Implementation Plan
In July 2024, the previous chair stepped down, and an interim chair was selected to manage the programme while the new chair was on sabbatical. Thus, no large changes were made to the programme in the past 12 months, since the interim chair was only in the position a short period of time and therefore not in a position to make major changes to the programme.
The major tasks completed revolved around changes to communication, including the creation of a Moodle Orientation page, available to Faculty and Students, with further information about resources, processes and procedures. Some groundwork was laid to action the JSCP question and certificate programmes.
It was decided not to action the recommendations regarding physical space, since Zoom subscriptions at RMC have allowed for meetings to take place virtually. Given that not all faculty and students are in Kingston, and our experiences during the pandemic with distance learning and working, this made the most sense moving forward.
| Recommendation |
Proposed Follow-up |
Responsibility for Leading Follow-up | Timeline for Addressing Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Improve governance structure |
|
|
June 2025 |
| 2. Dedicated and specialized MPA faculty | Same as above | Same as above | Same as above |
| 3. Dedicated and sufficient administrative and technical support |
MPA Chair and Associate Chair will seek assistance from CIS for IT support. – Further information is now provided to new instructors on contact information for IT in a welcome email. Faculty teaching in the course will avail themselves to the available shared resources at the college such as the Educational Designers in the Writing Center and the technical support for the Learning Management System (Moodle) – Information sheets have been created so students and faculty are more aware of the resources available (see MPA Orientation materials on Moodle). |
|
Summer 2024 |
| 4. Implement the three thematic streams for the MPA | Streams to be offered on the website, in the registration system and to appear on the diploma |
|
Implemented as of Fall 2023 |
| 5. Implement certificate programs | Certificated to be offered on the website, in the registration system and to appear on the diploma – Research on this topic was conducted. |
|
Actioned Fall 2024 Will require further follow-up June 2025 |
| 6. Integrate the Joint Command and Staff Program (JCSP) into the MPA | Course-by-course analysis to be conducted |
|
Actioned Fall 2024 Will require further follow-up June 2025 |
| 7. Improve tracking/monitoring of student progress | See recommendation 3 | MPA Chair | June 2025 |
| 8. Improve the post-course evaluation feedback mechanisms |
Program chair to meet with Director of QA to review past practices and explore new exit surveys. QA will brief students and faculty to promote higher response rates. |
|
June 2025 |
| 9. Improved library support |
How-to” will be added to the yearly Orientation session and the instructions will be posted to the Moodle Graduate Orientation Page – MPA graduate orientation page and handbook created, which includes additional info for students regarding access of library services (at RMC and elsewhere). |
|
Fall 2023 |
| 10. Promote program better within CAF, DND and other related security organizations and the federal government | Discussion with the Registrar and Liaison to determine if there is a budget gap that prevents the promotion of Post Graduate Programmes in general and the MPA in particular. |
|
June 2025 |
| 11. Develop specific requirements for MPA 505 and MPA 507 | Requirements are developed and available. They will be presented to the students at the beginning of each semester |
|
Completed 2023 |