Our Commitment
The UNC MPA program recognizes the importance of preparing the next generation of public service leaders with skills and knowledge to lead in varied contexts with varied audiences.
We believe it is crucial for leaders to understand and be equipped to serve the diverse and varying needs and cultural expressions of the individuals within those communities.
Diversity means the ways in which individuals vary, including but not limited to, backgrounds, beliefs, viewpoints, abilities, cultures, and traditions that distinguish one individual from another. We seek to incorporate these principles within the Master of Public Administration curriculum and learning environment for the benefit of our students, faculty, and staff.
The UNC MPA program fosters an inclusive community where individuals from all backgrounds are welcomed, valued, and treated equally. We believe that diversity of experiences and perspectives strengthens both the academic environment and the personal growth of every student. Continuing a proud tradition, UNC MPA is committed to cultivating a learning community that encourages open, respectful, and thoughtful exchange of ideas.
One way the MPA program strives to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all students is through Affinity and Interest Groups. Affinity and Interest Groups, which are open to all, provide a space for support, learning, and the exchange of ideas for students with similar backgrounds, experiences, or interests. Affinity and Interest Groups encourage student success and wellbeing through programming and networking opportunities.
The MPA program uses a competency-based curriculum to ensure that students obtain necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to help them become effective public service leaders. All of the curricular content is rooted in academic scholarship and contemporary practice and delivered in a classroom that encourages vigorous, open, and thoughtful exchange of ideas. Students are exposed to the program’s public service values of accountability and transparency; respect and equity; efficiency and effectiveness; and professionalism and ethical behavior within this competency framework.
The UNC Master of Public Administration program is accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA), the global standard in public service education. This accreditation recognizes our dedication to high-quality instruction, continuous improvement, and accountability.
Our program is evaluated against NASPAA’s standards, including that “programs will prepare graduates to succeed in an intercultural and globalized era, where the global and local contexts are inextricably linked.”
UNC MPA faculty are deeply invested in student success. They strive to ensure that students can apply their knowledge, understanding, and problem-solving skills in unfamiliar settings and across multidisciplinary contexts, preparing them to lead and serve effectively in a dynamic public service landscape.