Answer: The Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) is a nonprofit membership association that sets the global standard of excellence in public service education. Established in 1970, the organization is recognized as the accrediting body for advanced degrees in public administration (i.e., Master of Public Administration, MPA), public policy (i.e., Master of Public Policy, MPP), public affairs, nonprofit, and other related public service-oriented fields of study. The organization’s principal mission is to create a global network of programs dedicated to public service values, excellence in education and training, and ongoing programmatic improvement.
The Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) has accredited American master’s degree programs in the field of public policy and administration since 1980 and began accrediting international programs in 2011. This includes Master of Public Administration (MPA) and Master of Public Policy (MPP) degrees. The relationship between NASPAA and its institutional members is grounded in a mutual commitment to the advancement of public service education. The postsecondary institutions involved with NASPAA are dedicated to the ongoing improvement of their current public administration and related degree programs, performing critical ongoing self-study with an emphasis on student learning outcomes and achievements.
Overall NASPAA membership is represented by 300-plus institutional members spanning 25 countries. Of these institutions, over 200 master’s degree programs at more than 190 schools have undergone the process of formal accreditation. While accredited programs are expected to adhere to certain standards of quality, NASPAA’s guidelines are designed to allow each program to highlight growth and achievements. Accreditation applies strictly to the individual master’s degree program and not the academic institution. Member schools gain access to a global network of industry peers, creating an international dialogue focused on establishing best practices and moving the field of public service and nonprofit education forward.
NASPAA and its institutional members are involved in initiatives looking to improve the landscape of public governance, including PhD Pathways, civic engagement, inclusion, globalization, and establishing sustainable development goals. NASPAA works closely with all levels of government in the United States to create and sustain recruitment and hiring programs directed at students. The organization also offers paid internships for graduate students based at its office in Washington, DC; publishes the Journal of Public Affairs Education (JPAE), featuring peer-reviewed scholarly articles relating to public affairs education; and sponsors the professional website PublicServiceCareers.org, a career site featuring job postings and career advice, as well as information on degrees in public service and public affairs.
Beyond programmatic accreditation, NASPAA supports its academic community and the students enrolled at its institutional member schools with several resources and events. The annual Student Simulation Competition Program tasks students from around the world to connect classroom theory to practice by examining real-world challenges in real time. Through this immersive learning experience, students may showcase the skills acquired throughout their degree program as well as network with other students, faculty, and professionals in the field. NASPAA also hosts annual conferences, where career professionals and admission’s directors participate in strategic management seminars and workshops. On campus, NASPAA oversees more than 160 chapters of Pi Alpha Alpha, the Global Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration.
The NASPAA Accreditation Application Process
Any relevant master’s degree program that opts to obtain NASPAA accreditation must first become an institutional member of NASPAA. It is important to note that joining the NASPAA does not automatically grant individual programs accreditation; NASPAA accreditation for master’s programs is a separate and distinct process from just becoming an NASPAA member. The accreditation process is then broken down into four phases: Prerequisite, Eligibility, Self-Study, and the Accreditation Cohort. The process is conducted by NASPAA’s Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation (COPRA).
- Prerequisite Phase: Prior to submitting an application, a program must build faculty and administrative support as the self-evaluative process required for accreditation is rigorous. Interested parties will notify NASPAA staff of their intent to apply and attend at least one accreditation workshop designed to provide an overview of submission guidelines and criteria.
- Eligibility Phase: Beginning April 15 or August 15 each year, programs may enter the eligibility phase by submitting their application and paying a fee. The application provides background about the program and its areas of emphasis, and addresses the four preconditions of NASPAA Accreditation Standards: university accreditation, the ability to demonstrate an emphasis on public service values, a focus on preparing students for leadership roles, and an emphasis on collaborative work and extensively faculty and peer communication. The application is reviewed by the Eligibility Committee, who then makes a recommendation to COPRA as to whether the program may move forward with their Self-Study. COPRA in turn provides the program with guidance in conducting their self-study.
- Self-Study Phase: The self-evaluation process involves looking at a program’s goals, strengths, opportunities, and successes, as well as assessing student learning outcomes and curriculum. This phase uses data to demonstrate that a program meets NASPAA’s seven accreditation standards, including:
- Strategic Program Management: A program must establish a clear mission statement that reflects its purpose, dedicated to community impact, and commitment to public service values.
- Governance Alignment with Mission: A program must offer proof that is has adequate administrative and academic support to follow through on its goals. This includes employing at least five full-time faculty members.
- Faculty Performance: A program must showcase faculty qualifications and their commitment to continued scholarly research and community service activities.
- Matching Operations with Mission – Serving Students: This step refers to admissions criteria, recruitment practices, and the availability of student resources. Programs must offer support services such as academic advising, internship placement, and career counseling services.
- Matching Operations with Mission – Student Learning: This requirement outlines curriculum requirements, focusing on five key domains including the enhancement of leadership and managerial skills, critical thinking and analytical skills, communication, adaptability in complex environments, and contributions to advancement in public policy. The program must identify these competencies within its core curriculum and areas of concentration.
- Matching Resources with Mission: A program must demonstrate it holds sufficient funding to maintain facilities, pursue continuous improvement, and supply faculty and students with necessary resources.
- Matching Communications with the Mission: The program must demonstrate transparency in policies, practices, accomplishments, and student learning outcomes to maintain accountability.
A program has up to three years to submit its Self-Study Report, highlighting three or more years of data that supports accreditation standards. The process enables programs to highlight distinguishing elements and accomplishments as well as assess areas of potential improvement. Once a program is prepared to submit its report, it will complete an Accreditation Application and pay an application fee.
- Accreditation Cohort Phase: The accreditation cohort phase is conducted over an 11-month period. During the fall term, COPRA reviews self-studies, writes interim reports, and recommends site visits. Programs are expected to respond to interim reports during the winter term. Site visits typically take place during March of the spring term, and the program is then expected to respond to site visit reports and provide final information to COPRA by the end of the spring term.
COPRA is expected to complete its final review of prospective programs in June of the cohort year. Programs are notified if their application has been approved by the end of July. Depending on the program, the accreditation process takes a minimum of 23 months to complete, and may take up to three years following the determination of eligibility.
The Impact of NASPAA Accreditation on Universities, Students, and Employers
The programmatic value of undergoing the NASPAA accreditation process is multi-faceted. To maintain their accreditation status programs are required to demonstrate ongoing contributions to the research and practice of public service, advancing knowledge in the field through its faculty and student activity. From the perspective of prospective students, NASPAA accreditation indicates that the program meets specified standards of quality and continues to invest in faculty, resources, and program improvement. NASPAA accreditation also signals a level of quality to potential employers seeking to hire or partner with academic institutions for capstone projects or internship placement.
Choosing a Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program
While regional accreditation is required by all postsecondary academic institutions in the United States, programmatic accreditation by NASPAA is voluntary. Some programs will become institutional members of NASPAA, offering their students access to NASPAA resources without obtaining formal accreditation. Alternatively, programs may align their curriculum with NASPAA standards in lieu of undergoing the formal accreditation process. For example, the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) is an Institutional Member of NASPAA, but due to its size it is not eligible for national NASPAA accreditation. Prospective students should research faculty, curriculum, student resources, and networking opportunities prior to applying to a program, as NASPAA accreditation is just one factor to consider when choosing an MPA program.
Note: OnlineMPAPrograms.com contains a comprehensive directory of NASPAA accredited online MPA programs; there are currently 70 online MPA programs that have been accredited by the NASPAA.