On July 14, 2024, the School of Public Administration and Policy (SPAP) at Renmin University of China (RUC) received official notice from the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) that its Master of Public Administration (MPA) program has been re-accredited at NASPAA’s highest level for seven years (2024–2031), without interim reviews.

Founded in 1970, NASPAA is the leading global accreditor for public affairs and public administration education. Its standards are a worldwide benchmark; accreditation strengthens international recognition, program visibility, student recruitment, and talent development.

Guided by the “one core, four dimensions” philosophy—quality at the core, with distinctiveness, competency strengthening, innovation, and student-centeredness—the RUC MPA program cultivates innovative, globally minded public managers. Through case-based and practice-based teaching, the curriculum develops students’ leadership and management skills; capacity to participate in and influence policy; analytical and problem-solving abilities; commitment to public service; and effective communication—preparing graduates who are locally rooted and globally engaged.

The program draws on a diverse faculty and offers 11 specializations: Government Governance and Leadership; Public Policy; Public Finance and Tax Administration; Organization and Human Resource Management; Nonprofit Management; Health Policy and Management; Regional Development and Urban Governance; Public Security and Emergency Management; Social Security; Urban–Rural Development and Spatial Governance; and Government Operations Support Management. Three additional tracks are planned: Veterans Affairs Management, Smart Public Governance, and Global Governance.

In 2023, the mission was updated to cultivate visionary, pragmatic, innovative, and dedicated leaders at global, national, and local levels—aligning with NASPAA’s commitment to serving the public interest and advancing equity. First accredited in 2017, the program formed a dedicated accreditation working group in December 2022 (leadership, self-study, documentation, and logistics teams) to complete all reaccreditation tasks to a high standard.

Vice President Feng Shizheng meets with members of the NASPAA on-site evaluation team

Members of the NASPAA on-site evaluation team meet and exchange views with faculty of the SPAP

Members of the NASPAA on-site evaluation team review on-site documentation of the MPA program

Members of the NASPAA on-site evaluation team speak with representatives of current MPA students

Between February and March 2024, the NASPAA Accreditation Working Group prepared for the on-site review. The team arranged discussions with the on-site evaluation panel; RUC Vice President Feng Shizheng; leaders from relevant departments; faculty representatives; and alumni. It also organized site visits to the university library and smart classrooms, showcasing Renmin University’s world-class facilities and institutional capacity. The panel praised the professionalism of the academic administration team, the state-of-the-art learning environment, and the caliber of current MPA students and alumni.

Looking ahead, the MPA program will leverage this reaccreditation to deepen participation in developing and implementing international standards for public-administration education; advance localized MPA accreditation benchmarks in China; expand the global influence of Chinese MPA education; and cultivate more high-level governance professionals with a global outlook. It will also help the international community better understand China’s progress in public administration and support RUC’s mission to build a world-class university with Chinese characteristics—training high-quality, interdisciplinary public managers who are rooted in China and globally engaged.