Challenges to inform the curricula of Master of Public Administration programmes
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Authors
Wessels, J.S.
Issue Date
2019-08-01
Type
Article
Language
en
Keywords
challenges , wicked problems , MPA , Master of Public Administration , capability approach , curriculum
Alternative Title
Abstract
The emerging complex challenges confronting public administration (PA) leaders are
used as reasons for rethinking the quality of PA education throughout the world.
However, it is not clear what PA scholars mean when they use the word ‘challenge’ when
rethinking the curricula of the Master of Public Administration (MPA) programmes
globally. The questions this study set to answer were: what are the defining characteristics
of the concept corresponding to those objects referred to as ‘challenges’ for
MPA graduates to meet, and what are their implications for MPA curriculum standards?
In an effort to answer these questions, a concept analysis of the concept ‘challenge’
within the context of PA and MPA curricula was done. For this purpose, three scholarly
journals, as well as three operational documents, were purposefully selected for qualitative
content analysis. The concept analysis showed that ‘challenge’ within the context
of the MPA curriculum is characterised by being a PA task, its wickedness, and the
required capabilities for public sector managers to undertake that task. The study found
that due to the inherent wickedness of challenges, MPA curricula have to instil a capability
in graduates for independent and autonomous thinking amidst a diversity of perspectives
and settings.
Description
Citation
Wessels, J.S. 2019. Challenges to inform the curricula of Master of Public Administration programmes. Teaching Public Administration. 27(0):014473941986413. DOI: 10.1177/0144739419864130
Publisher
SAGE