Public Administration Program
Public Administration Program
Public Administration Program
Prospectus
The Bachelor of Science in Public Administration (BSPA) is designed to equip students with professional competencies to accomplish managerial tasks and organizational objectives in public and not-for-profit organizations. Students enrolled in the BSPA degree program study the various roles of professional managers in public service; develop leadership and analytical skills; study policy-making processes; and learn the techniques of sound public sector management. The program provides special attention and sensitivity to cultural and social issues in the Western Pacific and Asia region and an understanding of their relevance to public administration.
Learning Outcomes
Successful students will able to demonstrate:
- A general understanding of the various roles of professional managers in the public and nonprofit sectors
- Leadership and teamwork skills
- Critical thinking and analytical skills in solving real world problems in public administration
- A sufficient real-world understanding of public policy processes
- Proficiency in information technology and communication skills, etc.
- An understanding of local, regional, and global environments and their relevance to public administration
- An understanding of ethical, professional, and socially responsible behavior
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS (124 credit hours)
| Description | Credit |
|---|---|
| General Education | 47 |
| Public Administration Major Courses | 51 |
| Public Administration Required Electives | 26 |
| Total Credits | 124 |
Note: Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in all major coursework.
General Education (47 credit hours)
The BSPA program requires students to complete 47 semester hours of General Education. While there are many choices among the General Education courses offered, it is strongly recommended that BSPA students include the following courses as part of their General Education requirements. (See General Education Student Advisement Sheet.)
Tier I: Core Foundation
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| CT101 | CRITICAL THINKING + This is an interdisciplinary foundation course in critical thinking. Students learn
how to analyze, critically evaluate and construct arguments, detect common fallacies
in reasoning, and propose logical and creative solutions to complex problems. Critical
thinking skills are valuable in all disciplines and will benefit students in academic
contexts and in life. Corequisites: EN109 or the equivalent.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| MA110 | BASIC MATHEMATICAL APPLICATIONS + This course explores the world of mathematical application for the management, life,
and social sciences. It covers linear, quadratic, polynomial, exponential and logarithmic
function and their applications to finance and economics. This course also provides
an introduction to solving systems of linear equations, matrix operations, and a graphical
treatment of linear programming. This course satisfies the GE requirement, but does
not satisfy any prerequisite for higher level mathematics courses. It is intended
for those students who have no further needs in mathematics. Prerequisite: Grade of
C or better in MA-085b or MA-089, completed within the previous 3 semesters, or placement.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| EN110 | FRESHMAN COMPOSITION + This is a basic college composition course. Emphasis is on constructing grammatical
sentences in standard written English, on developing unified paragraphs employing
appropriate principles of organization, on developing papers employing appropriate
principles of organization, and upon improving skills in critical reading of non-fiction
prose. EN110 must be completed with a grade of "C" or better before taking EN111.
Grades are A, B, C, D, F, I or NC. Prerequisites: Completion of EN109 or test out.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| CO210 | FUNDAMENTALS OF COMMUNICATION + This course introduces students to public speaking and person-to-person communication,
as well as to group and intercultural communication. Students learn about basic speech
preparation and delivery, as well as effective communication skills suited to the
people with whom they interact in a variety of everyday contexts. Oral presentations
may include demonstrative, informative, and/or persuasive speeches of 6-8 minutes
in length. Prerequisites: EN110 placement.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| EN111 | WRITING FOR RESEARCH + In this course, students are introduced to the conversation model of scholarship and
to the work of composing academic research from topic development to final edit. This
course emphasizes the development and advancement of information literacy skills for
the purpose of acquiring knowledge of and cultivating a practice for conducting academic
research and composing research-related documents such as annotated bibliographies
and research manuscripts. Throughout the course, students learn to skillfully navigate
information systems to access both print and electronic sources of information related
to their research endeavor, with special attention on ethical and legal use of information
in their academic research processes and research products. Prerequisite: EN110 with
a grade ''C'' or better. REVISED AS APPROVED 042116
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
Tier II: Uniquely UOG
| Recommended | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Language | Any | 4 |
| Regional | Any | 3 |
Tier II: Diversity Foundation
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| PA233 | IMPACT OF GOVERNMENT REGULATORY ADMINISTRATION ON BUSINESS + This course offers an overview and rationale of public policies and administrative
regulations as applied to the private sector, analysis and implementation of public
policies/regulations; substantive, methodological and practical problems and issues
of public policies and regulatory administration toward business by Federal, State
and Local government, and governments in the Asian-Pacific region.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| Recommended | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Science & Math | Any | 3 |
| Cultural Perspectives | Any | 3 |
Choice of One
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| PY101 | GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY + This course provides an introduction to the basic principles of psychology, to methods
for research in psychology, and to key finding from its subfields. Topics include
the biological bases of behavior sensation and perception, consciousness and altered
states, learning, human memory, problem-solving, motivation and emotion, development
across the life span, personality, stress and coping, psychological disorders, psychotherapy,
and social behavior.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| SO101 | INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY + This course is a study of human society, its diversity, its nature, structure, and
processes including foundations of culture, social interaction, social controls, social
change and cross-cultural relations. Special emphasis is given to social processes
in Micronesia and the Western Pacific.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
Tier II: Direction Building
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| LW101 | INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE + This course is designed to produce an understanding of the underlying purpose of law
enforcement by analyzing the functions of the police officer, courts, penal institutions
and attorneys. The course also provides a survey of the criminal justice system focusing
on its purpose, problems and functions.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| EN210 | INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE + This course is an introduction to poetry, the short story and drama. Prerequisite:
EN110.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
Tier III: Capstone Experience
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| PA480 | PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION CAPSTONE + This course is the capstone of the Bachelor of Science Public Administration (BSPA)degree
program integrating concepts and skills learned in the BSPA Foundation. This is an
integrative, problem-solving course in which the knowledge gained in the major is
applied to public administration case studies where the stude4nts will evaluate and
provide solutions to actual problems. There is a special emphasis on a student's abilities
to utilized critical thinking skill s to analyze strategic trends in public administration
and demonstrate proficiency. Prerequisites: 1) Graduating seniors only; b) Completion
of PA-405 and either PA305 or MA-385; and c) Consent of the instructor.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
Major Courses (51 credit hours)
Required Courses
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| BA130 | INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS AND APPLICATIONS + This course introduces students to basic computing concepts and the use of computers
in management settings. Prerequisite: MA110 or MA115 with a C grade of better.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| BA330 | INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND NETWORKS FOR BUSINESS + This course provides foundation concepts of information technology and data networks
as a basic business infrastructure. It addresses the emerging roles of technology
and communication networks in business operations. The course surveys popular and
anticipated technology adopted by businesses, examines strengths and weaknesses of
these technologies, and evaluates the cost and productivity implications of the deployment
of technology. The course also addresses managerial and organizational issues surrounding
the selection and implementation of technology, including the broad spectrum of telecommunication
services.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| LW402 | CONSTITUTIONAL LAW + This course provides the student with underlying principles of constitutional interpretation,
government organization and functions, and the application of the Bill of Rights to
criminal justice. Special problems of constitutional principles applied to the criminal
justice system are dealt with through the study of U.S. Supreme Court cases.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PA210 | PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT: CONCEPTS AND APPLICATIONS + This course covers the functioning of public administration and management in government
structures; the history and environment of public administration and management in
the U. S. and in the Government of Guam; the development and application of concepts,
principles, and techniques of public administration and management in the public sector;
and problems, issues, needs, achievements in public administration and management.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PA215 | SUPERVISION IN GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS + This course examines the operations and structure of government organizations from
a supervision point of view. The course instructs students in critical supervisory
theories, techniques and skills necessary for attaining superior results and accountability
in government and not-for-profit organizations. The course is designed to assist students
in becoming effective supervisors in public organizations and presents supervisory
concepts organized around various functions such as planning, organizing, directing
and controlling. The course equips Public Administration, Criminal Justice and other
students with the supervisory skills they will need for growth of professional competence
in the public service.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PA233 | IMPACT OF GOVERNMENT REGULATORY ADMINISTRATION ON BUSINESS + This course offers an overview and rationale of public policies and administrative
regulations as applied to the private sector, analysis and implementation of public
policies/regulations; substantive, methodological and practical problems and issues
of public policies and regulatory administration toward business by Federal, State
and Local government, and governments in the Asian-Pacific region.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PA303 | GOVERNMENT FINANCE + tA survey of financial administration, budgeting, and grant management in government
and nonprofit organizations, including understanding the budget as an instrument of
fiscal policy, sources of revenue, contracting for services, the procurement function,
financial planning, accountability, and control. The course focuses on enhancing the
ability of students to think critically, plan, analyze, synthesize, solve fiscal problems
and challenges, and make successful financial decisions in government and nonprofit
organizations engaged in the delivery of government and public services.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PA304 | GOVERNMENT PUBLIC INFORMATION + The course focuses on the deliberate and sustained effort to establish and maintain
effective communications with various publics by government and nonprofit organizations.
The course promotes an understanding of how public and nonprofit organizations design,
plan and execute successful information programs and/or special events using traditional
media channels (newspapers, TV and radio broadcasting, direct mail, community meetings
and disaster-related communications, seminars and conferences, etc.) and via new ?21st
Century? technologies (e.g., live streaming on the web, social media networks, and
AI - Artificial Intelligence, etc.) In this course students will learn that the key
to excelling in disseminating information and fund-raising to various publics is sending
the right message at the right time via the right communication channels.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PA305 | DATA ANALYSIS IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION + This course provides students with basic research tools used in of public administration,
criminal Justice, and other applied fields. Emphasis is given to data collection,
analysis, and interpretation skills. Major topics include research methods and techniques
to study planning, organizing, staffing, directing, reporting and budgeting. Applied
policy research is the consistent theme for this course. Prerequisites: BA130 with
a C grade or better.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PA306 | HEALTH CARE PLANNING AND EVALUATION + This course is designed to teach the fundamental techniques, methodologies and political
constraints of population-based planning for human services, with an emphasis on health.
It explores the origins and purpose of planning and the planning process as a means
of implementing social change. Existing planning policies are presented and analyzed
with the objective of formulating an outline for a health or social plan for the community.
Special emphasis is placed on the evaluation process. A local, national and international
perspective of health and social planning is utilized in teaching this course.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| PA347 | LEADERSHIP AND COLLABORATION IN ORGANIZATIONS AND SOCIETY + The course integrates personal leadership with collaboration and networking for organizational
performance and societal gain. The course strengthens practical leadership and collaborative
skills. Prerequisites: BA240 (for BBA majors) or PA210 (for PA majors).
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PA401 | COMMUNITY PLANNING + This course is an introduction to planning principles and techniques for island communities.
The course focuses on Public Administration planning, processes, laws and regulations
as they relate to communities and cultural values and environmental and aesthetic
considerations in designing and executing community development programs. Factors
such as economics, public policy, social indicators, and political variables are used
as a frame of reference in the course. The course explores various planning factors
that need to be considered by government and nonprofit organizations in designing
community projects and in recognizing the unique challenges and opportunities and
public and nonprofit organizations encounter and must consider to achieve results
for the communities they serve. In this course, students explore the connections between
what they will learn in class and community needs.
|
3 credit hours | SUMMER/ALL YEARS |
| AL401 | COMMUNITY PLANNING + This course is an introduction to community planning and social theories of communities
with application activities designed to provide understanding of community problems
and concerns; relationships of physical form to environment and function; aesthetic
principles and cultural values; and planning as a synthesis of economic, political,
social, cultural, physical, and administrative factors. Emphasis is on helping village
communities understand the special circumstances related to growth and development
pressures. Prerequisite: SO101.
|
3 credit hours | AS REQUIRED |
| PA403 | PUBLIC PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION + This course covers the development and management of human resources; history of the
Civil Service career system; training practices; human relations in supervision; Issues
and cases in professional leadership ethics in SBPA disciplines with case study examples
from the United States, Guam, Asia and the Western Pacific provides the framework
for the course. Codes of conduct, clientele and organizational relationships, legal
requirements and professional accountability are studied with a leadership ethics
emphasis for the public and private sector.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PA405 | LEADERSHIP ETHICS IN THE PROFESSIONS + This course emphasizes Best Practices in Leadership Ethics and Governance in Business,
Government, and Societal Institutions. The course examines ethics in the workplace
and the roles of organizational leaders in fostering ethical behavior. Contemporary
ethical challenges, scenarios and ethics case studies from the United Statas, Guam,
Asia, and the Western Pacific provide the framework for the course. The course takes
an SBPA interdisciplinary approach to leadership Ethics in order to prepare students
for professional employment and/or advancement in an increasing diverse technological
and global society. Lectures, case studies, simulations, scenarios, self-assessment
exercises, reading assignments and field activities explore the basic frameworks of
ethical and moral leadership. The course emphasizes leadership development, team building,
ethical decision making, enhanced communication skills, strategic thinking, and people
skills. Upon completion of the course, students are expected to demonstrate a competency
in critical thinking skills to both identify and remedy ethical issues typically encountered
d in organizational setting and interaction. Successful graduate of the course normally
pursues careers in government, business, accounting, finance, nonprofits, social work,
and education organizations. The course is available to all University of Guam students.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PA420 | PUBLIC FINANCE & FISCAL POLICY + This course is a study of the manipulation of spending and tax revenue by governmental
bodies in such a way as to affect the levels of output, employment, income, and prices
in the economy; public financial administration; budgeting, procurement, planning,
and control.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PA490 | SPECIAL PROJECT IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION + This special research course is intended to Acquaint criminal justice and public Administration
majors with the contemporary Principles and techniques of research in these Disciplines.
Students organize and participate in A major or research endeavor focusing on criminal
Justice/public administration topics dealing with Guam and the Asian-Pacific region.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PA480 | PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION CAPSTONE + This course is the capstone of the Bachelor of Science Public Administration (BSPA)degree
program integrating concepts and skills learned in the BSPA Foundation. This is an
integrative, problem-solving course in which the knowledge gained in the major is
applied to public administration case studies where the stude4nts will evaluate and
provide solutions to actual problems. There is a special emphasis on a student's abilities
to utilized critical thinking skill s to analyze strategic trends in public administration
and demonstrate proficiency. Prerequisites: 1) Graduating seniors only; b) Completion
of PA-405 and either PA305 or MA-385; and c) Consent of the instructor.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| PA402A | POLICY EVALUATION + The course examines the public policy Process (i.e., formation, implementation, and
Evaluation) in public administration and Governance and examines a broad range of
Substantive public policies (U.S., Federal, Guam, Regional, and international). The
course also Integrates a variety of basic policy techniques Of analysis and the application
of models in Public administration to help better understand Public-policy making
and its impact on government And societal institutions. Students will learn Practical
tools in developing public policy and In concepts and techniques of policy development,
Analysis. The course will employ case studies to Illustrate concepts and techniques
of policy Development, analysis, and debate. May be taken More than once, if topic
is different. A. Policy Evaluation. B. Grant administration. C. Fraud Examination
d. Procurement e. Emergency Management.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PA402B | GRANT ADMINISTRATION + The course examines the public policy Process (i.e., formation, implementation, and
Evaluation) in public administration and Governance and examines a broad range of
Substantive public policies (U.S., Federal, Guam, Regional, and international). The
course also Integrates a variety of basic policy techniques Of analysis and the application
of models in Public administration to help better understand Public-policy making
and its impact on government And societal institutions. Students will learn Practical
tools in developing public policy and In concepts and techniques of policy development,
Analysis. The course will employ case studies to Illustrate concepts and techniques
of policy Development, analysis, and debate. May be taken More than once, if topic
is different. A. Policy Evaluation. B. Grant administration. C. Fraud Examination
d. Procurement e. Emergency Management.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PA402C | FRAUD EXAMINATION + The course examines the public policy Process (i.e., formation, implementation, and
Evaluation) in public administration and Governance and examines a broad range of
Substantive public policies (U.S., Federal, Guam, Regional, and international). The
course also Integrates a variety of basic policy techniques Of analysis and the application
of models in Public administration to help better understand Public-policy making
and its impact on government And societal institutions. Students will learn Practical
tools in developing public policy and In concepts and techniques of policy development,
Analysis. The course will employ case studies to Illustrate concepts and techniques
of policy Development, analysis, and debate. May be taken More than once, if topic
is different. A. Policy Evaluation. B. Grant administration. C. Fraud Examination
d. Procurement e. Emergency Management.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PA402D | PROBLEMS IN PUBLIC POLICY: PROCUREMENT + The course examines the public policy Process (i.e., formation, implementation, and
Evaluation) in public administration and Governance and examines a broad range of
Substantive public policies (U.S., Federal, Guam, Regional, and international). The
course also Integrates a variety of basic policy techniques Of analysis and the application
of models in Public administration to help better understand Public-policy making
and its impact on government And societal institutions. Students will learn Practical
tools in developing public policy and In concepts and techniques of policy development,
Analysis. The course will employ case studies to Illustrate concepts and techniques
of policy Development, analysis, and debate. May be taken More than once, if topic
is different. A. Policy Evaluation. B. Grant administration. C. Fraud Examination
d. Procurement e. Emergency Management.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PA402E | EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT + The course examines the public policy Process (i.e., formation, implementation, and
Evaluation) in public administration and Governance and examines a broad range of
Substantive public policies (U.S., Federal, Guam, Regional, and international). The
course also Integrates a variety of basic policy techniques Of analysis and the application
of models in Public administration to help better understand Public-policy making
and its impact on government And societal institutions. Students will learn Practical
tools in developing public policy and In concepts and techniques of policy development,
Analysis. The course will employ case studies to Illustrate concepts and techniques
of policy Development, analysis, and debate. May be taken More than once, if topic
is different. A. Policy Evaluation. B. Grant administration. C. Fraud Examination
d. Procurement e. Emergency Management.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
Elective Courses (26 credit hours)
Required electives must be approved by Public Administration advisor.
MINOR REQUIREMENTS
Public Administration Minor Requirements (18 credit hours)
Required Courses
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| PA210 | PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT: CONCEPTS AND APPLICATIONS + This course covers the functioning of public administration and management in government
structures; the history and environment of public administration and management in
the U. S. and in the Government of Guam; the development and application of concepts,
principles, and techniques of public administration and management in the public sector;
and problems, issues, needs, achievements in public administration and management.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PA233 | IMPACT OF GOVERNMENT REGULATORY ADMINISTRATION ON BUSINESS + This course offers an overview and rationale of public policies and administrative
regulations as applied to the private sector, analysis and implementation of public
policies/regulations; substantive, methodological and practical problems and issues
of public policies and regulatory administration toward business by Federal, State
and Local government, and governments in the Asian-Pacific region.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PA303 | GOVERNMENT FINANCE + tA survey of financial administration, budgeting, and grant management in government
and nonprofit organizations, including understanding the budget as an instrument of
fiscal policy, sources of revenue, contracting for services, the procurement function,
financial planning, accountability, and control. The course focuses on enhancing the
ability of students to think critically, plan, analyze, synthesize, solve fiscal problems
and challenges, and make successful financial decisions in government and nonprofit
organizations engaged in the delivery of government and public services.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PA403 | PUBLIC PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION + This course covers the development and management of human resources; history of the
Civil Service career system; training practices; human relations in supervision; Issues
and cases in professional leadership ethics in SBPA disciplines with case study examples
from the United States, Guam, Asia and the Western Pacific provides the framework
for the course. Codes of conduct, clientele and organizational relationships, legal
requirements and professional accountability are studied with a leadership ethics
emphasis for the public and private sector.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PA405 | LEADERSHIP ETHICS IN THE PROFESSIONS + This course emphasizes Best Practices in Leadership Ethics and Governance in Business,
Government, and Societal Institutions. The course examines ethics in the workplace
and the roles of organizational leaders in fostering ethical behavior. Contemporary
ethical challenges, scenarios and ethics case studies from the United Statas, Guam,
Asia, and the Western Pacific provide the framework for the course. The course takes
an SBPA interdisciplinary approach to leadership Ethics in order to prepare students
for professional employment and/or advancement in an increasing diverse technological
and global society. Lectures, case studies, simulations, scenarios, self-assessment
exercises, reading assignments and field activities explore the basic frameworks of
ethical and moral leadership. The course emphasizes leadership development, team building,
ethical decision making, enhanced communication skills, strategic thinking, and people
skills. Upon completion of the course, students are expected to demonstrate a competency
in critical thinking skills to both identify and remedy ethical issues typically encountered
d in organizational setting and interaction. Successful graduate of the course normally
pursues careers in government, business, accounting, finance, nonprofits, social work,
and education organizations. The course is available to all University of Guam students.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| PA420 | PUBLIC FINANCE & FISCAL POLICY + This course is a study of the manipulation of spending and tax revenue by governmental
bodies in such a way as to affect the levels of output, employment, income, and prices
in the economy; public financial administration; budgeting, procurement, planning,
and control.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
Division Chair
McNinch-Su L. Ronald
Office Location: Mailing Address:
Expertise
Program Faculty
McNinch-Su L. Ronald
Office Location: Mailing Address: