PAD 4204 - Public Finance

College of Public Safety Administration

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Spring 2023 (615)

Requisites

Admission to Public Safety Administration (Bachelor of Applied Science) (PSA-BAS) or
Admission to Public Policy and Administration (Bachelor of Science) (PPA-BS) or
Admission to Paralegal Studies (Bachelor of Applied Science) (LEGAL-BAS)

Course Description

This course will provide the student with a firm understanding of all elements of public finance, from budget development to finance management, and from procurement to accounting and auditing. In addition, the course will explore alternative sources of public safety funding available to local government entities. A key component of the course will be the student’s preparation and presentation of a budget for a model city.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will explain the concepts associated with public finance by:
    1. analyzing commonly used types of budgets.
    2. describing and analyzing cost-benefit analysis.
    3. researching budgeting programs including performance-based budgeting and zero- based funding.
  2. The student will analyze the politics associated with public finance by:
    1. applying the budget process as a political process of government.
    2. explaining roles in the budget process.
    3. illustrating the effects of special interest groups on public finance.
    4. explaining the relationship between public policy and public finance.
  3. The student will analyze alternative sources of funding for a public agency by:
    1. explaining the use, benefits, and limitations of user fees for public agencies.
    2. identifying sources of grant funding for public programs, including that available from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Federal Energy Management Administration, and the United States Fire Administration.
  4. The student will analyze the leadership skills involved in the creation of a budget for a public agency by:
    1. explaining leadership skills, models, and theories.
    2. developing a budget for a model public safety agency utilizing specific criteria defined in class.
    3. presenting the developed budget to a mock governmental body.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will, with a minimum of 70% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.

History of Changes

C&I 9/28/04, BOT 10/19/04, Effective 20042(0345). 3 Year Review 2008 C&I Approval: 06/08/2010, BOT Approval: 07/22/2010, Effective Term: Fall 2010 (430).
C&I Approval: 08/12/2016, BOT Approval: 04/18/2023, Effective Term: Spring 2023 (615)

Related Programs

  1. Public Policy and Administration (PPA-BS) (640) (Active)
  2. Public Safety Administration (PSA-BAS) (655) (Active)