Public and Nonprofit Institutions Graduate Programs (PNI, ECON) Currently not accepting applications.
Offered through the Departments of Economics and Political
Science
in the School of Public Affairs
386 Stewart Hall
Phone: 320.308.2227
Fax: 320.308.2228
E-mail: economics@stcloudstate.edu
Web site: www.stcloudstate.edu/economics
Department Chairperson: Dr. Patricia Hughes
Program Assistant: Melanie Swan
Graduate Faculty: Banaian, Bodvarsson, Edwards, Grossman, Hampton, Hughes, Kang, Komai, Larkin, Lo, Luksetich, MacDonald,MacDonald, Moghaddam, Rebeck, Garcia-Perez, Qin, Ratha, Switzer
The Public and Nonprofit Institutions graduate program has suspended new enrollments for fall 2012. Applications are not being accepted.
The Profession
The Master of Science in Public and Nonprofit Institutions is designed to enhance the administrative and analytical skills of those employed in the public and nonprofit sectors of the economy. Additionally, it develops skills for individuals contemplating careers in these sectors of the economy. The program prepares students to work with private firms or governmental agencies in forecasting, market research, or policy analysis.
Admission Requirements Specific to the Program -- this program is currently not accepting applications.
- Admission decisions are made as completed application files are received.
- Undergraduate background in economics, political science, and related fields is closely reviewed. Also important is related work experience and letters of recommendation. While important, the GRE score is weighted less heavily.
- Prior to taking core courses for the Master of Science in Public and Nonprofit Institutions, students must have met the requirements for admission to graduate school at St. Cloud State University.
- Students should have completed the following prerequisites or equivalents:
- ECON 205. Macroeconomics, 3 credits
- ECON 206. Microeconomics, 3 credits
- BCIS 240. or STAT 219, Statistics for the Social Sciences or equivalent, 3 credits
- POL 111. Introduction to American Government or equivalent, 3 credits
- Domestic admission application deadlines
- International admission application deadlines
Length of Program — Measured by Semesters
- Part-time student: six to seven semesters taking six credits per semester.
- Full-time student: three to four semesters taking 12 credits per semester.
- The program has been designed to accommodate both part-time and full-time students.
- Most courses are offered in the evening to accommodate working students.
Graduate Assistantship Overview
- Two graduate assistantship positions are generally sponsored each year, and are available both fall and spring semesters.
- Graduate assistants are assigned to a professor in the Department of Economics and generally provide research assistance, assistance with grading and general classroom support.
Concentrations
Each student has the option of choosing from one of two specializations.
- Public Sector Institutions and Management
- Nonprofit Institutions and Management
Degrees and Plans Offered
- Master of Science in Public and Nonprofit Institutions: Plan A (Thesis) at 33 credits
- Master of Science in Public and Nonprofit Institutions: Plan B (Starred Paper) at 33 credits
- Master of Science in Public and Nonprofit Institutions: Plan C (Professional Portfolio) at 39 credits
Students will take classes under a variety of course designators: economics, public and nonprofit institutions, and political science.
Master of Science — Public and Nonprofit Institutions
Public Institution Concentration
Core Courses
21 credits
- ECON 560. Public Finance, 3 credits
- ECON 603. Managerial Economics for Nonprofit and Public Institutions, 3 credits
- ECON 620. Decision Making Tools for the Nonprofit and Public Sector, 3 credits
- POL 581. Administering Public Policy, 3 credits
- POL 584. Public Budgeting, 3 credits
- POL 619. American Government Seminar, 3 credits
- PNI 680. Program Evaluation Methods, 3 credits
Plan A, 33 credits: Core, 21 credits plus 12 credits of
electives, which includes a six credit thesis.
Plan B, 33 credits: Core, 21 credits plus 12 credits of electives
and a starred paper.
Plan C, 39 credits: Core, 21 credits plus nine credits of
internship, nine credits of electives, and an oral examination based upon
a portfolio which is centered on the internship.
Elective Courses
- COMM 534. Theories and Principles of Public Relations, 3 credits
- COMM 536. Public Relations Writing and Publications, 3 credits
- COMM 538. Public Relations Case Studies and Campaigns, 3 credits
- ECON 520. Economics of Nonprofit Organizations, 3 credits
- ECON 542. Law and Economics, 3 credits
- ECON 551. Resource and Environmental Economics, 3 credits
- ECON 561. Public Finance: State and Local, 3 credits
- ECON 565. Urban and Regional Economics, 3 credits
- ECON 570. Business Cycles and Forecasting, 3 credits
- ECON 571. Money and Banking, 3 credits
- ECON 572. Industrial Organization and Public Policy, 3 credits
- ECON 630. Seminar: Public Policy Analysis, 3 credits
- GEOG 554. Regional Planning, 3 credits
- GEOG 555. Urban Site Development, 3 credits
- GEOG 590. Issues in Urban Geography, 3 credits
- GEOG 650. Land Use Analysis, 3 credits
- GEOG 654. Urban, Regional, and Resource Planning, 3 credits
- MGMT 550. Employee Selection, 3 credits
- MGMT 551. Employee and Labor Relations, 3 credits
- MGMT 566. Strategy and Organization of Public Administration, 3 credits
- MGMT 567. Organization Theory, 3 credits
- PNI 601. Reading in Public and Nonprofit Institutions, 1-3 credits
- PNI 630. Seminar in Public and Nonprofit Institutions, 3 credits
- PNI 644. Internship, 9 credits
- PNI 699. Thesis, 6 credits
- POL 570. Public Opinion and Electoral Behavior, 3 credits
- POL 582. Public Personnel Administration, 3 credits
- POL 583. Managing Local Governments, 3 credits
- POL 585. Administrative Law, 3 credits
- POL 591. Constitutional Law, 3 credits
- POL 619. American Government Seminar, 3 credits
- SOC 560. Social Problems and Social Policy, 3 credits
- CMTY 555. Grant Development, 3 credits
Nonprofit Institution Concentration
Core Courses
21 credits
- ECON 520. Economics of Nonprofit Organizations, 3 credits
- ECON 603. Managerial Economics for Public and Nonprofit Institutions, 3 credits
- ECON 620. Decision Making Tools for the Nonprofit and Public Sector, 3 credits
- POL 581. Administering Public Policy, 3 credits
- POL 582. Public Personnel Administration, 3 credits
- OR
- MGMT 550. Employee Selection, 3 credits
- MKTG 519. Marketing of Services, 3 credits
- PNI 680. Program Evaluation Methods, 3 credits
Plan A, 33 credits: Core, 21 credits plus 12 credits of electives,
which includes a six credit thesis.
Plan B, 33 credits: Core, 21 credits plus 12 credits of electives
and a starred paper.
Plan C, 39 credits: Core, 21 credits plus nine credits of
internship, nine credits of electives, and an oral examination based upon
a portfolio which is centered on the internship.
Elective Courses
- COMM 534. 536, 3 credits each
- ECON 542. 551, 561, 565, 572, 630, 3 credits each
- ECON 640. Economics of Arts and Culture, 3 credits
- GEOG 554, 555, 590, 650, 654. 3 credits each
- MGMT 566, 567. 3 credits each
- MKTG 625. Advanced Marketing Information and Research, 3 credits
- PNI 601, 630, 644, 680. 3 credits each
- PNI 699. Thesis, 6 credits
- POL 570, 582, 583, 584, 585, 591, 619, 3 credits each
- SOC 560. Social Problems and Social Policy, 3 credits
- CMTY 555. Grant Development, 3 credits
