Master of Public Administration program receives NASPAA accreditation

August 3, 2009 -- Arkansas State University has received word that the institution’s Master of Public Administration program has been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) in Washington, D.C.

Dr. William P. McLean, MPA Director and associate professor of Political Science and Public Administration at, and Dr. Dan Howard, Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost at ASU, were notified of the accreditation which will be in effect for a six-year period and included on the annual roster of accredited programs that conform to NASPAA standards.

“We are delighted to receive this prestigious award from NASPAA,” said Dr. McLean.  “Since the inception of the program, we have been training and placing students for management positions in the public and non-profit sectors, and this reaccreditation further confirms our success in this endeavor. 

“The program owes its success to a group of dedicated faculty, students, staff, alumni and advisory board that realize the importance of rigorous preparation for employment in an ever-changing job market.  Further, none of this would be possible without the high level of institutional support we receive from the administration here at ASU.  The financial resources that have been made available to the Program through both Academic Affairs and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences have been instrumental in this entire process.  We owe a great deal of gratitude to all involved in this process.” 

“Obtaining NASPAA accreditation for the Masters of Public Administration (MPA) program is a signal accomplishment for which the faculty involved in its attainment should feel justifiably proud,” said Dr. Dan Howard. “This accreditation signifies an objective assessment by external reviewers that the MPA program at ASU is second to none in the nation and attests to the competency and dedication of the faculty in the Department of Political Science."

The progress of the Master of Public Administration program will be monitored on several standards, including, (1) following a defined mission outlining the educational philosophy and development of strategies and objectives consistent with the mission, resources, and constituencies to include in the program’s annual report to NASPAA; (2) development of curriculum components that are consistent with the program mission; and (3) Continuous program advisement, career guidance, and progress appraisal from admission through graduation followed by provision of an adequate placement service for public affairs and administration.

ASU’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) program was established in 1982 and won full accreditation from NASPAA in 1996. The MPA degree is a professional one and the educational program designed to teach the skills required for effective public management-managing people, money, and programs in a political environment in a manner safeguarding the public interest.

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