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NASPAA Overview

The National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) is an membership organization of academic programs in public affairs, public administration, public policy, and public and nonprofit management. As of January 2012, there are over 280 members located across the U.S. and around the globe.

NASPAA is also the accreditor of master's degree programs in the field in the U.S.

Since 1970, NASPAA has been ensuring excellence in education and training for public service, and promoting the ideal of public service. 

NASPAA accomplishes its mission through direct services to its member institutions and by:

  • Developing appropriate standards for master's programs through its Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation;
  • Representing to governments and other institutions the objectives and needs of education for public affairs and administration;
  • Encouraging curriculum development and innovation and providing a forum for publication and discussion of education scholarship, practices, and issues;
  • Undertaking surveys that provide members and the public with information on key educational issues;
  • Promote internship opportunities for students and employment for graduates;
  • Undertaking joint educational projects with practitioner professional organizations; and
  • Collaborating with institutes and schools of public administration in other countries through conferences, consortia, and joint projects. 
NASPAA Leadership
NASPAA is governed by an Executive Council, which includes a President, a Vice President, and fifteen elected members from NASPAA institutions who each serve a three-year term.


Membership Information and Roster

Institutional Members
Membership in the Association is for academic units (e.g. colleges, schools, divisions, departments, programs, centers, institutes) within institutions of higher education that have been accredited by the appropriate university accrediting bodies. NASPAA institutional membership requires approval by its Executive Council but is open to programs in the US and overseas. 

Professional Partners
Professional Partners membership is open to all other academic and non-academic organizations that subscribe to the purpose of the Association, including
  • Foreign academic degree-granting institutions
  • Government agencies
  • Corporations
  • Foundations
  • Professional associations
  • Academic institutions offering non-degree programs or degree programs in other areas 
Peer Review and Accreditation 
NASPAA’s Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation (COPRA) is the specialized accrediting body for masters degree programs in public affairs, administration, and policy, and is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). NASPAA members are eligible to participate in an accreditation review of their master’s level programs by COPRA. The review combines a self-study with peer review, including a site visit. The Commission publishes and disseminates a record of its actions, including an annual roster of accredited programs.

Committees and Sections
NASPAA member institutions with common interests or characteristics may group themselves into sections to promote their shared interests. Currently, the following five sections exist:
  • Comprehensive Schools
  • Political Science Based Programs
  • Nonprofit Management Education 
  • Health Sector Management Education 
  • Small Programs
The NASPAA bylaws create three committees: Committee on Standards, Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation, and Committee on Finance. Additional NASPAA committees focus on specific program areas of importance to NASPAA members. These areas include: Annual Conference, Diversity, Doctoral Education, International Education, Local Government Management Education, Marketing the MPA, Nominating personnel, Policy, Strategic Planning, Technology, and Undergraduate Education.

Standards, Policies, and Guidelines
To provide assistance to member institutions, NASPAA has developed the following standards, policies, and guidelines:
  • Guidelines for Baccalaureate Degree Programs 
  • Standards for Professional Masters Degree Programs 
  • NASPAA Public Service Internship Guidelines 
  • Diversity Guidelines 
  • Guidelines for Graduate Professional Education in Nonprofit Organizations, Managements and Leadership 
  • Policy on Doctoral Education 

Publications
NASPAA publishes the Journal of Public Affairs Education (JPAE), a quarterly refereed journal that serves to stimulate research and dialogue about issues in public affairs education. NASPAA also produces brochures and other material to promote education and training for public service.

Annual Conference
NASPAA organizes an annual conference to engage members in discussions of challenges and opportunities in public affairs education. It also organizes annual meetings of members' career services and admissions directors, and a biannual meeting of doctoral programs.

Student Honor Society
In recognition of outstanding student achievement in public affairs programs, NASPAA sponsors Pi Alpha Alpha, an honor society. 

Web Resources
Searchable database. Programs are searchable by degrees offered, concentrations, location, and accreditation status. 

Profiles of Alumni are snapshots of the many career paths taken by graduates of member programs. Visit www.naspaa.org/students/students.asp. 

Awards
NASPAA sponsors faculty awards, graduate student awards, and Pi Alpha Alpha honor society awards. 

International Projects
NASPAA fosters public affairs and administration education and practice internationally, as well as such opportunities for NASPAA members, through its applied policy research, technical assistance, and other partnerships with the Network of Institutes and Schools of Public Administration in Central and Eastern Europe (NISPAcee), and the Inter-American Network of Public Administration Education (INPAE), 

Electronic Listserv
The University of Nebraska at Omaha supports the NASPAA listserv, which fosters discussion among NASPAA members on issues of program administration, funding, and policy.


History | Bylaws | NASPAA Milestones | NASPAA Presidential Addresses | NASPAA Presidents, NASPAA Member Code of Practice



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