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*Accreditation is the quality assurance process used in American higher education. All NASPAA member programs are located in universities accredited by a “regional” (institutional) accrediting body, which has assessed the quality of the university as a whole.

In addition to institutional accreditation at the university level, many professions have developed “professional” accreditation of specific degree programs within a university. This type of accreditation connects the profession to quality improvements in the educational preparation for its work. NASPAA serves as the professional accreditor of master’s degrees in public administration, public affairs, and public policy. 

Because public service is not a licensed profession, the NASPAA accreditation process is entirely voluntary, and not all NASPAA institutional members have sought accreditation from NASPAA’s Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation (COPRA). 

NASPAA recognizes that a master’s program in public affairs has undertaken a rigorous process of peer review conducted by COPRA. All NASPAA accredited programs have successfully met NASPAA Standards for Professional Master’s Degree Programs in Public Affairs, Policy and Administration. Some universities have more than one NASPAA accredited program; in this case each master’s degree program must meet NASPAA standards independently. NASPAA does not accredit undergraduate degrees or PhD programs.

The database is updated to reflect changes in NASPAA accreditation status in September 2007.

Click here for the Roster of Accredited Programs September 2007