The specialty areas in the Master of Public Administration program offered by Kentucky State University reflect the human resource needs in the public sector and the student's career objectives. The Master of Public Administration program currently offers three specialty areas, each of which is briefly described below. Within each specialty area, one advanced course is required. The student may, in consultation with his/her advisor, select two other specialty area courses to meet the student's educational needs.
Human Resource Management
This specialty area is designed for students who are interested in both public- and private-sector personnel management positions. The following courses are offered:
Required Course:
PUA 691 Human Resource Management Seminar
Optional Courses (select two of the following):
PUA 612 Human Resource Law
PUA 614 Applied Human Relations
PUA 615 Personnel Assessment
Management Information Systems
This specialty area is designed for students interested in jobs in the Management Information Systems (MIS) field. It emphasizes systems analysis and design, and utilization of current applications software. The following courses are offered:
Required Course:
PUA 682 Seminar on Management Information Systems
Optional Courses (choice of two of the following):
PUA 680 Management Information Systems Administration
PUA 681 Applied Advanced Statistical Methods
PUA 683 Decision Support Systems
International Administration and Development
This specialty area generally attracts public service professionals from the developing nations, sponsored by their government and USAID. American students interested in careers in international administration may also choose this specialty. The following courses are offered:
Required Course:
PUA 631 Seminar on Comparative and International Administration
Optional Courses (select two of the following):
PUA 632 Comparative Economic Systems
PUA 633 Seminar on Development Administration
PUA 692 Seminar on International Personnel Systems
Nonprofit Management
This specialty area is designed for students interested in engaging in community enhancement activities either through a government of nonprofit organization.
It emphasizes how both urban planning and organizational leadership can be employed to serve deprived communities.
Required Course:
PUA 645: Seminar in Nonprofit Management and Community Development
Optional Courses:
(select two of the following)
PUA 606: Fundraising and Grantsmanship
PUA 646: Community Planning
PUA 648: Current Topics in Non-Profit
Administration
Once a student has received the Master of Public Administration degree, additional specializations may not be added to the transcript or diploma. Students may take additional course work as non–degree students, but this work will not count toward an additional specialization or degree.