EMPSA Curriculum
Overview | Track Options | Course Descriptions | Sample Degree Plans
- EMPSA Required General Core Courses
- Homeland Security
- Nonprofit Management
- Public Management
EMPSA Required Course Descriptions
PSAA 601: Foundations of Public Service*
Different perspectives on management and leadership in public service; provides overview of how public and nonprofit organizations work; discusses ethical dilemmas that occur in public service careers.
PSAA 611: Public Policy Formation
Examination of public policy formation processes in the United States, with an emphasis on national government.
PSAA 621: Economic Analysis
Microeconomic analysis of consumers, firms and markets; macroeconomic analysis of growth and stabilization policies; the government’s role in the economy.
PSAA 630: Program Evaluation in Public and Nonprofit Organizations
Organizations today are responding to increasing demands for accountability; demands come from an increasingly sophisticated public, clientele, and from funding sources including government, foundations, and corporations; designed to introduce theories, research, and practice for program evaluation and systems that support the organization’s information needs.
BUSH 631: Quantitative Methods in Public Management I
Introduction to the common methods for social and policy analysis with a focus on application of methods such as analysis of variance and regression, to tasks including policy analysis, evaluation and survey research; emphasis on the performance of social and policy analysis, although some statistical theory is introduced.
PSAA 675: Public Service and Administration Capstone Seminar*
Provides a capstone experience for students as they operate in teams to address an important policy and administrative issue; draws on the coursework and experiences of their Bush School education to develop specific recommendations for design, implementation and evaluation of this project task.
PSAA 676: Public Service and Administration Capstone Seminar II**
Provides a capstone experience as they operate in teams to address an important policy and administrative issue; draws on the coursework and experiences of their Bush School education to develop specific recommendations for design, implementation and evaluation of this project task.
*Includes one week in-residence in College Station, Texas.
** Must take PSAA 675 and 676 back-to-back.
Homeland Security Track Required Courses, Course Descriptions
PSAA 623: Budgeting in Public Service
Designed to introduce selected topics in public administration and political science literature on the politics of public finance and budgeting; introduce the practice of budgeting by learning language and issues common to budgeting in government.
PSAA 634: Public Management
Addresses three critical aspects of public management; the role of management in the public sector, validity of the argument that government should be run like a business and the tools public managers need to be effective. Application of organizational theory concepts applied to case studies.
PSAA 656: Fundamentals of Homeland Security
An introduction to the theory, practice, challenge and prospects for securing the “American Homeland” against terrorist attack, with special emphasis on how American policy makers are resolving this dilemma, and their prospects for the future; draws heavily on current events and emerging policy solutions as examples.
Homeland Security Track Elective Courses, Course Descriptions
PSAA 604: Emergency Management and Homeland Security
Provides an overview of emergency management and its connection with homeland security; topics include emergency management cycles, activities that fall into mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery phases of emergency management; other topics may include emergency management of terrorism, disaster communication, media relations, and performance assessment for emergency management organizations.
PSAA 605: Homeland Security Policies, Strategies, and Operations
In-depth examination of past, current, and emerging national and international homeland security policies, strategies, and selected strategic operations. Emphasis on national and global risks, the national security management system, risk and crisis management, longer-term community recovery, and the strategies of other countries applicable to the United States.
PSAA 608: Cybersecurity Policy, Issues and Operations– A Manager’s Guide
Overview related to U.S. homeland defense and homeland security; includes cyber threats; cyberwar; securing cyberspace in public and private sector; protecting data, systems and networks that are connected to the Internet and the Internet of Things.
PSAA 620: Safeguarding the Nation’s Maritime Gateways
Thorough examination of the national policy, strategies and plans that direct maritime security and harbor safety and how they integrate into homeland security; historical overview, current national strategies, departments and agencies responsible for security, international cooperation efforts and U.S. efforts against piracy and vessel hijacking, future considerations.
PSAA 643: Foundations of the Nonprofit Sector
Overview of the origins, size, scope and composition of the nonprofit and voluntary sector in American society today; introduction to the historical, political and religious foundations of the nonprofit sector; examines theoretical and conceptual framework.
PSAA 651: Homeland Security and Homeland Defense
Comprehensive study of the strategy, laws, doctrine and policy governing the Department of Defense’s (DOD) role in its Homeland Defense mission and also the Homeland Security mission; DOD’s support to other federal departments and the states under federal law such as The Stafford Act and Defense Support of Civil Authorities.
PSAA 652: Protection of the Nation’s Critical Infrastructure
Protection of the Nation’s Critical Infrastructure. Survey an overview of the Nation’s strategies for Critical Infrastructure Protection and securing cyberspace and the definition of critical infrastructures as it exists today; master’s level course intended for individuals preparing for professional careers in the conduct of international affairs.
PSAA 653: Weapons of Mass Destruction
Comprehensive study of weapons of mass destruction and their potential use by a terrorist group; considers both political and technological issues associated with WMD terrorism; focus will be on prevention, protection, response and recovery to WMD terrorism events; intended for individuals preparing for professional careers in the conduct of international affairs.
PSAA 654 : U.S. Border Security: Policies, Strategies and Issues
U.S. border security policies, strategies and issues; policies and strategies for homeland defense and security; Mexican and Canadian governments’ border policies; southern U.S. border situation and issues; considerations when border land is privately versus federally owned; impact of criminal elements on border security; efforts to secure the U.S. coasts.
PSAA 655: Domestic Intelligence Operations: Legalities, Policies, and Procedures
Examination of laws and national policies and operations surrounding domestic intelligence within the United States; departments and agencies with domestic intelligence responsibilities, their missions, operations and resources; selected readings, government documents and case studies.
PSAA 657: Terrorism in Today’s World
Comprehensive survey of international terrorism from its origins to the present; emphasis on how the U.S. government has responded and how it has organized to counter the threat; all major terrorist groups studied; understanding of the nature of the terrorist threat and the implications for the U.S. Government.
PSAA 658: Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity
Comprehensive overview of disaster recovery and business continuity management; guidelines for developing, implementing, maintaining and testing local, state and federal disaster recovery and business continuity plans; public and private roles and partnerships for emergency and crisis management; continuity of operations.
PSAA 668: U.S. Law and Homeland Security
Analyze the threat to the homeland as reflected in a number of pre and post 9/11 commission reports; master’s level course intended for individuals preparing for professional careers in the conduct of international affairs.
INTA 659: Transnational Security Issues
Understand the composition, role, mission of offices, departments that comprise Intelligence Community; obtain appreciation for transnational security issues; address potential impact short/long term to U.S. national security policies and/or programs that may affect those transnational security issues by the year 2020.
Nonprofit Track Required Courses, Course Descriptions
PSAA 632: Fiscal Management for Nonprofits
Introduction to the underlying fundamental principles, concepts and methods of managerial finance in nonprofit organizations; interpretation and evaluation of the financial reports to inform strategic decision-making in planning and budgeting.
PSAA 643: Foundations of the Nonprofit Sector
Overview of the origins, size, scope and composition of the nonprofit and voluntary sector in American society today; introduction to the historical, political and religious foundations of the nonprofit sector; examines theoretical and conceptual framework.
PSAA 644: Management and Leadership of Nonprofit Organizations
Introduction and overview of nonprofit organizations and the environment they operate in; examination of the distinctiveness of these organizations and the special skills required for effective management of them; empirical and normative issues surrounding nonprofit management and leadership.
Nonprofit Track Course Electives, Course Descriptions
PSAA 602: Tools of Leadership in Public Service Organizations
In-depth study of public service leadership and management skills; centered primarily in the context of organizations and people engaged in governance and public service, primarily public and nonprofit sectors.
PSAA 603: Nongovernmental Organization Management in International Settings
Exploration of the management of nongovernmental organizations (NGO) in international setting with special attention to their niche alongside private and public sectors, revenue sources, impact on society and converse effects of society and its institutions.
PSAA 616: Managing Workplace Diversity in Public and Nonprofit Organizations
Examination of how public policy issues are contested and shaped by the major cleavages in American society, such as race and ethnicity, economic and social class, and gender; strategies for building consensus across these divisions.
PSAA 631: Marketing for Nonprofit Organizations
Provides overviews and examines the underlying fundamental principles, concepts, and methods of strategic marketing as it is associated with the nonprofit sector. Prerequisite: Graduate classification.
PSAA 633: Philanthropy: Fundraising in Nonprofit Organizations
Examines the theory and practice of fundraising in nonprofit organizations; overview of fundraising strategies and techniques and how they relate to the achievement of organizational goals; focuses on ways of integrating various fundraising activities into an effective fundraising program. Prerequisite: Graduate classification.
PSAA 636: Grant and Project Management in the Public and Nonprofit Sectors
Examination of the use and provision of grants in the public and nonprofit sectors; exploration of the conceptual background of government and private grants; the management of grants and projects; application of skills and methods related to proposal writing needs statements, program budgets and evaluations.
PSAA 648: Performance Management in the Public and Nonprofit Sectors
Drawing on readings, practical exercises and guest lectures; examine public sector performance management and measurement as tools for improving strategic planning, resource allocation, organizational learning, internal operational processes, and internal and external accountability; apply learning to the development of a particular organization’s performance measurement system. Prerequisite: PSAA 634 or PSAA 644.
PSAA 649: Volunteer and Human Resources in Nonprofit Organizations
Introduces theories, research and practice for managing personnel and human resources for paid and volunteer staff in nonprofit settings; explores the behaviors and cognitions of participants in nonprofit organizations, the motivational and personnel programs required by the organization, and the managerial strategies for effective human resources management.
PSAA 669: Legal Environment of Nonprofit Management
Laws, policies, and ideals affecting the creation and governance of nonprofit organizations; includes medical, education, cultural, social, religious, and advocacy organizations; considers these organizations’ contributions to society, how they cooperate with or rival for-profit entities, and how they should be governed.
Public Management Track Required Courses, Course Descriptions
PSAA 623: Budgeting in Public Service
Designed to introduce selected topics in public administration and political science literature on the politics of public finance and budgeting; introduce the practice of budgeting by learning language and issues common to budgeting in government.
PSAA 634: Public Management
Addresses three critical aspects of public management; the role of management in the public sector, validity of the argument that government should be run like a business and the tools public managers need to be effective. Application of organizational theory concepts applied to case studies.
PSAA 643: Foundations of the Nonprofit Sector
Overview of the origins, size, scope and composition of the nonprofit and voluntary sector in American society today; introduction to the historical, political and religious foundations of the nonprofit sector; examines theoretical and conceptual framework.
Public Management Elective Courses, Course Descriptions
PSAA 602: Tools of Leadership in Public ServiceOrganizations
In-depth study of public service leadership and management skills; centered primarily in the context of organizations and people engaged in governance and public service, primarily public and nonprofit sectors.
PSAA 604 Emergency Management and Homeland Security
Provides an overview of emergency management and its connection with homeland security;topics include emergency management cycles, activities that fall into mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery phases of emergency management; other topics may include emergency management of terrorism, disaster communication, media relations, and performance assessment for emergency management organizations.
PSAA 608: Cybersecurity Policy, Issues and Operations – A Manager’s Guide
Overview related to U.S. homeland defense and homeland security; includes cyber threats; cyberwar; securing cyberspace in public and private sector; protecting data, systems and networks that are connected to the Internet and the Internet of Things.
PSAA 616: Managing Workplace Diversity in Public and Nonprofit Organizations
Examination of how public policy issues are contested and shaped by the major cleavages in American society, such as race and ethnicity, economic and social class, and gender; strategies for building consensus across these divisions.
PSAA 617: U.S. State and Local Government: Institutions and Policy
A practical, working knowledge of the institutions and processes through which state and local policy is made and implemented; application of theoretical and empirical tools used to evaluate policy at the state and local levels.
PSAA 636: Grant and Project Management in the Public and Nonprofit Sectors
Examination of the use and provision of grants in the public and nonprofit sectors; exploration of the conceptual background of government and private grants; the management of grants and projects; application of skills and methods related to proposal writing needs statements, program budgets and evaluations.
PSAA 644: Management and Leadership of Nonprofit Organizations
Introduction and overview of nonprofit organizations and the environment they operate in; examination of the distinctiveness of these organizations and the special skills required for effective management of them; empirical and normative issues surrounding nonprofit management and leadership.
PSAA 648: Performance Management in the Public and Nonprofit Sectors
Drawing on readings, practical exercises and guest lectures; examine public sector performance management and measurement as tools for improving strategic planning, resource allocation, organizational learning, internal operational processes, and internal and external accountability; apply learning to the development of a particular organization’s performance measurement system. Prerequisite: PSAA 634 or PSAA 644.
INTA 659: Transnational Security Issues
Understand the composition, role, mission of offices, departments that comprise Intelligence Community; obtain appreciation for transnational security issues; address potential impact short/long term to U.S. national security policies and/or programs that may affect those transnational security issues by the year 2020.
