European Association for Public Administration Accreditation EAPAA

Overview

The European Association for Public Administration Accreditation (EAPAA) is an autonomous organization based in the Netherlands, dedicated to enhancing the quality of public administration education across Europe. Established in 1999 by the European Group for Public Administration (EGPA) and the Network of Institutes and Schools of Public Administration in Central and Eastern Europe (NISPAcee), EAPAA aims to develop and maintain a system for the voluntary accreditation of academic public administration programs in higher education. Since its inception, EAPAA has evaluated programs in a wide variety of countries, promoting excellence in public administration education.

Historical and Legal Framework

EAPAA was founded to address the need for quality assurance in public administration education in Europe. The organization was established through a collaborative effort between EGPA and NISPAcee, reflecting a shared commitment to improving the quality of public administration programs. Over the years, EAPAA has evolved to become a recognized authority in the field, developing accreditation standards that align with European quality assurance frameworks and adapting to the diverse educational contexts across Europe.

Mission, Vision, and Objectives; Role in Higher Education

Mission: EAPAA's mission is to promote the quality of European academic-level public administration programs by developing appropriate accreditation standards and conducting evaluations through its Accreditation Committee.

Vision: To be a leading force in ensuring the quality and relevance of public administration education in Europe, contributing to the development of effective public service professionals.

Objectives:

• Develop and maintain accreditation standards for public administration programs.
• Conduct evaluations of public administration programs to assess their quality.
• Provide guidance and support to institutions seeking accreditation.
• Promote the exchange of best practices in public administration education.

In higher education, EAPAA plays a pivotal role by accrediting public administration programs, ensuring they meet rigorous quality standards and are aligned with European higher education frameworks.

Governance, Structure, and Independence

EAPAA operates as an autonomous organization consisting of three bodies:

• The Board: Determines the strategic vision of EAPAA and supervises the activities of the secretariat.
• The Secretariat: Organizes the day-to-day activities of the organization, including site visits.
• The Accreditation Committee: Fully independent from the other two bodies, it makes decisions regarding specific programs and determines the quality standards underlying those decisions.

This governance structure ensures a balanced and independent approach to accreditation, maintaining the integrity and credibility of the evaluation process.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation Role in Higher Education

EAPAA's accreditation process emphasizes academic multi-disciplinarity, internationalization, and the research-based elements of programs. The organization offers two types of quality evaluations:

• Accreditation: Focuses on mature academic programs with an international orientation, assessing their alignment with European quality assurance standards.
• Certification: Provides a less intensive evaluation for programs that may not yet meet the full criteria for accreditation but still demonstrate a commitment to quality.

These evaluations are in accordance with the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Higher Education, ensuring that accredited programs meet high-quality benchmarks.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

EAPAA actively engages in international collaborations to enhance the quality of public administration education. It is a member of several global networks, including:

• EGPA (European Group for Public Administration): A network of public administration scholars and practitioners.
• NISPAcee (Network of Institutes and Schools of Public Administration in Central and Eastern Europe): A network focused on public administration education in Central and Eastern Europe.

These memberships facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices, contributing to the continuous improvement of public administration education across Europe.

Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

Currently, EAPAA accredits over 70 public administration programs across Europe, including those at leading institutions. The organization's focus on mission-based evaluation and adherence to European quality standards ensures that accredited programs are of high quality and relevant to the needs of public administration. Looking forward, EAPAA aims to expand its reach, accrediting more programs and continuing to uphold and enhance the standards of public administration education in Europe.

Summary

The European Association for Public Administration Accreditation (EAPAA) is a key organization in the realm of public administration education in Europe. Through its rigorous accreditation processes, EAPAA ensures that public administration programs meet high-quality standards, contributing to the development of effective public service professionals. Its independent governance structure, adherence to European quality assurance frameworks, and active participation in international networks underscore its commitment to excellence in public administration education.

FAQs

• What is EAPAA?

  EAPAA is an autonomous organization dedicated to accrediting public administration programs in higher education across Europe, ensuring they meet high-quality standards.

• When was EAPAA established?

  EAPAA was founded in 1999 by the European Group for Public Administration (EGPA) and the Network of Institutes and Schools of Public Administration in Central and Eastern Europe (NISPAcee).

• What types of evaluations does EAPAA offer?

  EAPAA offers two types of evaluations: accreditation and certification, each tailored to the maturity and international orientation of the program.

• How does EAPAA ensure the quality of its evaluations?

  EAPAA's evaluations are conducted in accordance with the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Higher Education, ensuring rigorous and consistent assessments.

• What is the role of EAPAA's Accreditation Committee?

  The Accreditation Committee is fully independent and responsible for making decisions regarding specific programs and determining the quality standards underlying those decisions.

Organization Name

European Association for Public Administration Accreditation

Acronym

EAPAA

Year of Establishment

1/01/1999

Control Type

Private

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

International

Recognized by

n.a.

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

PO Box 217
Enschede
Overijssel Netherlands

Phone

+31 (53) 483 6346

Fax

+31 (53) 483 6347

n.a.

Official Social Media Channels

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X (Twitter)

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LinkedIn

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YouTube

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Instagram

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Wikipedia Article

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