Computing in Graduate Education in Public Administration: An Assessment of Current Practices and Future Needs

This article addresses current practices and future needs in education in computing in graduate-level programs in public administration and affairs. Based on a survey of MPA-granting institutions, it shows that most public administration programs have incorporated computing applications into curricula beyond conventional courses in statistics and research methodology. To meet the needs of future public managers for computing skills, however, further enhancement of curricula will prove necessary. For this purpose, the article identifies a potential curriculum in computing in public administration. The curriculum is tailored to the distinctive demands and challenges of the public sector environment.