2009 Annual Survey (AY 2007-08 Data)

NASPAA's Program Glimpse information is based on information collected through NASPAA’s annual enrollment and degrees awarded survey. The survey is usually carried out in spring. Data collected reflect only that of survey-participating programs.

The following data are from institutional responses to NASPAA’s Fall 2008 Enrollment and Academic Year 2007-2008 Degrees Awarded Survey, administered by NASPAA in Spring 2009. The data reflect only survey-participating institutional members. Of the 268 NASPAA institutional members as of Spring 2008, 161 valid responses were received, giving the survey a response rate of 60 percent.

Program Enrollment and Degree-Awarded Ratio AY 2007-08

Degree Program Degree Awarded
(DegAwrd)
Student Enrolled
(Enrl)
Ratio % of DegAwrd/Enrl
Master of Public Administration 4,768 15,224 31.3
Master of Public Policy 594 1,506 39.4
Master of Public Affairs 350 925 37.8
Executive MPA 618 1,322 46.7
Other Master Programs 1,812 4,448 40.7

Notes on DegAwrd/Enrl Ratio

  1. The ratio of degree-awarded over total program enrollment is a proxy measure of the program's graduation rate. For a two-year program with 100% full-time student enrollment, the ideal ratio can be 50%. As the percent of part-time student increases, the ratio of degree-awarded over total program enrollment decreases. As a result, in interpreting the ratio, one needs to keep in mind the percent of part-time students enrolled in the program.
  2. Higher percent of part-time student enrollment and/or attrition all contribute to low degree-awarded/enrollment ratio.
  3. Executive MPA programs usually run shorter than two years.