P561 Syllabus Fall 26.docx

Finance and Budgeting in Public Health

SPH-P 561 Section 5933

Class Sessions: Asynchronous

Method of Instruction: Online

Course Semester: Begin 8/24/25-12/18/25

 

 

INSTRUCTOR:         Jeanie Alter, PhD

                                    Adjunct Instructor

Department of Applied Health Science, School of Public Health-Bloomington

 

HOW TO CONTACT: Canvas e-mail is the preferred means of contact. I will do my best to respond quickly. Please do not assume your messages have been received unless/until I reply to you. Allow up to 24 hours for replies Sunday-Thursday; 36-48 hours on Friday-Saturday. In case of emergency only email me at rjalter@iu.edu.

 

OFFICE HOURS: Virtual by appointment.

 

METHOD OF INSTRUCTION: Online asynchronous

 

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS:

You will need the following to participate in this course:

• Computer with speakers/headphones;
• Reliable internet connection; and
• Open Canvas in a Google Chrome browser.

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  Trends in finance, budgetary procedures, management of funds, cost analysis, purchasing and property control, leases and contractual agreements and other management concerns.

SPH Bulletin 2026-2027

 

COURSE GOALS:

SPH-P561 course will enable students to gain an understanding of practical financial tools that can be applied in public health organizational work settings. Operational outcomes include, but are not limited to:

• Development and construction of budgets
• Financial statement analysis
• Grants and contracts
• Private fundraising
• Procurement
• Alternative funding sources
• Not-for-Profit budget management
• Obtaining external funding
• Leveraging funds through internal and external partnerships
• Cost-benefit analysis

 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

By the end of the course, the students will:

1. Identify the purpose of the course, course expectations, and requirements;
2. Develop strategies for determining finance and budgeting priorities for public health programs;
3. Develop a complete and accurate program budget related to a specified public health topic;
4. Describe the legislative, social, economic, and other factors that influence public health financing;
5. Obtain a real-world perspective of course material from subject matter experts;
6. Summarize the reasons why a course in finance and budgeting is important for students to study and learn;
7. Explain how this course can contribute to students’ own growth and development.

 

TEACHING AND LEARNING METHODS: This class will utilize readings, conversations, reflections, budgeting project, quizzes, and other materials to convey content associated with the course objectives.

 

ZOOM AND TEAMS ETIQUETTE:

Though this is an asynchronous course, there may be times when you would like to meet via Zoom/Teams and when you do, please remember:

·        Mute your microphone when you aren’t speaking.

·        Be mindful of background noise and distractions around you, as much as possible.

• All comments and discussions should be respectful of the instructor and fellow students; disagreements are fine, but personal attacks are not.

REQUIRED READINGS: Finkler, S., Smith, D., & Calabrese, T. (2020). Financial management for public, health, and not-for-profit organizations. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publication, 6th Ed. (PDF will be posted in Canvas)

 

RECOMMENDED TEXTS:  Articles and other supplemental materials will be available through Canvas.

 

LEARNING ASSESSMENTS, VALUES, AND SUBMISSION POLICIES

 

VALUE OF ASSIGNMENTS: All assignments will be evaluated based on 400 points.  Rubrics will be posted on Canvas for all assignments using the following grading scale:

 

GRADING SCALE:

 

Table 1: Grading Scale

Letter Grade	Percentage or Points
A+	97-100
A	93-96
A-	90-92
B+	87-89
B	83-86
B-	80-82
C+	77-79
C	73-76
C-	70-72
D+	67-69
D	63-66
D-	60-62
F	<60%

 

 

ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSION POLICIES:  Assignments are due by the due dates posted in Canvas. If you require more time, you must contact the instructor via Canvas inbox at least 24 hours prior to the due date/time. Multiple attempts are not allowed for assignments.

 

GRADE INQUIRIES: All grades will be posted on Canvas and kept up-to date during the semester. It is students’ responsibility to review grades on a weekly basis for accuracy. Concerns about scores earned on assignments, exams, and other course requirements must be brought to the instructors’ attention within one week of the grade being posted on Canvas, and a request to speak with the instructors about any grade concern must also be made within the one week time of the grade being posted on Canvas. Once this one week time limit has passed, the grade will remain as posted on Canvas. The grading scale will not be curved.

 

COURSE ASSIGNMENTS

 

The course will be set up on Canvas in five modules that align with the course text. You will move through the material at your own pace (asynchronously), but assignments, projects, and quizzes must be submitted by posted due dates. More information about the following assignments, including detailed instructions, will be provided as their due dates approach. Please consult our Canvas website.

 

Quizzes (meets course objectives #1-7)

Quizzes (5 @ 20 points each = 100 points)

 

Quizzes will help you digest the material you are learning and develop an understanding of the concepts, principles, and vocabulary around finance and budgeting. You will need to take each quiz by 11:59p on the assigned day in Canvas. The focus in this course is on applying information, not memorization, so the quizzes will be open book. Feel free to use your textbook, your notes, and any materials from the course; however, I expect you to follow proper academic conduct when taking the quiz:

• Make sure you are taking the quiz alone.
• Do not discuss the quiz with classmates.

 

Reflections (meets course objective #5)

Real-World Conversation Reflections (5 @ 30 points each = 150 points)

 

Throughout the course, there will be several recorded conversations with a public health professional on various aspects of finance and budgeting in public health. You will be required to reflect on and respond to five (5) Canvas discussions. These reflections will offer opportunities for real-world examples and applications of concepts presented in the course learning material. A rubric will be provided to help guide your responses.

 

Course Project (meets course objectives #2-3)

Budget Construction Project (150 points)

 

The main assignment for this course is to construct a zero-based budget (building a budget from scratch) and budget narrative around a topic of interest to you. You will select a public health problem/intervention topic of your choice. The intervention can focus on any health, wellness, or social issue as long as there is a rationale for its public health significance, which you will detail in your statement of need. It can address any priority group as long as there is a rationale for why this group is a priority. The program/intervention can be for the design of a new intervention, for the adaptation of an existing intervention to a new or different community, or for the design of part of a large, complex, multi-component intervention. The ultimate objective is for you to develop a budget geared towards addressing the issue you have identified and justifying how you are choosing to spend the funding. You must budget for $1M. Detailed assignment instructions will be provided via Canvas.

 

PARTICIPATION: No points will be provided for class participation as this is an asynchronous course.

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY: NA

 

COURSE SCHEDULE: Table 2: Course Schedule

Date	Module, Topic, and Learning Objectives	Readings (See Canvas for additional Instructional Materials, e.g. videos, websites, etc.)	Assignments and Due Dates
Module 1	Introduction Objective 1	READ Chapter 1 of the text WATCH Conversation	Conversation Reflection #1  Quiz #1  9/7/25
MODULE 2	Planning Objective 2, 4, 5	READ Chapters 2-6 of the text WATCH Conversation	Conversation Reflection #2  Quiz #2  10/5/25
MODULE 3	Financial Management Objective 5	READ  Chapters 7-8 of the text WATCH Conversation	Conversation Reflection #3 Quiz #3  10/26/25
MODULE 4	Basics of Accounting Objective 5	READ Chapters 9-13 of the text WATCH Conversation	Conversation Reflection #4 Quiz #4  11/19/25
MODULE 5	Analyzing Financial Position Objective 3, 5, 6, 7	READ Chapters 14-15 of the text WATCH Conversation	Conversation Reflection #5 Quiz #5  Final project 12/14/25

*IMPORTANT: Due dates vary on each assignment, read carefully. Recommend double checking with the live course as instructor may update during the course.*

 

COURSE POLICIES AND RESOURCES: SUPPORTING STUDENT’S PERSONAL NEEDS

 

Student Mental Health Resources. For a quick reference, see IU’s Care Card, and a list of resources, including the newly created TimelyCare service that gives students 24/7 virtual access to mental health care professionals. Mental health services are offered by CAPS and other support services available to students, including the Student Care and Resource Center for information on where to find support services.

 

Basic Needs Policy: Your safety and well-being are more important than anything else going on in class. Please feel free to reach out to me if you need to talk. If you, or any of your peers, are facing challenges securing their food or housing or personal safety is urged to contact the Office of Student Life for support. Let me know if you have reached out to resources available to students on our campus and in our county and community so I can continue to provide resources to other students.

 

Health and Safety. IUB follows recommended public health guidance in response to the health and safety for all members of our IU community. We expect every member of the IU community will adhere to all current policies and practices. For current information about infections and communicable disease prevention, visit IUB’s office for Public and Environmental Health.

 

Students Needing Additional Financial or Other Assistance. The Student Advocates Office (SAO) can help students work through personal and academic problems as well as financial difficulties and concerns. SAO also assists students working through grade appeals and withdrawals from all classes. SAO also has emergency funds for IU students experiencing emergency financial crisis.

 

Medical Excuse Policy: As of August 1, 2019, the Indiana University Health Center (IUHC) will no longer provide excuses for students who miss classes, assignments, or tests secondary to short term illness, injury, or mental health problems. This revised policy is consistent with the policies of our peer institutions and was strongly supported by the Bloomington Faculty Council. The IUHC is willing to work with students who have ongoing or serious illness, injury, or disability to provide care and documentation, as necessary. Accessible Educational Services also specializes in assisting students with various disabilities to achieve their academic goals. For more information on the new IUHC policy, see Health Center Excuse Policy.

 

Pregnancy and Related Conditions:

IU is dedicated to supporting students who are pregnant or have experienced other conditions related to pregnancy (termination of pregnancy, miscarriage, lactation, or related medical conditions). To register for accommodations due to pregnancy or a related medical condition, please contact your campus Accessible Educational Services (AES) office: AES contact for IU Bloomington students. To learn about the rights and resources available to students, such as academic accommodations, please visit pregnancy.iu.edu or email oie@iu.edu for more information.

 

Religious Observances: In accordance with the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs guidelines, if you wish to receive an excused absence or required additional time to complete an assignment related to a religious observance, the “Request for Accommodation for Religious Observances” form must be submitted by you to me no later than two weeks prior to the anticipated absence-even if the exact date of the observance is unclear at the time. The accommodation form must be submitted for each absence and each assignment for each course.

 

Students Requiring Academic Accommodations: Every attempt will be made to accommodate qualified students with disabilities (e.g., mental health, learning, chronic health, physical, hearing, vision neurological). You must have established your eligibility for support services through the appropriate office that services students with disabilities. Note that services are confidential, may take time to put into place, and are not retroactive; captions and alternate media for print materials may take three or more weeks to be produced. Please contact Accessible Learning Services, iubaes@iu.edu or call 812-855-7578 as soon as possible if an accommodation is needed. The office is in Eigenmann Hall, Room 001. Walk-ins are welcome 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday. You can also locate a variety of campus ADA resources for students and visitors that need assistance.

 

Bias Incident Reporting: Bias-based incident reports can be made by students, faculty, and staff. Any act of discrimination or harassment based on race, ethnicity, religious affiliation, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability can be reported through any of the options: 1) fill out an online report; 2) call the Dean of Students Office at (812) 855-8187.

 

Sexual Harassment: As your instructor, one of my responsibilities is to create a positive learning environment for all students. Title IX and IU’s Sexual Misconduct Policy prohibit sexual misconduct in any form, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking, and dating and domestic violence. If you have experienced sexual misconduct, or know someone who has, the University can help. Visit Stop Sexual Violence to learn more.

 

If you are seeking help and would like to speak to someone confidentially, you can make an appointment with:

• The Sexual Assault Crisis Services (SACS) at (812) 855-8900 (counseling services)
• Confidential Victim Advocates (CVA) at (812) 856-2469 (advocacy and advice services)
• IU Health Center at (812) 855-4011 (health and medical services)
• Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

 

Sexual Misconduct & Title IX: IU policy prohibits sexual misconduct in any form, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking, sexual exploitation, and dating and domestic violence. If you have experienced sexual misconduct, or know someone who has, the University can help. If you are seeking help and would like to speak to someone confidentially, you can make an appointment with the IU Sexual Assault Crisis Services at (812) 855-5711 or contact a Confidential Victim Advocate at (812) 856-2469 or cva@indiana.edu

 

It is also important that you know that Title IX and University policy require me to share any information brought to my attention about potential sexual misconduct, with the campus Deputy Title IX Coordinator or IU’s Title IX Coordinator. In that event, those individuals will work to ensure that appropriate measures are taken, and resources are made available. Protecting your privacy is of utmost concern, and information will only be shared with those that need to know to ensure the University can respond and assist. Protecting a student’s privacy is of utmost concern, and all involved will only share information with those that need to know to ensure the University can respond and assist. I encourage you to visit Stop Sexual Violence to learn more. Additional information can be found at Resources for Employees.

 

Sexual Harassment in Learning Contexts: It is a violation of the Code of Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct if instructors engage in amorous or sexual relations with students for whom they have professional responsibility, either in an instructional context (a student enrolled in their class) or a non-instructional context (any decisions that may reward or penalize a student with whom he or she or they has or has had an amorous or sexual relationship, especially when the instructor and student are in the same academic unit or in allied units).

 

Student Advocates Office. If you are experiencing an issue that is affecting your ability to succeed at Indiana University Bloomington, please contact the Student Advocates Office. The SAO can assist with issues such as responding to a conduct charge, understanding IU’s academic policies and procedures, finding resources, preparing grade appeals and financial appeals, as well as withdrawing from all courses.

 

Support for Student Mental and Physical Health

·       Student Care and Resource Center, IMU L010, Phone: 812-856-CARE (2273); Email: dsacare@indiana.edu

• The Sexual Assault Crisis Services (SACS) at (812) 855-8900 (counseling services)
• Confidential Victim Advocates (CVA) at (812) 856-2469 (advocacy and advice services)
• IU Health Center at (812) 855-4011 (health and medical services)
• Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
• Absences and Missed Exams/Assignments

 

COURSE SPECIFIC POLICIES: SUPPORTING STUDENT’S ACADEMIC SUCCESS

 

Academic Calendar. Classes begin on Monday, August 25th, and end on Friday, December 19th. Classes do not meet on Labor Day, Fall Break, and the Thanksgiving Break (Monday to Friday). See the Fall 2025 Academic Calendar

 

Digital Access and Equity. I understand and acknowledge that not all students have the same access to experience technology-related access problems that interfere with their work in the course. Here are technology-related resources provided by the university for all students, such as:

• Free on-campus wireless internet (Wi-Fi) access through the “eduroam” network.
• Free software for download and for cloud-based use.
• Free 24/7 IU tech support (e.g., email, Canvas, Wi-Fi, printing, device setup, etc.).
• Free in-person tech support in the Wells Library.

 

Library Research Help: IU Libraries offers one-on-one consultations with students who need assistance with library research.

 

Grade Concerns:  Concerns about scores earned on assignments, exams, and other course requirements must be brought to the instructors’ attention within one week of the grade being posted on Canvas, and a request to speak with the instructors about any grade concern must also be made within the one week time of the grade being posted on Canvas. Once this one week time limit has passed, the grade will remain as posted on Canvas. The grading scale will not be curved.

 

Late Assignments: All assignments are due on the due date. Additional time will only be provided if requested prior to the due date and negotiated in advance. Otherwise, 5 points per day may be deducted.

 

Attendance Policy:

See Absences and Missed Exams/Assignments for support related to attendance.

 

Should there be extenuating circumstances that prevent students from completing this course as designed, inform the me so I can work with you on developing a plan towards successful completion of the course. If you are unable to engage in the material and submit assignments for medical or personal reasons, it may be best to consider withdrawing from all courses until you are able to return and focus on your academic goals. This is an important conversation to have with as you are experiencing challenges and not delay. Students with significant attendance challenges need to contact the Student Advocates Office and the Student Care and Resource Center; the latter can provide attendance memos in the event of hospitalization or the death of an immediate family member.

 

Canvas: All course matters and communication will be handled through Canvas. It is your responsibility to check Canvas consistently for course announcements, course materials, and grades. Make sure to adjust Canvas settings to ensure updates are received in a timely manner (recommend daily updates setting). You can use the “Inbox” function in Canvas to contact me through Canvas or send an email to RJALTER@IU.EDU.

 

Course Evaluation: It is the policy of the School of Public Health-Bloomington to evaluate all courses taught throughout the school. Final student course evaluations will be conducted in a manner that maintains the integrity of the process and the anonymity of the evaluators. This evaluation is not part of your graded assessments for the course.

 

Academic Integrity: Based on my experiences, academic misconduct most often occurs because students are unaware of how to properly cite sources, or because students become overwhelmed and desperate. If you are concerned about how you are doing in this course, please come speak with me instead of considering academic misconduct. You are very capable of meeting my expectations for this course. Academic integrity is taken very seriously.  Academic misconduct will not be tolerated, and all incidences of academic misconduct will be reported to the Dean of Students and Office of Student Conduct, and depending on the severity of the misconduct, students can expect sanctions that may include a failing grade on the assignment, a failing grade in this course, a suspension and/or expulsion from the university. The full code of conduct can be found in the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct.  Academic integrity also relates to mutual respect for me and your fellow peers.

 

The University has outlined a clear set of student responsibilities for academic integrity in the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct. Know that the obligation to act with integrity is fundamental to a university education, and that there are serious consequences for academic misconduct. See Uphold and Maintain Academic and Professional Honesty and Integrity Information for specific types of academic misconduct and the consequences of academic misconduct.

 

Information on Plagiarism:  Plagiarism is defined as presenting someone else’s work, including the work of other students, as one’s own. Any ideas or materials taken from another source for either written or oral use must be fully acknowledged unless the information is common knowledge. It is expected that all work, assignments, and documents submitted for this course will be developed by the students.

The following policies are in place for this course, and if these policies are violated, I will submit an Academic Misconduct report to the Office of Student Conduct (see Academic Integrity above).

• You must acknowledge, in all course assignments, when you adopt or reproduce ideas, opinions, theories, formulas, graphics, or pictures of another person. This includes
• Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools, such as ChatGPT.

 

Course Civility Statement: Regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, and/or ability, you will be treated and respected while in this course. Hatred and disparaging remarks will not be tolerated by anyone in this class. Making such remarks, either in class or to a class member outside of class, will result in removal from the course and disciplinary action. Please refer to Indiana University-Bloomington IU Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct for details regarding expected behaviors in the classroom and disciplinary sanctions for violation of the student code of conduct.  Please see the Office of Student Conduct for additional information about the policies and procedures related to violation of civility on our campus and in the classroom.

 

FERPA: The University is subject to a federal law called the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (also called 'FERPA" or the "Buckley Amendment"). FERPA sets privacy standards for student educational records and requires institutions to publish a compliance statement, including a statement of related institutional policies. Please see Policy and Procedures on the Disclosure of Student Education Records In essence, it states that “records can be released--or access given--to third parties (i.e., anyone not a school official) only at the written request of the student.”

 

Incomplete Grades: The grade of Incomplete used on the final grade reports indicates that the work is satisfactory as of the end of the semester but has not been completed. The grade of Incomplete may be given only when the completed portion of your work in the course is of passing quality. This policy allows me to assign the grade of Incomplete upon a showing of such hardship as would render it unjust to hold you to the time limits previously fixed for the completion of your course assignments.

 

English Skills: If English is not your native language and you may not understanding the lectures or if you anticipate problems with the writing standards in this course, please see me early in the semester and/or seek assistance from the Writing Tutorial Services (WTS). All written assignments in this course will be evaluated for content, following directions, proper use of English language and grammar, spelling, and organization.

 

Academic Freedom: “Academic freedom is central to the mission of the university. Knowledge cannot be advanced unless faculty and librarians have freedom to study and communicate ideas and facts, including those that are inconvenient to political groups or authorities, without fear of retaliation.” (From IU Academic Freedom Policy). Academic Freedom: By providing a forum for lectures, guest speakers, and/or media to present controversial viewpoints, I am supporting academic freedom, not advocating a particular point of view.

 

Preserving an Environment of Free Speech: As an institution of higher education, IU encourages the free and civil exchange of ideas and academic freedom. While the topics can sometimes be controversial and uncomfortable, IU's student-centered campuses embrace an environment where all voices are heard and valued. In addition, civility and respect are expected between and among members of the campus community so that all community members thrive and develop intellectually and ethically. Learn more about free speech at IUB by scrolling down to the bottom of this page.

 

Online Course Questionnaire (OCQ). The OCQ will be administered in this course. It consists of eleven campus-wide questions that students answer for each class. Responses to these questions are shared with instructors, department chairs, deans, vice provost for undergraduate education (VPUE), and the vice provost for faculty and academic affairs (VPFAA). I encourage you to complete the survey. For more information about the IU Policy: OCQ. 

 

Final Note: The information contained in this syllabus and the following course schedule provides a general plan for the course. These documents are subject to change with reasonable advance notice. You are responsible for following any changes announced in class or through Canvas.