Transborder Program
The purpose of the Certificate in Transborder Public Administration
and Governance is to educate students in how U.S. and Mexico
systems of public administration and governance function in the
border region and what boundary spanning mechanism exists for
transborder cooperation on shared issues. For more information please contact Dr. Stuart Henry.
Transborder Administration and Governance Certificate
Offered by the School of Public Affairs through the College of Extended Studies
Admission Requirements
A bachelor’s degree in any area of the social sciences, humanities or professional studies with a minimum of a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
- Basic level of knowledge in border issues
- Complete interview by a Transborder Governance Program Committee member and be recommended by the committee for admission.
Qualified students will be admitted into the certificate program on a post-baccalaureate classified status.
Foreign Students: Check with the International Student Center for information pertaining to foreign student applications: 619-594-1982 or http://www.sdsu.edu/isc.
Please print and complete application forms. Send electronically or via postal mail by January 1st to:
School of Public Affairs, Transborder Program
Attn: Dr. Stuart Henry
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive,
San Diego, CA 92182–4505
SDSU Requirements
Please send all of the following documents a single package
- Official transcripts of all college courses (sealed and provided by registrar)
- Completed Application Form (DO NOT SUBMIT ELECTRONICALLY. Please print, complete, and include in package.)
- Two letters of recommendation from professors who are familiar with your academic work
- A 500-word statement on the current condition of the U.S.-Mexican border region, and your interest in this program
- A one-page statement outlining your academic and professional experience, last 10 years.
Course Requirements (18 units)
PA 680 Seminar in Transborder Public Administration and
Governance(3). Prerequisite: graduate student standing.
Binational borders and theories and history of international boundaries; roles of public administrators in border regions; history, governance, economy, culture and political structure of U.S. and Mexico.
PA 681 Seminar in Comparative Federalism: Mexico and the
U.S. (3)
PA 682 Seminar in Comparative Fiscal Structures: Mexico
and the U.S. (3). Prerequisite: graduate student standing.
Comparative analysis of governmental structures of Mexico and U.S.; focus on federalism in context of constitutional framework; historical and contemporary expressions of federalism in both countries.
PA 682 Seminar in Comparative Fiscal Structures: Mexico and the U.S. (3). Prerequisite: graduate student standing.
Comparative analysis of fiscal organization and structure in Mexico and U.S.; impact of federalism on fiscal structure; analysis of revenue flows and expenditure patterns; relationships of public finance and budgeting to public policy making.
PA 683 Seminar in Environmental Administration and Management
in the Transborder Region (3). Prerequisite: graduate student standing.
Environmental administration and management as structured in the border region; including U.S./Mexican federal environmental laws, California/Baja California state level environmental laws; environmental issues related to soil, water, air, hazardous waste.
PA 684 Seminar in Transnational Criminal Justice: Mexico
and the U.S. (3) Prerequisite: graduate student standing.
Criminal justice system in Mexico and U.S.; history, structure, and function of both systems, and similarities and differences between them; focus on transnational crime and responses to crime in border region.
PA 685 Practicum in Border Research (3).
Prerequisites: graduate student standing. One lecture and four hours of activity. One lecture and four hours of activity. Guided research in addressing a border issue; development of research and presentation skills
on issues of binational significance; critical policy analysis; identification of informational sources on both sides of border; presentation to professional audience.
Additional related courses not required for the certificate:
P A 580. Comparative Public Administration (3)
Prerequisite: Public Administration 301. Administrative organization and process of selected foreign and American governments. Analysis of the cultural basis of administrative systems.
PA 686 Seminar in Data Sources and Policy Analysis on the
U.S./Mexico Border (3) Prerequisite: Public Administration 682. Data resources and methodologies for conducting research and policy analysis related to local and regional governance of U.S./Mexico border area.
PA 687 Seminar in Comparative Urban Planning: Mexico and U.S. (3) Prerequisite: Public Administration 686. Comparative analysis of urban planning and design in Mexico and the U.S. with focus on historical, constitutional, cultural, and political aspects of planning in both countries.
PA 688 Seminar in Organization Theory: Comparative Application (3) Prerequisite: Public Administration 682.
Traditional and contemporary theories of public organizations, including organizations that foster transborder relationships; analysis of organizations through cross-cultural lens of organization theory; application of theories to improve organizational strength across borders.
PA 689 Seminar in Special Topics of the Border Region (3)
Prerequisite: Public Administration 682. Issues concerning border region (Mexico and U.S.). Topics include community revitalization, societal health, and immigration. Course addresses comparative relationships and conflicts inherent in border politics.
No other courses may be substituted for courses in the certificate program.
Students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in all certificate courses and with no less than a “C” in any course. Only three units of coursework with a grade of “C” will count toward the certificate.
Additional fees are associated with this program when taking courses through the College of Extended Studies.
Walshok Scholarships are available on a competative basis.