NASPAA Accredits 8 New Degrees Globally

Programs from four continents expand the NASPAA network of accredited programs.

WASHINGTON, July 18, 2017 - The Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) announced the accreditation of 8 programs from China, New Zealand, South Korea, the United States, and Venezuela on Tuesday. Newly accredited programs include the Master of Public Administration at Renmin University of China, Master of Development Policy at the Korea Development Institute School of Public Policy and Management, Master of Public Management and Master of Public Policy at Victoria University of Wellington (New Zealand), Master of Public Administration at Georgia Southern University, Master of Public Administration at University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Master of Public Policy at DePaul University, and Master of Public Management at Instituto de Estudios Superiores de Administración (IESA) (Venezuela). These programs join over 190 degrees accredited by NASPAA’s Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation (COPRA).

“The addition of these programs to the community of accredited programs brings valuable new leaders to the global discussion of quality and how best to prepare the next generation for public service around the world,” said Laurel McFarland, Executive Director of NASPAA. “By going through the process, these schools are helping to transform public affairs accreditation into a globally vibrant and relevant force for the public good.”

Since 2013, 9 programs based outside of the United States have earned NASPAA Accreditation. “The increasing level of engagement with colleagues outside the United States in a peer-led accreditation process creates opportunities for all of us to deepen our understanding of universal public service principles even as we increase our appreciation of cultural differences between and among countries,” said Laura Bloomberg, Dean of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota and 2016-17 COPRA Chair. “In this respect we learn from each other and we strengthen each other. I'm personally grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a multinational and collegial endeavor.”

 NASPAA Accreditation is the global standard for graduate-level public service education and involves a rigorous peer-review process open to programs across the globe. The process requires years of self-study, peer review, and a demonstrated commitment to mission, public service values, student learning, and continuous improvement. Accredited programs are leaders in public service education, graduating public servants that connect knowledge to practice and impact public service across sectors. The 2017-18 Roster of Accredited Programs will be available on the NASPAA Accreditation website September 1.

NASPAA, the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration, is the global standard in public service education. It is the membership association of 325 schools of public policy, public affairs, public administration, and public and nonprofit management. NASPAA is also the recognized global accreditor of master's degree programs in these fields, having accredited over 190 programs from its member schools. NASPAA's twofold mission is to promote excellence in education and training for public service and to promote the ideal of public service.