History

The M.P.A. at UND is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA). The program was first offered in 1976. Through most of our history we have offered both a local program and a distance program, always offered in a live real-time format, whether delivered by faculty traveling to the distant site, through interactive video, or, currently, through synchronous internet-assisted delivery. All of our courses are hybrid format, delivered simultaneously to local students and distance students who sign in using video, audio, and high-speed internet.

 Faculty members of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration are committed to teaching, as well as research and service. In this broad-based public administration curriculum, emphasis is placed on strengthening students’ analytical, written, and verbal skills. Students are given individual attention and professors are accessible. The faculty make every effort to get to know students, both on-campus and at a distance. In addition to teaching, faculty have active research agendas. Their research keeps them at the cutting edge of the discipline and they perform extensive service in community and professional organizations.