Online Undergraduate Certificate in Government Agency Administration

In the modern workplace driven by technology, business is about relationships, and the written word connects us. This course teaches us how to build those relationships, efficiently and effectively, through composing common types of business messages. We will focus on writing emails, memos, and letters as well as social media content, presentations, and personal resumes and cover letters. Develop professional communication skills to articulate your ideas and purpose to diverse business audiences in clear, concise, correct, coherent, and credible ways. (Pre-requisite: ENGL101 or ENGL110)

This course provides an in-depth focus and analysis of the four phases of the budget cycle -- formulation, review, execution and audit. It also explores the purposes of budget, including line-item budgeting, performance budgeting, zero-based budgeting and capital budgeting. Students must have access to Microsoft Word® and Microsoft Excel® software. Microsoft Word® and Microsoft Excel® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

This course provides an overview of concepts, skills, theories and techniques involving human resource management(i.e. recruitment and selection, training and development, performance appraisals, reward systems, and benefit programs). Students will have the opportunity to review scenarios involving innovative HR practices in the workplace.

In today's business environment, executives have challenging and costly corporate decisions to make regarding globalization and organizational expansion. This course focuses on concepts and approaches that shape organizational strategic decision making by examining internal and external factors and influences. Students will have the opportunity to analyze case studies and participate in discussions on how best to select competitive strategies and analyze competitive advantages. Students discover the importance of strategic marketing and leveraging internet, marketing, and e-business capabilities toward a competitive advantage.

Analyzes the formulation and execution of public policy in America. Includes study of decision-making theory, bureaucratic politics and other models that seek to explain how policy is made. Issues explored include social, environmental, economic, homeland security, defense, and foreign policy. Additional issue areas may be covered depending on contemporary significance.

This course is an opportunity for the School of Security and Global Studies student to pursue an independent research project or examine a specific area of Security and Global Studies under the mentorship of a single professor. Participation is at the discretion of the faculty member. This course will require a major research paper of approximately 25-30 pages; there will be no examination. Students will submit a proposal prior to the start of the project, an annotated bibliography, and a final paper at week 8, all of which will count toward the final grade. To be eligible for an independent study, students must be enrolled in a bachelors degree program, must have completed 24 hours at APUS toward their current degree program, and should have already contacted a professor and gained approval for the independent study topic. Once these conditions are met the student should contact their academic advisor. Once the course is open the student must complete an official online registration for the course.