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ASSESSMENT REPORT

FOR

 

 

Master of Public Administration (MPAD)
Instructional Degree Program

Fall 2003_
Assessment Period Covered

February 13, 2004
Date Submitted

Expanded Statement of Institutional Purpose Linkage:
Institutional Mission Reference:
Texas A&M International University, a Member of The Texas A&M University System, is committed to the preparation of students for leadership roles in their chosen profession and in increasingly complex, culturally diverse state, national, and global society … Through instruction, faculty and student research, and public service, Texas A&M International University is a strategic point of delivery for well-defined programs and services that improve the quality of life for citizens of the border region, the State of Texas, and national and international communities.

College/University Goal(s) Supported:
MPAgraduates will have developed an understanding of the administration of public programs and have gained the skills needed to meet the needs of public employers and non-profit employers, particularly in the local community.

Intended Educational (Student) Outcomes:
1. Students completing the Public Administration program will understand the
ethical, theoretical, and practical aspects of administering public programs in a
democracy.

2. Graduates of the Public Administration program will have the skills and abilities
needed by public agencies in a continually changing environment.

 

 ASSESSMENT REPORT

FOR

 

Master of Public Administration (MPAD)
Instructional Degree Program

Fall 2003_
Assessment Period Covered

February 13, 2004
Date Submitted

Intended Educational (Student) Outcome:
NOTE: There should be one form for each intended outcome listed.  The intended outcome should be restated in the box immediately below and the intended outcome number entered in the blank spaces.

1. Students completing the Public Administration program will understand the
ethical, theoretical, and practical aspects of administering public programs in a
democracy.

First Means of Assessment for Outcome Identified Above:
1a. Means of Program Assessment & Criteria for Success:
Graduating MPA candidates will take a locally generated comprehensive examination that measures understanding of the ethical, theoretical, and practical aspects of administering public programs in a democracy. The examination will be team graded by MPA faculty, using a rubric ranging from 1 (poor) to 4 (excellent). The average score on the examination will not fall below 3 on the rubric.

1a. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
The average score on the examination was 3.

1a. Use of Results to Improve Instructional Program:
Only three (3) students took theexaminationsothe number was too small to use as a basis of programmatic changes. The data will be collected on graduates until a large enough sample (30) is obtained for determination of programmatic needs.

Second Means of Assessment for Outcome Identified Above:
1b. Means of Program Assessment & Criteria for Success:
Subscales that include a selected aspect of the program will be developed for each cohort of graduates. In this assessment, the practical tool, statistical methods, will be chosen for assessment. The target subscale will be team graded by MPA faculty, using a rubric ranging from 1 (poor) to 4 (excellent). The average score on the subscale willnot fall below 3 on the rubric. The score of each test-taker will be at least 3 on the
rubric.

1b. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
The scores on the target subscale were as follows
75% =2
25%=1

1b. Use of Results to Improve Instructional Program:
The number of students taking the examination was too small to use as a basis for recommending programmatic changes. However, the MPA faculty considered possible weaknesses in the research methods that may precipitate changes in the course. A slight modification, including the capping of the course at lower enrollments, has been implemented.

ASSESSMENT REPORT

FOR

 

Master of Public Administration (MPAD)
Instructional Degree Program

Fall 2003_
Assessment Period Covered

February 13, 2004
Date Submitted

Intended Educational (Student) Outcome:
NOTE: There should be one form for each intended outcome listed.  Intended outcome should be restated in the box immediately below and the intended outcome number entered in the blank spaces.

2. Graduates of the Public Administration program will have the skills and abilities
needed by public agencies in a continually changing environment.

First Means of Assessment for Outcome Identified Above:
2a. Means of Program Assessment & Criteria for Success:
Public Administration students completing the internship program (required for those with no experience in the public sector) will be evaluated by external internship managers. Skills and abilities will be rated on a Likert scale, ranging from 1 (very poor) to 5 (very good). The average score will be at least 3 on the scale.

2a. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
The three (3) MPA graduates were all employed in the public sector so there was no internship in Fall 2003.

2a. Use of Results to Improve Instructional Program:
Without appropriate data, the faculty felt that they could not make recommendations for changes at this time.

Second Means of Assessment for Outcome Identified Above:
2b. Means of Program Assessment & Criteria for Success:
Students completing the master’s program will be surveyed to gather supporting data concerning how well the program provided them with skills needed in the public sector. The responses will be measured on a Likert scale ranging from 1 (very poor) to 5 (very well). The average score will be at least 3 on the scale.

2b. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
Of the three (3) students responding, the average score was 4.

2b. Use of Results to Improve Instructional Program:
The number of students responding was too small to use as conclusive. We will continue to gather data until a sample of at least 30 students has been gathered.

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