MPA courses

This course provides a foundational overview of policy analysis tools and strategies to inform the decisions of public affairs practitioners. Students will learn how to identify and frame policy problems, evaluate potential solutions, and communicate decisions clearly and persuasively. They will examine the strengths and limitations of common analytical frameworks such as market analysis, benefit-cost analysis, behavioral economics, and equity analysis, applying these frameworks to real-world cases in their areas of practice. In addition to developing their skills as policy analysts, the course will strengthen students’ writing and research skills through a series of applied assignments.

This course equips public affairs practitioners to analyze and interpret data as an essential input in their decisions, with an emphasis on being informed consumers rather than original producers of quantitative analysis. Students will solidify their understanding of basic statistical concepts (including probability, sampling, and hypothesis-testing), examine the application of these concepts in common research methods, explore publicly available data sources used commonly in the practice of public affairs, and gain exposure to statistical software applications. They will also strengthen their data visualization and presentation skills through a series of applied assignments.

What makes leaders effective, ethical, and equitable? How can managers guide their organizations through times of change? This course introduces MPA students to core concepts in leadership theory, public management, and organizational behavior, providing a framework for the leadership experience they have already begun to develop as practitioners. Students will examine different models of executive leadership and develop a set of practical management skills to drive change and innovation within their organizations. They will also develop an individualized leadership plan aligned with their professional goals, informed by a leadership assessment and one-on-one executive coaching sessions.

As their capstone activity in the MPA program, students will apply the knowledge and skills developed across the curriculum to a contemporary challenge facing their organization or community of practice. Under the guidance of the course instructor and a faculty advisor with relevant expertise, students will select a topic of interest from a curated list of options, conduct a landscape analysis of existing knowledge on the topic, produce their own original research and analysis, and recommend a specific course of action. In addition to a written report, students will produce a one-page summary of their project and present their work to an audience of students, faculty, and invited guests.

As a public affairs practitioner, you know that navigating moral and ethical dilemmas is a crucial aspect of your profession. Public service brings with it distinct ethical obligations, and failing to meet them can have widespread repercussions. This course will empower you with the foundational knowledge and practical skills necessary to tackle the moral and ethical challenges inherent in public affairs practice.

Today's public affairs leaders must navigate a dynamic and disruptive information environment that poses threats as well as opportunities to the organizations they lead. This course will help students understand and navigate contemporary challenges such as the rise of artificial intelligence, mis/disinformation, threats to cybersecurity, and the fractured and volatile media landscape. Students will map and analyze the information ecosystems in which their organizations or communities of practice operate, explore contemporary topics such as privacy and data governance, and examine the evolving legal, regulatory, and political landscape surrounding the news and information environment.

This course provides students with a foundational understanding of fiscal policy, practical knowledge of the public budgeting process at various levels of government, and a set of financial management tools and strategies applicable to public and non-profit organizations. Students will analyze the “players, process, and politics” of public budgeting, participate in simulated budgeting exercises, and develop a set of skills for influencing, planning, executing, and managing their organization’s finances. The course will culminate with a team-based project requiring students to apply the skills and knowledge developed during the semester.

People are the greatest asset in any organization, and effectively leading them is one of the most complex challenges faced by public affairs professionals. This course provides students with a foundational understanding of human resources management and organizational development, with a focus on the unique workforce dynamics within public affairs organizations. Students will analyze their organization’s cultural intelligence and political environment, develop practical skills for managing all stages of the employee lifecycle, and explore contemporary challenges such as fostering inclusive workplaces, leading diverse teams, and managing hybrid and remote workforces.

This course caters to students seeking to deepen their understanding of economics beyond what they'll learn in other classes. You'll explore the economic models and theories commonly encountered in public affairs practice, focusing on becoming knowledgeable consumers rather than creators of original analysis.

In this course, you will develop two essential skills crucial for public affairs practitioners across all sectors: communications and advocacy. We'll start by introducing you to the fundamental elements of advocacy strategy. You'll learn to establish goals and objectives, analyze advocacy targets using power mapping and other tools, choose tactics, and execute, monitor, and evaluate advocacy campaigns. Next, we'll dive into communications strategy. You'll discover how to craft compelling and persuasive messages, select suitable messengers, choose the right communications channel, and assess the effectiveness of your strategies.

In this course, you will explore how to formulate effective decision and negotiation strategies as a public affairs leader in a complex and unpredictable world. The first half of the course will concentrate on executive decision-making, where we'll delve into the meaning of rationality, the influence of cognitive biases, and the difficulties of decision-making amidst uncertainty and limited resources. The second half of the course will center on negotiation strategy. We'll introduce you to core theories and concepts, and then enhance your practical negotiation skills through case studies, role-playing, and simulations.

This course will help students who work (or aspire to work) in the non-profit sector develop and implement effective strategies for leading their organizations in an increasingly complex and competitive landscape. Informed by case studies, engagement with practitioners, and their own experiences, students will explore topics including non-profit governance and board engagement, fundraising and donor engagement, strategic planning, program delivery and community engagement, impact measurement and evaluation, and non-profit advocacy. As their culminating assignment, students will apply their skills and knowledge to a current challenge facing a non-profit organization of their choosing.

In the last summer of the program, and concluding with a weeklong session in Washington, DC, this course offers you a chance to put into practice the knowledge, skills, and abilities you've gained throughout the program while tackling contemporary challenges confronting public affairs leaders. For this domestic variation of the course, such challenges might include climate change, immigration, and economic inequality.

In the last summer of the program, and concluding with a weeklong session in Washington, DC, this course offers you a chance to put into practice the knowledge, skills, and abilities you've gained throughout the program while tackling contemporary challenges confronting public affairs leaders. For this international variation of the course, such challenges might include climate change, global pandemics, and U.S.-China competition.