Improving MPA Competencies Using With the People
Kurt M. Thurmaier · 2023
This chapter reviews the ability of pre-career and mid-career Master of Public Administration (MPA) students to incorporate public participation principles into course assignments in the Northern Illinois University (NIU) MPA degree curriculum. After presenting some background on the NIU MPA program to provide context for how I used With the People in my courses, I discuss using the book in our introductory course (PSPA 600) and our capstone course (PSPA 699). Overall, the newly admitted MPA students in their first course as well as students concluding their program of study were adept at triangulating the Mathews model with the policy issue and the NIU MPA program competency: Meaningfully engage with people holding diverse perspectives to address public service issues.