Master of Public Administration – Criminal Justice Administration Concentration
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- Master of Public Administration – Criminal Justice Administration Concentration

Description
The Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to resolve societal problems. The MPA program prepares graduates for careers in public, non-profit, and private organizations in which they can develop, implement, and manage public programs and public policies.
THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY’s online Master of Public Administration with a concentration in criminal justice administration combines theory with the practical industry knowledge. This degree program touches on a variety of topics including crime theory, constitutional law and more. The MPA with a concentration in criminal justice administration prepares graduates for career advancement in agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation and state and local law enforcement agencies.
Upon completion of the program, students should be able to do the following:
- Analyze factors that influence lifestyle choices and impact public health.
- Evaluate the impact of external affairs on health policy.
- Analyze the etiology of major health problems in populations that affect the development and implementation of public health programs.
- Interpret the statistical significance of epidemiological reports in public health studies.
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Curriculum
The Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to resolve societal problems. The MPA program prepares graduates for careers in public, non-profit, and private organizations in which they can develop, implement, and manage public programs and public policies.
Created for public managers interested in working in law enforcement and seeking to improve analytical and problem-solving skills through advanced theory-to-practice training in the field. Prepares public managers for career advancements in agencies such as Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Marshals, and state and local law enforcement agencies.
Major Requirements | Total Required Semester Hours: 24
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Description
Analysis of how sociology can be used to study sport in society. Focuses on sports and sport-related behaviors as they occur in social and cultural contexts and uses concepts, theories, and research as tools that enable students to examine sports as a part of culture.
Objectives
- Describe the sociology of sports and reasons it should be studied.
- Relate modern social theories to better management and decision-making in sports.
- Evaluate the impact sociology of sports has on decision-making in high school and college sports.
- Describe how organized sports programs affect the socialization of children.
- Discuss principles and concepts of deviance and violence in sports.
- Assess societal issues that result from gender, race, and ethnic diversity in sports.
- Discuss commercialization of sports such as the role of money and power.
- Explain the global impact of sports.
PreRequisites
None
Textbook(s)
Sports in society: Issues and controversies (Rev: 11th ed.)
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education (2015)
Author: Coakley, J. J.
ISBN: 978-0-07-802252-4
Price: $162.18
* Disclaimer: Textbooks listed are based on the last open revision of the course. Prior revisions and future revisions may use different textbooks. To verify textbook information, view the course syllabus or contact the AU Bookstore at [email protected]
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Description
Examines the theoretical and practical implications of marketing in the sports industry by presenting a framework to help explain and organize the strategic marketing process. Offers a growing appreciation on the globalization of sports and an understanding of the ethical issues emerging in sports and their impact on sport marketing decisions.
Objectives
- Provide a framework or conceptual model of the strategic marketing process that can be applied to the sports industry.
- Evaluate the growing emphasis on the globalization of sport.
- Analyze current research in the area of sport marketing and interpret the results.
- Explain the ethical issues that are emerging in sports and their impact in sport marketing decisions.
- Offer a balanced treatment of all aspects of sports marketing at all levels by listing up-to-date treatments.
- Explain the concepts and theories unique to sports marketing and discuss basic principles in the context of sports.
- Interpret comprehensive coverage of the functions of sports marketing.
PreRequisites
None
Textbook(s)
Sports marketing: A strategic perspective (Rev: 4th ed.)
Publisher: Prentice Hall (2009)
Author: Shank, M. D.
ISBN: 978-0-13-228535-3
Price: $125.26
* Disclaimer: Textbooks listed are based on the last open revision of the course. Prior revisions and future revisions may use different textbooks. To verify textbook information, view the course syllabus or contact the AU Bookstore at [email protected]
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Description
Reviews the theory and practice of fundraising in sport-related fields and provides specific, helpful ideas for conducting fundraising activities in sports business. Combines fundraising theory and practical advice so learners can organize and develop fundraising plans.
Objectives
- Explain the fundraising process, to include the importance of fundraising.
- Explain the nature and principle of sport business.
- Identify different types of fundraising methods.
- Develop practical fundraising plans in sport programs and/or events.
- Discuss varied methods for implementing potential fundraising plans.
- Create a fundraising plan that includes how to induce potential sponsors.
- Recognize publicity and promotional tactics.
- Discuss personnel management in the operation of fundraising projects.
- Examine key legal issues that include, but are not limited to, liability concerns, risk management, and insurance matters.
PreRequisites
None
Textbook(s)
Fundraising for sport and athletics
Publisher: Fitness Information Technology (2012)
Author: Leonard, R.
ISBN: 978-1-935412-33-5
Price: $74.10
* Disclaimer: Textbooks listed are based on the last open revision of the course. Prior revisions and future revisions may use different textbooks. To verify textbook information, view the course syllabus or contact the AU Bookstore at [email protected]
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Description
A study of the principles of efficient management and leadership concepts as applicable to the sport industry. Focuses on principles and techniques of management relating to programs, facilities, special events, and personnel. Topics include key personnel issues in sport management situations; ethics, law, and governance in sport management; the role of the marketing process in sport administration; and economics, accounting, and budgeting.
Objectives
- Analyze the field of sport management.
- Examine sport management and governance.
- Explain the importance of ethics in sport sociology for sport managers.
- Classify issues in the sport business industry, to include social, cultural, legal, and economic.
- Explain the process of consumer decision-making in sport management.
- Describe organizational behavior in the context of the sport industry.
- Discuss career opportunities in the sport industry.
- Analyze the efficient management and leadership strategies used in labor-management relations to resolve disputes involving professional sports teams.
- Summarize the influence of marketing on sport management.
PreRequisites
None
Textbook(s)
Contemporary sport management (Rev: 5th ed.)
Publisher: Human Kinetics (2014)
Author: Pedersen, P. M., & Thibault, L. (Eds.)
ISBN: 978-1-4504-6965-4
Price: $116.48
* Disclaimer: Textbooks listed are based on the last open revision of the course. Prior revisions and future revisions may use different textbooks. To verify textbook information, view the course syllabus or contact the AU Bookstore at [email protected]
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Description
A comprehensive look at the skills necessary to successfully manage an emergency incident. Using nationally accepted standards, students analyze and apply the strategic considerations necessary to be successful on the fire ground. In addition, students gain valuable knowledge of the NIMS (National Incident Management System) as well as how to employ the Incident Command System (ICS) on the fire ground.
Objectives
- Identify the fundamentals of emergency incident systems such as Incident Command System (ICS) and National Incident Management System (NIMS).
- Discuss the responsibilities of emergency response personnel.
- Analyze the functions of command.
- Assess organizational health during a large-scale event to ensure appropriate personnel assignments.
- Compare cue-based and classical decision-making models.
- Describe how incident management is impacted by fire behavior.
- Summarize strategies for successful incident management on the scene of an emergency incident.
PreRequisites
None
Textbook(s)
Firefighting strategies and tactics (Rev: 3rd ed.)
Publisher: Jones & Bartlett Learning (2015)
Author: Angle, J. S., Gala, M. F., Jr., Harlow, T. D., Lombardo, W. B., & Maciuba, C. M.
ISBN: 9781284036435
Price: $97.12
* Disclaimer: Textbooks listed are based on the last open revision of the course. Prior revisions and future revisions may use different textbooks. To verify textbook information, view the course syllabus or contact the AU Bookstore at [email protected]
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Description
Provides a solid background of the key factors that influence international trade and the manner in which economic policy affects both trade flow and the nature of economic activity. Relationships between trade and growth, effects of labor and capital movements between countries, and the key factors that influence relative costs between countries are also examined.
Objectives
- Examine why countries trade.
- Discuss how trade affects production and consumption.
- Define important terms in international trade.
- Describe the major theories and models used in international trade.
- Analyze how importation of goods will raise consumption and lower production in the importing country.
- Examine the recent trends in international trade.
- Compare balanced economic growth and biased economic growth.
- Distinguish the effects of trade, industry and other import restrictions.
- Examine how firm-specific advantages can overcome inherent disadvantages of international trade.
- Discuss international trade policies and agreements.
PreRequisites
None
Textbook(s)
International trade (Rev: 4th ed.)
Publisher: Worth (2017)
Author: Feenstra, R. C., & Taylor, A. M.
ISBN: 9781319061739
Price: $197.87
* Disclaimer: Textbooks listed are based on the last open revision of the course. Prior revisions and future revisions may use different textbooks. To verify textbook information, view the course syllabus or contact the AU Bookstore at [email protected]
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Description
Provides an introduction to theoretical, applied, and professional issues associated with the management of human resources within organizations. The course seeks to familiarize students with facets of the human resource management function and to explore a range of theoretical and applied perspectives on how human resource management impacts performance at both the organizational and individual levels.
Outcomes
- Summarize a strategic approach to human resource management.
- Explain managing work flows and the role of job analysis.
- Assess equal opportunity and the legal environment.
- Explain the benefits of effectively managing diversity.
- Generalize the HR functions of recruiting and selecting employees.
- Assess career development.
- Explain the importance of effectively managing compensation.
- Recommend the key objectives of rewarding performance.
- Explain why organizations design and administer benefits for employees.
- Assess the importance of developing effective employee relations.
- Discriminate between the implications of employees’ rights and effectively managing discipline to organizational success.
- Discuss working with organized labor.
- Assess the importance of workplace safety and health.
- Explain the challenges in managing international HRM.
- Explain managing employee separations, downsizing, and Outplacement.
- Compare and discriminate the purposes of appraising and managing employee performance.
- Explain the importance of training to organizational success.
PreRequisites
None
Textbook(s)
Managing human resources (Rev: 6th ed.)
Publisher: Prentice Hall (2010)
Author: Gomez-Mejia, L. R., Balkin, D.B., & Cardy, R. L.
ISBN: 9780136093527
Price: $151.45
* Disclaimer: Textbooks listed are based on the last open revision of the course. Prior revisions and future revisions may use different textbooks. To verify textbook information, view the course syllabus or contact the AU Bookstore at [email protected]
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Description
Meets the critical thinking, written, and presentation outcomes of the MPA program. Students demonstrate integrative knowledge and comprehension of the theoretical constructs and methodological tools that they have learned in each of the previous MPA core courses. Students apply theory to practice and evaluate the usefulness of technology and e-government, e-learning, and e-training in a public sector context. Students develop a final project based on current and near future technological innovation and evaluate the usefulness of the technological innovation to enhancing the service provision of a governmental or nonprofit organization or agency.
Outcomes
- Critique theories to effectively manage the mission and goals in public organizations.
- Evaluate issues of diversity, equality, and equity in public service organizations.
- Differentiate functions of domestic and international public organizations in various democracies around the world.
- Evaluate challenges of crafting public policies in a participatory government.
- Assess public administration scholarship through transparent and collaborative governance.
- Discuss real-world problems facing public service organizations using e-government, e-commerce, and elearning tools.
- Relate major challenges facing the field of public administration and public managers to career development.
- Formulate solutions to real-world problems in public administration through integrated knowledge and comprehension of ethics, public policies, technology, and human and data resources.
PreRequisites
- PUA 5303
- PUA 5306
- PUA 5304
- PUA 5301
- PUA 5307
- PUA 5302
- PUA 5305
Textbook(s)
The future of public administration around the world: The Minnowbrook perspective
Publisher: Georgetown University Press (2010)
Author: O’Leary, R., Van Slyke, D. M., & Kim, S. (Eds.).
ISBN: 978-1-58-901711-5
Price: $78.29
* Disclaimer: Textbooks listed are based on the last open revision of the course. Prior revisions and future revisions may use different textbooks. To verify textbook information, view the course syllabus or contact the AU Bookstore at [email protected]
Concentration | Total Required Semester Hours: 12
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Description
Reviews the history, evolution and theoretical concepts, and technologies used in emergency planning and management. Students differentiate disasters and hazards and apply knowledge of the four-stage response to disaster preparedness, emergency planning, mitigation response, and recovery. Students demonstrate comprehension of theory and practice in the public sector by writing up a final emergency management policy.
Outcomes
- Analyze the theoretical leadership paradigms that impact the emergency services management (ESM) field.
- Examine the historical events that have shaped ESM leadership roles today.
- Critique the impact that the management systems used in ESM (NIMS and ICS) have on leadership roles within the ESM field.
- Assess the importance of various leadership styles on ESM decision-making during critical events.
- Produce communication that is professional and consistent with the expectations for members of ESM field.
PreRequisites
None
Textbook(s)
Leadership: Theory and practice (Rev: 8th ed.)
Publisher: Sage (2019)
Author: Northouse, P. G.
ISBN: 9781506362311
Price: $91.52
* Disclaimer: Textbooks listed are based on the last open revision of the course. Prior revisions and future revisions may use different textbooks. To verify textbook information, view the course syllabus or contact the AU Bookstore at [email protected]
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Description
Examines the theoretical and practical implications of marketing in the sports industry by presenting a framework to help explain and organize the strategic marketing process. Offers a growing appreciation on the globalization of sports and an understanding of the ethical issues emerging in sports and their impact on sport marketing decisions.
Objectives
- Provide a framework or conceptual model of the strategic marketing process that can be applied to the sports industry.
- Evaluate the growing emphasis on the globalization of sport.
- Analyze current research in the area of sport marketing and interpret the results.
- Explain the ethical issues that are emerging in sports and their impact in sport marketing decisions.
- Offer a balanced treatment of all aspects of sports marketing at all levels by listing up-to-date treatments.
- Explain the concepts and theories unique to sports marketing and discuss basic principles in the context of sports.
- Interpret comprehensive coverage of the functions of sports marketing.
PreRequisites
None
Textbook(s)
Sports marketing: A strategic perspective (Rev: 4th ed.)
Publisher: Prentice Hall (2009)
Author: Shank, M. D.
ISBN: 978-0-13-228535-3
Price: $125.26
* Disclaimer: Textbooks listed are based on the last open revision of the course. Prior revisions and future revisions may use different textbooks. To verify textbook information, view the course syllabus or contact the AU Bookstore at [email protected]
Edit Content
Description
Reviews the theory and practice of fundraising in sport-related fields and provides specific, helpful ideas for conducting fundraising activities in sports business. Combines fundraising theory and practical advice so learners can organize and develop fundraising plans.
Objectives
- Explain the fundraising process, to include the importance of fundraising.
- Explain the nature and principle of sport business.
- Identify different types of fundraising methods.
- Develop practical fundraising plans in sport programs and/or events.
- Discuss varied methods for implementing potential fundraising plans.
- Create a fundraising plan that includes how to induce potential sponsors.
- Recognize publicity and promotional tactics.
- Discuss personnel management in the operation of fundraising projects.
- Examine key legal issues that include, but are not limited to, liability concerns, risk management, and insurance matters.
PreRequisites
None
Textbook(s)
Fundraising for sport and athletics
Publisher: Fitness Information Technology (2012)
Author: Leonard, R.
ISBN: 978-1-935412-33-5
Price: $74.10
* Disclaimer: Textbooks listed are based on the last open revision of the course. Prior revisions and future revisions may use different textbooks. To verify textbook information, view the course syllabus or contact the AU Bookstore at [email protected]
Edit Content
Description
A study of the principles of efficient management and leadership concepts as applicable to the sport industry. Focuses on principles and techniques of management relating to programs, facilities, special events, and personnel. Topics include key personnel issues in sport management situations; ethics, law, and governance in sport management; the role of the marketing process in sport administration; and economics, accounting, and budgeting.
Objectives
- Analyze the field of sport management.
- Examine sport management and governance.
- Explain the importance of ethics in sport sociology for sport managers.
- Classify issues in the sport business industry, to include social, cultural, legal, and economic.
- Explain the process of consumer decision-making in sport management.
- Describe organizational behavior in the context of the sport industry.
- Discuss career opportunities in the sport industry.
- Analyze the efficient management and leadership strategies used in labor-management relations to resolve disputes involving professional sports teams.
- Summarize the influence of marketing on sport management.
PreRequisites
None
Textbook(s)
Contemporary sport management (Rev: 5th ed.)
Publisher: Human Kinetics (2014)
Author: Pedersen, P. M., & Thibault, L. (Eds.)
ISBN: 978-1-4504-6965-4
Price: $116.48
* Disclaimer: Textbooks listed are based on the last open revision of the course. Prior revisions and future revisions may use different textbooks. To verify textbook information, view the course syllabus or contact the AU Bookstore at [email protected]