Faculty Contact Information:
Ken J. Kovach, EdD ph/fax: +44 1353 860 671
PSC 37, Box 3414 KJKovach@aol.com
APO AE 09459
Term II
3 Nov 2003 - 7 March 2004 | |
Consultation:
| As this class will be handled mainly through distance education, any assistance or help can be obtained through the forum established or directly to the instructor. The latter should involve personal issues only. | |
Required Texts and Readings:
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Supplementary Readings:
| All graduate students should be prepared to utilize the UMUC online library. The library contains a large number of full text academic journals that are free of charge and immediately available. The library homepage also contains a number of links related to improving students’ research and writing skills. | |
Recommended Journals:
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Course Description:
| Prerequisite: Advancement to candidacy in the M.P.A. program and successful completion of the graduate PA comprehensive examination. This course will explore the methods and models for policy analysis and program evaluation; methods of collecting and analyzing evaluation data; processes for linking evaluation to policy formulation and program management. Emphasis is on how to conduct formative evaluations of government programs. Students are also able to make the appropriate distinctions between the administrative systems that make government programs work as well as how the impact of these programs on the quality of life in society is measured. Students produce a professional paper within their chosen area of interest. This course is graded Pass (P) or Fail (F) and is normally conducted over two terms. | |
Course Goals:
| The purpose of this course is to assist the participant at moving beyond the graduate classroom and engaging in a variety of activities associated with the development and dissemination of professional and expert information. The resulting professional paper should be viewed as an element of the author's professional portfolio and thereby representative of his or her best efforts. | |
Course Objectives:
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At the conclusion of the course, the participant will be able to:
1. Identify research problems or evaluation projects of current and/or enduring interest to a professional domain,
2. Complete a review of relevant professional and academic literature,
3. Identify and consult with a subject matter expert who may assist with the development of the proposal and provide feedback on the content of the professional paper,
4. Target potential venues for disseminating the professional paper,
5. Design, present, and execute a formal professional paper proposal, and
6. Engage in peer-review of other professional papers. | |
Grading Information:
Grades for this course will be assigned as follows:
Pass or Fail
The grade F(a) is used to designate academic failure. F(n) is used to designate failure for non-completion. Grades of Incomplete or Withdrawal are governed by UMUC-Europe policies. For further details, please refer to the UMUC-Europe Graduate Catalog. Hard copies of the catalog are available in your local Education Center. | |
Course Requirements:
Graduate school at the masters level focuses on helping students obtain the education needed for success as professionals in their chosen fields. Thus, UMUC-Europe Graduate Programs and Bowie State University share the common goals of promoting excellence in academic scholarship through thoughtful inquiry and the skillful application of knowledge and theory for the betterment of society. In order to maximize your graduate educational experience in general and this course in particular, you are required to:
Participate in forums established for communications
Write graduate level reports | |
Description of Course Requirements:
| Write graduate level professional paper: You are required to conduct professional-level research, including appropriately citing works of others and avoiding plagiarism. Plan on committing approximately 150 hours over the duration of this course to producing professional level deliverables. | |
Course Schedule:
| This course requires distance education work. You will be provided with guidance and assignments through a forum established for the course. Specific writing requirements will be presented and deadlines established during the two terms for this course work. | |
Academic Policies:
Please refer to the UMUC-Europe Graduate Catalog for information on the following:
Academic Integrity
Course Load
Exception to Policy
Grade Appeal Process
Make-up Examinations
Nondiscrimination
Students with Disabilities
Hard copies of the catalog are available at your local Education Center. | |
Faculty Bio:
Ken J. Kovach has been a faculty member with UMUC since 1993 and for other schools since 1981. His main subjects include research and statistics, management and leadership, and production and operations. He has taught over 450 classes through the years and spent 23 years in the U.S. Air Force, first enlisted and then commissioned through the AECP program.
Ken worked in the airborne command, command and staff, plans, operations, transportation, logistics, and other functions. He has developed higher education distance education programs for Embry-Riddle, professional programs for the National Business Aviation Association, and research guidelines for various schools.
His most recent publication has been Corporate Aviation Management and keeps involved in professional associations (American Counseling Association, Institute of Transport Administration, etc).
Ken received his bachelors of science in business with the University of Tennessee, masters of arts in guidance & counseling with Wayne State, and doctorate of higher education with Nova Southeastern University. He is married and has two highly educated daughters. | |