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MPA Program Course Guide 2023-2024

MPA Class of 2025

Brooks MPA Program Requirements Overview

During two years of study, Brooks MPA students must satisfactorily complete at least sixteen (16) semester-length courses (or equivalent). This is typically four full-semester courses per semester, plus colloquium, practical experience, and the professional writing requirements. The Brooks MPA Program curriculum for the Class of 2025 includes the following:

Core Foundation Coursework

Students must complete the following four (4) required foundation courses in the fall semester of their first year of study:

  • PADM 5110: Public Administration
  • PADM 5210: Intermediate Microeconomics for Public Affairs
  • PADM 5310: Inferential Statistics for Public Affairs
  • PADM 5414: Project Management

Students must complete five (5) semester-long courses, one in each of the following areas:

  • Administrative, Political and Policy Processes: Leading and managing organizations
  • Administrative, Political and Policy Processes: Analyzing politics and processes for public decision making
  • Economic Analysis and Public Sector Economics: Microeconomics of government policy
  • Quantitative Methods and Analytics: Decision-analytic methods
  • Additional Foundation Course: One additional course chosen from any of the foundation areas or from the list of pre-approved additional foundation courses.

Concentration Coursework

Five (5) semester-long (or equivalent) courses within one of the eight concentration areas offered in the program. One of the five concentration courses must include the designated concentration gateway course. This gateway course is ideally taken in the second semester.

Professional Development Coursework

Two (2) semester-long (or equivalent) courses that should strengthen professional preparation, which may include statistical, analytical or mathematical skills, professional writing, speaking, language, leadership or management, or additional skills or knowledge needed for a student’s selected concentration. Students may choose a course from the list of general concentration courses, any of the pre-approved concentration courses, or any of the foundation courses to fulfill this category.

Colloquium Coursework 

All students are required to complete PADM 5009: Career Management for Public Affairs, taken in fall of the first year of study, and PADM 5012: Professional Development for Public Affairs, taken in spring of both years of study.

Practical Experience Requirement

There are multiple ways to meet the practical experience requirement. Many students engage in summer internships found through individual searches, opportunities through Brooks MPA faculty connections, or Brooks MPA Career Management. Students may also meet this requirement through the off-campus externship program, or by completing an MPA Capstone course. More information about the practical experience requirement is available in the MPA Program Handbook.

Professional Writing Requirement

There are multiple ways to satisfy the professional writing requirement. To meet this writing requirement, students may choose to take PADM 5910: MPA Domestic Capstone or PADM 5950: MPA International Capstone, complete a Capstone project through one of the certificate programs, independently write a Professional Report, or independently write an MPA Thesis. More information about the professional writing requirement is available in the MPA Program Handbook and the Professional Writing Requirement Guidelines.

Plan of Study

Within the above framework, each student will craft an individualized MPA that will serve their professional goals. Students will prepare a complete Plan of Study form which is submitted and reviewed through an iterative review process on the Canvas Brooks MPA Advising Center. For additional questions and guidance, students may discuss the Plan of Study with the MPA Student Advising Coordinator and their faculty mentor.

The Plan of Study is due at the end of the first semester of study and must be continuously updated as courses change. The Brooks MPA requires that students take responsibility for creating their optimal MPA and, thus, students are responsible for ensuring that they are meeting all program requirements. Students should read this document and the Program Handbook carefully, as well as consult with the MPA Student Advising Coordinator and their faculty mentors for more information.

Using this Course Guide

This Course Guide offers a description of the core foundation coursework and lists appropriate courses for the additional foundation coursework, concentration coursework, and professional development coursework. With the exception of the core foundation coursework, it is not intended to offer a complete list of courses for the MPA degree, and is not intended to provide a menu from which to develop your curriculum. It is intended to help familiarize you with the many departments, areas of study, and courses offered at Cornell that can support your MPA studies. Not all courses listed in this guide will be offered in every semester or year of study. Students should consult the Brooks MPA Course Offerings (updated and distributed every semester), the Canvas Brooks MPA Advising Center, and the online Cornell Course Roster in developing their course schedule for each semester.

Suggestions for using this guide:

  • Consider choosing additional foundation courses or concentration courses from the list of core competency foundational offerings. Students do not need to limit themselves to taking only one course in each of the core foundation areas, since the extra courses taken may be counted anywhere in the curriculum.
  • When choosing concentration courses, make use of the list of courses appropriate for any concentration.
  • Look at the course suggestions outside of your intended concentration as well as those within it. The courses listed in this guide for each concentration tend to be focused on topics narrowly relevant to the concentration. Depending on their specific interests, students may wish to broaden their concentration coursework to include courses listed under more concentration areas. Students may declare only one concentration, but the coursework in their concentration does not need to be selected only from those listed in this guide under that concentration.
  • If a course you want to take is not listed in this guide, you must obtain approval using the Brooks MPA petition form on the Canvas Brooks MPA Advising Center.

Core Foundation Coursework

Foundation Coursework Overview

In addition to the four (4) required core foundation courses taken in the fall of their first year of study, students will each take four (4) courses across the three complementary foundation areas below, for a total of eight (8) courses, to develop a strong foundation of cross-disciplinary knowledge for working in the broad domain of public affairs.

  • Administrative, Political and Policy ProcessesHow public affairs are conducted and the processes by which policies are made and carried out.
    • Leading and Managing in Organizations
    • Analyzing Politics and Processes for Public Decision Making
  • Economic Analysis and Public Sector EconomicsHow to allocate scarce resources among alternative uses in public affairs.
    • Microeconomics of Government Policy
  • Quantitative Methods and AnalyticsHow options and results in public affairs are determined and evaluated.
    • Decision-Analytics Methods

It is strongly encouraged that all students complete their foundation coursework during their first year and certainly no later than the end of their third semester. This creates an identifiable foundational core to the Brooks MPA curriculum that will help during the second year.

In addition, each student will choose one (1) additional foundation course. Students may fulfill this requirement by taking additional core foundation courses or may choose from the list of additional foundation courses in this guide. There is considerable diversity in the list of additional foundation courses, so students have scope for selecting a set of courses that they think will meet their respective professional needs and objectives. It is important for students to have a clear rationale for their combination of courses in this area, rather than just selecting from the listed courses to ‘meet requirements’.

Core Competency Foundation Courses

Administrative, Political, and Policy Processes

Brooks MPA graduates should have a good understanding of (a) how objectives are and should be formulated and pursued within public sector and non-profit organizations serving the public good and in private and other organizations that attempt to influence public decisions; (b) how public purposes and values can be advanced strategically through the utilization of available resources, organization and skills, cognizant of legal, ethical and professional obligations; and (c) the interplay between politics and administration within the public affairs arena in which they expect to work (international, national, state, local, private, nonprofit).

One course on leading and managing organizations in the public affairs arena, chosen from the following:
  • PADM 5118: Diversity in Leadership: Experience, Perspective and Relatability in Public Affairs
  • PADM 5410: Nonprofit Management and Finance
  • PADM 5450: International Public and NGO Management
  • PADM 5570: Corporate Responsibility
  • PADM 5734: Disasters, Vulnerability, and Resilience
One course on analyzing politics and processes for public decision making, chosen from the following:
  • PADM 5130: Legal Aspects of Public Agency Decision Making
  • PADM 5449: Systems Thinking in Public Affairs
  • PADM 5612: Intergovernmental Relations
  • PADM 5634: Corruption, Governance and Development
  • PUBPOL 5460: Culture, Law, and Politics of Information Policy

Economic Analysis and Public Sector Economics

Brooks MPA graduates should have a solid foundation of knowledge in economics, especially public sector economics. This includes understanding of supply and demand, marginal analysis, the price mechanism, and market structures, as well as standard rationales for government intervention in the marketplace. Such rationales include externalities, public goods provision, income redistribution and information asymmetries, among others. Students should understand the value of basic economic concepts for understanding and assessing human interactions, and public policy. MPA students should have competence in microeconomics and public economics and, depending on career interests, in one or more specific fields of economics.

One course on the microeconomics of government policy, chosen from the following:

Note: All of these courses require PADM 5210, or an alternative intermediate microeconomics course, as a prerequisite and thus, must be taken after the student has completed their intermediate microeconomics course or demonstrated competency.

  • PADM 5220: Economics of the Public Sector
  • PUBPOL 5130: Behavioral Economics and Public Policy
  • PUBPOL 5190: Nonprofits and Public Policy
  • PUBPOL 5334: Corporations, Shareholders, and Policy
  • PUBPOL 5400: Economics of Consumer Policy
  • PUBPOL 5470: Microeconomics for Management and Policy
  • PUBPOL 5970: Economics and Environmental Policy

Quantitative Methods and Analytics

Professionals in the public affairs arena must be able to define and assess a problem and then choose appropriate tools or methods to determine and evaluate both solutions and impacts. A key part of analytical training is to develop the ability to identify appropriate methods for a given problem and gain confidence in applying them in real-world situations. Brooks MPA graduates should recognize that quantitative skills and analytical modeling techniques are often necessary complementary elements to qualitative methods that must be considered for policy research, evaluations, and decision making in the public sector. 

One course on decision-analytic methods for public affairs, chosen from the following:
  • PADM 5320: Public Systems Modeling
  • PADM 5340: Introduction to Evaluation
  • PADM 5345: Evaluation of International Programs and Projects
  • PADM 5425: Accounting for Corporate, Governmental, and Nonprofit Organizations
  • PADM 5426: Public Budgeting, Finance and Analysis

Additional Foundation Coursework

To strengthen their preparation for careers in public affairs, students will also take one (1) additional foundational course, bringing their total number of foundational courses up to nine (9). Students may select a course from any of the core competency lists above or may choose courses from the list below. These additional foundation courses may be used to strengthen knowledge, skills, and abilities in one of the core competency areas for the MPA. For the additional foundation course requirement, students may request substitution of other relevant courses with MPA petition approval. 

Note: Courses at the 7000-level are Ph.D. level courses and may not be suitable for all MPA students; courses at the 6000-level will generally have prerequisites and may also be Ph.D. level courses.

Administrative, Political, and Policy Processes:

  • CRP 5460: Introduction to Community and Environmental Dispute Resolution
  • CRP 6011: Ethics, Development and Globalization
  • CRP 6120: Devolution, Privatization: Challenges for New Urban Management
  • CRP 6150: Current Issues and Debates on NGOs
  • GDEV 5045: Data and Development
  • GOVT 6121: American Political Development
  • GOVT 6171: Politics of Public Policy [requires instructor permission]
  • GOVT 6222: Political Participation
  • GOVT 6273: War and the State in Comparative Perspective
  • GOVT 6274: People, Markets, and Democracy
  • GOVT 6603: Contentious Politics and Social Movements
  • ILRLR 6011: Negotiation: Theory and Practice
  • LAW 6701: Legislation
  • LAW 6791: Public International Law
  • LAW 6844: State and Local Government
  • PADM 5114: Systems Thinking Leadership
  • PADM 5118: Diversity in Leadership
  • PADM 5172: Environmental Justice and Policy
  • PADM 5418: Strategic Stakeholder Engagement
  • PADM 5431: Fundraising
  • PADM 5432: Public and Nonprofit Marketing
  • PADM 5449: Systems Thinking in Public Affairs
  • PADM 5455: Comparative Public Administration (*requires instructor permission)
  • PADM 5472: Leveraging Information Technology in Public and Nonprofit Management
  • PADM 5607: Global Policy Challenges (half semester)
  • PADM 5612: Intergovernmental Relations
  • PADM 5619: Politics, Policy, and Political Management
  • PADM 5657: Alternative Paradigms, Practices and Challenges in International Development
  • PADM 5730: Comparative Environmental Policy
  • PADM 5734: Disasters, Vulnerability, and Resilience
  • PADM 5755: Infrastructure Finance
  • PADM 5855: International Human Rights

Economic Analysis and Public Sector Economics:

  • AEM 6320: Open Economy Analysis: Theory and Applications
  • AEM 6300: Policy Analysis: Welfare Theory, Agriculture, and Trade (also ECON 4840)
  • CRP 5040: Urban Economics
  • ILRIC 6350: Labor Markets and Income Distribution in Developing Countries
  • NBA 5245: Intermediate Macroeconomics
  • NS 6480: Economics of Food and Malnutrition
  • PADM 5220: Public Finance: Economics of the Public Sector
  • PADM 5426: Public Budgeting, Finance and Analysis
  • PUBPOL 5130: Behavioral Economics and Public Policy
  • PUBPOL 5240: Risk Management and Policy
  • PUBPOL 5334: Corporations, Shareholders and Policy
  • PUBPOL 5400: Economics of Consumer Policy
  • PUBPOL 5970: Economics and Environmental Policy

Quantitative Methods and Analytics:

The first section of courses listed below cover inferential statistics, econometrics, and related empirical methods. The second section lists courses in policy modeling which includes operations research, optimization, and management science. The third section lists courses that cover qualitative analytical methods and evaluation. The last section lists courses in spatial analytical methods including GIS. Students should ensure they have completed prerequisite coursework prior to enrolling in upper level (6000/7000 level) Quantitative Methods and Analytics coursework. 

Inferential Statistics and Econometrics:

Courses that require an inferential statistics courses as a prerequisite:

  • AEM 6120: Applied Econometrics
  • AEM 6125: Impact Evaluation in Developing Countries
  • AEM 6390: Research Methods in International Development
  • GDEV 6190: Quantitative Research Methods
  • GOVT 6029: Advanced Regression Analysis
  • GOVT 6053: Comparative Methods and Political Analysis

Courses that require econometrics or multivariate regression analysis as prerequisites:

  • NS 6850: Evaluating the Impact of Health, Nutrition and Education Programs in Developing Countries
  • PUBPOL 6050: Social Demography 
  • PUBPOL 6060: Demographic Techniques II (requires instructor permission)
  • PUBPOL 6090: Empirical Strategies for Policy Analysis (requires instructor permission)
Quantitative Analysis and Public System Modeling Tools and Methods:
  • CEE 5970: Risk Analysis and Management
  • CEE 5980: Introduction to Decision Analysis
  • CEE 6770: Natural Hazards, Reliability and Insurance
  • CRP 5250: Introductory Methods of Planning Analysis
  • NCC 5010: Data Analytics and Modeling
  • SYSEN 5100: Model Based System Engineering
  • SYSEN 5200: Systems Analysis Behavior and Optimization
  • SYSEN 5300: Systems Engineering and Six-Sigma for Design and Operation of Reliable Systems
Qualitative and Mixed Methods:
  • CRP 6201: Research Design and Qualitative Methods
  • DSOC 6001: The Empirics of Development and Social Change
  • DSOC 6150: Qualitative Research Methods
  • INFO 6750: Causal Inference and Design of Experiments
  • SOC 5080: Qualitative Methods
Spatial Methods:
  • CRP 5080: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
  • CRP 6270: Regional Economic Impact Analysis
  • CRP 6290: Advanced Topics in GIS
  • DSOC 5600: Analytical Mapping and Spatial Modeling
  • PUBPOL 6950: Spatial Demography (requires instructor permission)

Concentration Coursework

Concentration Coursework Overview

Each student selects one of eight concentration areas offered in the program. All students are required to take five (5) semester-long concentration courses including the designated concentration gateway course for their specific concentration. The concentration gateway course is a course that provides foundational knowledge, skills, and abilities in a student’s concentration. With the advice and counsel of the MPA Student Advising Coordinator and their faculty mentor, students select a set of four additional courses within that concentration. The concentration areas are broad enough that they cannot be mastered with a set of five courses, but concentration courses should give students a degree of specialization and expertise with which they can proceed effectively in a career in public affairs.

There is no right or best set of courses for any concentration. However, serious thought must be given to crafting a set of courses that are complementary and that instill a base of specific and generalizable knowledge and functional skills in a professional area. Students should also choose their professional development coursework to complement their concentration courses.

A concentration is expected to reflect a public affairs focus and to provide the student with a breadth of perspectives. No student may take more than half of their concentration courses in the S.C. Johnson School of Business or in professional Masters’ programs offered by the School of Industrial and Labor Relations, the Department of City and Regional Planning, or the College of Engineering, given that an MPA degree program differs from these degree programs in both purpose and content. While some of the courses listed for the concentrations may not have direct public policy content, most of the courses selected for your concentration must have a policy or public affairs focus appropriate for an MPA degree.

MPA Concentrations:

  • Economic and Financial Policy
  • Environmental Policy
  • Government, Politics and Policy Studies
  • Human Rights and Social Justice
  • International Development Studies
  • Public and Nonprofit Management
  • Science, Technology and Infrastructure Policy
  • Social Policy

The suggested lists of concentration courses that follow are neither complete nor fully accurate. New courses are added to the curriculum every semester and some courses are dropped as faculty interests and department needs change. Students should use these lists to get an idea of courses that might be suitable for their personalized concentration, but they should also consult the course offerings for departments they consider relevant for their interests. Students should be aware that courses at the 6000 or 7000 level may have prerequisites and may be designed primarily for PhD students.

Students may elect to substitute relevant courses that are not listed in this Course Guide by submitting a petition to the Canvas Brooks MPA Advising Center. Core and elective foundation courses may be appropriate concentration courses (but cannot be double counted in both areas).

Many courses beyond those in the foundation areas are relevant to public affairs professionals regardless of their interests – for example, leadership, strategic thinking, and communication skills. Moreover, relevant skill sets will vary not just with the concentration area but also with chosen career paths within a concentration. For example, students interested in social entrepreneurship or in managing organizations may need different skills than those who are primarily interested in public policy analysis. Students interested in an entrepreneurial or administrative career path might want to develop knowledge of basic accounting, budgeting or marketing; those interested in public policy analysis will want to develop a toolkit that includes more project evaluation and project management skills. While not meant to be fully inclusive, the following courses are some that may be relevant for inclusion in any concentration.

Suggested Courses for Any Concentration:

  • ILRHR 7451: Leadership Assessment for Managers (half semester)
  • ILRLR 6012: Managing and Resolving Conflict
  • ILROB 5275: Leading and Managing Teams
  • NBA 6820: Negotiation Essentials (half semester)
  • PADM 5114: Systems Leadership
  • PADM 5118: Diversity in Leadership
  • PADM 5172: Environmental Justice and Policy
  • PADM 5382: Bridging the Gap: Connecting Research and Policy in the NYS Legislature
  • PADM 5418: Strategic Stakeholder Engagement
  • PADM 5425: Accounting for Corporate, Governmental, and Nonprofit Organizations
  • PADM 5449: Systems Thinking in Public Affairs
  • PADM 5472: Leveraging Information Technology in Public and Nonprofit Management
  • PADM 5607: Global Policy Challenges (half semester)
  • PADM 5619: Politics, Policy, and Political Management
  • PADM 5657: Alternative Paradigms, Practices and Challenges in International Development
  • PADM 5658: Fixing the Future: Policy Solutions for Development Dilemmas
  • PADM 5730: Comparative Environmental Policy
  • PADM 5755: Infrastructure Finance
  • PADM 5900: Consulting for Government and Nonprofit Organizations
  • PUBPOL 5330: Children’s Law and Policy
  • PUBPOL 5679: Desktop and Modeling Solutions

Economic and Financial Policy Concentration

Brooks MPA students in the Economic and Financial Policy concentration address public policy issues in some combination of these two areas. Students may study these policy issues at the level of international organizations, national, state or local governments, non-governmental organizations, or the private sector. Students learn about important economic and financial policy issues and analytical methods to address them. 

Required Concentration Gateway Course:

  • PADM 5220 Public Finance: Economics of the Public Sector

Note: Brooks MPA students pursuing an Economics and Financial Policy Concentration cannot count this course twice on their MPA Plan of Study. Economics and Financial Policy Concentration students must select a different Core Foundation course to meet the Economic Analysis and Public Economics Core Foundation requirement.

Sample Economic and Financial Policy Concentrations by Theme

This guide provides both an extensive list of suggested courses for the concentration, and a set of sample concentrations organized into thematic groups. These lists are meant to be illustrative. Courses from different samples and concentrations may be combined into a concentration.

Economic Policy Analysis Methods:
  • AEM 6300: Policy Analysis: Welfare Theory, Agriculture, and Trade
  • GOVT 6069: Causal Inference
  • PUBPOL 5300: Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • PUBPOL 5301: Intermediate Policy Analysis
Development Finance:
  • AEM 5420: Emerging Markets
  • AEM 6670: Topics in Economic Development
  • DSOC 6001: The Empirics of Development and Social Change
  • LAW 7740: Law and Economics: A Game Theoretic Approach
  • NBA 5430: Financial Markets and Institutions
Macroeconomic and International Trade Policy:
  • AEM 6320: Open Economy Analysis: Theory and Applications
  • LAW 6981: WTO and International Trade Law
  • LAW 7103: Capitalism: Strengths and Weaknesses
  • NBA 5245: Introduction to Macroeconomics
  • NBA 5540: International Finance
Economic Regulation and Public Economics:
  • PADM 5220: Economics of the Public Sector
  • PUBPOL 5170: Market Regulation and Public Policy
  • PUBPOL 5301: Intermediate Policy Analysis
  • PUBPOL 5334: Corporations, Shareholders and Policy
  • PUBPOL 5400: Economics of Consumer Policy

Brooks MPA students interested in environmental policy, sustainability and finance within the economic and financial policy area may consider applying to the Environmental Finance and Impact Investment Certificate (EFII). For further information please see the Brooks MPA Program Handbook.

Other Suggested Courses for Economic and Financial Policy:
  • AEM 5111: Introduction to Econometrics
  • AEM 5421: Research & Strategy in Emerging Markets
  • AEM 6050: Agricultural Economics and Development
  • CRP 5040: Urban Economics
  • GDEV 5680: Environmental Decision Making
  • MGMT 5640: Entrepreneurship
  • ILRIC 6350: Labor Markets and Income Distribution in Developing Economies
  • ILRLE 5400: Labor Economics
  • NBA 5061: Comprehensive Financial Statement Analysis
  • NBA 5980: Behavioral Finance
  • NBA 6030: Strategies for Sustainability (half semester)
  • NBA 6390: Data Driven Marketing
  • PADM 5426: Public Budgeting, Finance and Analysis
  • PADM 5615: Sustainable Finance: Southeast Asia and Global Perspectives
  • PADM 5717: Energy Transition: Policy, Financial, and Business Interactions
  • PUBPOL 5130: Behavioral Economics and Public Policy
  • PUBPOL 5190: Nonprofits and Public Policy
  • PUBPOL 5240: Risk Management and Policy
  • PUBPOL 5340: Regulation and Infrastructure Policy

Environmental Policy Concentration

Brooks MPA students in the Environmental Policy concentration should strive to develop capacity in leading, coordinating, and managing teams of specialists to develop and implement environmental management plans and policies. Since working in the environmental area is typically a multi-disciplinary endeavor it becomes advantageous to structure a concentration keeping in mind that one may work with scientists, engineers, economists, and lawyers in the search for politically feasible solutions to complex environmental problems.

Required Concentration Gateway Course:

  • PADM 5730: Comparative Environmental Policy

Sample Environmental Policy Concentrations by Theme

This guide provides both an extensive list of suggested courses for the concentration, and a set of sample concentrations organized into thematic groups. These lists are meant to be illustrative. Courses from different samples and concentrations may be combined into a concentration.

Conservation Management:
  • DEA 6200: Studies in Human-Environmental Relations
  • NTRES 6310: Environmental Governance
  • NTRES 6601: Decision Making in Natural Resource Management
  • PADM 5570: Corporate Responsibility
  • PUBPOL5970: Economics and Environmental Policy
Environmental Advocacy and Resilience Planning:
  • COMM 6860: Risk Communication
  • CRP 5460: Introduction to Community and Environment Dispute Resolution
  • DEA 6610: Environments and Health
  • DSOC 6320: Environmental Governance
  • PADM 5172: Environmental Justice and Policy
  • PADM 5734: Disasters, Vulnerability, and Resilience
Environmental Regulation:
  • CRP 5555: Environmental Impact Review
  • LAW 6361: Environmental Law
  • PADM 5730: Comparative Environmental Policy
  • PUBPOL 5970: Economics and Environmental Policy
Disaster Prevention, Planning and Policy:
  • CEE 5970: Risk Analysis and Management
  • DSOC 6340: Risk and Disasters
  • ILRLR 6057: Environmental Mediation and Negotiation (half semester)
  • NTRES 6201: Community, Place and Environment
  • PADM 5418: Strategic Stakeholder Engagement (half semester)
  • PADM 5734: Disasters, Vulnerability, and Resilience

MPA students interested in environmental policy, sustainability and finance within the economic and financial policy area may want to apply to the Environmental Finance and Impact Investment Students Program (EFII). For further information see the Brooks MPA Program Handbook.

Other Suggested Courses for Environmental Policy:
  • AEM 6510: Environmental and Resource Economics
  • AEM 6580: Economics and Psychology of Sustainable Business
  • AEM 7500: Resource Economics
  • CEE 6770: Natural Hazards, Reliability and Insurance
  • CEE 6025: Special Topics in Environmental and Water Resources Analysis
  • COMM 6210: Advanced Communication and the Environment
  • COMM 6660: Public Engagement in Science
  • COMM 6860: Risk Communication
  • CRP 5555: Environmental Impact Review
  • CRP 5850: Green Cities
  • CRP 5540: Introduction to Environmental Planning
  • CRP 6506: Environmental Planning Seminar: Wilderness and Wildlands
  • DSOC 5443: Global Climate Change Science and Policy
  • DSOC 6210: Foundations of Environmental Sociology
  • GDEV 5680 Environmental Decision Making
  • HD 6410: Psychology and Culture of Human-Environmental Relationships
  • HD 6650: Poverty, Children and the Environment
  • ILRIC 6020: Corporate Social Responsibility
  • NTRES 6240: Sustainable Water Resource Management in the Face of Climate Change
  • NTRES 6601: Decision Making in Natural Resource Management
  • PADM 5615: Sustainable Finance: Southeast Asia and Global Perspectives
  • PADM 5717: Energy Transition: Policy, Financial, and Business Interactions

Government, Politics and Policy Studies Concentration

Brooks MPA students in the Government, Politics and Policy Studies concentration focus on the politics of domestic and international policymaking and administrative processes. Students who elect this concentration develop an advanced understanding of how political management intersects program and management in the public sector. Students should strive to develop a skill set that allows them to work with elected officials, public managers, and citizens to develop actionable policy goals.

Required Concentration Gateway Course:

  • PADM 5619: Politics, Policy, and Political Management

Sample Government, Politics and Policy Studies Concentrations by Theme

This guide provides both an extensive list of suggested courses for the concentration, and a set of sample concentrations organized into thematic groups. These lists are meant to be illustrative. Courses from different samples and concentrations may be combined into a concentration.

Government or Legislative Affairs:
  • NBA 6820: Negotiation Essentials (half semester)
  • PADM 5118: Leadership in Public Affairs
  • PADM 5380: Translation of Research into Policy and Practice
  • PADM 5418: Strategic Stakeholder Engagement (half semester)
  • PADM 5612: Intergovernmental Relations
International Relations:
  • DSOC 6250: State, Economy and Society
  • GOVT 6897: International Security
  • GOVT 6987: Domestic Politics and International Relations
  • ILRLR 6027: Campus Mediation Practicum
Political Analysis or Consulting:
  • GOVT 6171: Politics of Public Policy
  • GOVT 6461: Public Opinion
  • NBA 5690: Management Consulting Essentials (half semester)
  • PADM 5717: Energy Transition: Policy, Financial, and Business Interactions
  • PADM 5900: Consulting for Nonprofit and Government Organizations
  • PUBPOL 5850: Applied Demography in Business and Government
  • SOC 6160: Survey Methods (half semester)
International Diplomacy:
  • CRP 6720: International Institutions
  • GOVT 6273: War and the State in Comparative Perspective
  • GOVT 7937: Proseminar in Peace Studies (half semester)
  • NBA 6820: Negotiation Essentials (half semester)
  • PADM 5855: International Human Rights

Students interested in international relations or international diplomacy may want to consider the graduate minor in Peace Studies. For further information see the Judith Reppy Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies.

Other Suggested Courses for Government, Politics and Policy Studies:
  • AMST 6003: Doing Research with Marginalized Populations
  • AMST 6321: Black Power Movement and Transnationalism
  • AMST 6052: Readings in Latinx History
  • AMST 6201: The United States Congress
  • AMST 6645: Democratic Theory
  • AMST 6585: American Political Thought
  • ANTHR 6437: Brave New World: 21st Century Authoritarianism
  • ANTHR 6515: Power, Society, and Culture in Southeast Asia
  • ANTHR 6552: Genocide Today
  • ASIAN 6615: The Body Politic in Asia
  • COMM 6180: Media Influence and Persuasion
  • CRP 6120: Devolution, Privatization: Challenges for New Urban Management
  • CRP 6150: Current Issues and Debates on NGOs
  • DSOC 6320: Environmental Governance
  • DSOC 6820: Community Organizing and Development
  • GOVT 6132: The Politics of Inequality in the United States
  • GOVT 6202: Political Culture
  • GOVT 6251: American Political Parties
  • GOVT 6284: Culture, Religion, and Politics
  • GOVT 6291: Contemporary American Politics
  • GOVT 6603: Contentious Politics and Social Movements
  • GOVT 6461: Public Opinion
  • GOVT 6596: Nonviolence and Political Theory
  • GOVT 6857: International Political Economy
  • GOVT 6877: China and Asian Security
  • GOVT 6897: International Security
  • HIST 6391: Reconstruction in the New South
  • HIST 6851: Refugees
  • HIST 6290: U.S. Borders, North and South
  • ILRIC 5380: The Asian Century: The Rise of China and India
  • LAW 6161: Comparative Law: The Civil Law Tradition
  • LAW 6661: Constitutional Law and the European Union
  • LAW 6737: National Security Law
  • LAW 6791: Public International Law
  • NES 6672: Nationalism in the Arab World
  • PADM 5382: Bridging the Gap: Connecting Research and Policy in the New York State Legislature
  • PADM 5634: Corruption, Governance and Development
  • PADM 5734: Disasters, Vulnerability, and Resilience
  • PUBPOL 5460: Culture, Law, and Politics of Information Policy
  • PUBPOL 5960: State Policy and Advocacy Clinic I
  • PUBPOL 5961: State Policy and Advocacy Clinic II

Human Rights and Social Justice Concentration

Brooks MPA students in the Human Rights and Social Justice concentration focus on human rights policies, strategies, and criteria for promoting equity and fairness as goals of public affairs. Students study theories and policies that support the expansion of human rights and the elimination of all forms of discrimination and that work toward ensuring equal opportunities before the law and in society-at-large. Students pursuing this concentration often wish to prepare themselves to serve as more effective advocates for alleviating political, economic, and social inequality. 

Required Concentration Gateway Course:

  • PADM 5855: International Human Rights

Sample Human Rights and Social Justice Concentrations by Theme

This guide provides both an extensive list of suggested courses for the concentration, and a set of sample concentrations organized into thematic groups. These lists are meant to be illustrative. Courses from different samples and concentrations may be combined into a concentration.

Human Rights Advocacy:
  • GOVT 6867: International Law, War, and Human Rights
  • LAW 7855: International Human Rights: Litigation and Advocacy
  • LAW 7905: LGBT Communities Practicum
  • LAW 7914: Global Gender Justice Clinic
  • PADM 5855: International Human Rights
Civil Rights and Criminal Justice:
  • ANTHR 7476: Carceral Worlds: Policing, Prisons, and Securitization
  • ANTHR 6552: Genocide Today
  • ILRLR 6070: Values, Rights, and Justice at Work
  • LAW 6762: The Prosecution of Cybercrime
Poverty and Inequality:
  • CRP 6011: Ethics, Development, and Globalization
  • DEA 6650: Poverty, Children and the Environment
  • GOVT 6021: Poverty and Social Policy
  • ILRIC 6350: Labor Markets and Income Distribution in Developing Countries
  • PADM 5172: Environmental Justice and Policy
  • PADM 5848: The Fight Against Unemployment: Advocacy and Policy
  • PUBPOL 5150: Social Welfare Policy in the United States
Refugees, Migration and Immigration:
  • DSOC 6300: Human Migration: Internal and International
  • FGSS 6876: Humanitarian Affects
  • HIST 6851: Refugees
  • ILRIC 6312: Migration in the Americas: Engaged Research Methods and Practice
  • PUBPOL 6140: Immigration Incorporation 

Students interested in international human rights may want to consider the graduate minor in Peace Studies. For further information see the Judith Reppy Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies.

Other Suggested Courses for Human Rights and Social Justice:
  • AMST 6733: The Future of Whiteness
  • AMST 6809: Urban Representation
  • ASRC 6132: Mobility, Circulation, Migration Diaspora: Global Connections
  • CRP 6011: Ethics, Development and Globalization
  • CRP 6720: International Institutions
  • DSOC 5400: Agriculture, Food, Sustainability, and Social Justice
  • DSOC 5710: America’s Promise: Social and Political Context of American Education
  • DSOC 6820: Community Organizing and Development
  • GOVT 6022: Racial and Ethnic Politics in the US
  • GOVT 6012: Labor, Class, and Race in American Politics
  • GOVT 6132: The Politics of Inequality in the United States
  • GOVT 6867: International Law, War and Human Rights
  • ILRLR 6010: Union Organizing
  • ILRLR 6070: Values, Rights and Justice at Work
  • ILRLR 6079: Low Wage Workers and the Law
  • ILRLR 6840: Fighting Discrimination in the Workplace: Employment Discrimination and the Law
  • ILRLR 6845: Labor, Race, and Gender
  • ILROB 5235: Skills and Perspective for Advancing Racial Equity in Organizations
  • LAW 6560: International Human Rights and Institutions
  • LAW 7183: Economic Justice: Understanding Law and Economic Inequality
  • NBA 6130: Women and Leadership
  • PADM 5607: Global Policy Challenges
  • PADM 5734: Disasters, Vulnerability, and Resilience
  • PUBPOL 5380: Comparative Perspectives on Gender, Work, Family and Public Policy
  • PUBPOL 5960: State Policy and Advocacy Clinic I
  • PUBPOL 596: State Policy and Advocacy Clinic II
  • SOC 6720: Sociology of Race and Institutions

International Development Studies Concentration

Brooks MPA students in the International Development Studies concentration are concerned with administrative and policy issues in developing countries. This concentration helps students understand the broad and specific contexts in which international development decisions are made. This is a very broad concentration and a rapidly changing area of knowledge and practice. MPA students should design their concentration with this in mind, while recognizing that a good knowledge of the current and historical state of the field – how we got to where we are now, what has been successful and what has not and why – are essential inputs. In addition to emphasizing thematic problems in development, students may choose to focus their studies on a particular region of the globe.

Required Concentration Gateway Course:

  • PADM 5345: Evaluation of International Programs and Projects

Sample International Development Studies Concentrations by Theme

This guide provides both an extensive list of suggested courses for the concentration, and a set of sample concentrations organized into thematic groups. These lists are meant to be illustrative. Courses from different samples and concentrations may be combined into a concentration.

Field Work in International Development:
  • AEM 6390: Research Methods in International Development
  • CRP 6150: Current Issues and Debates on NGOs
  • NS 6050: Evaluating the Impact of Health, Nutrition and Education Programs in Developing Countries
  • PADM 5657: Alternative Paradigms, Practices and Challenges in International Development
Food and Agricultural Policy:
  • AEM 6050: Agricultural Finance and Development
  • AEM 6400: Analysis of Agricultural Markets
  • NS 6455: Toward a Sustainable Global Food System: Food Policy in Developing Countries
  • NS 6480: Economics of Food and Malnutrition
Human Rights and Development:
  • CRP 6011: Ethics, Development and Globalization
  • DSOC 6300: Human Migration
  • DSOC 6820: Community Organizing and Development
  • PADM 5855: International Human Rights
Emerging Economies:
  • CRP 6740: Urban Transformations in the Global South
  • LAW 6681: International Law and Foreign Direct Investment
  • NBA 6370: Current Global Issues for Business: the US, Europe, China, and Emerging Markets (half semester)
  • PADM 5634: Corruption, Governance and Development
Other Suggested Courses for International Development Studies:
  • AEM 6050: Agricultural Finance and Development
  • AEM 6125: Impact Evaluation in Developing Countries
  • AEM 6600: Natural Resources and Economic Development
  • CRP 6720: International Institutions
  • DSOC 5400: Agriculture, Food, Sustainability, and Social Justice
  • DSOC 6001: The Empirics of Development and Social Change
  • DSOC 6020: Digitizing Development
  • DSOC 6060: Sociological Theories of Development
  • DSOC 6250: State, Economy and Society
  • DSOC 6340: Risk and Disaster
  • DSOC 6380: Population and Development
  • AEM 6485: Economics of Food and Malnutrition
  • ECON 7711: Microeconomics of Development
  • IARD 6960: Perspectives in International Development
  • ILRIC 5375: Labor Practices in Global Supply Chains: Multi-Stakeholder Perspectives
  • LAW 6981: WTO and International Trade Law
  • NBA 6980: International Trade and WTO Law
  • NS 6480: Economics of Food and Malnutrition
  • NS 6850: Microeconomics of Development: Applications to Health, Nutrition and Education
  • PADM 5607: Global Policy Challenges (half semester)
  • PADM 5657: Alternative Paradigms, Practices and Challenges in International Development
  • PADM 5734: Disasters, Vulnerability, and Resilience
  • PUBPOL 5210: Development Economics and Public Policy

Public and Nonprofit Management Concentration

Brooks MPA students in the Public and Nonprofit Management concentration intend to pursue careers as public sector general managers or leadership roles in domestic and international nonprofit organizations. Coursework includes fundamentals of public and nonprofit administration, budgeting, human-resource management, strategy, organizational behavior, managing client relations, and leadership.

Required Concentration Gateway Course:

  • PADM 5432: Public and Nonprofit Marketing

Sample Public and Nonprofit Management Concentrations by Theme

This guide provides both an extensive list of suggested courses for the concentration, and a set of sample concentrations organized into thematic groups. These lists are meant to be illustrative. Courses from different samples and concentrations may be combined into a concentration.

Public Sector Management (general):
  • PADM 5118: Leadership in Public Affairs
  • PADM 5130: Legal Aspects of Public Agency Decision-Making
  • PADM 5300: Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • PADM 5456: Comparative Public Administration: (half semester)
  • PADM 5472: Leveraging IT for Public and Nonprofit Management (half semester)
  • PADM 5758 Managing Large-Scale Investment Projects (half semester)
  • PADM 5848: The Fight Against Unemployment: Advocacy and Policy
Nonprofit Management (general):
  • LAW 6131: Business Organizations
  • PADM 5410: Nonprofit Management and Finance
  • PADM 5431: Fundraising (half semester)
  • PADM 5425: Accounting for Corporate, Governmental, and Nonprofit Organizations
  • PADM 5472: Leveraging IT for Public and Nonprofit Management (half semester)
  • PUBPOL5190: Nonprofits and Public Policy
International Public Management:
  • CRP 6720: International Institutions
  • LAW 6791: Public International Law
  • PADM 5345: Evaluation of International Programs and Projects
  • PADM 5450: International Public and NGO Management
State and Local Government:
  • CRP 6120: Devolution and Privatization: Challenges for Urban Management
  • ILRLR 6028: Mediating Organizational Conflicts
  • PADM 5455: Comparative Public Administration (half semester)
  • PADM 5472: Leveraging IT for Public and Nonprofit Management (half semester)
  • PADM 5612: Intergovernmental Relations
Social Entrepreneurship:
  • ILRHR 6611: Seminar in Entrepreneurs and Entrepreneurial Organizations
  • ILRHR 6615: Socially Responsible Business (half semester)
  • NBA 5100: Social Entrepreneurship
  • NBA 5640: The Business of Entrepreneurship 
  • PADM 5418: Strategic Stakeholder Engagement (half semester)
  • PADM 5431: Fundraising (half semester)
  • PADM 5472: Leveraging IT for Public and Nonprofit Management (half semester)
Other Suggested Courses for Public and Nonprofit Management:
  • AEM 5421: Research & Strategy in Emerging Markets
  • AEM 6140: Behavioral Economics and Managerial Decisions
  • AEM 6245: Organizational Behavior
  • COMM 5150: Organizational Communication: Theory and Practice
  • CRP 5460: Introduction to Community and Environment Dispute Resolution
  • DSOC 6820: Community Organizing and Development
  • GDEV 5680: Environmental Decision Making
  • ILRHR 5600: Human Resources Management
  • ILRHR 5690: Rewards and Compensation
  • ILRHR 7451: Leadership Assessment for Managers (half semester)
  • ILRLE 5400: Labor Economics
  • ILRLR 6012: Managing and Resolving Conflict
  • ILROB 5210: Organizational Design, Culture, and Change
  • ILROB 5235: Skills and Perspectives for Advancing Racial Equity in Organizations
  • ILROB 5290: Social Capital and Organizations 
  • MGMT 5640: Entrepreneurship 
  • NBA 5061: Comprehensive Financial Statement Analysis
  • NBA 5150: Leadership Theory and Practice
  • NBA 6630: Managerial Decision Making
  • NBA 6820: Negotiation 1: Negotiation Essentials (half semester)
  • NCC 5540: Managing and Leading in Organizations
  • PADM 5114: Systems Leadership
  • PADM 5432: Public and Nonprofit Marketing
  • PADM 5570: Corporate Responsibility
  • PADM 5449: Systems Thinking in Public Affairs
  • PADM 5717: Energy Transition: Policy, Financial, and Business Interactions
  • PADM 5734: Disasters, Vulnerability, and Resilience
  • PADM 5900: Consulting for Nonprofit and Government Organizations

Science, Technology and Infrastructure Policy Concentration

Brooks MPA students in the Science, Technology and Infrastructure Policy concentration are interested in professional careers involved in policy issues in science, technology, or infrastructure. Students who concentrate in this area should strive to develop capacity in leading, coordinating and using inputs from teams of specialists in science, technology, or infrastructure, rather than trying to replicate the skills of technical experts. It is advantageous to structure a concentration keeping in mind that one may work with scientists, engineers, economists and lawyers in the search for politically feasible solutions to science, technology or infrastructure problems.

Students pursuing this concentration may be interested in the Infrastructure Policy, Management and Finance (IPMF) Certificate. For further information about the certificate program, please see the Program Handbook. 

Required Concentration Gateway Course:

  • PADM 5755: Infrastructure Finance

Sample Science, Technology and Infrastructure Policy Concentrations by Theme

This guide provides both an extensive list of suggested courses for the concentration, and a set of sample concentrations organized into thematic groups. These lists are meant to be illustrative. Courses from different samples and concentrations may be combined into a concentration.

General Infrastructure:
  • PADM 5118: Leadership in Public Affairs
  • PADM 5717: Energy Transition: Policy, Financial, and Business Interactions
  • PADM 5734: Disasters, Vulnerability, and Resilience
  • PADM 5755: Infrastructure Financing
  • PADM 5758 Managing Large-Scale Investment Projects (half semester)
  • PUBPOL 5170: Market Regulation and Public Policy
Water Resource Management:
  • BEE 6940: Water in a Changing Environment
  • CEE 6021: Environmental and Water Resources Systems Analysis
  • CEE 6200: Water Resources Systems Engineering
  • NTRES 6240: Sustainable Water Resource Management in the Face of Climate Change
Transportation:
  • CEE 6620: Urban Transportation in Network Design and Analysis
  • CEE 6648: Sustainable Urban Transportation Systems Design
  • CEE 6650: Transportation, Energy, and the Environment
  • PADM 5755: Infrastructure Financing
Cyberpolicy:
  • DSOC 6020: Digital Capitalism
  • INFO 6210: Information, Technology, and Society
  • INFO 6600: Technology for Underserved Communities
  • LAW 6205: Cyber Enforcement, Regulation, and Policy Analysis
  • PADM 5472: Leveraging IT for Public and Nonprofit Management (half semester)
Other Suggested Courses for Science, Technology and Infrastructure Policy:
  • AEM 6395: Technology Strategy
  • BEE 6940: Water in a Changing Environment
  • CEE 5970: Risk Analysis and Management
  • CEE 5980: Introduction to Decision Analysis
  • CEE 6021: Environmental and Water Resources Systems Analysis
  • CEE 6200: Water Resources Systems Engineering
  • CEE 6620: Urban Transportation Network Design and Analysis
  • CEE 6648: Sustainable Transportation Systems Design
  • CEE 6650: Transportation, Energy, and the Environment
  • COMM 6460: Human Communication and Technology
  • COMM 6750: Research Methods for Social Networks and Social Media
  • COMM 6860: Risk Communication
  • CRP 5080: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
  • CRP 5555: Environmental Impact Review
  • CRP 5560: Creating the Built Environment
  • CRP 6270: Regional Economic Impact Analysis
  • DSOC 6020: Digital Capitalism
  • INFO 5310: Psychological and Social Aspects of Technology
  • INFO 5330: Technology, Media, and Democracy
  • INFO 6210: Information, Technology and Society
  • INFO 6600: Technology for Underserved Communities
  • LAW 6205: Cyber Enforcement, Regulation, and Policy Analysis
  • NBA 6070: Designing Data Products
  • NBA 6120: Disruptive Technologies
  • NBA 6180: Global Innovation and Technology Commercialization
  • NBA 6650: The Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation
  • NBA 6850: Digital Business Operations
  • NTRES 6240: Sustainable Water Resource Management in the Face of Climate Change
  • PADM 5114: Systems Leadership
  • PADM 5418: Strategic Stakeholder Engagement
  • PADM 5449: Systems Thinking in Public Affairs
  • PADM 5472: Leveraging Information Technology for Public and Nonprofit Management
  • PADM 5570: Corporate Responsibility
  • PADM 5607: Global Policy Challenges (half semester)
  • PADM 5734: Disasters, Vulnerability, and Resilience
  • PADM 5755: Infrastructure Financing
  • PUBPOL 5170: Market Regulation and Public Policy
  • PUBPOL 5240: Risk Management and Policy
  • PUBPOL 5334: Corporations, Shareholders and Policy
  • PUBPOL 5340: Regulation and Infrastructure Policy
  • PUBPOL 5460: Culture, Law, and Politics of Information Policy
  • PUBPOL 5970: Economics and Environmental Policy
  • STS 6661: Public Engagement in Science
  • STS 7201: Studying Emerging Technologies

Social Policy Concentration

Brooks MPA students in the Social Policy concentration learn design, management, and evaluation of public-sector programs in their choice of policy area including health, education, child and family policy, housing and urban policy, welfare, and transfer programs. The fundamental material of this concentration introduces students to problem formation, identification of policy alternatives, policy implementation, and policy evaluation.

Required Concentration Gateway Course:

  • PUBPOL 5330: Children’s Law and Policy

Sample Social Policy Concentrations by Theme

This guide provides both an extensive list of suggested courses for the concentration, and a set of sample concentrations organized into thematic groups. These lists are meant to be illustrative. Courses from different samples and concentrations may be combined into a concentration.

Design and Evaluation of Social Policy:
  • DSOC 6190: Quantitative Research Methods
  • NS 6850: Evaluating the Impact of Health, Nutrition and Education Programs in Developing Countries
  • PADM 5340: Introduction to Evaluation
  • PADM 5382: Bridging the Gap: Connecting Research and Policy in the NY State Legislature
Education Policy:
  • DSOC 5710: America’s Promise: Social and Political Context of American Education
  • DSOC 6610: Complex Organizations, Education, and Development
  • LAW 6311: Education Law
  • SOC 6450: Neighborhoods, Schools, and Education
Health Policy:
  • DEA 6610: Environments and Health
  • PUBPOL 5280: Population Health for Managers
  • PUBPOL 5670: Health Policy
Social Welfare Policy:
  • CRP 5074: Economic and Community Development Workshop
  • GOVT 6021: Poverty and Social Policy
  • ILRHR 6635: Unemployment: Causes, Experiences and Responses
  • ILRIC 6325: The European Social Model
  • PUBPOL 5150: Social Welfare Policy in the U.S.
Other Suggested Courses for Social Policy:
  • COMM 6760: Public Health Communication
  • CRP 5040: Urban Economics
  • CRP 6430: Affordable Housing Policy and Programs
  • DSOC 6610: Complex Organizations, Education and Development
  • DSOC 6150: Qualitative Research Methods
  • DSOC 6710: Schools, Communities and Policy Reform
  • GDEV 5680: Environmental Decision Making
  • GOVT 6293: Comparative Urbanization
  • GOVT 6603: Contentious Politics and Social Movements
  • ILRLE 6420: Economic Analysis of the Welfare State
  • ILRLE 6480: Economics Analysis of the University
  • ILRIC 6350: Labor Markets and Income Distribution in Developing Countries
  • ILRLR 6865: Thwarting the Dream of Brown v. Board of Education
  • ILROB 5290: Social Capital and Organizations 
  • ILROB 6260: Managing Diversity: Policies and Practices
  • NS 6250: Community Nutrition in Action
  • PADM 5172: Environmental Justice and Policy
  • PADM 5607: Global Policy Challenges
  • PADM 5615: Sustainable Finance: Southeast Asia and Global Perspectives 
  • PADM 5848: The Fight Against Unemployment: Advocacy and Policy
  • PUBPOL 5500: Introduction to Senior Living and Related Programs
  • PUBPOL 5010: Education Policy
  • PUBPOL 5080: Economics of the US Social Safety Net
  • PUBPOL 5150: Social Welfare Policy in the United States
  • PUBPOL 5250: Neighborhoods, Housing and Urban Policy
  • PUBPOL 5280: Population Health for Healthcare Managers
  • PUBPOL 5300: Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • PUBPOL 5380: Comparative Perspectives on Gender, Work, Family and Public Policy
  • PUBPOL 5660: Strategic Management Organizational Design Healthcare 
  • PUBPOL 5960: State Policy and Advocacy Clinic I
  • PUBPOL 5961: State Policy and Advocacy Clinic II
  • PUBPOL 6280: Family Demography
  • SOC 6340: Sociology of Education
  • SOC 6450: Neighborhoods, Schools and Education

Professional Development Coursework

Professional Development Coursework Overview

Brooks MPA students select two (2) semester-long courses. These courses should strengthen professional preparation, which may include statistical, analytical, or mathematical skills, professional writing, speaking, language, leadership or management, or additional skills or knowledge needed for a student’s selected concentration. Students may choose a course from the list of general concentration courses, any of the pre-approved concentration courses, or any of the foundational coursework to fulfill this category.

Suggested Courses for Professional Development:

Note: Courses below may be half semester (7 week) courses or 1.5 credits; two 1.5 or 2 credit courses combined count as one full semester (3-4 credit) course.

  • AEM 5415: Pre-Engagement with Social Enterprises
  • AEM 5435: Data Driven Marketing
  • AEM 5615: Digital Platform Strategy
  • AEM 5840: Python Programming for Data Analysis and Business Modeling
  • COMM 5730: Mindful Intercultural Communication
  • CRP 5530: Land Use and Spatial Planning Methods
  • GDEV 5410: Refugee Pathways
  • HADM 6115: Managing Professional Relationships
  • HADM 6710: Python Programming
  • ILRHR 5660: Strategic Human Resource Metrics and Analytics
  • ILRHR 5680: Staffing Organizations
  • ILRHR 6400: Organizational Diversity and Inclusion
  • MGMT 5680: Management Communication (half semester)
  • NBA 6190: Leaders in Sustainable Global Enterprise
  • NBA 6215: Introduction to Python for Business (half semester)
  • NBA 6430: Managerial Spreadsheet Model
  • NBA 6540: Power and Politics in Organizations (half semester)
  • NBA 6550: Business Data Analysis with SQL (half semester)
  • NBA 5979: Environmental Finance & Impact Investing Practicum
  • NCC 5500: Financial Accounting
  • NCC 5560: Managerial Finance
  • NTRES 6260: Applied Conservation Ecology
  • PADM 5114: Systems Thinking Modeling and Leadership
  • PADM 5441: Effective Writing for Public Policy (half semester)
  • PADM 5757: Infrastructure Project Management and Finance Practicum
  • PADM 5910: MPA Domestic Capstone
  • PADM 5920: Public Affairs Externships (Note: 4 credits/one course counts as a Concentration, 4 credits/one course counts as Professional Development.)
  • PADM 5930: Writing Professional Reports for Public Affairs (half semester)
  • PADM 5949: Systems Thinking, Mapping, and Leadership Practicum I
  • PADM 5950: MPA International Capstone
  • PADM 5951: Systems Thinking, Mapping, and Leadership Practicum II
  • STSCI 5550: Applied Time Series Analysis