Competency-based Curriculum Mapping as a Tool for Continuous Improvement for Master of Public Administration (MPA) Programs

ABSTRACT

Curriculum mapping (CM) is an assessment tool used to articulate and revise an academic curriculum. Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) accredited graduate programs in public policy, public affairs, and public administration are required to demonstrate a competency-based curriculum development and assessment methods. This article provides the rationale and approach used to generate a competency-based Master of Public Administration (MPA) curriculum and describes a systematic approach to incorporating program learning objectives, stakeholder engagement, competency development or revisions by faculty, into competency-based CM. The competency-based curriculum is relatively new for MPA programs. While there are many potential benefits and challenges, this article focuses on the utility of flexible mission-oriented curriculum design and its ability to link competencies to assessment strategies for MPA programs.

KEYWORDS:

• Competencies
• competency-based curriculum mapping
• MPA
• professional education
• program assessment

Acknowledgments

I thank the faculty, alumni, advisory board members, and staff at the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning (FCTL), MPA students for their participation and feedback for the curriculum mapping. I especially thank my assistant, Brittany Haupt, for her assistance for the paper.

Notes

¹ For additional information please visit NASPAA accrediting webpage at http://www.naspaa.org/accreditation/NS/about.asp.

² The curriculum map includes only core courses and mastery level for at least one universal competency. This can be revised and add for other learning objectives. Adding elective courses to the curriculum map can also be considered in the future with matching specific learning outcomes.

³ University of Central Florida (UCF) uses Institutional Effectiveness (IE) measure for its academic programs for Organizational Excellence and Assessment Support (OEAS) for variety of reasons and purposes. More information about IE at UCF can be found at https://oeas.ucf.edu/index.html