Faulk, Joseph Morgan2009-12-102012-02-242009-10Faulk, J. M. (2009). Continuing professional education: A practical ideal type model and the program assessment of a federal office of inspector general. Masters of Public Administration, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.https://hdl.handle.net/10877/3784An Applied Research Project Submitted to the Department of Political Science, Texas State University-San Marcos, in Partial Fulfillment for the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Public Administration, Fall 2009.Continuing professional education (CPE) programs provide organizations the tools by which they can develop members' skills and competencies required for organizational success. While literature about CPE abounds, little exists that surveys literature and forms the elements of an ideal type model for CPE. The purpose of this research is threefold. First, based on a review of relevant literature, the research develops a model for an ideal CPE program. Second, the research uses the model to gauge how well a federal Office of Inspector General's CPE program reflects the ideal type characteristics. Third, the research provides opportunity to present recommendations for improving the organization's CPE program. The research includes a survey of the organization's members, an interview with an organization CPE administrator, and a comprehensive document analysis. The results of these research techniques determine the extent to which the organization exhibits the characteristics of an ideal type model. Overall, the research suggests that the specific Office of Inspector General exhibits many of the characteristics of the ideal type model including aspects of individual and organizational development, development planning, benefits, evaluation, and other characteristics. However, some subcomponents in these categories exhibit minor weaknesses. Recommendations are provided to address these weaknesses.Text80 pages1 file (.pdf)encontinuing educationprofessional educationmodelCPEorganizationprogram assessmentFederal Office of Inspector GeneralPublic AdministrationApplied Research Project