Master of Public AdministrationInspire your community
for positive change

PAD-501 Foundations of Public Policy
This foundational course introduces students to the concept of the nonprofit sector in America and to the sector’s development over time. This is the social and legal environment surrounding nonprofit organizations, which provides both support and restrictions. Emphasis is given to the public policy framework of government partnerships with nonprofit organizations and to similarities and differences between secular and faith-based nonprofits.

PAD-503 Organizational Leadership
This course presents an overview of leadership concepts and theories with an emphasis on their applications within organizations. Special emphasis will be given to motivation, leadership styles, work environment, teamwork, and social behavior on decision-making, communication and leadership effectiveness within organizations.

PAD-505 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
This course focuses on the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace with attention to a critical analysis of the systemic realities shaping these areas. Emphasis is placed on understanding the individual and organizational needs related to sustainable diversity, equity, and inclusion work.

PAD-601 Research Methods
An examination of research methods available for data-driven decision making within organizations. Focus is placed on the systematic process of collecting, analyzing and interpreting data to answer a specific organizational issue. The course will also introduce students to basic descriptive and inferential statistical tools.

PAD-603 Organizational Behavior
The study of the behavior of individuals and teams within public organizations based on current theory. Emphasis is given to understanding, predicting, motivating and changing work-related behaviors in organizations. Key topics include organizational structure, understanding culture, power, diversity, leadership and communication within the organization.

NPL-601 Financial Management
A study of the key accounting and finance principles that provide leaders with a better understanding of the financial aspects of organizations. Topics include interpretation and analysis of financial statements, budgeting, time value of money and financial planning.

NPL-501 Nonprofit Strategic Leadership
This course explores the theories and practice of nonprofit leadership. Topics include strategies for improved leadership within a team-based context, managing interpersonal conflict, and effective mission-based strategy.

NPL-503 Marketing & Outreach
This course focuses on marketing strategies and principles necessary for nonprofit growth in today’s economy. Emphasis will be placed on developing a marketing strategy, brand development, collaborative partnerships and digital communications

NPL-505 Human Resource Management
A survey course that examines the concepts and practices of human resource management. Topics include recruitment, training and development, compensation, managing volunteers, and employee relations.

NPL-603 Advancement & Fundraising
This course covers the principles and best practices of fundraising including fundraising strategy and sources of funds. It will also consider the importance of donor relations, confidentiality, and legal and ethical considerations in fundraising.

NPL-607 Governance: Boards & Structures
This course discusses the elements of board governance in nonprofit organizations and the structures of these types of organizations. This includes understanding the roles of the board, executive director, and other staff, along with an examination of the ways in which organizational structure shapes these roles.

NPL-790 Capstone: Assessment, Planning, & Change Management
This course is the capstone for the program and provides an emphasis on experiential learning within an organization. The focus of the class will center on a project connected to an organizational need related to assessment, planning, and change management. Pre-requisites: all other courses in the program except for NPL-607: Governance: Boards & Structures.

BBL-509 Biblical Theology of Justice
This course will aid students in constructing and enacting a biblical theology of public justice by critically examining various hermeneutical approaches to Scripture, engaging the Bible’s vision of God’s justice in the Old and New Testaments, and discerning how this vision relates to Christian embodiment of justice in contemporary culture.

BBL-519 American Christianity & Biblical Justice
This course will explore the history of American Christianity from the perspective of a biblical theology of public justice, surveying the historical and cultural forces that have shaped the development of evangelical Christianity in America, its various conceptions of justice and how Scripture was interpreted to address a range of public issues.

IDS-642 Contemporary Issues in Social Justice
Meaningful responses to human suffering are grounded in acknowledging the inherent complexity and enduring presence of injustice along with understanding the ways in which injustice shapes individuals and communities. Students will engage in reading, reflection, and discussion to develop a broader understanding of a variety of contemporary social justice issues including, but not limited to, gender equity and poverty. Using perspectives from contemporary social justice theory, students will explore what it means to champion just systems and practices in various contexts. Based on a problem-based learning approach, students will examine current issues and develop a response based on current research and best practice. This course serves as the first of a two-course sequence culminating in IDS-643: Contemporary Issues in Social Justice II.

IDS-643 Systems, Structures & Social Justice II
Building on the foundations laid in IDS-642 Contemporary Issues in Social Justice I, students will engage in reading, reflection and discussion to develop an advanced understanding of a variety of contemporary social justice issues including but not limited to immigration, healthcare and disability. Using perspectives from contemporary social justice theory, students will explore what it means to champion just systems and practices in various contexts. Based on a problem-based learning approach, students will examine current issues and develop a response based on current research and best practices. Prerequisite: IDS-642: Contemporary Issues in Social Justice I.

IDS-660 Cultural Intelligence
This course is designed to give leaders an introductory grasp of cultural intelligence, a person’s ability to adapt successfully to different national, organizational, and professional cultures. Literature from the fields of anthropology and sociology are used as well as studying cultural engagement in light of the biblical narrative, as a way to effectively enact the organizational mission within an increasingly diverse society.

NPL-791 Social Justice Capstone
This course is the capstone for the program and provides an emphasis on experiential learning within an organization. The focus of the class will center on applying theories and principles for social justice within an organizational context. Pre-requisites: all other courses in the program except for IDS-660 Cultural Intelligence.

Your community needs leaders like you to inspire lasting change built on wise decisions. With a Master of Public Administration, you can be equipped to meet the needs of others through practical, relevant course work anchored in a Christ-centered foundation.

Specialized Knowledge

Students will demonstrate specialized knowledge of and proficiency in the terminology, concepts, practices and skills specific to public administration. In accomplishing this objective, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the core theories, principles and practices specific to nonprofit leadership/social justice.
• Analyze approaches to effectively address issues related to nonprofit organizations/social justice.
• Articulate a philosophy of organizational leadership for leading organizations.
• Evaluate organizational structures and behavior for leading nonprofit organizations.

Applied Knowledge and Collaborative Learning

Students will exhibit competency in applying your knowledge to address real-life problems through both individual and group effort. At the end of this program, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate the ability to apply theories and concepts for nonprofit leadership/social justice.
• Exhibit communication skills that prepare students to be successful nonprofit employees and leaders.

Intellectual Skills

Students will demonstrate their ability to integrate traditional and normative skills, including analytical skills, information literacy, quantitative competency and communication fluency.

Civic and Global Engagement

Students will demonstrate intercultural competence in addressing civic, social, environmental and economic issues within public administration.

Biblical Worldview Integration and Action

Students will articulate a Christ-centered worldview to include its personal, professional and communal embodiment through Christian virtues.