COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

1. Strategic Management

Discusses management theory, terminology, and principles as currently applied to social service agencies, stressing MBO, results-oriented management and the application of quantification of services to the students' work environment. Students will be introduced to such techniques as flow charts, gantt charts, PERT, and the basics of project management, through the use of course lectures, readings, and films.

2. Program Evaluation

Analyzes the various techniques and methodologies related to monitoring program effort, effectiveness, and efficiency. Social research and cost analysis techniques will be emphasized. Students will be taught to select appropriate evaluation methodologies for specific programmatic aspects of their unit or section.

3. Organizational Theory

Explores and compares current system theories. The primary focus is on understanding how the goals of any particular unit affect other aspects of the HRA system. Students will learn to evaluate the limitations and potentialities of various systems of decision-making, communication, leadership, control, and motivation, as they affect goal attainment. The techniques of dealing with entropy will be emphasized.

4. Public Policy: Organizational Response

The purpose of this course is to teach students how policy is developed at various governmental levels and how it affects the ongoing operation of programs. Students will learn how to influence the development of policy as well as the techniques for monitoring the implementation of policy in a variety of fields.

5. Financial Planning and Control

Principles and processes of budgeting and cost accounting will be taught as tools for program managers. The impact of these processes on the total agency system as well as on different levels of staff will be analyzed. Utilizing materials from the Management Plan, students will learn to employ the basic budgeting and cost accounting techniques.

6. HR Management

Examines different approaches to the problems of staff development and personnel administration. Focuses on creative approaches to the potential strains introduced by strict accountability procedures. Trainees will become familiar with a variety of staff development theories and approaches that aim to increase efficiency and effectiveness, especially those that relate to time management. Practical situations resulting from the current Management Plan will be utilized as class presentations.

7. Case Studies in Agency Management

This course is designed to offer students an opportunity to integrate the concepts and techniques embodied in the core curriculum. Case studies of social agencies will be utilized to provide students experience in strategic planning, contract management, agency reorganization, project planning and program control, among others. Prerequisite: A minimum of 5 core courses.

8. Grantsmanship and Proposal Writing

Designed to familiarize the student with all stages of the process of seeking grants from corporations, foundations, and governmental bodies, this course follows the proposal from its inception through submission and follow-up. Course content will include development of program ideas, research of potential funding sources, and the mechanics of proposal writing. Each participant will learn to develop the components of an actual proposal.

9. Supervision

Supervisors must learn to teach, evaluate, and manage others. Changing roles and perspectives are a constant challenge. Handling conflict and tension is a bureaucratic necessity. Through discussion and role plays, students will expand their repertoire of supervisory and leadership techniques.

10. Training and Consultation

The course is designed for those who want to master the art of training and consultation. Students will learn how to initiate contacts, negotiate participation, gain access to information, overcome resistance, select training and problem-solving models, and achieve mutually satisfactory termination. Readings, role play, and discussion will be utilized in the development of effective techniques.

11. Case Studies in Supervision

This course examines a series of supervisory case studies designed to provide students with the skills required to a) handle departmental and individual conflicts; b) supervise by objectives; c) do performance-based evaluation; d) control for accountability; and e) optimize their capacity for decision making. Student job-related case material will be utilized. Prerequisite: A basic course in supervision.

12. Peer and Group Supervision

Students will learn the basic techniques and processes of peer and group supervision. Their job-related supervisory experiences will be utilized as the basis of class presentations, role plays, and discussions. The class will be operated as a peer group to model group processes. Prerequisite: A basic course in supervision.