Public Service, MAP
Program Director: Sam Harshner, Ph.D.
Center for Urban Research, Teaching and Outreach website
Degree Offered
Master of Arts in Public Service, Plan B only
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The master of arts in public service is an interdisciplinary program for people with a passion for service and an ambition to be a leader in the nonprofit sector. Students learn to effectively lead nonprofit organizations, and understand their key components including budgets, board memberships, personnel oversight, corporate statuses, program development, and relations between government and the nonprofit sector.
This program also focuses on the study of topics crucial to urban and international nonprofits, including: inequality; race, ethnicity, and language; social movements; and political participation. An accelerated degree program is also offered, allowing Marquette University students to earn a bachelor's degree with a minor in urban affairs and a master's degree in public service in five years.
Master of Arts in Public Service
Students must complete a total of 30 credit hours comprising 9 credit hours of required core course work, including a professional project, and 21 credit hours of elective course work.
Students must complete the program within six years. Students are expected to earn a B or above in all courses and must maintain a 3.000 cumulative grade point average to earn the degree.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses: | 9 | |
| Ethics in Public Service | ||
| Trends in the Social Sector: Social Innovation and Systems Change | ||
| Professional Project in Public Service | ||
| Elective courses - choose five of the following: | 15 | |
| Urban Public Policy | ||
| Nature of Cities | ||
| Legal Issues in Public Service | ||
| Communication and the Management Process in Urban Service | ||
| Nonprofit Management | ||
| Governmental-Nonprofit Relations | ||
| Financial Matters in the Non-Profit Sector | ||
| Social Justice and Social Activism | ||
| Revenue Generation and Program Development | ||
| Topics in Public Service | ||
| Two additional elective courses from the list above or as approved by the program director. | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 30 | |
ACCELERATED BACHELOR’S-MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAM
The accelerated degree program in public service allows Marquette University students to earn a bachelor's degree with a minor in urban affairs and a master of arts in public service in five years. The program is designed for the student interested in pursuing a career in a community-based organization or other nonprofit agency. Students must meet the following criteria in their junior year to apply for the ADP:
- Maintain a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.000.
- Be enrolled in the urban affairs minor with a plan to complete the minor and major by the end of the senior year.
Students admitted to the program are expected to complete 12 credit hours of graduate course work during the senior year. Upon the successful completion of the first term as a master’s degree candidate, students must petition the Graduate School to transfer the graduate credits completed as an undergraduate for application to the master’s program requirements.
Applicants should submit transcripts and two letters of recommendation. For additional information on this program and how to apply, contact the director of graduate studies.
University Policies
- Academic Censure - Graduate School
- Academic Integrity
- Academic Misconduct
- Academic Program Definitions
- Accelerated Degree Programs
- Attendance - Graduate School
- Awarding Diplomas and Certificates
- Background Checks, Drug Testing
- Class Rank
- Commencement
- Conferral of Degrees and Certificates
- Course Levels
- Credit Hour
- Credit Load - Graduate School
- Faculty Grading
- Family Education Rights and Privacy Act-FERPA
- Grade Appeals
- Grading System - Graduate School and Graduate School of Management
- Graduation - Graduate School
- Immunization and Tuberculosis Screening Requirements
- Last Date of Attendance/Activity
- Military Call to Active Duty or Training
- Registration - Graduate School
- Repeated Courses - Graduate School
- Student Data Use and Privacy
- Transcripts-Official
- Transfer Course Credit - Graduate School
- Withdrawal - Graduate School
Graduate School Policies
- Academic Performance
- Academic Programs Overview
- Advising
- Assistantships and Fellowships
- Certificate Concurrent Enrollment
- Conduct
- Confidentiality of Proprietary Information
- Continuous Enrollment
- Courses and Prerequisites
- Cross-listed Courses
- Deadlines
- Graduate Credit
- Graduate School Policies
- Independent Study
- Intellectual Property
- Research Involving Humans, Animals, Radioisotopes or Recombinant DNA/Transgenic Organisms
- Temporary Withdrawal from Graduate Program
- Time Limitations
- Working with Minors
PUBS 6000 History and Theory of Leadership and Ethics (3 credits)
Presents analysis of historical concepts regarding leadership with a special focus on leadership ethics.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2018 Spring Term, 2015 Fall Term, 2014 Fall Term, 2014 Spring Term
PUBS 6025 Research Methods in Social Sciences (3 credits)
Students read empirical research studies for the purposes of interpretation and evaluation. Students learn how to write research questions and hypotheses. Methods of estimating and interpreting validity and reliability are studied as well as common research methods and designs for quantitative and qualitative social science studies. The culminating assignment includes constructing a research proposal ready to submit to the Office of Research Compliance (ORC).
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2014 Fall Term, 2014 Summer Term, 2013 Fall Term, 2013 Summer Term
PUBS 6051 Contemporary Leadership: Theory, Research and Application (3 credits)
In-depth study of the transformational and transactional leadership model of Bass and Riggio and a review of emerging thought on authentic leadership. Learning activities include an in-depth review of the literature on transformational and transactional leadership theory; in-class and online discussion and design and presentation of either a qualitative or quantitative study in contemporary leadership, inclusive of drafting an actual research proposal.
Level of Study: Graduate
PUBS 6210 Ethics in Public Service (3 credits)
Examines ethical dilemmas and the implications of behaviors, decisions and policies made by those whose actions affect the public good. Examines public, non-profit and private sector ethics in relation to contemporary literature and classical theory. Studies the unique ethical dilemmas that face those employed in the public sector. Assesses how administrative work is influenced by culture, religion, agency dynamics, formal rules, professional standards, bureaucratic restraints and democratic norms. Examines the role of legislation in its attempt to limit unethical behavior. Emphasizes the ethical consequences of policy making decisions and the ethical responsibility that those in public service must recognize while serving as stewards of the public trust.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Spring Term, 2022 Spring Term, 2021 Spring Term, 2020 Spring Term
PUBS 6215 Nature of Cities (3 credits)
An interdisciplinary examination of the individual, group, and institutional aspects of everyday life in urban America. Addresses both historical and contemporary contexts.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Spring Term, 2022 Spring Term, 2021 Spring Term, 2020 Spring Term
PUBS 6220 Organizational Behavior in Public Service (3 credits)
Application of organizational behavior theory, concepts and models in public service and non-profit environments. Studies socially responsible behavior as related to global issues.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2016 Spring Term, 2011 Summer Term, 2010 Summer Term
PUBS 6230 Legal Issues in Public Service (3 credits)
Reviews and assesses the legal framework which forms the foundation for public service administration in the United States today. Examines how the American legal system represents one of the issues which public administrators must deal with daily in their efforts to develop and carry out public policy and manage programs. Enables students to analyze significant issues in public service as they deal with the impact the legal process has on their administrative decisions.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2022 Spring Term, 2020 Fall Term, 2019 Fall Term, 2015 Fall Term
PUBS 6235 Communication and the Management Process in Urban Service (3 credits)
Communication challenges in the public service sector whether in institutional or community settings. Explores the communication process, including perception, attribution, and verbal and nonverbal communication. Additional considerations will be given to cross-cultural decision-making, and conflict resolution in both interpersonal and group settings.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2021 Fall Term, 2018 Fall Term, 2016 Fall Term, 2010 Spring Term
PUBS 6237 Nonprofit Management (3 credits)
Offers students knowledge of leadership skills and philosophies of management in the nonprofit sector.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2022 Fall Term, 2021 Spring Term
PUBS 6240 Urban Public Sector Economics (3 credits)
Examination of municipal finance and budgetary concerns, economics of land development, and fiscal oversight in the public sector.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2011 Spring Term, 2009 Spring Term, 2008 Spring Term, 2007 Spring Term
PUBS 6250 Governmental-Nonprofit Relations (3 credits)
Explores how nonprofits influence and are influenced by public decision-making, examining the role of nonprofits vis-à-vis the public sector broadly and in public policy formation specifically. Encourages students to critically analyze management issues that constrain and define the nonprofit sector, with a particular focus on its close relationship with the government. Topics include models of government-nonprofit relations; public policies toward nonprofits (tax policies, government regulation, charitable giving); accountability; policy advocacy and legislative lobbying; government financing of nonprofit service provision; best practices in policy-oriented nonprofit management; and underlying normative issues that arise in organizations receiving public funding.
Prerequisite: Cons. of dept. ch.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2022 Fall Term, 2020 Fall Term, 2019 Fall Term
PUBS 6281 Urban Policy and Public Service Administration (3 credits)
Introduces the institutions and politics that shape urban public policy. Explores who is involved and influential in urban policy, the power relations in metropolitan America, and how governing coalitions shape and create social change within cities. Examines urban public policy challenges, including racial and income inequalities, housing, education, transportation, law enforcement, economic development and environmental justice.
Prerequisite: Cons. of dept. ch.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2019 Spring Term, 2018 Spring Term, 2017 Spring Term, 2013 Fall Term
PUBS 6521 Trends in the Social Sector: Social Innovation and Systems Change (3 credits)
Overview of the changes in the nonprofit (or social) sector over the last generation that have led to an increased focus on innovation, data and long-term results. Examination of the factors driving these changes, as well as the opportunities and challenges they present. Interaction with local leaders who are making a difference. Development of an understanding of the skill sets needed to achieve results in today’s environment, including collaboration, social entrepreneurship and systems thinking.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Spring Term, 2022 Fall Term, 2021 Fall Term, 2021 Spring Term
PUBS 6525 Financial Matters in the Non-Profit Sector (3 credits)
Examination of various financial issues affecting the non-profit sector including: fund-raising from donors and foundations, grant proposals, budgeting, and personnel/program costs.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2022 Fall Term, 2020 Fall Term, 2018 Fall Term, 2017 Spring Term
PUBS 6530 Social Justice and Social Activism (3 credits)
Examines the meaning and implications of social justice; considers the history of social activism from both religious and non-sectarian traditions.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Spring Term, 2022 Spring Term, 2021 Spring Term, 2020 Spring Term
PUBS 6535 Legal Aspects of the Non-Profit Sector (3 credits)
Examines a range of legal issues that confront non-profits including: articles and by-laws, fiduciary obligations, governance and boards of directors, charitable solicitations, and for-profit ventures.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2013 Spring Term, 2011 Spring Term, 2009 Spring Term, 2008 Spring Term
PUBS 6540 Revenue Generation and Program Development (3 credits)
Gives students basic skills in fundraising, revenue development and grant writing in the nonprofit sector.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Spring Term, 2021 Fall Term
PUBS 6541 Restorative Justice (3 credits)
Examines the complex, dynamic relationship between traditional justice system approaches and emerging policy, theory and research in restorative and community justice. Emphasis on the challenges of administering transformative justice within a diverse, multicultural population and the roles played by the three key stakeholder groups: victims, offenders, and community. Explores the vision associated with this unconventional paradigm, along with a range of issues related to its operational implementation. Contrasts restorative justice with the dominant retributive/punitive model of justice and provides an introduction to a variety of both established and emerging applications including victim/offender reconciliation programs and family/group conferencing.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2012 Summer Term, 2011 Summer Term
PUBS 6571 Economics and Budgeting of Policing (3 credits)
Examination of finance and budgeting concerns, economics and fiscal oversight in a law enforcement agency. Great emphasis on the role of a chief executive of a law enforcement agency as related to budget preparation, submission, operation and tracking.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2013 Spring Term, 2011 Spring Term, 2009 Spring Term, 2008 Spring Term
PUBS 6581 Police Leadership and Ethics (3 credits)
Analyzes contemporary theories of law enforcement leadership with an emphasis on the application of those leadership concepts through the use of case studies and by the analysis of current leadership situations in a law enforcement agency. Strongly focuses on ethics, as the ethical conduct of police leaders greatly determines the ethical conduct of the agency as a whole.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2012 Fall Term, 2011 Fall Term, 2009 Fall Term, 2008 Fall Term
PUBS 6931 Topics in Public Service (1-3 credits)
Examination of selected urban issues that go beyond the scope of regular course offerings.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2022 Spring Term, 2021 Fall Term, 2020 Spring Term, 2017 Fall Term
PUBS 6964 Practicum in Public Service (3 credits)
Offers the opportunity to gain experience in community organizations. Must be directed by a faculty member.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2012 Summer Term, 2012 Spring Term, 2010 Fall Term, 2009 Fall Term
PUBS 6995 Independent Study in Public Service (1-3 credits)
Provides opportunities to investigate and study areas of interest through readings, research, field experience, projects, and/or other educational activities under the direction of a faculty adviser.
Prerequisite: Cons. of dept. ch. and cons. of prog. dir.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2019 Spring Term, 2017 Fall Term, 2014 Spring Term, 2013 Fall Term
PUBS 6998 Professional Project in Public Service (3 credits)
Required for the integrative learning experience. Must be taken twice, over two terms, for a total of 6 credits. Two options: 1) complete a professional project or 2) complete a research article of publishable quality. S/U grade assessment.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Spring Term, 2022 Fall Term, 2022 Spring Term, 2021 Spring Term
PUBS 9970 Graduate Standing Continuation: Less than Half-Time (0 credits)
Fee. SNC/UNC grade assessment. Designated as less than half-time status only, cannot be used in conjunction with other courses, and does not qualify students for financial aid or loan deferment.
Prerequisite: Cons. of dept. ch.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2020 Fall Term, 2014 Summer Term, 2014 Spring Term, 2013 Fall Term
PUBS 9974 Graduate Fellowship: Full-Time (0 credits)
Fee. SNC/UNC grade assessment. Designated as full-time status. If a student is already registered in other courses full time, this continuation course is not needed.
Prerequisite: Cons. of dept. ch.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Spring Term, 2022 Fall Term, 2022 Spring Term, 2021 Spring Term
PUBS 9976 Graduate Assistant Research: Full-Time (0 credits)
Fee. SNC/UNC grade assessment. Designated as full-time status. If a student is already registered in other courses full time, this continuation course is not needed.
Prerequisite: Cons. of dept. ch.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2020 Fall Term, 2012 Spring Term, 2009 Fall Term
PUBS 9984 Master's Comprehensive Examination Preparation: Less than Half-Time (0 credits)
Fee. SNC/UNC grade assessment. Allows a student to be considered the equivalent of less than half-time status. Requires that the student is working less than 12 hours per week toward their master's comprehensive exam.
Prerequisite: Cons. of dept. ch.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2020 Fall Term, 2013 Fall Term, 2013 Spring Term, 2012 Spring Term
PUBS 9985 Master's Comprehensive Examination Preparation: Half-Time (0 credits)
Fee. SNC/UNC grade assessment. Allows a student to be considered the equivalent of half-time status. Requires that the student is working more than 12 to less than 20 hours per week toward their master's comprehensive exam. May be taken in conjunction with credit-bearing or other non-credit courses to result in the status indicated, as deemed appropriate by the department.
Prerequisite: Cons. of dept. ch.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2020 Fall Term, 2012 Spring Term, 2011 Spring Term, 2008 Fall Term
PUBS 9986 Master's Comprehensive Examination Preparation: Full-Time (0 credits)
Fee. SNC/UNC grade assessment. Allows a student to be considered the equivalent of full-time status. Requires that the student is working 20 hours or more per week toward their master's comprehensive exam. May be taken in conjunction with credit-bearing or other non-credit courses to result in the status indicated, as deemed appropriate by the department.
Prerequisite: Cons. of dept. ch.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2020 Fall Term, 2013 Spring Term, 2012 Spring Term, 2011 Spring Term
PUBS 9991 Professional Project Continuation: Less than Half-Time (0 credits)
Fee. SNC/UNC grade assessment. Allows a student to be considered the equivalent of less than half-time status. Requires that the student is working less than 12 hours per week on their professional project. Any professional project credits required for the degree should be completed before registering for non-credit Professional Project Continuation.
Prerequisite: Cons. of dept. ch.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2020 Fall Term, 2020 Summer Term, 2015 Spring Term, 2014 Fall Term
PUBS 9992 Professional Project Continuation: Half-Time (0 credits)
Fee. SNC/UNC grade assessment. Allows a student to be considered the equivalent of half-time status. Requires that the student is working more than 12 to less than 20 hours per week on their professional project. Any project credits required for the degree should be completed before registering for non-credit Professional Project Continuation.
Prerequisite: Cons. of dept. ch.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2020 Fall Term, 2014 Spring Term, 2013 Spring Term, 2012 Spring Term
PUBS 9993 Professional Project Continuation: Full-Time (0 credits)
Fee. SNC/UNC grade assessment. Allows a student to be considered the equivalent of full-time status. Requires that the student is working 20 hours or more per week on their professional project. Any professional project credits required for the degree should be completed before registering for non-credit Professional Project Continuation.
Prerequisite: Cons. of dept. ch.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2020 Fall Term, 2013 Fall Term, 2013 Spring Term, 2012 Spring Term