An agenda for rethinking mid-career master programs in public administration. Issue 2 (July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: van der Meer, Frans-Bauke; Marks, Peter
• Is Part Of: Teaching public administration. Volume 36:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 126
• Page End: 142
• Publication Date: 2018-07
• Subjects: Societal challenges -- mid-career master program -- professional development -- public professional -- life-long learning -- curriculum development; Public administration -- Research -- Periodicals; Public administration -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; 351.071
• DOI: 10.1177/0144739418764530
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0144-8720

Abstract

The pace of societal change and the development of societal challenges have speeded up considerably during the last couple of decades, with substantial impact on different levels, i.e. ranging from global to local, or from business to government. When focusing on the public domain, these changes and challenges have had a major impact on public professionals, who face different and frequently changing questions. Mid-career programs in Public Administration (MPA) have the mission to support enrolled professionals in dealing with these changes and challenges. This article is about the development of such MPAs. Both substantive and didactic development is needed. To counter institutional inertia it seems vital to institutionalize a regular rethinking and adaptation of curricula and didactic strategies. This article identified some important points of attention and some options to deal with these in order to continuously improve the contribution of MPA programs to relevant and effective professional development and ongoing professional learning.