Economic Development Specialty Tracks: A Survey of MPA Programs

Abstract

Over the past two decades, in a constantly changing global economy, local economic development programs and activities have grown in prominence as cities and metropolitan areas across the country have struggled to strengthen their economic base and increase job opportunities for their populations. Although local governments are expected to play a more proactive role in building their economies, the reality of global competition is that government cannot go it alone. Governments are important in helping to shape the local business environment, but so are companies, colleges and universities, and many other local institutions. A potentially significant component of collaborative networks are universitybased, graduate-level policy and management programs that can equip economic development officials with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively respond to the heightened level of competition brought on by the new global economy. This article analyzes how current graduate-level public administration (MPA) programs are responding to these challenges based on a survey of economic development specializations in MPA programs in the United States. The article describes the general direction and focus of economic development specializations offered in MPA programs in the United States and the extent to which MPA economic development specializations are addressing specific “core competencies” in the knowledge and skills of economic development professionals.