Do I need an accredited MPA to work in public service?

No. Public administration is not a licensed profession, so NASPAA accreditation is never legally required. It is a quality and reputation signal.

What does NASPAA accreditation signal?

That a program meets shared competency standards for public service in curriculum, faculty, and student outcomes — a recognized benchmark among employers and peers.

Is a non-NASPAA MPA worse?

Not necessarily. Many respected public-affairs programs are unaccredited; judge programs on faculty, placement, and reputation.

What degrees does NASPAA accredit?

Master's degrees in public service — primarily the MPA and MPP, plus related public-affairs and administration degrees.

Is NASPAA recognized by the government?

NASPAA is CHEA-recognized. Public-affairs accreditation is generally not a federal Title IV gatekeeper.

Does NASPAA accredit international programs?

Yes. NASPAA accredits programs internationally, extending its competency benchmark beyond the United States.

How do I verify a public affairs program?

Search the NASPAA accredited-programs directory for the program.

Public Policy & Administration Accreditation — NASPAA

Public Affairs Accreditation

For public service degrees like the MPA and MPP, NASPAA is the accreditor. Public administration isn't licensed, so its accreditation signals quality and standing rather than a required credential.

Field

Public policy & administration

Accreditor

NASPAA

Degrees

MPA · MPP

Matters for

Reputation, not license

Recognition

CHEA

Verify

NASPAA directory

Overview

NASPAA and public-service degrees

The Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA), through its Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation, accredits master’s degrees in public service — the Master of Public Administration (MPA), the Master of Public Policy (MPP), and related degrees. CHEA-recognized. Public administration is not a licensed profession, so NASPAA accreditation is a quality and reputation signal.

Why It Matters

What NASPAA accreditation signals

Program qualityNASPAA reviews mission, curriculum, faculty, and student outcomes against competency standards for public service.
Standing in the fieldAn accredited MPA/MPP is a recognized benchmark among public-sector and nonprofit employers and peer institutions.
Not a licenseBecause public administration is not licensed, NASPAA accreditation is never legally required.
Global networkNASPAA accredits programs internationally as well, extending the benchmark beyond the U.S.

Read It Right

Accredited vs. not

NASPAA-accredited programs meet a shared competency benchmark, which is valued in public-service hiring and further study. But many respected public-affairs programs are not NASPAA-accredited; judge unaccredited programs on faculty, placement, and reputation.

Do It Yourself

Verify a public affairs program

NASPAA accredited programs ↗CHEA directory ↗The Majors library ↗

Go Deeper

Official sources

NASPAA ↗USDE database (DAPIP) ↗CHEA directory ↗

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Who accredits public policy and administration programs? The Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA), through its Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation, which accredits MPA, MPP, and related master's degrees. It is CHEA-recognized.
Do I need an accredited MPA to work in public service? No. Public administration is not a licensed profession, so NASPAA accreditation is never legally required. It is a quality and reputation signal.
What does NASPAA accreditation signal? That a program meets shared competency standards for public service in curriculum, faculty, and student outcomes — a recognized benchmark among employers and peers.
Is a non-NASPAA MPA worse? Not necessarily. Many respected public-affairs programs are unaccredited; judge programs on faculty, placement, and reputation.
What degrees does NASPAA accredit? Master's degrees in public service — primarily the MPA and MPP, plus related public-affairs and administration degrees.
Is NASPAA recognized by the government? NASPAA is CHEA-recognized. Public-affairs accreditation is generally not a federal Title IV gatekeeper.
Does NASPAA accredit international programs? Yes. NASPAA accredits programs internationally, extending its competency benchmark beyond the United States.
How do I verify a public affairs program? Search the NASPAA accredited-programs directory for the program.