EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

The Truman School of Public Affairs offers a specialization in Organizational and Community Change through the Master of Public Affairs (M.P.A.) program. A graduate certificate in Organizational Change is also offered. Beginning in the fall of 2008, the Truman School will also offer a Ph.D. in Public Affairs. Students may choose to specialize in Organizational Analysis & Change as part of a doctoral program of study.

Specialization in Organizational Change
The specialization teaches a multi-disciplinary and multi-sector approach to transforming organizations and communities in a technologically advanced and global economy. Students study and diagnose evolving and emerging communities and organization in the public, private and nonprofit areas. Students will find a curriculum supportive of careers in academics, management, and consulting.

Graduate Certificate in Organizational Change
The graduate certificate in Organizational Change is available to both MU graduate students currently enrolled in degree programs outside the Truman School of Public Affairs and to students who wish to enroll only for purposes of completing a graduate certificate. The courses are the same as those taken for the specialization in Organizational Change.

The following courses plus one elective are required:

PA 8610: Group Dynamics and Conflict Resolution (3 hours)
This course develops an understanding of the psychosocial and emotional roots of conflict, hatred, terror, and violence, within and between human groups. Models of conflict resolution and reconciliation are presented and examined in the context of ethnic, racial, cultural and national tensions.

PA 8620: Organizational Analysis and Change (3 hours)
This course investigates the social, ethical, and psychodynamic dimensions of intervention theory and method for organizational change. A comprehensive model of organizational change is presented that emphasizes the value of organizational diagnosis and psycho-social intervention strategies.

PA 8630: Organizational Change in a Community and Global Context (3 hours)
 Examines changing organizations in their task environments, which include communities and the global economy. The phenomenon of ambiguous boundaries between public and private as well as nonprofit sectors will be investigated as these profound changes impact organizational behavior.

For more information, please visit the Organizational and Community Change page or the Graduate Certificate Program page at the Truman School of Public Affairs or contact us at the Center for the Study of Organizational Change.