In a memorandum to the University of Southern California's Washington Public Affairs Center, its founding director reflects on the experience of establishing the doctoral program in public administration and the assumptions, practices, and resource issues associated with it, including essential elements such as careful selection of students and…

A survey of alumni of two disparate Master's in Public Administration (MPA) programs, at Evergreen State College (Washington) (n=114) and University of Akron (Ohio) (n=91), found more similarities than expected in program experiences, perceptions of what is important in their careers, and how an MPA program can contribute to careers. Implications…

The role of the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) in promoting professionalism in public administration is explored, and potential problems associated with that role are discussed. The recent movement toward accreditation in public administration education based on a Total Quality Management mission is…

The shift to mission-based assessment for accreditation of public administration education programs is discussed from two perspectives: that of the chair of the Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation (COPRA), and that of a faculty member with experience in preparing for, undergoing, and responding to COPRA concerns during an accreditation…

Two models for public administration field experience programs are outlined, both designed to connect management theory to practice through observation and peer interaction. In the first, student teams observe and report daily operations of an organization; in the second, teams observe, report, and also serve as organizational consultants. Both…

An approach to designing a competency-based master's program in public administration that integrates political science, management, and value-based approaches into a holistic package is described. Pedagogically the approach seeks to balance conceptual knowledge with skill acquisition for specific situations, providing a curriculum more relevant…

The role of the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) in defining the field and the curriculum content for graduate study is examined on the occasion of its 25th anniversary. Stressed is the organization's potential future role as the field confronts changing political, social, economic, and technological…

Effective communication among stakeholders in public administration internship programs (students, academic institutions, faculty supervisors, host institution supervisors, employers, professional and accrediting associations) increases the likelihood that all will emerge from the experience as winners. The core of this communication is the…

Experience with student teams working on policy analysis projects indicates the need for faculty supervision of teams in the process of addressing complex issues. The problem-solving approach adopted in one policy analysis course is described, including assignments and tasks, issues and sponsors, team dynamics, conflict management, and the…

Argues that the Doctorate in Public Administration (DPA) as a degree distinct from the Ph.D. no longer serves a unique or necessary purpose and should not be the focus of attention in developing the field's future, and that developments within and beyond public administration offer significant opportunities for developing doctoral education…