Master's International- NGO Administration Concentration

The non-governmental organization (NGO) administration concentration is intended for Master's International-Peace Corps students who would like a volunteer placement that involves working with NGOs. The curriculum in NGO administration provides a basic foundation in public administration with an emphasis on the relationships, challenges and opportunities that shape the work of civil society organizations. This foundation is combined with courses that address broader issues encountered in NGO administration such as human rights, environmental protection, gender issues, and conflict reconciliation.

Recommended Core Classes

POLS 4710 – Topics - Introduction to Non-profit Sector (fall semester); Non-profit Management and Leadership (spring semester).

POLS 5000 - Survey of Public Administration

Electives

POLS 5440 - Principles and Processes of Public Budgeting
POLS 5480 - Ethics in Government
POLS 5540 - Public Policy Perspectives
BUSN 5500 - Professional Managerial Skills

Course Descriptions

POLS 4710 – Topics - Introduction to Non-profit Sector (fall semester); Non-profit Management and Leadership (spring semester) - A two-semester online course that explores a range of contemporary management and leadership issues as they relate to the nonprofit sector. Emphasis will be on considering practical implications for the individual nonprofit organization as well as for the sector as a whole.

POLS 5000 - Survey of Public Administration - Designed to introduce the beginning graduate student to the study and practice of public administration at all levels of government. Attention is also directed to specific functions and processes such as intergovernmental relations, budgeting, personnel and regulation.

POLS 5440 – Principles and Processes of Public Budgeting - Analyzes the principles, processes and politics of the budgetary process in the U.S. It examines the various theories of budgetary decision-making, the politics of budgeting and budgetary reforms. Prerequisite: POLS 5000.

POLS 5480 - Ethics in Government - The student is introduced to the ethical nature and dilemmas of public administration in American constitutional government. Such topics are addressed as source of ethical obligation, role of loyalty, application of moral philosophy, constitutional theory and ethical obligation, relation of theory and practice, and methods of ethical reflection. Prerequisite: POLS 5000.

POLS 5540 - Public Policy Perspectives - Acquaints students with the underlying structure and dynamics of public policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation at the state, local, and federal levels. Drawing on a number of analytic approaches, the course seeks to understand this complex political phenomenon in the context of the institutions that drive it. Prerequisite: POLS 5000.

BUSN 5500 – Professional Managerial Skills – Through a series of one-hour courses, students develop an understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of the skills needed by effective managers, e.g. leadership team building and conflict resolution. Students develop skills which are applicable in a wide range of managerial settings. Prerequisite: Graduate Status.