Student Information

Public Administration
Mission Statement & Student Learning Objectives
Faculty & Staff
Admission Process
MPA Professional Advisory Council (MPAPAC)
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions

Advising

The MPA program is designed to be easily navigable by students.  The program suggests, but does not require, new students to complete PADM 501 and PADM 503, early in their coursework. The 601 capstone class should be taken your final Spring quarter and must be complete after you’ve completed the core courses.  The capstone does not cover material taught in elective courses so students can take the capstone and elective courses concurrently.

A good rule of thumb when deciding between core classes is to take the lower number first.  For example if you are unsure whether to take PADM 509 or PADM 515 we would suggest taking PADM 509 first. You are not required to take the lower core class first but it’s highly recommended.

For elective classes students should take classes that fit their interests/schedule. Students are required to complete 20 elective credits (4 classes).

All advising questions should be directed to MPA director Courtney Jensen at cejensen@ewu.edu

For additional information, please see the Graduate Programs office.

Course Schedules Student Materials

Course Schedules

ClassCourse TypeModality
PADM 501 Research ApproachesCoreIn Person
PADM 503 Foundations of Public AdministrationCoreIn Person
PADM 511 Public Organizational Theory & LeadershipCoreOnline
PADM 537 Non Profit ManagementElectiveIn Person
PADM 563 Public Leadership & EthicsElectiveOnline

ClassCourse TypeModality
PADM 509 Public Personnel AdministrationCoreOnline
PADM 513 Public Planning & BudgetingCoreOnline
PADM 515 Administrative LawCoreIn Person
PADM 525 GrantwritingElectiveOnline
PADM 531 Intergovernmental RelationsElectiveIn Person

ClassCourse TypeModality
PADM 507 Public Policy AnalysisCoreIn Person
PADM 601 CapstoneCoreHybrid
PADM 533 Metropolitan GovernanceElectiveOnline
PADM 557 Fundraising & PhilanthropyElectiveIn Person

ClassCourse TypeModality
PADM 501 Research ApproachesCoreOnline
PADM 503 Foundations of Public AdministrationCoreOnline
PADM 511 Public Organizational Theory & Leadership)CoreIn Person
PADM 537 Non Profit ManagementElectiveOnline
PADM 563 Public Leadership & EthicsElectiveIn Person

ClassCourse TypeModality
PADM 509 Public Personnel AdministrationCoreIn Person
PADM 513 Public Planning & BudgetingCoreIn Person
PADM 515 Administrative LawCoreOnline
PADM 525 GrantwritingElectiveIn Person
PADM 531 Intergovernmental RelationsElectiveOnline

ClassCourse TypeModality
PADM 507 Public Policy Analysis)CoreOnline
PADM 601 CapstoneCoreHyrbid
PADM 533 Metropolitan GovernanceElectiveIn Person
PADM 557 Fundraising & PhilanthropyElectiveOnline

Schedules are subject to change | To learn more about registering for classes, head on over to Records and Registration

Course Descriptions: Core Requirements

PADM 501. PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION RESEARCH APPROACHES. 5 Credits.

Notes: this course should be taken the 1st or 2nd quarter in the program.
Assists the student in developing research designs, as well as developing skills in locating, obtaining and assembling information pertinent to public administration. The course explores various approaches to research found in public administration literature. An overview of quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods, including interviews, surveys, case studies, field research, and statistical analysis.

Catalog Listing

PADM 503. FOUNDATIONS OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION. 5 Credits.

Notes: this course should be taken the 1st or 2nd quarter in the program.
Pre-requisites: graduate standing or consent of the instructor.
Offers an analysis of the development of the administrative state and the profession of public administration. Emphasis is placed on the historical, political, and socioeconomic contexts of public service, as well as on the ethical and foundational values that underlie modern public administration theory and practice.

Catalog Listing

PADM 507. PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: graduate standing or consent of the instructor.
Offers an examination of the policy making process, including the development and formulation policy agendas, the use of rational decision-making techniques, and the use of quantitative and qualitative approaches to policy analysis. Analytical tools include political and economic modeling.

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PADM 509. PUBLIC PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: graduate standing or consent of the instructor.
Addresses the fundamentals of human resource management in the public sector. Topics covered may include the civil service system, merit principles, equal employment opportunity, and/or current human resource management issues or techniques related to such concerns as employee recruitment, selection, orientation and motivation. Issues such as employee hiring and screen and professional development of employees are also discussed.

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PADM 511. PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONAL THEORY AND LEADERSHIP. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: graduate standing or consent of the instructor.
A review of contemporary organization theory and the ways that theory informs and reflects the processes of public management and leadership.

Catalog Listing

PADM 513. PUBLIC PLANNING AND BUDGETING. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: graduate standing or consent of the instructor.
An examination of budget process emphasizing bureaucratic politics, policy issues, alternative methods, and strategic planning techniques.

Catalog Listing

PADM 515. ADMINISTRATIVE LAW AND REGULATION. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: graduate standing or consent of the instructor.
A description, analysis and critique of the American systems of administrative law, rule making and regulation, and their impact on public management. This course focuses on the ways various interpretations of the U.S. Constitution and of U.S. Supreme Court cases affect public administration theory and practice.

Catalog Listing

PADM 601. MPA CAPSTONE & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: completion of all other MPA core classes or permission of the MPA director.
This course prepares students who have completed required core courses to take the MPA Written Comprehensive Examination, successful completion of which is required to receive the MPA degree. Students will also complete an advanced reflection project and prepare professional materials.

Catalog Listing

Course Descriptions: Elective Options

PADM 523. PUBLIC FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: graduate standing or consent of the instructor.
Presents a broad overview of the development of the theory of public expenditure and taxes and the management of financing by U.S. governments. It describes optional means of financing and addresses the pros and cons of each. The emphasis is on municipal financial management, its environment and the skills required.

Catalog Listing

PADM 525. NETWORKED GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SECTOR GRANTS-WRITING. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: graduate standing or consent of the instructor.
Examination of networked governance, the development of public sector grant programs and the distribution and fiscal management of money transfers. Topics include project development, grant applications, program planning and implementation and public policies for the improvement of intergovernmental operations.

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PADM 531. INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: graduate standing or consent of the instructor.
Explores the interdependence and linkages between governmental agencies explored from the perspectives of the legal/regulatory, fund raising/fund transfer and administrative/cooperative elements in our federal system.

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PADM 533. METROPOLITAN GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: graduate standing or consent of the instructor.
An exploration of the major management issues and techniques involved in the professional management of governmental processes in metropolitan and regional areas. Topics include the role of the professional city administrator, political, social, and economic processes in national and global cities, metropolitan areas, and urban regions, major urban services issues, ethics, decision making, and budget preparation. Examines both theoretical and the practical aspects of governmental management.

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PADM 539. SPECIAL TOPICS. 1-5 Credits.

Special Topics.

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PADM 543. LABOR RELATIONS. 2 Credits.

This course covers a broad range of topics such as history of the labor movement, federal and state statutes covering the field, emergency operations planning and legislative lobbying efforts.

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PADM 545. COLLECTIVE BARGAINING. 2 Credits.

This course addresses the process of reaching agreement on a contract.

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PADM 551. COMPARATIVE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: graduate standing or consent of the instructor.
A comparative examination and analysis of the impacts of political and social cultures on public administrative systems within nation states. Emphasis is placed on the application of comparative methodologies to the study of public administration.

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PADM 561. PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION THROUGH FILM AND TELEVISION. 2 Credits.

This course explores, through cinematic images, how government and government employees are portrayed in film and television.

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PADM 563. PUBLIC LEADERSHIP AND ETHICS. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: graduate standing or consent of the instructor.
This course seeks to provide an understanding and appreciate of basic ethical concepts and frameworks. A variety of ethical theories and approaches are considered and applied to public sector situations. A main focus is on the exercise of both individual and collective judgment - "Right Action" or "Good Conduct"-In public organizational and policy setting. Issues and problems related to organizational cultures of corruption and the ethical accountability of socio-technical system.

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PADM 596. EXPERIMENTAL COURSE. 1-5 Credits.

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PADM 598. SEMINAR IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION. 1-5 Credits.

Experimental.

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PADM 599. INDEPENDENT STUDY. 1-5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: permission of the instructor, department chair and college dean.
Independent Study.

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PADM 600. THESIS RESEARCH SEMINAR. 1-15 Credits.

Notes: continuous registration of 2 credit hours per quarter; maximum of 8 credits allowed toward MPA degree.
Pre-requisites: PADM 501 and permission of the instructor, department chair and college dean.
A seminar designed to assist students completing research requirements in connection with the MPA program. This is a required course if the thesis option is chosen. The thesis can be substituted for the advanced research and writing seminar within a chosen specialization and as an elective. The thesis option is intended for those students going on to doctoral study.

Catalog Listing

PADM 603. INTERNSHIP IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION. 2-8 Credits.

Notes: grade Pass/No Credit; may be repeated.
Pre-requisites: permission of the instructor, department chair and college dean.
Guided field placement with a public agency.

Catalog Listing

Graduate Student Materials

As a graduate student, there are a few things that you need to know to get you to graduation; if applicable to your program, the final comprehension exam, thesis, and oral defense are requirements that students have the most questions on.

Graduate students also have different policies and rights of appeal.

For information and forms, head on over to Graduate Current Students page.