NASPAA Accredits Six New Degrees, Including First 
Standalone Nonprofit Program

Public service programs around the globe demonstrate their commitment 
to quality education

WASHINGTON, DC, July 12, 2018  -  The Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration ( NASPAA ) announced today that its Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation  (COPRA) has accredited six new programs. These newly accredited programs join over 200 degrees in four continents accredited by NASPAA's COPRA:
  • Master of Public Management at KDI School of Public Policy and Management (South Korea)
  • Master of Public Administration at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (China)
  • Master of Public Administration at The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa (USA)
  • Master of Public Policy at Universidad de los Andes (Colombia)
  • Master of Nonprofit Management at University of Central Florida (USA)
  • Master of Public Administration at the University of Massachusetts Boston (USA)

NASPAA has broadened its scope to bring quality assurance to the expanding market of international graduate public service education programs. "Around the globe, an ever expanding number of programs from a variety of countries are successfully pursuing NASPAA accreditation. I am excited about the increasing diversity of programs seeking NASPAA accreditation - including our first Colombian and standalone nonprofit management master's degrees - further underlining the universal nature of our standards," said Dr. Jeffery L. Osgood, Jr., COPRA Chair.

Over 40 years, NASPAA has established itself as the authoritative accrediting body in the field of public service education. Laurel McFarland, Executive Director of NASPAA, remarked, "In 2016, NASPAA's Executive Council adopted a resolution to 'Make NASPAA more inclusive of nonprofit all the way to the core of public service education.' We are pleased to reiterate this commitment as we welcome nonprofit management programs into the community of NASPAA-accredited programs."

NASPAA accreditation is the global standard for graduate-level public service education. The accreditation process supports program improvement and student learning outcomes by requiring programs to demonstrate their contributions to advancing the knowledge, research, and practice of public serv ice. NASPAA accreditation is an expression of a program's commitment to the field - to public service education as a discipline. The NASPAA Standards and accreditation process serve to maintain and enhance the recognition and reputation of graduate public service degrees. 

The 2018-19 Roster of Accredited Programs will be available on the NASPAA Accreditation website September 1.

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NASPAA, the Network of Schools of Public Polic y, Affairs , and Administration, is the global standard in public service education. It is the membership associati on of over 350 schools of public policy, public affairs, public administration, and public & nonprofit management. NASPAA's Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation (COPRA) is the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)-recognized accreditation body for graduate degree programs in public policy, administration, and affairs, globally. COPRA has accredited over 200 master's degree programs from NASPAA member schools in these field. NASPAA's twofold mission is to promote excellence in education and training for public service and to promote the ideal of public service.