The Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) as a specialized accrediting agency and authorized to accredit masters degree programs in public affairs and administration. In 1977, member institutions of the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) voted to adopt a program of voluntary peer review evaluation of masters degrees or degree programs in public affairs and administration. That same year, the association adopted Standards for Professional Masters Degree Programs in Public Affairs, Policy and Administration. Peer review was initiated by the member institutions to facilitate the continuing development and quality of public service education.

In 1983, the members of the association voted to apply to the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation (COPA), to become recognized as a specialized accrediting agency to accredit master/masters degrees in public affairs and administration. On October 3, 1986, the Board granted NASPAA recognition as a specialized accrediting agency. In 1993, COPA was disbanded and replaced by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation. In 1996, CORPA was disbanded and replaced by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). NASPAA’s Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation was recognized by CHEA in 2003 for a period of 10 years.

The review/accreditation process combines program self-study, review by the Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation, and a two to three day campus visit by a COPRA appointed site visit team. The review/accreditation cycle begins each year on August 15, with the submission of a self-study report. In June, the Commission meets for a final review session and determines if a program is in conformity with the standards. Subsequently, the Commission publishes an Annual Roster of Accredited Programs.

NASPAA's membership consists of 259 member institutions, which offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in public affairs and administration. Of the total number of programs eligible to participate in peer review, 161 programs at 154 schools (59% of member institutions) have been accredited.

Site Evaluation Years
The years appearing immediately following the institutional name indicates the projected academic year for the next regularly scheduled review. (For example, if the year indicates “2007-08,” then the self study would be submitted by August 15 of 2007, the site visit would take place sometime between January and April of 2008, and the accreditation decision would be made by the Commission in June of 2008.) This year identification does not preclude the Commission from authorizing a site evaluation prior to the designated year.

January 1 Update
The Roster is updated on January 1 of each year to reflect actions taken by the Commission between September and January, such as the granting of a one year delay in the review of a program. It is also updated to reflect name changes of the school or program, and any clerical corrections.

Click here to download 07-08 Annual Roster of Accredited Programs in Acrobat Reader Format