The University of Vermont's Master of Public Administration Program has been awarded accreditation from the National Society of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration for the first time in its 28-year history.

Attaining national accreditation has been a long-term goal of the MPA faculty since relocating to the Community Development & Applied Economics Department in 2001 after years of moving between departments. The program has steadily grown in numbers and quality over the last decade, achieving national ranking by U.S News and World Report for the first time in 2011.

To date, 169 programs have earned NASPAA accreditation. Accredited programs "must contribute to the knowledge, research, and practice of public service, establish observable goals and outcomes, and use information about their performance to guide program improvement." They must also practice truth in advertising and ensure their students achieve learning objectives in five domains essential to public service.

Founded in 1986 by an interdisciplinary group of faculty committed to advancing UVM's capacity to serve and support the region's public and nonprofit managers, the UVM MPA Program's mission-driven emphasis on democratic governance has attracted students from around the world.