The Marriott School’s MPA program gets another stamp of approval after completing its reaccreditation process last year. Of the national MPA programs eligible for participation in peer review, only 54 percent have been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration. Those numbers are growing, however, because schools recognize the benefits.
“Being an accredited program helps our graduates in job placement, and it helps attract good students,” says Gary Cornia, chair of the Romney Institute.
Although the Marriott School’s MPA program has been accredited since its inception, it must renew that status about every seven years. The recent accreditation — conducted by NASPAA — is valid until 2011.
To become accredited, a program must prepare and send a self report that includes documents about curriculum, admission processes, student services, faculty qualifications, program diversity and alumni relations. That report is reviewed by a committee, which identifies any areas of concern. Finally, the committee makes a thorough on-site visit and decides whether or not to reaccredit.
“The accreditation process gives us a chance to look at what we’re doing from the outside,” Cornia says. “We know where we can make some adjustments and what we’re doing right.”
The Romney Institute of Public Management, part of the Marriott School’s Master of Public Administration program, was named in 1998 for three-term Michigan Governor George W. Romney. A part of the Brigham Young University’s Marriott School, the Romney Institute offers a master’s degree in public administration through both pre-service and executive programs. The Romney Institute has a long tradition of preparing young people for careers in public service and is dedicated to educating men and women of faith, character and professional ability who will become outstanding managers and leaders in public and not-for-profit institutions. Brigham Young University is the largest privately owned, church-sponsored university in the United States.
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Writer: Sarah Chamberlin (801) 422-1152
