The Master of Public Administration program in NAU’s Department of Politics and International Affairs recently received accreditation for the first time in program history. The MPA program is accredited by the NASPAA Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation and listed on the Annual Roster of Accredited Programs in conformity with NASPAA standards.
Sara Rinfret, the new director of the program, said the accreditation allows NAU to elevate its commitment of excellence in public administration, policy and public service.
“We are fortunate to have dedicated faculty and staff to continue to find new approaches to advance the quality and rigor of our MPA program through the accreditation process,” Rinfret said.
Established in 1980, NAU’s MPA program offers students the ability to complete their degree online, providing flexibility for public and nonprofit professionals to advance their careers. The curriculum allows students to work for a public or nonprofit agency while completing their degree.
“Achieving NASPAA accreditation demonstrates that the NAU Master of Public Administration meets the highest academic and professional standards of the discipline, enabling us to meet our mission of serving students and public agencies in the state of Arizona and beyond,” said professor Alan Wood, who led the NAU MPA team to this first-time achievement for the program.
The university’s MPA program has enjoyed enrollment growth since 2020, with more than 100 students.