Our Core Classes

SPS 200 – Problem Solving in Public Service

Why You’ll Take It:

This course helps you discover where your career journey in public service can begin. By learning the ethics and structures of public organizations, examining problems that public service professionals are working to solve, and exploring your personal interests and goals utilizing career research tools, you’ll start to discover the unique transferable skills that will prepare you for today’s workforce.

Career Skills You’ll Build:

• Career and self-development: Through career research, self-assessments, and professional identity mapping, you’ll identify your personal interests and workplace values to build a more confident plan for your future in public service.
• Communication: You will practice professional communication by writing, engaging in discussions, and presenting your ideas to peers and a variety of different audiences.
• Critical Thinking: Learning evidence-based problem-solving strategies will help you address real-world policy challenges.

SPS 240 – Data in Public Service

Why You’ll Take It:

Public service professionals rely on data every day. In this course, you’ll learn how to collect, clean, analyze, and communicate data to answer real-world policy questions. This course gives you the hands-on data skills that employers actively seek. You’ll be tasked with identifying, collecting, and analyzing a public dataset to solve a research problem. In addition, you’ll explore the ethics behind data collection. Engaging work that utilizes technology gives you valuable skills to add to your resume and a real-world project to discuss in a job interview.
Career Skills You’ll Build

• Technology: This course is an applied introduction to data management. Through hands-on sessions, you will utilize Microsoft Excel to clean, maintain, analyze, and visualize public datasets for professional use.
• Critical Thinking: You will learn to define data, use descriptive statistics, and develop insight into how data and analysis might be used to inform evaluation and decision-making in public service organizations.
• Communication: A focus of this course is learning how to communicate research and data effectively. Practice translating data into clear, impactful visual representations meant for public audiences helps guide policy.

SPS 301 – Leadership in Public Service

Why You’ll Take It:
Strong organizations need strong leaders. Through case studies, collaboration, and leadership theory, you’ll discover your own leadership style while learning to inspire others. This course gives you the essential leadership and collaboration skills that public, private, and nonprofit organizations prioritize. Through mapping your professional identity, analyzing organizational tensions, and applying leadership theories to real-world case studies, you’ll explore your unique leadership approach and define a path to becoming an impactful leader in public service.

Career Skills You’ll Build:

• Leadership: Designed to help you explore and understand your unique approach to leadership, this course teaches you to map your personal values and identify barriers. This self-awareness is crucial in guiding others effectively.
• Teamwork: You will actively identify and develop strategies for working effectively in teams. Learning how to collaborate across differences is a valuable professional trait.
• Professionalism: Knowing your work habits, acting with integrity and accountability, and maintaining a positive personal brand establish your professional credibility and position you as a leader.