MPA Program Data and Outcomes

1. 1. Competence 1 (Lead and Manage in Public Governance): 89% strongly agreed, 11% agreed.
2. 2. Competence 2 (Participate in and Contribute to Public Policy Process): 67% strongly agreed, 33% agreed.
3. 3. Competence 3 (Analyze, Synthesize, Think Critically, Solve Problems, and Make Decisions):100%strongly agreed.
4. 4. Competence 4 (Articulate and Apply a Public Service Perspective; Ethically and Politically Inclusive): 100%strongly agreed.
5. 5. Competence 5 (Communicate and Interact Productively with a Diverse and Changing Workforce and Citizenry): 89% strongly agreed, 11% agreed.

Direct Measurement of Universal Competencies in AY 2024-2025:

Universal Competency 1 - Lead & manage in public governance

The results showed that students achieved the Mastery level of proficiency in all four categories under this competency. The rubric-based assessment for Universal Competency 4 yielded the following scores:

1. • Formulate policies – 3.64
2. • Prepare reports – 3.58
3. • Present evidence – 3.76

Universal Competency 2 - To participate in and contribute to the public policy process

The results showed that students achieved the Mastery level of proficiency in all four categories under this competency. The rubric-based assessment for Universal Competency 4 yielded the following scores:

1. • Develop solutions – 3.8
2. • Ethical-decision making tools -3.9
3. • Formulate policies – 3.77
4. • Examine policies – 3.87

Universal Competency 3 - Analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems, and make decisions

The results showed that students achieved the Mastery level of proficiency in all four categories under this competency. The rubric-based assessment for Universal Competency 4 yielded the following scores:

1. • Analyze – 3.79
2. • Think critically – 3.79
3. • Solve problems – 3.73
4. • Decision-making – 3.82

Universal Competencies 4 - Articulate and Apply a Public Service Perspective; Ethically and Politically Inclusive.

The results showed that students achieved the Milestone level of proficiency in all four categories under this competency. The rubric-based assessment for Universal Competency 4 yielded the following scores:

1. • Recognizes complex, multi-layered intergovernmental relationships: 3.58
2. • Formulates solutions that are ethically and politically inclusive: 3.67
3. • Prepares a comprehensive plan for a local municipality: 3.58

Universal Competency 5 - To communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry

The results showed that students achieved the Mastery level of proficiency in all four categories under this competency. The rubric-based assessment for Universal Competency 4 yielded the following scores:

1. • Formulate policies – 3.78
2. • Prepare reports – 3.56
3. • Present evidence – 3.78

Student Testimonials

1. • “Overall my experience over these past 3 years have been amazing.”;
2. • “I have been a loyal student and a former employee of Governors State University. I think it is an excellent learning institution. I wish for its continued growth and success. I owe much of my formative years to this university.”;
3. • “I am very grateful for this MPA program as it has challenged me and I have learned so much through each course. Overall, I am very thankful for each professor as each one was dedicated and helpful in attaining my higher education.”;
4. • “My MPA journey commenced in the Fall of 2022, at which time, I was an active state government employee with 28 years invested. The program was a confidence booster for me. More importantly, it provided a structured blueprint on how to embrace decision-making opportunities in created ways to impact and build your team using a variety of leadership styles while understanding HR and appreciating the flexibility to incorporate a legal framework and organization framework. The MPA program capitalized on the fundamentals of why Public Administrators should maintain it oath and commitment to serving the needs of the public with integrity.”;
5. • “Thank you for a wonderful experience and education. The patience and guidance I received was great”;
6. • “Wonderful professors”;
7. • “Hands on experience is great and having guest speakers that have professions in the many fields of public Administration”;
8. • “Flexibility of class times and schedules”;
9. • “Availability of faculty, person centered advising, and administrative support”;
10. • “Thank you for the flexibility of the program. For allowing me to split my dual degree to accommodate the real-life issues I was undergoing at the time. Thank you for understanding the issues I have undergone while undergoing this program from faculty leaving me hanging to having to fight to keep my home in a deconversion situation to issues at work. It was greatly appreciated as this program completion was weighing heavy on my mind the entire time.”;
11. • “Professor's dedication to the students; Availability of professors to help students; Course content”;
12. • “Good communication with advisor (s). Flexible class schedule.”;
13. • “Knowledgeable and supportive faculty, relevant content.”