Overview
The Master of Public Administration Program at the University of Vermont joins vigorous study of the foundations of public administration with the practice of public administration in the real world. Vermont's small size, open local and state government, and wealth of nonprofit organizations make for an ideal environment in which to directly engage with the public administration field. More information on the M.P.A. program can be found on the Master of Public Administration website.
Degrees
Aiyar, Anaka; Assistant Professor, Department of Community Development and Applied Economics; PhD, University of California-Riverside
Ament, Joseph; Assistant Professor, Department of Community Development and Applied Economics; PhD, University of Vermont
Conner, David S.; Professor, Department of Community Development and Applied Economics; PHD, Cornell University
Farley, Joshua C.; Professor, Department of Community Development and Applied Economics; PHD, Cornell University
Heiss, Sarah Noel; Associate Professor, Department of Community Development and Applied Economics; PHD, Ohio University
Koliba, Christopher J.; Professor Emeritus, Department of Community Development and Applied Economics; PHD, Syracuse University
Kolodinsky, Jane Marie; Professor Emeritus, Department of Community Development and Applied Economics; PHD, Cornell University
Mays, Kate; Assistant Professor, Department of Community Development and Applied Economics; PhD, Boston University
McMahon, Edward; Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Community Development and Applied Economics; EDD, University of Vermont
McRae, Glenn; Adjunct Lecturer, Department of Community Development and Applied Economics; PHD, The Union Institute & University
Reynolds, Travis; Associate Professor, Department of Community Development and Applied Economics, PHD, University of Washington
Shrum, Trisha R.; Assistant Professor; Department of Community Development and Applied Economics; PHD, Harvard University – John F. Kennedy School of Government
Tobin, Daniel; Associate Professor, Department of Community Development and Applied Economics; PHD, Pennsylvania State University
Zia, Asim; Professor, Department of Community Development and Applied Economics; PHD, Georgia Institute of Technology
Courses
PA 5990. Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
Current issues and new developments in public policy and public administration. Prerequisite: Permission.
PA 6010. Foundations of Public Admin. 3 Credits.
Survey of major elements of management in the public and nonprofit sectors with special attention given to problems arising from political imperatives generated by a democratic society.
PA 6020. Org Theory & Behavior. 3 Credits.
Examination of basic classical and contemporary theory, research on human relations, internal structures, environments, types, diverse workplaces, general properties of complex organizations and bureaucracies.
PA 6030. Research & Evaluation Methods. 0 or 3 Credits.
Conceptualization, collection and analysis of primary and secondary data; interpretation, and communication of results of applied research and/or evaluation studies for decision makers. Prerequisite: Three hours of Statistics. Cross-listed with: CDAE 6510.
PA 6050. Public and Nonprofit Budgeting. 3 Credits.
A focus on the budget as the primary policy and planning document in public and nonprofit organizations.
PA 6060. Policy Systems. 3 Credits.
The study and application of system-level public policy frameworks, theories and models to contemporary policy problems and solutions.
PA 6070. Administrative Ethics. 3 Credits.
Administrative behavior with a focus on ethical dilemmas that arise in the bureaucracy. An examination of a number of moral issues and ways to resolve them.
PA 6080. Decision Making Models. 3 Credits.
Explores and analyzes normative, descriptive and prescriptive decision making models. Focuses on systems-level thinking to impart problem-solving skills in complex decision-making contexts. Emphasis placed on imparting cutting edge skills, enabling students to design and implement multiple criteria decision analysis models.
PA 6110. Policy Analysis&Program Eval. 3 Credits.
A seminar providing hands-on knowledge in policy analysis and program evaluation using case studies of current analysis projects and problems. Specific techniques include planning, survey administration, forecasting, cost benefit analysis, and impact assessment.
PA 6170. Systems Anly & Strategic Mgmt. 3 Credits.
Students will be introduced to systems thinking and network dynamics with a particular focus on managing across organizational and sectoral boundaries, including public-private partnerships, intergovernmental arrangements, and strategic alliances. Tools to undertake strategic analysis and planning will be explored.
PA 6230. Non-Profit Administration. 3 Credits.
Course reviews the history of, and managerial challenges inherent to, the non-profit sector in the United States and explores sector's relationship to the governmental and business sectors.
PA 6260. Community Economic Development. 3 Credits.
Examines how rural and urban communities address poverty, unemployment and other economic problems through job creation and retention, workforce training and support, and other development strategies. Cross-listed with: CDAE 6260.
PA 6391. Master's Thesis Research. 1-6 Credits.
Research for the Master's Thesis. Thesis topic must be approved by faculty advisor.
PA 6750. Public Administration Capstone. 3 Credits.
The Capstone is designed to provide Master of Public Administration students with a summative experience that ties learning competencies to evidence drawn from their course of study. Pre/co-requisites: Core Master of Public Administration courses either prior to Spring semester or simultaneously.
PA 6990. Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
For advanced students within areas of expertise of the faculty. Varied course offerings. Contemporary topics. Instructor Permission.
PA 6991. Internship. 3-6 Credits.
Supervised administrative experience culminating in a written report.
PA 6993. Independent Study. 1-18 Credits.
A course which is tailored to fit the interests of a specific student, which occurs outside the traditional classroom/laboratory setting under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
PA 6995. Graduate Independent Research. 1-18 Credits.
Graduate student work on individual or small team research projects under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.