TY - JOUR
T1 - The Capacity and Constraints of Small MPA Programs
T2 - A Survey of Program Directors
AU - Hatcher, William Scott
AU - Meares, Wesley
AU - Gordon, Victoria
PY - 2017/9/1
Y1 - 2017/9/1
N2 - Small Master of Public Administration (MPA) programs are commonly defined as having enrollments below 100 students. Given their size, these programs face unique administrative challenges, such as heavy faculty teaching loads, resource constraints, and marketing beyond their region. However, the graduates of small programs serve many of the nation’s communities by building the capacity of local public administration. To explore the capacity and constraints facing small MPA programs, we administered a survey to the directors of these programs. We find that many small programs have faculty with manageable teaching loads and adequate funds for travel. However, small programs still face challenges. Directors of small MPA programs receive little formal training, work under recruitment pressures, and have difficulties maintaining active advisory boards. Directors also report needing more administrative support and budget autonomy to do their jobs effectively and maintain accreditation with the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration.
AB - Small Master of Public Administration (MPA) programs are commonly defined as having enrollments below 100 students. Given their size, these programs face unique administrative challenges, such as heavy faculty teaching loads, resource constraints, and marketing beyond their region. However, the graduates of small programs serve many of the nation’s communities by building the capacity of local public administration. To explore the capacity and constraints facing small MPA programs, we administered a survey to the directors of these programs. We find that many small programs have faculty with manageable teaching loads and adequate funds for travel. However, small programs still face challenges. Directors of small MPA programs receive little formal training, work under recruitment pressures, and have difficulties maintaining active advisory boards. Directors also report needing more administrative support and budget autonomy to do their jobs effectively and maintain accreditation with the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration.
KW - MPA program directors
KW - Small MPA programs
KW - public administration employees
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85061309649&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85061309649&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/15236803.2017.12002292
DO - 10.1080/15236803.2017.12002292
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85061309649
SN - 1523-6803
VL - 23
SP - 855
EP - 868
JO - Journal of Public Affairs Education
JF - Journal of Public Affairs Education
IS - 3
ER -