This article presents an integrated approach to teaching a graduate-level public financial management course. It stresses the importance of fundamental budgeting proficiencies (e.g., cost allocation; forecasting; operating within constraints; and using Microsoft Excel) and additional skills that tend to receive less attention in financial…

This study examines the nature of sustainability education in public affairs programs. First, through web content analysis of NASPAA accredited MPA/MPP programs, and second through web survey of program directors, data were collected on perceptions about sustainability education and public administration, demand for sustainability education,…

Service-learning is highly praised as a successful pedagogical tool for students' learning. Benefits are attributed to students, the university, and the community. However, the literature also cautions that the benefits of service-learning are largely assumed without empirical testing, warranting a closer review of this pedagogical method. The…

The study investigated the state of ethics education in graduate programs in public administration and policy. A survey of 139 directors of accredited programs examined three issues: (1) goals of ethics education, (2) ethical standards to which students are exposed, and (3) approaches to ethical decision making in public management. (Author/CH)

Fast-track MBA and MPA graduates cycle through several managerial assignments during their careers, requiring that they repeatedly take charge of new units or organizations. This article summarizes research on the taking-charge process, distinguishing between the entering and established phases of a managerial assignment and describing applicable…

Change is a subject of ever-growing importance for public administration. Discussed are six major perspectives recommended as categories to be combined in various ways to construct graduate courses on change. Also presented are sample exercises for use with doctoral and master's students undertaking the study of change. (RM)

Describes the use of an implementation module in public administration or policy analysis classes. Involves developing a framework to measure implementation effectiveness, quantifying elements of the framework, forming hypotheses, and testing the framework. Concentrates upon framework development and operationalization components. (KO)