MSM in Public and Municipal Finance

Area of Study Overview

Return to the John S. Watson School of Public Service Homepage

This area of study is tailored for employees of government and quasi-governmental agencies as well as local members of nonprofits and community groups, labor and employment organizations, community boards and hospitals, etc., who want to know how to face the strategic challenges such as municipal aid reduction to public sector, how to cut costs and manage public resources more efficiently.

Credit Distribution

I. Core Courses (18 Credits)

MNP-502	Leadership and Management in Public Service in the 21st Century	3
MNP-530	Human Resource Management for Public Service	3
MPL-510	Research Methods in Public Service	3
MNP-520	Economic Issues for Public Service Managers	3
MNP-540	Finance and Accounting for Managers in Public Service	3

Students select one of the following:

MNP-560	Marketing Management for Public Service	3
MNP-510	Project Management in Public Service	3

II. Areas of Study (12 Credits)

Students must select at least one course for each area:

Management

MNP-515	Leading Strategic Change in Public Service	3
MPL-520	Program Analysis and Evaluation	3
PJM-530	Project Risk Management	3

Accounting/Finance

MSP-674	Municipal Finance	3
MSP-678	Finance and Budgeting for Nonprofits	3

III. Core Advanced Level Courses (6 Credits)

MNP-515	Leading Strategic Change in Public Service	3
MPL-710	Public Service Capstone	3

Total Credit Hours: 36

Learning Outcomes

Upon the completion of the area of study in Public and Municipal Finance, graduates will be able to:

discuss the role of government in providing goods and services to citizens and be able to participate in programs aimed at designing, planning, executing, and delivering such goods and services;
evaluate the results of such programs and modify future programs and plans accordingly; and
evaluate the needs of government financing activities and be able to locate the sources of needed information and incorporate that information into the process.