Curriculum

 Course Descriptions and Certificate Programs

Master of Public Administration

To earn a MPA degree at ETSU, students are required to accomplish a minimum of 36 credit hours. 

All students need to take 18 credit hours in core classes as well as 18 credit hours in elective courses.

Students can choose to take 3 credit hours in an internship, capstone project, or a combination of elective courses. 

Core classes (18 credit hours required):

  • PMGT 5100 - Introduction to Public Administration
    A survey of and introduction to the field of public administration. The history and development of the civil service, as well as the major subfields of the discipline, and the theories and concepts of public administration will be presented.
  • PMGT 5120 - Public Personnel Management
    A survey of and introduction to the field of public administration. The history and development of the civil service, as well as the major subfields of the discipline, and the theories and concepts of public administration will be presented.
  • PMGT 5140 - Public Organization Theory 

    This course provides an introduction to the basic theories of organizational structure and behavior as they relate to the public sector.




  • PMGT 5160 - Public Budgeting and Finance

    This course provides a survey of public budgeting and finance, with consideration of the various theories and techniques of budgeting, finance, and taxation.

  • PMGT 5180 - Quantitative Inquiry & Policy Analysis for Public Managers

    This course provides the basic quantitative techniques of policy analysis and decision making for the public sector.

  • PMGT 5200 - Legal and Ethical Considerations in Public Administration  

    An introduction to the field of administrative law, with a focus on US Constitutional and ethical constraints on public services applicable to government and nonprofit organizations in their relationships with the public, employees, contractors, and others.

Courses in elective areas of study:

  • Local Government Management

    This area of study offers a series of courses designed to familiarize students with principles and issues pertaining to local governance. Students are introduced to city management issues and regulations as well as the ethical considerations that public administrators face. The key courses are City Management Profession, Urban Government, Legal Considerations in Local Government and Seminar in Public Management.


    • PMGT 5500 - City Management Profession
      Approaches to the management of small cities. Topics include council manager relations and relations with department heads.
    • PMGT 5520 - Urban Government
      An analysis of the complexities of urban government in modern American society. Topics include analysis of intergovernmental relations stressing inter-local and regional forms and varieties of local government, policies inherent in metropolitan development and multijurisdictional urban centers, and integral effects of local and metropolitan policies.
    • PMGT 5400 - Legal Considerations in Local Government
      Course provides a practice-oriented examination of major federal and state laws that govern management and operations of a wide variety of local governments in the United States.
    • PMGT 5240 - Seminar in Public Management
      Students examine specific cases involving real life instances of public sector decision making. It helps students put themselves in the manager’s or administrator’s place and arrive at a viable solution to the issue or problem presented.

     

  • Non-Profit and Public Financial Management 

    A synergy between the skills sought by not-for-profit organizations and government finance offices allows this area of study to prepare graduates for responsible positions in either non-profit organizations or government.  It teaches students the tools of organization, leadership, and financial management. Graduates work in non-profit organizations, government finance offices, and human resource departments.

    • PMGT 5280 - Seminar in Public Risk Management
      An introduction to the subject of risk management in the public sector. The problem of uncertainty or loss is an issue that is receiving increased attention in the public sector. The course examines areas of risk, classification of risk, and ways in which risk can be managed or addressed.
    • PMGT 5750 - Public Sector Financial Management
      The management of public funds including: cash management, forecasting, investments, purchasing, debt administration and assessing financial condition.
    • PMGT 5300 - Non-Profit Resource Development
      A survey of not-for-profit development including: (1) how to raise the resources necessary for the survival of a not-for-profit organization, (2) how to recruit and develop human resources, including volunteers and effective board members, and (3) how strategic planning relates to these most vital resources.

     

    • 3 Credit Hour Guided Elective
  • Economic Planning and Development 

    This area of study addresses cross regional issues pertaining to city planning and management. Students are introduced to a wide range of theoretical and practical considerations in making strategic planning and operating choices. The key courses are Economic Development Planning, GIS for Planning and Development, Transportation Planning and Development, and Local and Regional Planning.

    • PMGT 5340 - Economic Development Planning
      An introduction to the complexities of local economic development planning. Useful for students wishing to become economic or planning specialists and for community leaders interested in creating development strategies.


    • PMGT 5310 - GIS for Planning and Development
      This course is designed for graduate students in urban planning and development and other related disciplines. The goal is to learn core principles and applications of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in the practice of urban planning and economic development.


    • PMGT 5320 - Transportation Planning and Development
      This is the sample content that will appear when the accordion is opened.
    • PMGT 5630 - Local and Regional Planning
      Theories and techniques of planning for small cities, metropolitan areas, and geographic regions.

     

Optional elective courses for all MPA students:

  • Internship (3 credit hours)

    Choose from one of the following

    • PMGT 5800 - Public Management Internship
      An experiential learning course that entails an internship experience of 14 weeks with a municipality or other public, private, or not-for-profit agency. The student must locate and acquire his or her own internship. The project or work assignment for this internship generally forms the basis for the M. P. M. Report.
    • PMGT 5820 - Public Administration Consultantship
      Supervised consultantship in a municipal government or nonprofit agency.
  • Capstone project (3 credit hours)
    Choose from one of the following
    • PMGT 5840 - Public Management Report 
      This course requires the student to prepare an in-depth report describing and evaluating his or her experience in PMGT 5800 or PMGT 5820 and integrating the experience with knowledge and skills acquired throughout M.P.M. program. Consultation with the director of the M.P.M. program is recommended before enrollment.
    • Two additional MPA courses
       

Certificate programs: 

Flyer for nonprofit management certificate