Single Course

Advanced Public Administration and Management

NGO Management & Policy Development

Course Summary:

Analyzes the nature of public administration, its structure and limitations; includes staff organization and chain of command, unemployment policies, personnel training and management, employees, organizations, and public relations

Course Objectives:

  • Explain what encompasses the field of public administration
  • Explain what it means to be a public administrator
  • Acknowledge that public administration is a wide-ranging and complex subject that involves core activities of government
  • Explain the core activities provided by highly trained public administration experts and specialized organizations
  • Explain the core purpose of public administration
  • Recognize that public administration encompasses a large and dynamic portion of government at all three levels of the federal system, engaging even in nonprofit and private enterprise

Course Outline

Overview of Public Administration

  • Define public administration
  • Explain the functional responsibilities within the public system
  • Discuss the concepts of democratic rule
  • Discover the similarities and variations between private and public business
  • Define the responsibilities of the public administrator
  • Discuss some of the broad challenges of public administration

The Political Context of Public Administration

  • Understand how political dynamics affect the functionality and administration of public programs
  • Recognize and comprehend the different levels of government – federal, state, and local
  • Define and discuss the different types of city structure and management
  • Understand the policy process through various levels of government
  • Develop a sensitivity to the political process

Interorganizational Context of Public Administration

  • Discuss the relationships between government entities
  • Explain the history of the federal/local government relationship
  • Discuss the interactions of government and nonprofit organizations
  • Develop an understanding of the grant process and network
  • Relate the changing roles of government, public policy, and the effects on nonprofits and social service organizations
  • Develop an overview of management and operational characteristics of nonprofits

Designing and Managing Organizations

  • Distinguish the development and application of general organizational and management practices
  • Comprehend the decision-making process within the governmental arena/shifting priorities
  • Identify and understand the organizational culture and learning
  • Differentiate the functions of management as defined by Fayol and Gulick

The Management of Human Resources

  • Develop an understanding of employee selection, hiring, and development in the public sector and our system of merit versus spoils-based employment/governmental relations
  • Grasp the application of the Civil Service Reform Act and the changes such legislation achieved
  • Identify assessment and accountability within the governmental structure
  • Outline management/labor relations and issues in government
  • Explore civil rights and Americans with Disabilities Act
  • Explain discriminatory practices

Leadership and Management Skills in Public Organizations

  • Discuss the concept of leadership versus management, structure, and power
  • Define the five bases of social power
  • Relate effective knowledge of communication and the application of appropriate practices
  • Develop a concept of delegation, motivation, and goal setting
  • Explain the dynamics of group interactions and decision making versus individual decision processes
  • Develop a process for resolving conflicts and negotiating/bargaining
  • Ethics of Public Service

Discuss the definitions of right and wrong and the ethical questions posed in public service

  • Explain what is meant by morality and ethics
  • Explain how a public manager interacts with elected officials
  • Develop an understanding of the challenges of following orders versus doing the right thing, whistle blowing, and conflicts of interest
  • Explain the intent and importance of the Hatch Act

Administrative Reform and Technology

  • Explain the perceived weaknesses of government and why it needs to be reformed
  • Discuss how MBO affects operations
  • Relate the impact of technology on operations and service
  • Discuss how quality circles can improve problem solving and service delivery
  • Explain how recognition programs affect quality and productivity
  • Develop an appreciation for the human side of technological improvements

Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation

  • Develop an understanding how public policies and programs are conceived, defined, and implemented
  • Conceptually understand the planning process in general and as it applies to public service
  • Understand program and process evaluation and the differences between the two
  • Understand how human interaction in the planning process affects the outcome
  • Utilize PERT/CPM techniques theory for implementation of public programs

Budgeting and Financial Management

  • Develop an understanding of what fiscal policy is and how it can influence the economy
  • Explain the budgeting function in a public agency
  • Determine, from the federal perspective, the sources of revenue and the impact of expenditures
  • Develop a broad understanding of various taxes employed at different levels of government and determine whether they are progressive or regressive
  • Compare from a state and local perspective, the sources of revenue and the impact of expenditures
  • Learn to use the budget as a managerial tool
  • Develop a comprehension of how the fiscal year and budget cycle work
  • Discuss the importance of auditing
  • Develop an understanding of risk management and risk mitigation
  • Become familiar with the budget systems government can employ
  • Recognize the types of funds used in public agencies

The Future of Public Service

  • Explain the importance of delivering quality public services
  • Discuss the challenges of attracting qualified personnel to government positions
  • Synthesize the current identified trends in the public sector
  • Develop an awareness of the role of technology in the public work environment
  • Define the evolving role of citizens in the governance process
  • Recognize the growing role of ethics in public service going forward

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