Program Evaluation for Graduate Education Utilization across Navy Communities

Abstract

"This study analyzes the graduate education utilization process, specifically regarding Human Resource Officers (HROs) within the context of the United States Navy. By comparing analogous practices within other Restricted Line (RL) communities, my research provides valuable insights for Navy Human Resources (HR) community leadership. The ultimate objective is to offer actionable recommendations for enhancing the utilization of graduate education opportunities among HROs. To attain this objective, I conducted semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, including officer community managers, detailers, restricted line community managers, and department leads. These interviews extracted Navy-specific insights and perspectives. Notably, the selected interviewees hold vital roles and possess a professional vested interest in the current framework, initiatives, processes, and instructions governing graduate education utilization within the Navy communities. Based on data from the Naval Postgraduate School Research Institute, I annotated an average utilization rate of 51 percent for the Human Resources community, 91 percent for the Oceanography community and 53 percent for the Public Affairs community. Based on interview feedback, community leaders unanimously agreed that the Navy can only address graduate education utilization rates once it addresses the inaccuracy of subspecialty-coded billets throughout the fleet."