We believe very strongly that the emergence of such trends as a third party government, cutback management, and technological innovation require a fundamental rethinking of duties, obligations, roles, and skills of contemporary public administrators. As such, we feel that students must understand the forces propelling these changes, demonstrate their ability to apply effectively the latest management tools associated with these trends, and critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of these techniques. We also believe, however, that fully appreciating and extensively analyzing these trends, techniques and philosophies can only come if students are well-grounded in the historical development, tools, and values of public administration, in its various subfields, and in the ideas and methods of leading scholars and practitioners. Students examine the political and legal environment in which public managers work, investigate managerial processes and organizational behavior, and sharpen research methods and quantitative skills. The program is administered by the School of Public Affairs' Division of Government and Public Administration.
Classes take place in the evening, a convenience to students who work full or part time.
The facilities include offices and seminar rooms in several buildings, including the Schaefer Center at 1304 St. Paul Street. Accreditation indicates that a program meets national standards of educational quality and that it provides professional education necessary for successful careers in public service. The evaluation is based on the quality of faculty members, content of the curriculum, policies for admission, library and computer facilities, and placement opportunities for students. The Schaefer Center for Public Policy Inaugurated in 1985, the Schaefer Center conducts research and policy analysis on public policy issues with particular reference to state and local government. It also undertakes contractual projects with local and regional organizations, provides training programs for various agencies in the public sector, sponsors conferences, lectures, and other programs, and offers internships to M.P.A. students.