ABSTRACT
National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) have been accrediting programs in the United States at the master's level to prepare students for leadership positions in public affairs, policy, and administration. Accreditation involves a process of peer review meant to ensure and improve the quality of educational programs. By establishing a set of standards, accreditation agencies define the content of a professional or academic field. The standards establish the competencies to be required of professionals in the field and set thresholds of acceptability and quality for programs whose missions include helping students master them. The academic literature on the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) expected of public servants during the twenty-first century repackages existing competencies and identifies new ones. The best practices in accreditation now include the evaluation of student learning outcomes, and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and US regional accreditors require it.
