Public Finance
Public Finance introduces the nuances of the US municipal financing market from the perspective of issuers, investors and intermediaries. Students will learn about traditional fixed rate bond structures, but will also look at innovative financing techniques that have been implemented in recent years. In-depth discussions of interest rate markets, especially the impacts of Federal Reserve policies and recent inflation pressures, and their impact on financing will be a key area of study. The growing pressures of public sector pensions are influencing how states and municipalities manage their budgets, and are under increased scrutiny by market participants; as such, pension accounting will be a focus area for the class as well. Financial distress and municipal bankruptcy will be examined through case studies of recent high profile issuers, such as the New York MTA, the City of Detroit and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
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Instructor:
Brian J Kennedy
Info - 3 points
Communicating in Organizations
Communicating in Organizations is a survey course that explores aspects of day-to-day managerial communication relating to presentations and other high-profile moments and more familiar elements of interpersonal communication. The course uses many teaching techniques: short lectures, individual and group exercises, video-recorded presentations, role plays, case discussions, video clips, and writing assignments. It is highly experiential, with exercises or presentations scheduled in most sessions. Initially, we’ll focus on the communication skills and strategies that help you present your ideas to others. I’ll ask you to do two benchmark assignments―a letter and a brief presentation―to assess the abilities you bring to the course. In several of our class sessions, you’ll be the one “in front of the room,” delivering either a prepared talk or brief, impromptu comments. Such assignments will allow you to develop your skills as a presenter. I’ll also discuss the link between listening and speaking, showing you how developing your listening skills will improve your effectiveness as a speaker. And we’ll explore several elements of visual communication, including how to design effective visual aids and written documents. To communicate effectively in such roles as coach, interviewer, negotiator, or facilitator, you need to be skilled at listening, questioning, observing behavior, and giving feedback. We’ll practice each of these skills in-class exercises and assignments. The Social Style instrument will provide detailed feedback about how others view your communication style. You’ll discover how style differences may lead to miscommunication, missed opportunities, or mishandled conflict.
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Instructor:
Joann P Baney
Info - 3 points
Data Visualization & Storytelling with G
Data Viz & Storytelling
This hands-on course explores how data visualization, storytelling, and generative artificial intelligence can be combined to transform quantitative analysis into effective policy communication. Building on the concepts and methods introduced in Quantitative Techniques I or an equivalent graduate-level statistics course, students will learn to communicate analytical findings clearly, accurately, and persuasively to technical, managerial, and executive audiences.
The course introduces foundational principles of data visualization alongside the practical use of contemporary generative AI tools to support the full analytics-to-story workflow, from organizing and interpreting data to developing presentations, policy briefs, and executive summaries. Through applied exercises, in-class laboratories, and a collaborative project, students will learn how to communicate uncertainty, maintain analytical rigor, and translate quantitative evidence into actionable recommendations.
By the end of the course, students will be able to design effective visualizations, critically evaluate AI-generated outputs, tailor communications to different stakeholder audiences, and convert complex quantitative findings into compelling policy narratives that support decision-making.
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Instructor:
Stuart E Ward
Info - 3 points
Transforming the Urban Economy
This course focuses on developing cities and transformative initiatives, especially in New York City. This course will examine a wide array of economic development projects and strategies. It will look at the core economic goals set forth nearly two decades ago to diversify the economy and make it less dependent on financial services, while examining the challenges faced by cities today in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Land use policy, incentives, new developments, placemaking initiatives, and approaches to district management will also be studied. Students will gain a broad understanding of how economic development tools and tactics have been leveraged to revitalize central business districts, neighborhoods, the waterfront, and public spaces.
This course will review the effectiveness of public-private partnerships, including business improvement districts (BIDs), local development corporations, and park conservancies. New York City is the home of the largest network of BIDs in the world. During the course, we will also examine how anchor institutions (
universities, hospitals, cultural organizations
) play an increased role in community revitalization.
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Instructor:
Robert Walsh
Info - 3 points
Cities in a Globalizing World
Cities such as New York, London, Hong Kong, Sao Paolo, Tokyo and Mumbai, have been at the heart of deepening economic, social and political globalization. International trade, financial flows, the arts, and migration have shaped their process of urbanization and position in national life and they in turn have influenced the character of globalization. Policymakers in global cities have abundant resources at their disposal but face complicated governance challenges due to their size, complexity and deep linkages to the rest of the world. In addition, global cities increasingly must compete for human capital and investment. This course examines the key features of global cities and the main stages of their development. It explores the governance challenges that policymakers in global cities face in the areas of economics, infrastructure, environment, human capital development, and social welfare. For instance, in the area of economic policymaking, students will analyze the importance of agglomeration, economic clusters, economies of scale, and spillovers as well as the possible strategies for gaining a competitive edge over other cities.
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Instructor:
Francisco L Rivera-Batiz
Info - 3 points
Effective Management in the Public Servi
Management in Public Serv
This course equips mid-career professionals with actionable frameworks, tools, and insights to lead organizational change, drive performance, and manage complex challenges in the public and nonprofit sectors. Across 12 highly interactive sessions, students examine case-based scenarios that explore how managers conceive and implement value-driven strategies, navigate organizational dynamics, and deliver measurable results.
Key themes include strategic planning, performance management, people development, operational platforms, and using power and persuasion to implement change. Through analysis of real-world cases, structured reflection, and applied learning, students will strengthen their ability to frame policy decisions, mobilize resources, and lead through uncertainty.
This course builds leadership capacity for professionals seeking to lift performance, transform services, and create public value. Students will leave with a set of durable management tools and lessons applicable across roles, organizations, and stages of their careers.
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Instructor:
Robert Z Tumin
Info - 3 points
Microeconomics and Policy Analysis
Microecon & Policy Analys
Microeconomics and Policy Analysis
introduces mid-career professionals to the core analytical tools of microeconomics and their application to real-world policy and management decisions. The course emphasizes how individuals, firms, and governments make decisions under constraints, and how markets function and sometimes fail. Topics include supply and demand, consumer and producer behavior, market structure, welfare analysis, externalities, public goods, and government interventions.
Students will develop a working understanding of microeconomic principles and apply them to evaluate policies and regulations. The course combines lectures, recitations, and problem sets to build both conceptual understanding and practical problem-solving skills. No prior background in economics is required, though comfort with basic mathematics and algebra is expected.
Designed specifically for Executive MPA students, the course prepares professionals to critically analyze economic arguments, collaborate across diverse teams, and make informed, data-driven decisions in public service contexts.
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Instructor:
Andrea Bubula
Info - 3 points
Microeconomics and Policy Analysis
Microecon & Policy Analys
Microeconomics and Policy Analysis
introduces mid-career professionals to the core analytical tools of microeconomics and their application to real-world policy and management decisions. The course emphasizes how individuals, firms, and governments make decisions under constraints, and how markets function and sometimes fail. Topics include supply and demand, consumer and producer behavior, market structure, welfare analysis, externalities, public goods, and government interventions.
Students will develop a working understanding of microeconomic principles and apply them to evaluate policies and regulations. The course combines lectures, recitations, and problem sets to build both conceptual understanding and practical problem-solving skills. No prior background in economics is required, though comfort with basic mathematics and algebra is expected.
Designed specifically for Executive MPA students, the course prepares professionals to critically analyze economic arguments, collaborate across diverse teams, and make informed, data-driven decisions in public service contexts.
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