Question: Are there any NASPAA accredited online Master of Public Administration (MPA) Programs?

Answer: Yes, there are currently 70 online Master of Public Administration (MPA) programs that have attained programmatic accreditation through the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA). These programs can be completed 100% online or with limited in-person requirements. On OnlineMPAPrograms.com, programs that require three or fewer on-campus visits per year are classified as online programs.

The Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) serves as the primary accrediting body for advanced degrees in public administration (i.e., Master of Public Administration and Master of Public Policy and Administration degree programs). This nonprofit organization sets the global standards for public service education, and all programs that undergo the extensive accreditation process adhere to the organization’s academic quality benchmarks as well as its commitment to continued programmatic improvement.

Overview of NASPAA Accreditation

The accreditation process consists of four distinct phases conducted over a minimum of 23 months. These include the Prerequisite, Eligibility, Self-Study, and Accreditation Cohort phases.

• Prerequisite: The first phase, conducted prior to submitting an application, in which programs gather faculty and administrative support, attend an accreditation workshop, and notify NASPAA of their intent to apply for accreditation.
• Eligibility: This phase confirms suitability to apply based on four preconditions including recognized school-level accreditation, demonstration of public service values, primary focus, and course of study.
• Self-Study: The collection and analysis of three or more years of data that supports NASPAA accreditation standards. This self-evaluation process examines a program’s curriculum, goals, strengths, student opportunities, and learning outcomes to ensure they adhere to NASPAA’s accreditation standards.
• Accreditation Cohort: During the final phase of the accreditation process, the NASPAA’s Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation (COPRA) reviews self-study submissions, writes an interim report, and conducts a site visit.

The Self-Study phase is particularly challenging for online programs. NASPAA places an emphasis on experiential learning opportunities, collaborative work among cohorts, and extensive communication between peers and faculty. An online program must demonstrate that the distance learning curriculum adequately mirrors a traditional on-campus experience. Schools offering online MPA programs have the complex task of showcasing engagement between faculty and students as well as interaction between peers. Faculty involvement is fundamental, and a program must employ at least five full-time faculty members with experience in the field in order to be eligible for accreditation. Online programs must also provide virtual academic student support services such as advising, internship and job placement assistance, and career counseling.

NASPAA Accredited Online MPA Programs

Distance education requires the use of technology in the form of learning management systems such as Canvas or Blackboard, and programs seeking NASPAA accreditation must demonstrate how their platforms are utilized to deliver course materials, lectures, and assignments. Schools must also showcase how they facilitate interactions between faculty and students throughout the program. Finally, schools need to explain how students can virtually gain access to academic support services offered by the college or university.

It is important to note that online programs may employ two types of online instruction methods, synchronous and/or asynchronous instruction. Programs that feature synchronous instruction offer lectures, discussions, and exams in real-time (often using video conferencing software), while asynchronous instruction allows students to access lectures and course materials on their own time in the absence of regularly scheduled class meetings. While all online programs incorporate asynchronous instruction, not all online programs have required real-time synchronous class meetings. There are NASPAA-accredited online MPA programs that utilize synchronous instruction and there are programs that mainly use asynchronous instruction.

Read more about the NASPAA accreditation process and its academic significance in the field of public administration in our FAQ on NASPAA Accreditation, and find a comprehensive listing of NASPAA accredited online Master of Public Administration programs below.

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Directory of Online MPA Programs Accredited by the NASPAA

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