Department of Government and Sociology

Objectives of the Department

The Department of Government and Sociology has two master’s degree programs: the Public Administration, MPA and the National Security, MA.

Public Administration: The department intends to educate students for tomorrow’s management and leadership positions in the public sector, including local governments, state governments, the federal government and nonprofit agencies through its online Master of Public Administration program and online graduate certificate in nonprofit management. Administrators in these positions are called upon to act professionally, responsibly and effectively as they pursue public purposes. The programs are designed to fill the educational demands and needs for better-qualified administrators. Both pre-service and in-service students seeking professional credentials are served by online courses, special research projects, internships and graduate assistantships. The programs combine academic expertise with real-world experiences to provide students with outstanding opportunities to connect knowledge with practice. The MPA requires 36 hours of coursework (three credit hours per course), and the graduate certificate in nonprofit management requires 12 hours of coursework (three credit hours per course)

National Security: The intelligence field is a growing one, and the need for qualified intelligence analysts is increasing. The national intelligence and security program is designed to help prepare students to work in the growing field of intelligence and security studies. Courses are designed to maximize student preparation for a wide range of intelligence careers and directly address the course components and skills identified and outlined by the Defense Intelligence Agency.

Graduate Faculty

Professors

• Charles F. Abel, JD, Duquesne University, PhD, University of Maryland, Political Science, Constitutional Law, Public Law
• Kwame B. Antwi-Boasiako, PhD, Mississippi State University, Public Administration, Public Policy, International
• Relations
• Ray L. Darville, PhD, University of North Texas, Methodology, Data Analysis; Regents Professor 2015-16
• Richard J. Herzog, PhD, University of New Orleans, Political Science, Public Administration, Public Policy
• Lee W. Payne, PhD, University of Houston, American Politics, Political Science, Public Administration, Research Methodology
• Michael P. Tkacik, PhD, University of Maryland, Political Science, International Law and Relations

Associate Professors

• Alan I. Baily, PhD, Louisiana State University, Political Science, Political Philosophy, Comparative Politics   
• George J. Day, PhD, Sam Houston State University, Criminal Justice
• Roslyn Fraser, PhD, University of Missouri, Gender, Race and Ethnicity, Qualitative Methodology
• Steve E. Galatas, PhD, University of Missouri, Political Science, Comparative Politics   
• Elizabeth L. Gloyd, PhD, Florida State University, Criminology and Criminal Justice
• Donald M. Gooch, PhD, University of Missouri, Political Science, American Politics, Public Policy, Public Law
• Charles E. Gregory, PhD, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Political Science, American Politics and Methods
• Julie Harrelson-Stephens, PhD, University of North Texas, Political Science, International Politics, Political Economy, Human Rights
• John C. Pruit, PhD, University of Missouri, Race Relations, Gender, Social Psychology
• Spencer L. Willardson, PhD, University of Iowa, International Relations, Comparative Politics, Methodology

Assistant Professor

• Jessica Gordon, PhD, Oklahoma State University, Gender, Race and Ethnicity, Sociology of Education

Graduate Assistantships

The MPA and MA in national security programs offer a limited number of graduate assistantships. Graduate assistants are assigned research projects, administrative duties and limited teaching assignments with faculty members in the Department of Government and Sociology. Graduate assistants are considered part-time employees and are expected to work 20 hours per week. A student interested in a graduate assistantship should contact the MPA and national security program directors well in advance of the semester in which the student is interested in the assistantship.

Programs

• National Security, MA

• Public Administration, MPA

• Public Administration, Minor

• Homeland Security Certificate
• Intelligence Studies Certificate
• Nonprofit Management Certificate