The Problem and Impact from Expansion of Graduate Education Management of Public Administration, Thailand

Abstract

This study investigates the causes and consequences of the rapid expansion of public administration education at the graduate level in Thailand. The study will also analyze the ways to handle the negative consequences arising from the expansion. The populations and samples of the study are: PA teachers, executives of the educational organization which monitors the standard and quality of graduate studies in Thailand, and MPA and PH.D students in both public and private universities. The research methods used are: documentary research, in-depth interviews and survey research. The study concludes that the causes of PA educational growth originate from the need of government for qualified personnel and the growing popularity among Thais to enroll in MPA programs. Another reason for the growth of PA graduate studies is that several universities are driven by profit making goals. As a result, the standard and quality of PA graduate studies has fall short of conventional standard as prescribed by the Office of the Higher Education commission. To improve the standard and quality of PA graduate education in Thailand we need to encourage moral consciousness and cultivate proper values among university administrators, teachers, and students. More citizen participation should be encouraged to be involved in checking and monitoring the standard and quality of public administration education in Thailand.