Office:  ELA 238
Email:  kg03@txstate.edu
Phone:  512.245.3276

Curriculum Vitae

B.A., M.A., University of North Texas
Ph.D., University of Nebraska at Lincoln

Professor of Political Science

Dr. Kay Hofer is a Professor in the Political Science Department. She received her B.A. in English and her M.A. in Political Science from North Texas State University. She earned her Ph.D. in Political Science from The University of Nebraska-Lincoln as well as her Public Manager Certification in 1981. Before coming to Texas State in 1987, Dr. Hofer taught at Pan American, Oklahoma State as well as the University of South Dakota where she served as Coordinator of the MPA program. She put that experience to work for the Texas State MPA program from 1987-1991 and since has taught numerous Junior level and Graduate Courses. Her service to the University has also included serving as a member to various committees including the SWT Retirement Committee from 1993-1996 as well as the SWT Honors Program Committee from 1989 to 1996. From 1971 to 1981, she served as a Health and Welfare Senior Policy Analyst for the South Dakota Health Planning and Development Agency. Since 2004, Dr. Hofer has been the Faculty Advisor to Delta Tau Delta. She also has extensive membership in various community organizations such as the American Cancer Society and the League of Women Voters with whom she has been a member of since 1993 among many other organizations and activities. Her areas of interest include Health Care Policy, Public Finance Management, Taxes, and Regulatory Policy.

COURSES TAUGHT

POSI 2320 (GOVT 2302) Functions of American Government
A study of functions performed in the American system of government, both national and state, with special reference to Texas.

POSI 3316 Introduction to Public Administration
The organization and management of the machinery for executing public policies, with particular emphasis upon the Federal bureaucracy.

POSI 3328 Public Finance Administration
Focuses on planning, organization, and implementation of budgeting including fund accounting, auditing, and debt management in the public sector.

POSI 4322 Public Policy Formulation
Intensive analysis of theories and processes of both policy formation and policy enforcement in the American administrative system, emphasizing the regulatory function.

POSI 4361 Administrative Law
Course stresses the legal principles and practical doctrines involved in the work of administrative tribunals vested with quasi-legislative or quasi-judicial powers or both. Primary focus on development, practice, and procedures of federal administrative agencies.

POSI 4399 Senior Seminar in Political Science
Seminar devoted to intensive reading, research, writing, and discussion focusing on different sub-fields in the discipline taught by appropriate faculty. Students in consultation with faculty in their area of interest should select a particular sub-field seminar in accordance with their needs and professional objectives.

POSI 5311 Public Finance Administration
Study of the formation, management, and administration of fiscal policy at the levels of government in the United States, particularly budgeting as the ultimate expression of public policy.

POSI 5321 Introduction to Public Policy & Administration
An introduction to the policy and administration institutional environment with special emphasis on intergovernmental relations in the federal system.

POSI 5340 Problems in American Public Policy
Problems arising in the area of political decision-making, executive-legislative relationships, functions of government, and regulatory activities of the government.

POSI 5341 Seminar in the Policy Process
Critical examination of the policy process with emphasis on analytical applications in the administrative and management environment.

POSI 5397 Applied Research Project
Problem-oriented applied research project for Master of Public Administration degree.