NASPAA Five Core Competencies
The Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) is the accrediting body for academic institutions providing advanced degree programs in Public Administration. Students seeking to attain a graduate degree from a NASPAA-accredited institution must demonstrate proficiency in each of the five core competencies listed below.
Leading and Managing in the Public Interest
"You are not here merely to make a living. You are here to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, and with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world. You impoverish yourself if you forget this errand." -- Woodrow Wilson
Participating in and Contributing to the Public Policy Process
"Public policy is a study in imperfection. It involves imperfect people, with imperfect information, facing deeply imperfect choices so it's not surprising that they're getting imperfect results." -- Jake Sullivan, former National Security Advisor
Analyzing, Synthesizing, Thinking Critically, Solving Problems and Making Decisions
"The three parts of the theory are analytical ability, the ability to analyze things to judge, to criticize; creative, the ability to create, to invent and discover; and practical, the ability to apply and use what you know." -- Robert Sternberg, PhD.
Articulating and Applying a Public Service Perspective
"Throughout my life, I've always believed that the sole purpose of public service is to improve the lives of the people around us. From the Freeport Town Council to serving as Speaker of the State House, I've kept that sense of purpose close to my heart - consistently and passionately asking myself how we make progress." -- Sara Gideon, former Maine Speaker of the House
Communicating and Interacting with a Diverse and Changing Workforce and Society at Large
"Everybody can be great … because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love." -- Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.
