UCSB PGDCSM (Civil Service Management) study plan

Map the statutory and constitutional foundations of the U.S. civil service system, including merit system principles, prohibited personnel practices, and the roles of OPM, MSPB, and the FLRA.

Compare at least three civil service classification and compensation frameworks (e.g., General Schedule, pay banding, broad-banded systems) and explain when each is appropriate.

Diagram the employee lifecycle-recruitment, selection, onboarding, development, retention, separation-and identify one governance control at each stage.

Draft a one-page glossary of 20 core civil service and HR terms with precise definitions.

Analyze a real public-sector workforce plan (or a provided case) and identify gaps in recruitment, succession, and competency modeling.

Explain how collective bargaining, grievance procedures, and adverse action processes interact with merit system principles.

Evaluate two approaches to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in public hiring and identify legal constraints.

Write a 500-word policy memo recommending one HR reform to a department head, citing at least three authoritative sources.

Define data governance roles (data owner, steward, custodian) and map them to a public agency organizational chart.

Compare data quality dimensions-accuracy, completeness, timeliness, consistency, validity, uniqueness-and design a simple data quality scorecard.

Explain the major U.S. federal data laws and policies (e.g., Privacy Act, FISMA, Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act, Open, Public, Electronic, and Necessary Government Data Act) and their operational implications.

Identify three ethical and privacy risks in interagency data sharing and propose mitigation controls.

Formulate three answerable policy questions and select appropriate analytic methods (descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, prescriptive) for each.

Build a small dataset (at least 50 rows) and calculate measures of central tendency, dispersion, and a simple correlation, documenting assumptions.

Interpret a regression output or program evaluation result and write a plain-language summary distinguishing correlation from causation.

Design a data visualization that avoids common misleads (truncated axes, dual axes, cherry-picked periods) and justify design choices.

Explain the federal budget cycle-formulation, congressional action, execution, audit-and identify the key actors and deadlines at each phase.

Distinguish appropriation, obligation, and expenditure, and describe the purpose, time, and amount rules that govern each.

Analyze a public budget document and identify at least three fiscal risks or unfunded liabilities.

Apply an ethics decision framework to a conflict-of-interest scenario and document the reasoning and disclosure obligations.

Map transparency mechanisms-FOIA, open data portals, inspector general reporting, whistleblower protections-to accountability outcomes.

Evaluate a digital service journey for accessibility (WCAG 2.1 AA), plain language, and mobile usability, and log at least five defects.

Compare three digital identity or authentication approaches for public services and assess privacy and equity trade-offs.

Draft a citizen-facing notice explaining a data practice in plain language at or below a 9th-grade reading level.

Translate a program goal into a logic model with inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes, and external factors.

Select at least four performance indicators that meet SMART criteria and specify data sources, baselines, and targets.

Design a program evaluation (process, outcome, or impact) and address threats to validity and comparison-group selection.

Explain how performance information feeds budget decisions and identify risks of target gaming.

Synthesize all domains into a single integrated case study linking governance, HR, data, analytics, budget, ethics, digital delivery, and evaluation.

Complete two timed practice sets weighted by domain percentage and review every missed item with a written rationale.

Create a one-page recall sheet of formulas, legal citations, and frameworks for final review.

Self-assess readiness by domain and schedule targeted review for any domain scoring below 70 percent.