The Master of Arts in Public Policy and Management (MAPPM) in the Department of Public and International Affairs (PIA) at City University of Hong Kong has joined an international network of schools dedicated to public service education by earning accreditation from NASPAA, the global standard for public service education. The MAPPM has achieved this status by demonstrating its commitment to public service values, measuring and improving upon programmatic outcomes, and contributing to the knowledge and practice of public service. As a newly accredited member, the MAPPM is joining a community of over 200 programs that spans across the globe. It is the first and only public service degree in Hong Kong to earn this accreditation.

Accreditation from NASPAA is an indication that the MAPPM takes the quality of its educational standards seriously, and part of the accreditation process required that the MAPPM adopt a set of universal competencies into our curriculum. These competencies help guarantee that our graduates are prepared to enter the complex and rapidly diversifying field of public service. The competencies, determined by our mission and public service values, mean that our program places the following principles at the foundation of our curriculum:

• To lead and manage in the public interest
• To participate in, and contribute to, the policy process;
• To analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make evidence informed decisions in a complex and dynamic environment;
• To articulate, apply, and advance a public service perspective;
• To communicate and interact productively and in culturally responsive ways with a diverse and changing workforce and society at large

MAPPM graduates take a variety of career paths, from continuing a career in a Hong Kong Government Department or entering public service in Mainland Chinese Governments, taking on a managerial role in public, non-governmental, or private organizations, to embarking on a research career. So our program must equip students with skills that will benefit them regardless of which career path they take after graduation.

The MAPPM stands out for being the flagship Master’s degree of the Department of Public and International Affairs (PIA), a top department in public administration in Asia and the world in international research rankings. Our dedicated faculty contribute to the state-of-the art knowledge that is used in professional public affairs education and practice. The MAPPM attracts high-caliber students, primarily from Hong Kong and Mainland China. MAPPM program leader, Prof. Nick Petrovsky says, “It’s so wonderful to work with our smart and creative students and see them succeed in our program and make a positive difference afterwards!”

The MAPPM’s recent accreditation is a symbol of its constant effort towards self-improvement. NASPAA accreditation is a multi-year process, so this day has been a long time in the making. The MAPPM looks forward to the continued growth of its students and faculty in the pursuance of public service values. Learn more about the MAPPM at https://www.cityu.edu.hk/pia/page.aspx?p=MA_PPM .