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Academic Assistance Public Administration and
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M.S.
in U.P.S. Course Requirements
at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies
In This Document
Degree Requirements
The curriculum consists of 36 hours of graduate coursework, which must include 18 credit hours of required courses and 18 hours of course work in the specializations selected.
- Required Core Courses:
PAUS 8011 The Urban Policy Arena PAUS 8021 Urban Policy Planning PAUS 8031 Urban Political Economy PAUS 8121 Applied Research Methods and Statistics I PAUS 8141 Microeconomics for Public Policy PAUS 8351 Local Government Management Peace Corps Assignment and Returning Term
PAUS 8911 Directed Readings (3-6 credit hours of the non-core career track courses)
PAUS 8941 Internship (3 credit hours) or PAUS 8981 Practicum - Specializations. (18 hours) MSUPS
students should choose a primary and a secondary specialization, completing
12 hours of credit in the primary specialization and 6 hours of credit
in the secondary specialization. Only the primary specialization will
appear on student transcripts. Students will take the two required courses
in each of their chosen specializations, and will also choose two courses
from the list of approved electives in their primary specialization.
The secondary specialization requires the completion of both required
courses in the specialization. The specializations, their required and
elective courses are as follows:
- Nonprofit and Civic Leadership.
Students in the Nonprofit and Civic Leadership specialization learn about the not-for-profit sector of society and its role in cities. The program of study is appropriate for people wishing to serve as leaders in nonprofit organizations within a variety of organizational settings. For board members as well as executives the nonprofit program provides an understanding of how urban policies affect not-for-profit organizations. It recognizes that many of these individuals will serve as civic leaders in an increasingly complex urban society.
Required courses:
PAUS 8210 Introduction to the Nonprofit Sector PAUS 8231 Nonprofit Leadership and Management Choose two courses (6 hours) from the following:
PAUS 8010 Social Policy PAUS 8221 Nonprofit Fundraising PAUS 8241 Marketing in the Nonprofit Sector PAUS 8661 Managing through Public-Private Partnerships PAUS 8941, PAUS 8981, or PAUS 8991 Internship, Practicum, or Thesis
- Planning and Economic Development.
The planning and economic development program of study prepares students to be better decision makers on planning and economic development issues for public, private, and non-profit employers, and more informed and effective as citizens. It provides appropriate academic background for jobs responsible for selecting locations, planning services and facility investments, providing analysis of policy alternatives, and advocating change and improvement within organizations and society. The specialization relies on theory drawn from planning, economics, and other social science literature, and provides a critical view of current practice. It introduces students to the history and professional culture of the planning profession and to the planning process as a systematic, yet creative approach to problem solving. The required courses are also designed to acquaint students with common planning and economic development data sources and methods, and how to use them appropriately.
-
Required courses:
PAUS 8311 Planning Theory and Analysis PAUS 8321 Economic Development Policy and Planning Choose two courses (6 hours) from the following:
PAUS 8131 Applied Research Mehtods and Statistics II PAUS 8331 Urban Infrastructure Planning and Policy PAUS 8561 GIS Applications to Planning and Policy Analysis PAUS 8611 Transportation Management PAUS 8661 Managing through Public-Private Partnerships Econ 8300 Urban Economics PAUS 8941, PAUS 8981, or PAUS 8991 Internship, Practicum, or Thesis A Graduate Certificate in Planning and Economic Development is also available.
- Policy Analysis.
This program of study provides students with a foundation in the art and science of policy analysis. Students learn analytical techniques and conceptual frameworks for understanding policy issues and identifying potential solutions to policy problems, then apply these skills to real-world issues. This track prepares students for jobs that require individuals to make decisions about the design and evaluation of policy, and students should be particularly prepared to make such decisions about issues relating to the needs of cities.
Required courses:
PAUS 8131 Applied Research Methods and Statistics II PAUS 8531 Policy Analysis Choose two courses (6 hours) from the following:
PAUS 8311 Planning Theory and Analysis PAUS 8521 Evaluation Research: Design and Practice PAUS 8541 Public Administration and Public Policy PAUS 8551 Survey Research Methods PAUS 8561 GIS Applications to Planning and Policy Analysis PAUS 8901 Special Topics in Policy Research PAUS 8941, PAUS 8981, or PAUS 8991 Internship, Practicum, or Thesis
- Social Policy.
A specialization in social policy is designed to give the student an understanding of social policies–policies addressing such issues as poverty, crime, and education–including how those policies develop, what effects they have, and how they can be assessed. This specialization provides a good preparation for students interested in careers in the analysis of social policies and for students intending to pursue doctoral work in public policy or a related field.
Required courses:
PAUS 8010 Social Policy PAUS 8701 Human Capital Development: Theory and Practice Choose two courses (6 hours) from the following:
PAUS 8131 Applied Research Methods and Statistics II PAUS 8301 Urban Sociology PAUS 8521 Evaluation Research: Design and Practice PAUS 8531 Policy Analysis PAUS 8541 Public Administration and Public Policy PAUS 8651 Education Policy PAUS 8901 Special Topics in Policy Research PAUS 8941, PAUS 8981, or PAUS 8991 Internship, Practicum, or Thesis A student may also take courses offered through the Gerontology Center as electives in this specialization.
- Nonprofit and Civic Leadership.
- Internship,
Practicum or Thesis Options for M.S. in Urban Policy Studies
Internship. An internship is expected to provide the student with an opportunity to apply concepts and skills associated with their M.S. curriculum. This opportunity for professional growth and development requires enrollment in 3 hours of PAUS 8941. The department’s internship coordinators and the student’s faculty advisor assist in this search. Internship credit requires the completion of 200 hours of work. Students are free to work full or part-time, according to their needs and those of their internship sponsor. Many students find paid internships, but there are some unpaid internships available that are very desirable. Students should consider the value of the experience that an internship provides, in addition to the pay. Internship informations and applications are available from the Department of Public Administration and Urban Studies, the PAUS Internship Homepage on the Web or the Office of Academic Assistance.
Practicum. M.S. students also have the option to enroll for a practicum, an applied research project, in lieu of the internship. The practicum represents an excellent option for students who are interested in additional research experience, especially students who intend to pursue doctoral study subsequent to their master’s work. It also represents an excellent option for working students who do not qualify for an internship waiver, but who could pursue a practicum research project in their employing agency. Any student interested in registering for a practicum should talk with a possible practicum advisor (such as the student’s faculty advisor) during the semester prior to the intended registration. Further information is available from the Department of Public Administration and Urban Studies or the Office of Academic Assistance.
Thesis. Candidates for the M.S. in Urban Policy Studies may submit an approved thesis to complete the requirements for the degree. The decision to write a thesis is made by the student with the approval of his or her faculty advisor and the department chair. Before approval is given, the student must demonstrate that an appropriate member of the graduate faculty of the Department of Public Administration and Urban Studies is willing to chair the thesis committee, and that two other appropriate faculty members are willing to serve on the committee. Normally, a student must have completed all required coursework for the degree before registering for thesis hours. In special cases, a student who has no more than two courses remaining to complete in the program, and who anticipates completing these within the next two terms, may register for thesis credit with their advisor’s approval. Students will register for a minimum of 3 semester hours of thesis work (PAUS 8991) until the thesis is completed. To obtain guidelines on thesis preparation, go to the Thesis Home Page.
