Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Forensic Accounting online

Examines the process of research in public affairs, with an emphasis on quantitative methods and techniques.

A graduate-level introduction to the study of public administration, covering substantive topics in the field as well as the political dimensions of public service and the ethical issues faced by government practitioners. Emphasis is placed on the development of the discipline as a field of inquiry.

Problems and methods in perception of public problems, determination of goals, generation and evaluation of alternative policy practices and programs, and explanation of policy choices. Emphasis on political and analytical methods of examining policy making and policy outcomes. Includes a survey of literature dealing with theories of the policy process.

An intensive, graduate-level overview of public agency and governmental budgeting and finance at the federal, state, and local government levels. This course examines budgeting as a tool of governmental economic and public policy. Specifically, the course considers the evolution and purposes of budgeting with special attention given to recent efforts to improve government resource allocation.

This course introduces management of public and nonprofit organizations by reviewing the history and evolution of organization theory and the application of these theories to 21st century public and nonprofit organizations. Topics such as organizational culture, conflict, stress, communication, leadership, groups, power and politics, and ethics will be examined in an attempt to explain and predict employee behavior in the context of public organizations.

An intensive, graduate-level overview of public sector human resource and human capital management in the federal, state, and local governments, including such topics as types of personnel systems; recruitment and selection; compensation and benefits; training and development; performance management; legal compliance; diversity; and labor-management relations. Students address the literature in one of these areas.

A course integrating the theories and methods of public administration in a major research project related to a substantive management or policy problem in the public sector. Students must propose a research design for an original project after completing a major review of public administration literature. Normally this course shall be taken in the last semester of graduate work within the M.P.A. program. Required for all MPA students.

A course integrating the theories and methods of public administration in a major research project related to a substantive management or policy problem in the public sector. Students must complete an original research project that was proposed in POL 688. Normally this course shall be taken in the last semester of graduate work in the M.P.A. program. Required for all MPA students. Prerequisite: POL 688 and instructor permission.

This course is an introduction to forensic accounting, with an emphasis on fraud examination. The course covers the principles of forensic accounting, fraud detection, and fraud deterrence. Students will explore how and why fraud occurs in organizations, learn how to detect and deter fraud, and learn how to investigate fraud allegations. The major fraud techniques are covered.

This course provides an overview of the legal environment of fraud and the expertise required for fraud management professionals, including processes and procedures that focus on fraud investigation, prosecution, and legal remedies. The course begins with an overview of the U.S. Court System, including the civil and criminal justice system. It summarizes the types of fraud and various business crimes that a fraud professional may be hired to investigate. It also explores the role of fraud professionals in the legal system, introducing students to concepts of evidence and the role of an expert witness.

The course is designed to train students on the usage of the latest auditing tools and other software programs. Students will gain a solid understanding of the latest technology that allows fraud investigators to detect fraudulent transactions, financial anomalies, or suspicious practices. Students will explore the practicality, efficiency, and effectiveness of data analytics approach in detecting fraud.

Practical application of the finance function in a company with specific emphasis on maximizing the value of the firm for its shareholders. Financial decision-making integrated with the theory of capital markets. Particular attention is given to the areas of investment, capital structure, short-term financing, and working capital management.

This course covers basic business valuation techniques. Throughout the semester, three business valuation approaches will be covered: income approach, asset approach, and market approach. Various topics are discussed that are core to business valuation engagements, including company analysis (SWOT analysis, PESTEL analysis, financial statements analysis), economic analysis (economic growth, inflation, exchange rates), regulatory/ legal environment analysis, as well as industry analysis (Porter's 1985 model). Finally, students investigate how to build and develop a robust financial model that is user-friendly and that allows for sensitivity analysis and robustness checks.