ER

Article http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/er.2025.02.009

The Status and Problems of Undergraduate Public Administration Education in China

TOTAL VIEWS: 458

Tianjiao Qi, Mengzhong Zhang*

College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences, Gannon University, Erie, PA 16541, USA.

*Corresponding author: Mengzhong Zhang

Published: March 14,2025

Abstract

The study comprehensively analyzes the current situation, challenges, and improvement strategies for undergraduate public administration education in China. It highlights the rapid development and significant attention the field has received over the past decade. The study primarily uses qualitative research methods, screened and evaluated 50 literatures (25 Chinese research and 25 other countries research), 4 News reports. The study emphasizes the need for universities to update and optimize their education systems to align with the evolving societal demands and public administration complexities. It identifies issues such as the disconnect between theoretical education and practical application, students' lack of understanding of public administration, and the curriculum's slow adaptation to societal needs. The paper suggests enhancing practical components in the curriculum, integrating interdisciplinary content, and promoting innovation in teaching methods as key strategies for improvement.

References

Azizuddin, M., & Hossain, A. (2021). Reflections on public administration education with a case of Bangladesh. Teaching Public Administration, 39(1), 46-66.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0144739420929372

Bai, Z., Zheng, X., Xu, J. & Hu, Z. (2023). Research Hotspots and Trends Analysis of Public Utility Administration Education in China Based on CiteSpace. Heilongjiang, China: Journal of Higher Education, 9(28), 8-13. 

https://doi.org/10.19980/j.CN23-1593/G4.2023.28.002

Balázs, B.B., Sándor, C., & István, T. (2023). Digital Competence Development in Public Administration Higher Education. Sustainability, (15), 1-15.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su151612462

Bian, X., Zhang, J., & Hu, W. (2024). Research on the Pedagogical Reform of Empirical Research Methods Courses in Public Administration From a Student-Centered Teaching Perspective. Hunan, China: Journal of Higher Education Research, 47(1), 114-120.

https://qikan.cqvip.com/Qikan/Article/Detail?id=7111787391&from=Qikan_Search_Index

Braga, A. (2020). Is public administration struggling in higher education? Evidence from the United States scenario. Teaching Public Administration, 38(3), 284-294.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0144739420908306

Cai, Q., Zhou, L. (2006). Development of Public Administration and Renovation of Management Concept and Pattern of Higher Education. Hubei, China: Journal of South-Central Minzu University (Humanities and Social Sciences), 26(3), 181-184.

https://qikan.cqvip.com/Qikan/Article/Detail?id=21898705&from=Qikan_Search_Index

Chen, T. (2023). The Reform Direction of Public Administration Education for the Construction of New Liberal Arts. Hubei, China: New Liberal Arts Education Research, (2), 101-114, 143.

https://qikan.cqvip.com/Qikan/Article/Detail?id=7109831598&from=Qikan_Search_Index

Cheng, D. & Liu, Y. (2023). Research on the Innovation of Public Administration Models and Methods in the Era of Big Data--Review of Public Administration Methods and Techniques. Hubei, China: Yangtze River, 54(2), I0002.

https://qikan.cqvip.com/Qikan/Article/Detail?id=7109006347&from=Qikan_Search_Index

Edelmann, N., Mergel, I., & Lampoltshammer, T. (2023). Competences That Foster Digital Innovation in Public Administration. Administrative Sciences, 13(2), 44.
https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci13020044

Fang, K., Zhong, X., & Wang, L. (2023). Innovation of Undergraduate Practical Teaching Mode of Public Administration Based on the Empowerment of Digital Intelligence. Anhui, China: Journal of Science and Education, (10), 62-65.

http://dx.doi.org/10.16871/j.cnki.kjwh.2023.10.015

Hall, M. (2015 October). Knowledge transfer and teaching public administration—The academy model. Teaching Public Administration, 33(3), 241-254.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0144739415593338

Hou, X. (2023). The Teaching Exploration of Integrating Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education into the Course of “Public Administration”. Hubei, China: Journal of Entrepreneurship in Science and Technology, 36(1), 164-167.

http://dx.doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1672g2272.202209152

Huang, D., Chen, S., & Luo, D. (2024). An Analysis of the Scientific Rationality in Curriculum Design for the Undergraduate Major in Public Administration. Hubei, China: Advances in Education, 14(1), 408-414. https://doi.org/10.12677/ae.2024.141063

Jiang, X. (2020, November 9). Reflections on the New Challenges of the Times and the Training of Public Administration Personnel. School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University. https://www.sppm.tsinghua.edu.cn/info/1003/1953.htm

Kroukamp, H., & de Vries, M. S. (2014). The dilemma of public administration education in South Africa: Teaching or learning? Teaching Public Administration, 32(2), 158-168. https://doi.org/10.1177/0144739413515266

Lan, Z. (2019, November 20). Also on the Big Issues of Public Administration in Contemporary China—? A multi-perspective reflection. Chinese Public Administration.
http://www.cpaj.com.cn/news/2020312/n09645849.shtml

Li, C. (2024). Research on the "Four Types" Talent Training Mode of Public Administration under the Background of New Liberal Arts. Sichuan, China: Journal of Sichuan Vocational and Technical College, 34(1), 52-55. 

https://qikan.cqvip.com/Qikan/Article/Detail?id=7111492753&from=Qikan_Search_Index

Matei, A., & Dinca, D. V. (2022). Future Online Learning for Public Administration. Sustainability, 14(18), 11540.

https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811540

Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China. (2024). Results of the Fourth Round of National Academic Discipline Evaluation. China Academic Degrees & Graduate Education Development Center (CDGDC).

https://www.cdgdc.edu.cn/dslxkpgjggb/

Moseley, A., & Connolly, J. (2021). The use of inquiry-based learning in public administration education: Challenges and opportunities in the context of internationalization. Teaching Public Administration, 39(3), 270-286.

https://doi.org/10.1177/0144739420935971

Naumenko, R. (2016). Study Of the Current Status of Training of Applicants for Higher Education on The Specialty “Public Administration and Administration”. EUREKA: Social and Humanities, (3), 21-28. https://doi.org/10.21303/2504-5571.2016.00083

Nemec, J., Spacek, D., & Suwaj, P. (2011). Does Public Administration Higher Education in CEECs Reflect Demands Created by NPM Reforms? RePEc, 11(3), 124-140.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/v10135-011-0010-2

Ning, Y. (2022). Application and Reflection on Case Teaching in Public Administration Education. China: Piscomed Publishing, 4(9).
https://www.ojs.piscomed.com/index.php/jylt/article/view/15691

Purón Cid, G. (2018). A comparative analysis of public affairs master’s programs in the United States and the Latin American region. Journal of Public Affairs Education, 25(4), 495-523. https://doi.org/10.1080/15236803.2018.1489094

Qi, F. (2013). The development of public administration education in China. Beijing, China: Journal of China Youth College for Political Sciences, 32(3), 129-132.
https://qikan.cqvip.com/Qikan/Article/Detail?id=46074450&from=Qikan_Search_Index

Saltanat, J. (2019). Public Administration Academies in Central Asia: ‘Government puppets or independent seats of learning? Teaching Public Administration, 38(4), 014473941988662.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0144739419886624

Sarrico, C. S., & Alves, A. A. (2016). Academic staff quality in higher education: an empirical analysis of Portuguese public administration education. High Educ, (71), 143-162.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-015-9893-7

Shand, R., & Howell, K. E. (2015). From the classics to the cuts: Valuing teaching public administration as a public good. Teaching Public Administration, 33(3), 211-220.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0144739415587394

Su, L. (2024). Public Administration Case Competition Optimizes Talent Cultivation Mode to Help University Discipline Construction. Sichuan, China: Sichuan Labor Security, (1), 48-49.

https://qikan.cqvip.com/Qikan/Article/Detail?id=7111366353&from=Qikan_Search_Index

Tan, S. (2024). Practical Experience in Improving the Quality of Cultivation in Public Service Administration Talents-Taking the Huazhong University of Science and Technology as an Example. Heilongjiang, China: Heilongjiang Education: Research and Evaluation of Higher Education, (7), 17-20.

https://qikan.cqvip.com/Qikan/Article/Detail?id=7112344798&from=Qikan_Search_Index

Tang, B., Xi, Z., & Su, F. (2023). The Sense of Professional Mission and Its Promotion of Public Administration College Students under the Background of New Liberal Arts: Based on the Empirical Analysis of South China Agricultural University in Guang-dong Province. Guangxi, China: Journal of Guangxi Agriculture, 38(6), 95-101, 109.

https://qikan.cqvip.com/Qikan/Article/Detail?id=7111823818&from=Qikan_Search_Index

Tang, N. (2023, April 29). Research on Public Administration Education Practices. Civil Service Journals. 

https://www.21ks.net/lunwen/gggllw/161182.html

Tong, L., & Zhao, H. (2024). Research on policy discourse, core values and practice path of public administration discipline construction in the context of new liberal arts. Hebei, China: Research in Teaching, 47(1), 61-68. 

https://qikan.cqvip.com/Qikan/Article/Detail?id=7111393177&from=Qikan_Search_Index

Vadym, L. (2015 April). Vocational Training of Education Administrators under master’s degree Programs in Ukraine. Public Policy and Administration, 14(1), 25-39.
https://doi.org/10.5755/j01.ppaa.14.1.10152

Wang, Y. (2016, September 11). Global vision, multiple perspectives, and independent thinking: some reflections on teaching public administration. School of Public Economics and Administration of Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.

https://news.sufe.edu.cn/8b/0e/c464a35598/page.htm

Wang, Z. (2024). Exploring the Talent Cultivation Path of Public Administration Specialties in Local Universities--Taking Wuhan University of Science and Technology as an Example. Guangxi, China: University Education, (4), 114-118.

https://qikan.cqvip.com/Qikan/Article/Detail?id=7112009150&from=Qikan_Search_Index

Xie, J., Wang, Y. (2018). Exploring Talent Cultivation Models at Tsinghua University's School of Public Administration. Beijing, China: China University Teaching, (7), 42-49.

https://qikan.cqvip.com/Qikan/Article/Detail?id=7000724935&from=Qikan_Search_Index

Xu, M., Zhang, L. (2024). The Exploration and Practice of Personnel Training of Public Affairs Administration Specialty in Science and Engineering Universities under the New Liberal Arts Field of Vision. Hubei, China: Advances in Education, 14(5), 80-87.

https://qikan.cqvip.com/Qikan/Article/Detail?id=HS725022024005015&from=Qikan_Search_Index

Yang, H. (2024). Study on the Problems and Constructive Paths of Public Administration Research Methods Teaching Materials. Beijing, China: China University Teaching, (1), 108-114.

https://qikan.cqvip.com/Qikan/Article/Detail?id=7111406199&from=Qikan_Search_Index

Yao, G. (2005). Studying on Public Administrative Education of China and America]. Beijing, China: Journal of Beijing administration institute, (3), 12-16.
https://qikan.cqvip.com/Qikan/Article/Detail?id=15977028&from=Qikan_Search_Index

Yu, J. (2015, April 8). What is public administration and what is it not? Zhejiang University: Qiushi News Network.

http://www.news.zju.edu.cn/2015/0408/c761a63722/pagem.htm

Zhang, W., & Si, W. (2023). Exploration of "Four⁃in⁃One" New Liberal Arts Teaching Mode under the Background of Digital Education--Taking Public Administration Courses as an Example. Guangxi, China: University Education, (24), 36-40.

https://qikan.cqvip.com/Qikan/Article/Detail?id=7111616144&from=Qikan_Search_Index

Zhang, Z., Yang, Y., Yang, Y., & Yang, F. (2024). Exploration and Practice of the Approaches of Reaching Pedagogical Objectives of Public Administration Major Students through Inquiry-based Learning. Zhejiang, China: Vocational Technology, 23(5), 16-22. http://dx.doi.org/10.19552/j.cnki.issn1672-0601.2024.05.003

Zheng, D. (2023). The crisis and prospect of the development of Public Utilities Administration Major in colleges and universities. Heilongjiang, China: Heilongjiang Education: Research and Evaluation of Higher Education, 2023(7), 1-6.

https://qikan.cqvip.com/Qikan/Article/Detail?id=7109900852&from=Qikan_Search_Index

Zheng, J. (2023). The Security Dimension of Public Administration—Also on the Security Risk and Governance of Public Administration. Sichuan, China: Probe, (2), 42-51.

https://qikan.cqvip.com/Qikan/Article/Detail?id=7109283846&from=Qikan_Search_Index

Zheng, Y., Chai, J., & Wang, C. (2024). Exploring the Quality Assurance System of the Master of Public Administration Talent Cultivation in the Context of New Liberal Arts Construction. Beijing, China: Journal of University of Science and Technology Beijing (Social Sciences Edition), 40(1), 58-67. http://dx.doi.org/10.19979/j.cnki.issn10082689.2023030098

How to cite this paper

The Status and Problems of Undergraduate Public Administration Education in China

How to cite this paper: Tianjiao Qi, Mengzhong Zhang. (2025). The Status and Problems of Undergraduate Public Administration Education in China. The Educational Review, USA9(2), 206-219.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/er.2025.02.009