Upon graduation, students within the Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree programs at Marxe are expected to obtain knowledge and demonstrate skills associated with the following Program Learning Goals approved by the faculty under the five Universal Competencies established by the accrediting body NASPAA.
NASPAA Competencies and Master of Public Affairs (MPA) Program Learning Goals:
*Competencies were revised by NASPAA FA19; revisions are reflected.
Competency #1: To lead and manage in the public interest.
Learning Goal A: Use management and leadership theories to analyze the design, operation, and governance of public and nonprofit organizations.
Learning Goal B: Develop recommendations, based on multiple analytical frames, to improve the management of public and nonprofit organizations and achieve the organizational mission.
Competency #2: To participate in, and contribute to, the policy process.
Learning Goal A: Distinguish and effectively employ the steps in the policy process: problem/goal identification; stakeholder identification and analysis; financing; approval; implementation and evaluation.
Learning Goal B: Identify alternative policy options; assess their potential feasibility and effectiveness; describe how the policy options are expected to affect outcomes (mechanisms).
Competency #3: To analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make evidence-informed decisions in a complex and dynamic environment.
Learning Goal A: Analyze, evaluate, and draw valid conclusions from social science research such as policy, applied, or evaluation research.
Learning Goal B: Design social science research such as policy, applied, or evaluation research using qualitative or quantitative methods.
Learning Goal C: Conduct social science research such as policy, applied, or evaluation research.
Learning Goal D: Apply social science or evaluation research findings to public policy questions and decision making situations.
Competency #4: To articulate, apply, and advance a public service perspective.
Learning Goal A: Identify varied and conflicting values or needs within the public sphere and understand the implications they have on management and/or policy decisions.
Competency #5: To communicate and interact productively.
Learning Goal A: Prepare clear, concise, well-organized, accurate and persuasive written materials that are tailored to an audience’s level of experience and needs.
Learning Goal B: Prepare clear, concise, well-organized, accurate and persuasive oral presentations that are tailored to an audience’s level of experience and needs.
Learning Goal C: Recognize and value the diversity of organizational structures and cultures, as well as organizational complexity, in order to communicate effectively.
