Pedagogical approaches to comparative public administration and policy: A study of NASPAA programs with a specialization in global/comparative administration

ABSTRACT

This paper describes the pedagogical efforts of 67 NASPAA programs offering a specialization in global/comparative administration and policy. A web content analysis of course and concentration titles, course descriptions and syllabi of 67 programs with this specialization showed that across all programs, 52 unique concentrations were offered, and graduate students had access to 279 courses as core and elective offerings. This paper explores the specific pedagogical efforts undertaken to introduce comparative administration and policy concepts to graduate students. Implications of this study for graduate education in public affairs are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Comparative administration
• comparative policy
• global public affairs
• pedagogy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Aroon P. Manoharan

Aroon P. Manoharan is an associate professor in the Institute for Public Service, Sawyer Business School at Suffolk University, Boston. His research interests include e-government, performance management, strategic planning, public communication, state capacity, and comparative PA. He is also the Executive Director of the National Center for Public Performance (NCPP), Boston. His publications include E-Government and Information Technology Management: Concepts and Best Practices, and E-Government and Websites: A Public Solutions Handbook. He is the chair-elect of the ASPA Section on International and Comparative Administration (SICA). He received his Ph.D. from the School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA), Rutgers University-Newark, and MPA from Kansas State University.

Briana Gilmore

Briana Gilmore is a 2021 graduate of the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program at Texas State University-San Marcos. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications-Public Relations from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2009. She has more than 10 years of professional experience in communications, marketing, and public relations, primarily with organizations in the not-for-profit sector. Her interest and experience are in the use of various communication tools in the public sector.

Nandhini Rangarajan

Nandhini Rangarajan is associate professor of political science at Texas State University. Her research interests are in creativity and innovation, public management, human resources and public affairs education. Her articles have appeared in prominent journals such as the Review of Public Personnel Administration, Public Productivity and Management Review and the Journal of Public Affairs Education. Her co-authored book, A Playbook for Research Methods: Integrating Conceptual Frameworks and Project Management, provides useful tools for graduate students to manage the research process. She earned a Ph.D. in public administration from the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, University at Albany.