Required courses in this specialization concentrate on neighborhoods, cities, regions, and the global economy. Special attention is focused on bringing knowledge of these systems into the decision making processes of public, private, and nonprofit organizations. Urban Management and Metropolitan Policy. This specialization responds to the need for broad-gauged but locally focused, competent managers, planners, and analysts in municipal, special district, and county governments and accepts the challenge of organizing more responsive, effective, and efficient government within metropolitan communities. Required course work examines the position of local government under American federalism as well as the causes and consequences of municipal fiscal strain.
Special attention is focused on reorganization, structural reform, and innovation.
Environmental Management and Policy. The EMP specialization is designed to meet the needs of individuals who may work in the private or public sector, at the national or international levels. It is based on three premises. First, knowledge of the environmental impacts of policy and management options is critical to decision making by planners, managers, and policy makers. Conversely, knowledge of the economic, social, and political impacts of environmental policies are critical.