Sustainability Education in Public Administration : A Study of NASPAA Accredited Programs

Abstract

This study examines the nature of sustainability education in public administration/public policy programs using a multi-method approach. This research fills a gap in research on sustainability education in NASPAA accredited Masters in Public Administration and Public Policy programs. First, through analysis of web content of NASPAA accredited MPA/MPP programs and second through a web survey administered to directors of these programs, this study collected data on perceptions of MPA/MPP program directors about sustainability education and public administration, level of demand for sustainability education experienced by MPA/MPP programs experience, types of sustainability related courses offered, pedagogical tools are used to offer these courses, nature of entities that collaborate with MPA/MPP programs to make sustainability education possible and factors impede or enable the inclusion of sustainability education in MPA/MPP programs. Results show that a total of 164 programs (~ 94%) have listed courses in at least one of the three areas (economic, environmental and social) of sustainability. Programs vary in terms of whether they offer these courses as core or electives. 35 programs offered a dedicated concentration in environmental sustainability. Results from the survey indicate that there is general agreement that sustainability education and PA education share synergies which should be formalized through curricular inclusion. However, only about 50 percent of survey respondents agreed that they experienced demand for sustainability related courses. Results also helped identify programmatic, institutional and professional facilitators and impediments to infusion of sustainability education in PA curricula.