Core Competencies in Master of Public Administration Programs: Perspectives from Local Government Managers

Abstract

The Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) recommends that Master of Public Administration (MPA) programs adopt five core competencies as part of the accreditation process. Implementation of a competency-based curriculum may help ensure student learning and career preparedness for public service. This exploratory study examines local government managers’ perception of NASPAA’s competencies in regard to management practices. Survey results suggest that MPA programs need to emphasize leadership development skills along with a more thorough integration of policy and administration into curricula. Moreover, findings indicate that MPA programs should specifically emphasize application of NASPAA’s core competencies in terms of applying critical thinking and analytical skills to the decision-making process.

Keywords:

• NASPAA core competencies
• competency-based curriculum
• public managers
• MPA

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Brittany Haupt

Brittany “Brie” Haupt is a doctoral student and graduate research associate at the University of Central Florida. Her research interests include competency-based education, cultural competency, emergency management communication, and community resilience. She has published articles in Public Administration Review, Journal of Emergency Management, and Disaster Prevention and Management. She has also presented her research at meetings of the American Society for Public Administration and the Association for Public Policy and Management, among others.

Naim Kapucu

Naim Kapucu is professor of public policy and administration and director of the School of Public Administration at the University of Central Florida. His research interests are collaborative governance, emergency and crisis management, decision making in complex environments, social inquiry and public policy, and scholarship of teaching and learning. He teaches network governance, collaborative public management, emergency and crisis management, methodology, and leadership courses.

Qian Hu

Qian Hu is assistant professor in the School of Public Administration at the University of Central Florida. Her research interests include collaborative governance, organizational network studies, policy informatics, and scholarship of teaching and learning. She teaches public organization management, research methods, statistics, and strategic planning and management courses.