Mission and Accreditation
The MPA at UND is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, 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 & 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.
Mission
The mission of the MPA Program at the University of North Dakota is to develop public service values and to prepare people to enter into or advance in government and related fields.
- The MPA Program seeks to prepare its students for public service by developing and
supplementing the following:
- Skills related to critical and analytical thinking, decision-making, and communication.
- An understanding of:
- The theories and practice of public management, and the design and analysis of public policy.
- The public context in which public administrators work, including the institutions, actors, processes, functions, challenges, and responsibilities of government.
- The ability to practice effectively as an administrator in public, non-profit, or healthcare organizations.
- A recognition of, and appreciation for, the role of diversity in public service delivery.
- The MPA Program seeks to serve North Dakota by educating future State and community public service professionals and through the research activities of the Bureau of Governmental Affairs.
- The MPA Program faculty are dedicated to:
- Excellence and innovation in teaching.
- Student service and mentorship.
- Serving the community, North Dakota, and profession through teaching, service and scholarship.
- Conducting research that is relevant and accessible to both practitioners and academics, and has the potential to improve the practice of public, nonprofit, and health administration.
Through the above mission goals and objectives, the University of North Dakota's MPA Program seeks to promote an appreciation and respect for the following public service values in its students:
- Dedication to service in the public interest.
- Personal and professional ethics and integrity.
- Pursuit of quality, performance excellence, and the efficient and responsible use of resources.
- Promoting accountability by striving for transparency, accuracy, and accessibility.
- Promoting, respecting, and upholding principles consistent with the democratic process, the rule of law, and/or U.S. and state constitutions, such as equality, fairness, representativeness, and due process in protecting rights.
- Opposition to discrimination and harassment.
- The exercise of compassion and empathy in service delivery.
Accreditation
The MPA Program is accredited by NASPAA, the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (formerly known as National Association of Schools of Public Affairs, and Administration). Founded in 1970 and incorporated in 1977, NASPAA serves as a national and international resources for promotion of excellence in education and training for public service. Its institutional membership includes more than 260 U.S. and Non-U.S. university programs in public affairs, public policy, public administration, and public management.
Advisory Board
The MPA Board is charged with taking an active responsibility for the advancement of the University of North Dakota's MPA Program. The Board will help to build the program for the future through personal commitments of time. The success of this board requires members to be actively committed, influential, and willing to encourage other public leaders to support the efforts of the program.
Major Responsibilities
- Diligently attend board meetings, equipped with information on past meetings and current program and advancement activities.
- Work closely with other Board members to establish and maximize working relationships within the board and in the public service community at large.
- Commit seriously to the work of the Board as a whole and to specific strategies and initiatives for the advancement of the program.
- Share unique expertise in public service trends with the MPA Director in order to ensure the program curriculum provides the knowledge and skills necessary for future student success in the workforce.
- Promote alumni relations by engaging and building relationships with MPA alumni within the public sector of Grand Forks, North Dakota, the region and the public sector at large.
- Use professional expertise to develop learning and working relationships with MPA students in order to promote professional development outside of the classroom.
- Promote the program to outside constituents in order to raise awareness of the University of North Dakota MPA Program, as well as raise awareness of the MPA degree in general.
- Recruit and nominate new members, as needed.
- Select a Board Chairperson.