Specialization in Public Policy Implementation Leadership
The policy implementation leadership specialization examines the various roles and responsibilities policy practitioners exercise in the design and leadership of public organizations. Practitioners in this area employ skills such as change management, strategic decision making, and advanced organizational analysis. Students in this specialization will examine the roles and responsibilities of policy practitioners and their agencies in the design and implementation of public policies. Students in this specialization are exposed to theories of agenda setting policy design, policy implementation, policy leadership and explore the complexities of managing policies and programs in interorganizational environments that may span multiple policy domains.
Specialization Faculty
- Najib Ghadbian, Ph.D. (The Graduate School, CUNY), Associate Professor, Political Science
- Janine Parry, Ph.D. (Washington State University), Associate Professor, Political Science
- Margaret Reid, Ph.D. (University of Oklahoma), Professor, Political Science
- William Schreckhise, Ph.D. (Washington State University), Associate Professor, Political Science
Course of Study
The specialization requires twelve hours of post-masters studies. The following must be taken by all Ph.D. students in order to satisfy the requirements of this specialization.
- PUBP 612 Research Problems in Policy: Collaborative research with core faculty in specialty area
The following courses, or their equivalents, must be taken, except, if any of these courses have been taken in the student's master's program. Electives will then be selected in order to comprise the remaining nine specialization hours needed for the Ph.D. in Policy. (Some "mid-career" students may be excused from these course requirements to take electives if their experience would fulfill the requirement.)
- PLSC 5113 Seminar: Human Resource Management
Intensive study of public personnel policies and practices, including legal foundations, classification and compensation plans, recruitment and selection processes, training, employment policies and morale, employee relations and organization. - PLSC 5103: Human Behavior in Complex Organizations
Review of the fundamental literature and a systematic analysis of various theories and research focusing on organization and behavior in public administration, including the discussion of organizational development, human motivation, leadership, rationality, efficiency and conflict management in public organizations.
Other Elective Courses
The student's Doctoral Program Advisory Committee will aid the student in selecting appropriate electives as necessary. Through a special arrangement with the law school, students may take law school courses.
Examples of electives that might be selected are listed below. Note that some courses require prerequisites.
- Health Services Administration (HLSC 5633)
- Management of Higher Education (HIED 6073)
- Management of Service Organizations (PLSC 5133)
- Grant Writing for the Social Sciences (PADM 5823)