As a School of Planning, Public Policy and Management (PPPM) student, you may focus your studies on a specific area of study or field of interest by choosing a field of interest from the list below or by designing your own field of interest in consultation with your faculty advisor.
Sample elective courses are provided on this page, but this list is not comprehensive and courses may change, new courses may be offered, and some may be offered on a limited basis. If a course outside PPPM is closed, ask the course instructor if it is possible to join the course and consult with your faculty advisor if the instructor’s answer is no.
Sample elective courses listed with an * indicate a special course designation. This may indicate that instructor approval is needed to register for the course, the schedule is irregular, or course fees apply. Check the UO Course Catalog for more specific information.
Listed below are some of the established fields of interest students can pursue through elective classes:
Arts and Cultural Leadership
This field of interest is for students seeking careers in managing arts and culture organizations in the performing arts, community arts, and museums. Allied academic units with possible electives include: Music and Dance, Theater Arts, History of Art and Architecture, Historic Preservation, Folklore, and Anthropology. Students may also obtain the Graduate Certificate in Museum Studies.
Offered by:
Master of Community and Regional Planning | Master of Nonprofit Management | Master of Public Administration
Sample Elective Courses
PPPM 510/576 Museum Practice (offered alternating years)
PPPM 510/577 Museum Education (offered alternating years)
PPPM 510/574 Event Management
PPPM 570 The Arts in Society
PPPM 571 Cultural Policy
PPPM 572 Creative Placemaking
PPPM 573 Cultural Programming
PPPM 575 Performing Arts Management (offered alternating years)
PPPM 670 Cultural Administration
ARH 540 Museology*
Community Development
This field of interest is for students pursuing careers in philanthropy (grant making) and helping urban and rural communities to help advance social equity, generate appropriate jobs, and create community well-being. Allied academic unit with possible electives include: Global Studies, Geography. Students may purse concurrent Master of Nonprofit Management and Master of Community and Regional Planning degrees. With careful planning, a student can complete both degrees in three years.
Offered by:
Master of Community and Regional Planning | Master of Nonprofit Management | Master of Public Administration
Sample Elective Courses
PPPM 510 Community Organization
PPPM 510 Immigration Policy
PPPM 518 Introduction to Public Law
PPPM 525 Project Management
PPPM 526 Strategic Planning for Management
PPPM 532 Urban Revitalization
PPPM 534 Urban Geographic Information Systems
PPPM 538 Transportation Issues in Planning
PPPM 542 Sustainable Urban Development
PPPM 546 Socioeconomic Development Planning
PPPM 548 Collaboration
PPPM 565 Program Evaluation
PPPM 572 Creative Placemaking
PPPM 587 Impact Philanthropy
PPPM 610 Public Participation and Diverse Communities
PPPM 610 Housing & Communities
PPPM 611 Intro Planning Practice
PPPM 613 Planning Analysis
PPPM 617 Human Settlements
PPPM 625 and 626 Community Planning Workshop
EC 530 Urban and Regional Economics
EC 532 Economy of the Pacific Northwest
EC 590 Economic Growth and Development
GLBL 520 Global Community Development*
Education, Labor, and Social Services
This field of interest is for students who would like to engage with private educational institutions, health-related nonprofit agencies, or any social services devoted to children, teens, substance abuse, or housing. Allied academic units with possible electives include: Education. Students may also complete the Graduate Specialization in Disability Studies, administered through the UO's College of Arts and Sciences.
Offered by: Master of Nonprofit Management | Master of Public Administration
Sample Elective Courses
PPPM 507 Seminar: Public Health
PPPM 560 Health Policy
EC 550 Labor Economics
EC 551 Issues in Labor Economics
EDLD 621 Equity and Achievement*
EDLD 623 Cultural Adaptation Evidence Based*
EDLD 624 Leading for Equity*
EDLD 626 Social & Cultural Foundations in Education*
EDLD 632 Education Policy Analysis*
EDLD 675 School Finance*
EDLD 610/683 State and Local Education Policy*
FHS 582 Preventing Youth Violence*
GLBL 510 Global Health Crisis*
GLBL 510 Global Perspectives Disability*
GLBL 565 Global Reproductive Health*
LA 510 Housing/Homelessness*
LING 544 Second Language Acquisition*
SPED 511 Foundations of Disability I*
Equity/Social Justice
This field of interest is for Master of Nonprofit Management students targeting advocacy careers with social justice organizations. Allied academic units with possible electives include: Ethnic Studies, Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Educational Leadership, and Anthropology. Students may also obtain the Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Certificate or the Graduate Certificate in Indigenous, Race, and Ethnic Studies.
Offered by: Master of Nonprofit Management
Sample Elective Courses
PPPM 507 Difference & Power in the Public Sector
PPPM 510 Community Organizing
PPPM 507 Inequality Policy Solutions
PPPM 532 Justice & Urban Revitalization
PPPM 552 Public Participation in Diverse Communities (prerequisite: PPPM 532)
CRES 540 Dialogue Across Differences*
CRES 541 Dialogue Across Differences II*
CRES 610 Culture Power Conflict Resolution*
CRES 625 Psychology of Conflict*
EDLD 624 Leading for Equity*
EDLD 623 Evidence-Based Cultural Adaptation*
ENVS 535 Environmental Justice*
ES 615 Theoretical Foundations in Ethnic Studies*
ES 620 Race, Space, and Power*
ES 621 Cultural Production*
ES 622 Resistance and Dissent*
ES 623 Race and Sexuality*
GLBL 510 Global Story of Race*
GLBL 510 Transnational Migration*
GLBL 521 Gender & International Development*
PS 549 Racial Politics US*
PS 585 Civil Rights & Liberties*
PS 566 Civil Rights Post-Warren*
SOC 616 Race Gender & Environment*
SOC 522/552 Mexican Migration*
SOC 656 Topics Sociology of Sexuality*
Environmental Sustainability
This field of interest addresses the policies and plans that affect our natural environment and ecological systems. This may include work in the public, private, or nonprofit sectors. Allied academic units with possible electives include: Environmental Studies, Business, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Political Science, Economics, Law, and Geography. Students may also obtain the Ecological Design Certificate.
Offered by:
Master of Community and Regional Planning | Master of Nonprofit Management | Master of Public Administration
Sample Elective Courses
PPPM 507 Seminar International Sustainability
PPPM 507 Seminar Public Health
PPPM 508 Workshop Environmental Impact Assessment
PPPM 542 Sustainable Urban Development
PPPM 543 Natural Resource Policy
PPPM 544 Environmental Policy
PPPM 548 Collaborative Planning and Management
PPPM 610 Land Use Policy
CRES 660 Environmental Conflict Resolution*
EC 532 Economy of the Pacific Northwest
EC 534 Environmental Economics
EC 535 Natural Resource Economics
ENVS 510 Unnatural Disasters*
ENVS 550 Political Ecology*
ENVS 535 Environmental Justice*
ENVS 567 Sustainable Agriculture*
ENVS 555 Sustainability*
ENVS 610 Political Ecology Climate Change*
GEOG 563 Geography, Law, and the Environment
GLBL 510 Sustainable Movement Around World*
LAW 607 Energy and Law
LAW 610 Environmental Law
LAW 610 Climate Change Law and Policy
MGMT 607 Seminar: Sustainable Business Practices*
PS 577 International Environmental Politics*
PS 607 Seminar: International Environmental Policy*
SOC 516 Environmental Sociology/Climate Change*
WGS 532 Gender, Environment, & Development*
Food Studies
This field of interest is for students interested in local food advocacy, community gardens, food sufficiency, and other topics related to food production, distribution, and justice. Courses in this field have been offered sporadically, so please work closely with your advisor. The list below contains courses that were offered in 2020. Students may obtain the 18-credit Graduate Specialization in Food Studies.
Offered by: Master of Nonprofit Management | Master of Public Administration
Sample Elective Courses
GLBL 510 Food Sovereignty*
LA 529 Civic Agriculture*
ENVS 567 Sustainable Agriculture*
ENG 569 Sense of Place
ENVS 601 Research: Food Talks*
ENVS 607 Food Matters: Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Food Studies*
LAW 796 Food, Farming & Sustainability*
MGMT 510 Business of Food*
International Development
The International Development field of interest is for students seeking or continuing careers with international organizations, humanitarian organizations, and aid to developing countries. Allied academic units with possible electives include: Global Studies, Geography. Students may obtain the 16-credit Asian Studies Graduate Specialization.
Offered by: Master of Nonprofit Management | Master of Public Administration
Sample Elective Courses
PPPM 507 Seminar: International Sustainability
PPPM 542 Sustainable Urban Development (international focus)
PPPM 565 Program Evaluation
PPPM 587 Impact Philanthropy
CRES 530 Working Internationally*
GLBL 510 Global Perspectives on Disability*
GLBL 510 Food Sovereignty*
GLBL 510 Global Health Crisis*
GLGL 510 Global Story of Race*
GLBL 510 Transnational Migration*
GLBL 510 Development & Social Change Europe*
GLBL 510 Sustainable Movements Around World*
GLBL 520 Global Community Development*
GLBL 521 Gender and International Development*
GLBL 522 Aid to Developing Countries*
GLBL 531 Cross-Cultural Communication*
GLBL 542 South Asia: Development & Social Change*
GLBL 544 Development & Social Change in Southeast Asia*
GLBL 565 Global Reproductive Health*
INTL 520 International Community Development
INTL 521 Gender and International Development
INTL 522 Aid to Developing Countries
INTL 545 Dev. and Soc. Change in Sub-Saharan Africa
INTL 546 Dev. and Soc. Change in Latin America
Land Use and Built Environment
This field of interest is for Master of Community and Regional Planning students who want to learn about the physical planning of cities and neighborhoods, including the need to balance demand for housing and community development with community goals, you might consider this field of interest.
Offered by: Master of Community and Regional Planning
Marketing and Development
This field of interest is for Master of Nonprofit Management students wanting to work in development (fundraising) or advancement. (Career options in this field are excellent and well remunerated.) Allied academic units with possible electives include: Business, Journalism.
Offered by: Master of Nonprofit Management
Sample Elective Courses
PPPM 507 Seminar: Strategic Communication
PPPM 610 Visual Communications
PPPM 510/574 Event Management
J 512 Topics: Social Nonprofits*
J 552 Strategic Public Relations Communication*
J 580 Topics: Strategic Social Media*
Law 683 Estate Planning*
Nonprofit Management
Consider this if you're interested in leading and managing nonprofit organizations, raising funds, and working in creative ways to solve a range of pressing issues. Students can also earn the Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management as their field of interest.
Offered by: Master of Community and Regional Planning | Master of Public Administration
Sample Elective Courses
PPPM 507 Volunteer Resource Management
PPPM 507 Communications Management
PPPM 522 Grant Proposal Writing
PPPM 526 Strategic Planning for Management
PPPM 565 Program Evaluation
PPPM 581 Fundraising for Nonprofit Organizations
PPPM 586 Philanthropy and Grantmaking Seminar
PPPM 680 Managing Nonprofit Organizations
PPPM 687 Nonprofit Board Governance
PPPM 688 Nonprofit Management Consultancy
CRES 610 Nonprofit Law and Management Clinic
Planning
This field of interest is for Master of Public Administration students who would like to explore topics surrounding planning, including social justice, sustainability, land use policy, and transportation issues.
Offered by: Master of Public Administration
Sample Elective Courses
PPPM 532 Justice & Urban Revitalization
PPPM 534 Urban GIS
PPPM 538 Transportation Issues in Planning
PPPM 542 Sustainable Urban Development
PPPM 546 Socioeconomic Development Planning
PPPM 548 Collaborative Planning and Management
PPPM 610 Land Use Policy
PPPM 611 Introduction to Planning Practice
PPPM 612 Legal Issues in Planning
PPPM 613 Planning Analysis I
PPPM 616 Planning Theory and Ethics
PPPM 617 Human Settlements
PPPM 625, 626 Community Planning Workshop
Public Involvement
This field of interest is for Master of Community and Regional Planning students who wish to study the processes and techniques for engaging or empowering the public in decisions that affect communities, states, and regions.
Offered by: Master of Community and Regional Planning
Public Management
This field of interest is for Master of Public Administration students who want to pursue careers in management within public organizations at the local, state, or federal level. Allied academic units with possible electives include: Educational Leadership, Business.
Offered by: Master of Public Administration
Sample Elective Courses
PPPM 507 Volunteer Resource Management
PPPM 522 Grant Proposal Writing
PPPM 525 Project Management
PPPM 526 Strategic Planning for Management
PPPM 548 Collaborative Planning and Management
PPPM 552 Public Participation in Diverse Communities
PPPM 565 Program Evaluation
PPPM 612 Legal Issues in Planning
EDLD 644 Learning Organizations
MGMT 607 Seminar: Sustainable Business Practices
Public Policy
This field of interest is for students who want to influence government and legislative decision-making through evidence-based policy evaluation, analysis, and interpretation. Students may want to complete the master of public administration on a concurrent basis; with careful planning, a student can complete both the master of nonprofit management and master of public administration in two to three years. Allied academic units with possible electives include: Law, Political Science, Environmental Studies, Global Studies, and Economics.
Offered by:
Master of Community and Regional Planning | Master of Nonprofit Management | Master of Public Administration
Sample Elective Courses
PPPM 507 Advocacy/Lobbying Seminar
PPPM 507 Policy Simulation
PPPM 507 Seminar: Public Health
PPPM 507 Inequality Policy Solutions
PPPM 518 Introduction to Public Law
PPPM 534 Urban GIS
PPPM 543 Natural Resource Policy
PPPM 544 Environmental Policy
PPPM 546 Socioeconomic Development Planning
PPPM 555 Cost Benefit Analysis
PPPM 560 Health Policy
PPPM 565 Program Evaluation
PPPM 571 Cultural Policy
PPPM 588 Nonprofit Legal Issues
PPPM 628 Public Sector Economics
PPPM 636 Public Policy Analysis (prerequisite: 628)
PPPM 637 48-hour MPA Policy Analysis (prerequisite: 657, 636)*
PPPM 657 Research Methods
EC 540 Public Economics
EDLD 610 State and Local Education Policy*
EDLD 632 Education Policy Analysis*
PS 625 Public Policy*
PS 607 Seminar: International Environmental Policy*
Public Relations and Advocacy
This field of interest is for Master of Nonprofit Management students headed for careers in organizations that seek to inform, persuade, and change behaviors of the public. Allied academic units with possible electives include: Journalism, Education.
Offered by: Master of Nonprofit Management
Sample Elective Courses
FHS 582 Preventing Youth Violence*
GLBL 510 Global Health Crisis*
GLBL 510 Global Perspectives Disability*
GLBL 565 Global Reproductive Health*
LA 510 Housing/Homelessness*
LING 544 Second Language Acquisition*
SPED 511 Foundations of Disability I*
Research Methods
This field of interest is for Master of Public Administration students interested in analyzing and interpreting data for a range of government and non-government organizations involved in policy, planning, or advocacy. Allied academic units with possible electives include: Anthropology, Economics, Geography.
Offered by: Master of Public Administration
Sample Elective Courses
PPPM 534 Urban GIS
PPPM 565 Program Evaluation
ANTH 611 Ethnographic Research
EC 522 Economic Forecasting
EC 523, 524, 525 Econometrics
GEOG 581 GIScience I
GEOG 582 GIScience II
GEOG 597 Qualitative Methods in Geography
Social Enterprise
This field of interest is for Master of Nonprofit Management students seeking closer links to social enterprise and social good businesses or focused on developing fee-based commercial enterprises within nonprofit organizations. Allied academic units with possible electives include: Business, Law.
Offered by: Master of Nonprofit Management
Sample Elective Courses
PPPM 525 Project Management
PPPM 526 Strategic Planning
PPPM 548 Collaboration
PPPM 565 Program Evaluation
PPPM 587 Impact Philanthropy
PPPM 685 Social Enterprise (offered alternating years)
ACTG 620 Entrepreneurial Accounting*
MGMT 623 Negotiation*
MGMT 625 New Venture Planning*
MGMT 609 Venture Start-up I & II* (prerequisite; MGMT 625)*
MGMT 635 Opportunity Recognition*
ACTG 662 Strategic Cost Management*
Transportation
This field of interest is great if you're looking to learn about the factors affecting transportation policy and planning, including the role of transit, walking and biking, and emerging issues of ride sharing and autonomous vehicles.
Offered by: Master of Community and Regional Planning | Master of Public Administration
Sample Elective Courses
PPPM 507 Seminar: Sustainable Transportation
PPPM 510 Transportation Policy
PPPM 510 Bicycle Transportation
PPPM 538 Transportation Issues in Planning
PPPM 542 Sustainable Urban Development
PPPM 610 Transportation Equity
PPPM 610 Land Use Policy
PPPM 646 Growth Management
SOC 510 Cycling & Society
EC 530 Urban and Regional Economics