Department of Public Administration

PAD 1113. Public Administration and Policy in American Society. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This functions as the general introductory course in public administration. The management of government bureaucracies including organization, human resources, career systems, and financing is discussed. There is a discussion of the role of bureaucracies in modern society in the formulation and implementation of public policy. May be applied toward Core Curriculum requirement in the Component Area Option. (Formerly Public Administration in American Society.) Generally offered: Fall, Spring. Course Fees: LRC1 $12; STHC $18; DL01 $75.

PAD 2013. Introduction to Public Policy. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

The course introduces students to the different aspects of public policy in the U.S. political context. Topics may include agenda setting, policy formulation, implementation, analysis, and evaluation. (Formerly PAD 3013. Credit cannot be earned for both PAD 3013 and PAD 2013.) Generally offered: Fall, Spring. Course Fee: STHC $18; DL01 $75.

PAD 2073. Foundations of Civic Engagement. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This foundational course provides students with an understanding of civic participation, civic literacy and the necessary skill set for completion of the minor. It is designed to guide students in making links between their major area of study and the communities in which they work and live in order to help prepare students for a lifetime of responsible citizenship and civic engagement. Course Fee: STHC $18; DL01 $75.

PAD 3003. Fundraising in Nonprofit Agencies. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Examines methods, techniques, and directed experience in fundraising for nonprofit agencies. Explores relationships with umbrella organizations, government funding, grantsmanship, budget control, and accountability. (Formerly NPO 3003. Credit cannot be earned for both PAD 3003 and NPO 3003.) Course Fee: STHC $18; DL01 $75.

PAD 3023. Introduction to Urban Management and Policy. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course will introduce students to the basic concepts of the management of urban municipalities. Topics to be covered may include leadership in urban settings; organizational structure and change; delivery of urban services, particularly in a diverse urban environment; and policy issues in urban settings. Generally offered: Fall, Spring. Course Fee: STHC $18; DL01 $75.

PAD 3033. Introduction to Nonprofit Agencies. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This survey course introduces the nonprofit sector and core competencies required by nonprofit leaders. The role of nonprofit organizations in civil society frames the course, in particular, how the nonprofit sector is different from the public and private sectors. The state of the sector, and fundamental principles and practices required by nonprofit managers are explored, including creating a nonprofit, basics of fundraising, marketing, volunteer management, program development, and evaluation. Group and individual projects, service learning, research conducted for specific nonprofit agencies, oral presentations, networking, and construction of a portfolio of nonprofit work experiences and deliverables may be utilized. (Same as NPO 3013. Credit cannot be earned for both PAD 3033 and NPO 3013.) Generally offered: Fall, Spring. Course Fee: STHC $18; DL01 $75.

PAD 3043. Public and Nonprofit Financial Management. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course introduces students to the principles of financial management for public and nonprofit organizations. The public financial management component of the course will cover issues at the federal, state, and local levels of government. Topics will include budgeting, financial reporting, revenue streams, tax equity, stakeholder relations, and accountability. Generally offered: Spring. Course Fee: STHC $18; DL01 $75.

PAD 3053. Urban Economic Development. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course examines the factors contributing to the economic growth or decline of U.S. cities or regions and the role of local government in shaping economic development policies and economic change. Students will analyze the social impact of economic development, including quality of life for residents and community well-being. It reviews the impact of public sector incentives and the outcomes of collaborative efforts between government agencies, corporations, and nonprofit organizations through case studies of a variety of urban areas. Course Fee: STHC $18; DL01 $75.

PAD 3063. Public Sector Economics. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course examines the role that government plays in the economy and its effects on the welfare of its citizens. The efficiency and equity of government expenditures and tax policies are examined by looking at their impact on individual behavior and the distribution of income. Among the topics covered are public goods, externalities, social security, health care reform, public assistance programs, and taxation. Course fees: LRHC $10; STHC $18.

PAD 3073. Civic Leadership Seminar. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: PAD 2073. This course is the capstone course for the Minor in Civic Engagement. It will engage students, actively in the San Antonio community through a service-learning experience. Course Fee: STHC $18; DL01 $75.

PAD 3083. Project Management for the Public Sector. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course will introduce key concepts of project management from the perspective of public agencies and institutions that contract with those agencies. This course will cover project management methodology and tools to successfully manage large-scale projects. Students will learn how to meet project goals on time and within the allocated budget. The course will cover how to effectively engage stakeholders to maximize project success. Topics may also include risk management, oversight, problem-solving, and government procurement and contracting. Students will learn about the role of a project manager and related public service careers. Course fees: LRHC $10; STHC $18.

PAD 3113. Managing Nonprofit Organizations. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course focuses on leading nonprofit organizations. Students will consider organizational performance and client/community engagement in order to maximize the public value of nonprofit organizations. In light of efforts to foster inclusion and representation, students will learn about recruiting staff and volunteers and strategically composing board memberships. Topics will include organizational goal setting, program management/evaluation, community awareness/advocacy, and decision-making through collaborative models. Course Fee: STHC $18.

PAD 3133. Politics and Policies of San Antonio and South Texas. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

The San Antonio area has been shaped and built by an array of decisions, public and private. This course will examine the history and development of the area and the political, social, and economic forces that have defined the local policymaking process by city, county, and special purpose governments. Topics may include fiscal policy, public investment policies, urban revitalization, and transportation. Course Fee: STHC $18.

PAD 3153. Administrative Law and Policy. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

This course covers the legal framework for creating and implementing public policy, at all governmental levels. It includes an overview of the authority of legislative bodies to formulate laws and policies, as well as the rules that govern the implementation of these laws and policies by administrative bodies. The course will also cover the authority of courts to review and/or overturn laws and policies. (Formerly titled Introduction to Public Law.) Course Fee: STHC $18; DL01 $75.

PAD 3163. Quantitative Analysis for Public Administration and Policy. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Any 3-semester-credit-hour Mathematics core course. This course will introduce students to the nature and practice of evaluation in the public and nonprofit sectors, and to the basic skills necessary to understand and conduct such evaluations. This course covers collecting, organizing, analyzing, and presenting information. (Formerly PAD 2153. Credit cannot be earned for both PAD 3163 and PAD 2153.) Generally offered: Spring. Course Fee: STHC $18; DL01 $75.

PAD 4843. Study Abroad: International Public Administration. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. A lecture/seminar course associated with a study abroad program related to the study and practice of comparative governance. Involves international travel and field trips. May be repeated for credit when the destination country varies. Course Fee: STHC $18.

PAD 4853. Essential Skills for a Career in Public Service (Research Capstone). (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Should be taken in the senior year or with consent of instructor. The course provides an opportunity for students to develop essential skills for careers in public service. Students consider their career and educational plans after graduation, and gain tools to prepare them for a successful job search. Students then strengthen the following skills: research, writing, critical analysis of contemporary policy issues, and communicating research findings. This is the capstone course for the Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration and Policy degree but is also open to students in other majors. Generally offered: Fall, Spring. Course Fee: STHC $18; DL01 $75.

PAD 4911. Independent Study. (0-0) 1 Credit Hour.

Prerequisite: Prior approval required, Independent Study Course Form (available in the department or college advising center) signed by the instructor, the student’s undergraduate advisor, Department Chair, and Dean of the College for Health, Community and Policy. Independent reading, research, discussion, and/or writing under the direction of a faculty member. May be repeated once for credit, but not more than 6 semester credit hours of independent study, regardless of discipline, will apply to a bachelor's degree. Course Fee: STHC $6.

PAD 4913. Independent Study. (0-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Prior approval required; Independent Study Course Form (available in the department or college advising center) signed by the instructor, the student’s undergraduate advisor, Department Chair, and Dean of the College for Health, Community and Policy. Independent reading, research, discussion, and/or writing under the direction of a faculty member. May be repeated once for credit, but not more than 6 semester credit hours of independent study, regardless of discipline, will apply to a bachelor’s degree. Course Fee: STHC $18.

PAD 4933. Internship in Public Administration. (0-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisites: PAD 1113, PAD 3163, and either PAD 3023 or PAD 3033; Prior approval of Public Administration Internship Coordinator is required. Supervised experience in an administrative setting that provides the opportunity to integrate theory and practice in public or nonprofit-related agencies. May be repeated for credit in a subsequent semester when agency setting varies, but not more than 6 semester credit hours will apply to a bachelor’s degree. Generally offered: Fall, Spring, Summer. Course Fee: STHC $18.

PAD 4936. Internship in Public Administration. (0-0) 6 Credit Hours.

Prerequisites: PAD 1113, PAD 3163, and either PAD 3023 or PAD 3033; Prior approval of Public Administration Internship Coordinator is required. Supervised experience in an administrative setting that provides the opportunity to integrate theory and practice in public or nonprofit-related agencies. May be repeated for credit in a subsequent semester when agency setting varies, but not more than 6 semester credit hours will apply to a bachelor’s degree. Course Fee: STHC $36.

PAD 4963. Special Topics in Public Administration. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

An organized course offering the opportunity for specialized study not normally or not often available as part of regular course offerings. Special Topics may be repeated for credit when topics vary, but not more than 6 semester credit hours, regardless of discipline, will apply to a bachelor’s degree. (Formerly titled "Special Topics in Urban Management Policy.") Course Fee: STHC $18.

PAD 4993. Honors Thesis. (0-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Enrollment limited to candidates for Honors in Public Administration during the last two semesters; completion of honors examination and approval by the honors program coordinator. Supervised research and preparation of an honors thesis. May be repeated once with advisor’s approval. Course Fee: STHC $18.