr.)
SPEA V597 Land Use Planning (3 cr.)

Area 2: Personnel/Labor Relations

SPEA V547 Negotiation and Dispute Resolution for Public Affairs (3 cr.)
SPEA V570 Public Sector Labor Relations (3 cr.)

Area 3: Operations Management

SPEA V568 Management of Urban Government Services (3 cr.)
SPEA V639 Managing Government Operations (3 cr.)

Area 4: Analysis and Information Systems

SPEA E529 Applications of Geographic Information Systems (3 cr.)
SPEA P520 Methods for Planning and Policy Analysis (3 cr)
SPEA V507 Data Analysis and Modeling for Public Affairs (3 cr.)
SPEA V516 Public Management Information Systems (3 cr.)
SPEA V539 Management Science for Public Affairs (3 cr.)
SPEA V541 Benefit-Cost Analysis of Public and Environmental Policies (3 cr.)
SPEA V562 Public Program Evaluation (3 cr.)
SPEA V593 Analytic Methods in Planning and Policy Analysis (3 cr.)
SPEA V662 Seminar in Productivity and Program Evaluation (3 cr.)

Area 5: Government Finance

SPEA V542 Governmental Financial Accounting and Reporting (3 cr.)
SPEA V609 Seminar in Revenue Theory and Administration (3 cr.)
SPEA V610 Seminar in Government Budget and Program Analysis (3 cr.)
SPEA V667 Seminar in Public Capital and Debt Theory (3 cr.)

Area 6: Development

SPEA P540 Community and Neighborhood Development Planning (3 cr.)
SPEA V550 Topics in Public Affairs: Community Development (3 cr.)
SPEA V622 Seminar in Urban Economic Development (3 cr.) Other courses approved by the faculty advisor.

Area 7: Nonprofit Management

SPEA V518 Intergovernmental Systems Management (3 cr.)
SPEA V521 The Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector (3 cr.)
SPEA V522 Human Resource Management in Nonprofit Organizations (3 cr.)
SPEA V525 Management in the Nonprofit Sector (3 cr.)

Area 8: Policy Issues and Analysis

SPEA E562 Solid and Hazardous Waste Management (3 cr.)
SPEA V550 Topics in Public Affairs: Urban Poverty
(or other topics approved by the faculty advisor.) (3 cr.)
Urban Management Internship and Seminar (12 credit hours)
SPEA V585 Practicum in Public Affairs (9 cr.) Compensated internship in local government to be served during the fourth semester. SPEA V623 Seminar in Urban Management (3 cr.) Seminar served in conjunction with urban management internship. This seminar normally will substitute for the V600 capstone requirement in the M.P.A. core.
 

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