Online Master's Degree in Public Affairs (MSOM)

Credits: 3

Description: The study of the political institutions and process at state and local levels.

Credits: 3

Description: Public policy analysis consists of systematically exploring alternatives to defined public policy problems. Program evaluation consists of post hoc examination of the process and impact of public policy. This course is an introduction to the basic concepts and practice of public policy and program evaluation. Students will learn qualitative and quantitative methodological skills used in these processes and employ these skills in research.

Credits: 3

Description: The study of domestic policymaking processes and institutions at all levels, taught from an intergovernmental relations perspective.

Credits: 3

Description: Concepts of public administration and management processes; introduction to administrative processes of personnel, budgeting, and program management; analysis of public bureaucracy’s function from a public policy perspective.

Credits: 6

Description: The focus of this part of the program will be to emphasize knowledge integration and application of learned principles.

Select one of the following:

• BUS 620 Managerial Communications (3 credit hours) – Application of principles of communication to the managerial setting. The course investigates the influence of organizational climate, manager’s style, and use of motivation on the communication process. Communication strategies appropriate to business reports, speeches, interviews, and conferences are explored along with emphasis on managerial problems with employee communication and conflict management. The course includes a focus on methods of analyzing and resolving communication problems.
• CNA 675 Legal Topics in Media and Communication (3 credit hours) – This course provides a concise overview of communications law, and then delves deeply into current legal issues surrounding communication such as social media law, legal topics for public relations professionals, recent considerations for media professionals, and the changing legal landscape.

Students who would like a leadership emphasis in their program of study may, with permission from their advisor, take two leadership courses as part of their 12 hours. The second course would be substituted for a course in one of the other three areas.

Select one of the following:

• BUS 627 Ethics in Leadership (3 credit hours) – This course will examine classic cases of business and industry. As part of thorough analysis, the course considers firm actions within an ethical framework. The class will also discuss what we can learn about the traits of ethical leadership. The development and implementation of an ethical code and the need for continual ethical training is explored. As a backdrop to this discussion, the student will complete an assessment of his/her ethical character traits.
• BUS 665 Leadership Seminar (3 credit hours) – This course provides students with context and background for the consideration of leadership from multiple perspectives. The course explores leadership theory and practice. Special emphasis is placed on the translation of theory into practice. The evolution of leadership thought, situational leadership, and the future of leadership are also explored.
• CNA 661 Research in Leadership (3 credit hours) – Approaches the study and practice of leadership from a communication perspective. Particular focus on the relationship between communicating and leading. Examination of leadership concepts and theories in organizational group and public contexts. Students will study leadership styles and develop leadership skills through analyzing both historical leaders and current leadership publications, then applying lessons from both to various organizational contexts. Prerequisite: Any graduate-level research design course.

Select one of the following:

• BUS 690 Seminar in Organizational Behavior (3 credit hours) – Examination and analysis of the organization as a social system and the impact of its various components on work attitudes and behavior; topics include the development of organizational structures, organizational effectiveness, decision making and policy formulation, leadership, and change.
• CNA 648 Advanced Organizational Communication (3 credit hours) – An advanced course in organizational communication focusing on organizational culture, ethics, and language in the workplace, character and leadership, organizational change and development, and the analysis of organization communication through completion of an organizational communication audit and feedback report.

PED 622 Statistical Applications and Data Analysis (3 credit hours) – A course in statistics designed to provide an introduction to statistical measures. Application to research problems in various disciplines will be emphasized. Computer applications using common statistical software will be utilized to analyze data sets. Statistical Applications and Data Analysis has a variable prefix.

Plus select one of the following:

• CNA 665 Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (3 credit hours) – Provides an overview of research design and understanding of the preliminary considerations that go into selecting a qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods research design. These include knowing the definition for these different approaches, considering philosophical worldviews, reviewing the literature, understanding the use of theory, anticipating ethical issues, and developing writing strategies. Students will learn the process of research as it relates to each approach. This process includes writing an introduction, specifying a purpose statement, and developing research questions and/or hypotheses. This course will also discuss the methods and procedures for qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods studies.
• EDU 603 Introduction to Educational Research and Design (3 credit hours) – Beginning graduate students will develop a practical knowledge and application of basic types of research, as well as basic research tools and skills that will be helpful to them throughout their program. Graduate students will create a research plan and write a review of literature (paper). Students will create appropriate survey and interview questions, develop a beginning understanding of educational statistics, and the process for developing a research proposal including Institutional Review Board requirements and application processes.
• PED 650 Research Design (3 credit hours) – A course designed to develop knowledge of research, research skills and practical utilization of research information. Graduate students will be expected to use technology effectively and efficiently for any of the following purposes: to conduct literature reviews, to formulate research problems, to develop proposals, to participate in active research problems, and/or to understand and apply basic research tools of both quantitative and qualitative analyses. Research Design has a variable prefix.

PED 622 Statistical Applications and Data Analysis (3 credit hours) – A course in statistics designed to provide an introduction to statistical measures. Application to research problems in various disciplines will be emphasized. Computer applications using common statistical software will be utilized to analyze data sets. Statistical Applications and Data Analysis has a variable prefix.

Select one of the following:

• BUS 628 Dispute Resolution Management (3 credit hours) – This course is designed to give students an overview of alternative dispute resolution. Students will explore negotiations, a process that helps individuals and organizations settle disputes. Students will examine their personal style of management and their unique approach to conflict. This course uses case studies, simulations and role-playing to explore concepts of interests, collaboration, mediation, and nonverbal communications. Students will grow in their ability to anticipate the needs of their audience.
• CNA 617 Topics in Argumentation and Persuasion (3 credit hours) – The focus of the course will alternate between argumentation and persuasion with special attention given to the intricacies in argument structure and logic and/or to the analysis of persuasive campaigns.
• PSY 535 Industrial/ Organizational Psychology (3 credit hours) – A study of the application of the methods, facts, and principles of psychology to people at work. Research in this course includes an examination of job analysis and evaluation, selection, training and performance appraisal of personnel, the structure and context of organizations, organizational culture, organizational change, career development, motivation, job satisfaction, and team dynamics from a psychological perspective. Students will also examine the impact of factors such as increasing government influence, technology improvements, shifting economic conditions, and the changing nature of the workforce on industry. This area of psychology will be shown to have a direct impact on business, industry, labor, public, academic, community and health organizations