What makes degrees in public administration, public policy, and public affairs unique?
This has been the most frequent and significant question in the NASPAA standards revision process. It was raised at our initial NASPAA Standards 2009 Steering Committee meeting when, as we were outlining competencies our students should obtain, one member asked how our degree is distinctive from a degree in business, health policy, and planning. The authors of the ASPA report on Educating for Excellence in the MPA call for making the MPA degree more distinct. Laurel McFarland, in her role as NASPAA executive director, wants help in defining the uniqueness of our degree as we battle for our niche in a world of competing programs. And NASPAA members express their desire for showing the world how our degrees are unique. So we have agreement on the question but what is our answer? The answer seems not to lie in the knowledge, skills, and abilities we require of our students. Requiring that our students understand the political, legal, and economic environment, understand how organizations
