Leader in public admin develops MPA public service course

Through a blend of academic excellence, practical experience, and a deep-rooted sense of civic responsibility, UIC’s online Master of Public Administration program prepares students to lead with a dedication to advancing the public good.

In the early stages of the program, students will take the PA 401: Foundation of Public Service course exploring various public service environments, internal dynamics of public organizations, relationships with external stakeholders, and ethical challenges. Designed by public administration leader and former UIC Assistant Professor Dr. Lawrence Brown, this course aims to help students develop a big picture view of public service and learn what it means to serve the public interest. Dr. Brown’s commitment to serving others is reflected in his class design and started when he was part of an undergraduate fellowship aimed at increasing the number of students from underrepresented backgrounds who pursue PhDs.

Learn more about what students can expect taking the online MPA course, PA 401: Foundation of Public Service.

What is your background in public administration? 

While I was getting my bachelor’s degree in English, I was part of an undergraduate fellowship that was aimed at improving the numbers of students from underrepresented backgrounds who pursue PhDs. It was an impactful experience, and it helped me develop a deeper sense of social responsibility. By the end of my bachelor’s degree, I decided to explore options outside of the English major. I knew I wanted to get a job where I could help people, and I felt like an MPA would be the best path towards doing that. After my MPA degree, I pursued my PhD from the University of Georgia.

My current research is focused on the diversity and representation in public employment. the U.S. federal government has a lot of data related to the representation of people of color and the representation of women. There’s also a lot of data on hiring, separations, quits, transfers, and unfortunately, in some cases, firings across many different demographics. I think there are a lot of unanswered questions, and I’m hoping to shed some light on hiring and other career-related trends on women in federal civil service.

What are the valuable knowledge and skills students will develop in your PA 401: Foundation of Public Service course? How can they apply these skills to future career endeavors?

Both the on-campus and online PA 401 courses are about developing a big picture view of public service, and what it means to serve the public interest. I want students to grasp the essence of their role—to understand how their job fits into diverse accountability structures and serves stakeholders. Whether they want jobs in government, nonprofits, or think tanks, they should recognize their contribution to the intricate network of public service and how they can serve the public or impact change.

What are the real-world applications students can look forward to in the PA 401 course?

Students will be asked to create a concept map of all the actors in a policy area of their choosing, such as educational policy, housing policy, environmental policy, or financial policy. They will map out the key industry actors, citizen groups, politicians, and agencies that are involved in shaping policy in those areas. This would give them a big picture look at how policy is created and the various forces and interests that shape what policy eventually looks like. They can then use this knowledge to make decisions in their workplace. It’s important to have a holistic view of where your career fits into the broader network of things. It really is a cool assignment.

What is the future for the public service industry and workforce? How will the online MPA program prepare students for the current workplace climate they are facing?

The public service will serve an increasingly important role responding to our world’s rising challenges. Government and nonprofit employees will have to respond to climate change, population migration, technological advancement, and other ongoing and new trends. UIC’s online MPA program will provide a strong basis for understanding how policy and politics come together to shape our response to any number of challenges. You will also gain important managerial skills that will promote your success in a wide range of professional settings.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

I’m excited for the online MPA program. We’ve put in a lot of good work to get the PA 401 course together, and I’m hoping students will gain valuable insights from what we have created.