Program and Courses

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PROGRAM SCHEDULE 

Students can complete the Public Administration Program in 5 semesters or 2 1/2 years. Here is how it works:

  • Semesters are 16 weeks and split between two 8-week sessions.
  • Students take two classes each session (four per semester).
  • Weekly online assignments, activities, and discussion boards replace Saturday classes.
  • Classes follow either hybrid or online-only formats:
    • Hybrid Classroom Course: Classes meet once per week from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Online activities and assignments will account for at least 20% of course content.
    • Fully Online Course: All course activity is done online; there are no required face-to-face sessions within the course and no requirements for on-campus activity. 
  • No summer classes.

Spring 2023

PAD 425 – Issues in State and Local Government

A broad introduction to the structure and operations of state and local governments. The study topics include the role and power of state and local governments, interest groups, political parties, and state constitutions.

PAD 445 – Research Methods for Public Administrators

This course emphasizes the important role of research in public affairs. Topics include research design, measurement, survey design and implementation, observational techniques, quantitative analysis, qualitative analysis, and research ethics.

PAD 372 – Intergovernmental Relations

An examination of how the various levels of government, local, county, state, and federal, share authority and power in their constantly changing relationship of joint action.

PAD 460 – Program Evaluation

An examination of the evaluation of public programs. Topics to be covered include planning, monitoring, and conducting program evaluations. Students will also study cost-benefit analysis and evaluation design.

Fall 2023

PAD 215 – Public Relations

This course examines the principles of effective communication and the tools of successful public relations. Students will learn how to research, design, present, implement, and evaluate a communications plan to support an organization and its policy choices.

PAD 301 – Public Administration

A survey of the major concepts and ideas shaping the field of public administration today, emphasizing public vs. private management, bureaucratic processes and politics, and administrative responsibility.

PAD 220 – Accounting for Public Administrators

An introduction to Governmental and Fund Accounting, providing an overview of Fund Accounting, Governmental Accounting Standards, Program Cost Accounting, and Reporting. Students will acquire a basic knowledge of Fund Accounting, Account Structure, Revenue and Cost Reporting, and Auditing Requirements.

PAD 320 – Public Policy

Examining the policy-making process and surveying the major policy areas facing public administrators today, including representative topics such as the environment, education, crime, welfare, and taxation.

Spring 2024

PAD 351 – Administrative Law

A review of the safeguards in the administrative system for the rights and liberties of those in direct contact (or conflict) with public administrators, and for the rights and liberties of public administrators. Study topics include rule-making, adjudication, administrative discretion, regulation, and the Administrative Procedures Act.

PAD 200 – The Public Economy

A review of the American economy. Topics of study include federal, state, and local effects on the economy, economic growth, inflation, and the United States in the world economy.

PAD 210 – American Government

An introduction to the American Government, including such representative topics as the Congress, the Presidency, civil liberties, voting and public opinion, and national defense.


PAD 360 – Fiscal Administration

An examination of fiscal administration within the public sector. Major topics of study include: principles of public finance, the budgetary process, budget methods and practices, budget classifications and reform, capital budgeting, tools of taxation, user fees, tax collection, revenue forecasts, intergovernmental fiscal relations, debt administration, and cash management.

Fall 2024

PAD 305 – Management in the Public Sector

An introduction to the role of management in the successful operation of public sector organizations. Representative topics include planning, goal-setting, decision-making, organizing, leading, controlling organizational resources, and strategic management.

PAD 410 – Public Sector Human Resource Management

A review of the personnel function in public organizations. Representative topics include position analysis, job evaluation, recruitment, selection, promotion, employee benefits, training, collective bargaining, and conflict resolution.

PAD 362 – Administrative Leadership

A study of leadership theory and how it applies to real situations. Topics include an examination of the strengths and criticisms of the various approaches to leadership, including Traits, Skills, Style, Situational, Contingency Theory, Path-Goal Theory, Transformational, and Team Leadership. Topics of study will also include the differences between leadership and management and the use of communication, vision, and courage in effective leadership.

PAD 340 – Emergency Management

An introduction to Emergency Management, including such topics of study as the evolution of Emergency Management in the United States, managing natural hazards and disasters, and managing man-made hazards and disasters.

Spring 2025

PAD 470 – Current Issues for Public Managers

This course examines the principles of effective communication and the tools of successful public relations. Students will learn how to research, design, present, implement, and evaluate a communications plan to support an organization and its policy choices.

PAD 440 – Behavior in Public Organizations

A survey of the major concepts and ideas shaping the field of public administration today, emphasizing public vs. private management, bureaucratic processes and politics, and administrative responsibility.

PAD 401 – Grant Writing and Administration

An examination of the practice of grant writing, including analysis of the different kinds of grants, the market for grants, the preparation of grant proposals/applications for submission, and successful management of the grant and the relationship with the funding agency.

PAD 420 – Administrative Ethics 

A study of the definition and philosophy of ethics. Students will learn to recognize ethical problems and gain skills to approach them with honesty, sincerity, and confidence. Special emphasis is given to public service ethics for public administrators.

Contact Us

Have questions? Great, we'd love to help. Call or email us: 
904-826-8518
PAD@Flagler.edu