7 Public Administration Organizations to Be Aware Of

January 3, 2022

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A public administrator gives a presentation. Public administrators are critical to transforming government policies from ideas into actionable strategy. Through their planning, organization, and coordination efforts, they can help local, state, and federal entities progress in ways that serve the best interests of a targeted community or population.

These policies often bring about change to the existing way of doing things. On the other hand, even if their goals are positive ones and may bring clear benefits, there may be resistance to fully accepting their implementation. As such, those in public administration roles must have the skill set to handle whatever challenges they may face and whatever obstacles may rise to hinder their effectiveness.

Fortunately, a variety of tools are available for Master of Public Administration students who would like to refine their leadership and administration skills. In particular, membership organizations and groups are often ideal resources for students who are looking to explore a career in the public administration field.

Public Administration Associations

Individuals can explore several public administration organizations to help improve their public administration skills. These associations, such as the ones listed below, promote empirical research and methodologies that can prepare individuals to handle the challenges and roadblocks that come when working to transition a policy from its idea stage to real-world implementation.

1. National Academy of Public Administration

The National Academy of Public Administration is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that assists government leaders in developing “more effective, efficient, accountable, and transparent organizations.” The Academy assists leaders in the executive and legislative branches with solving a variety of complex issues that require specific expertise. The Academy is well equipped to provide unique expertise through its more than 800 Fellows.

The Academy’s many programs involve connecting people with their government through technology, improving the communication of complex management and policy challenges to national leaders, and providing resources and information to those interested in pursuing a career in public administration and policy.

2. American Society for Public Administration

The American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) is the largest professional association for public administration. It is an “interdisciplinary public service organization” that promotes the art of public and nonprofit administration, connects all those who pursue public administration, and helps create innovative solutions to governmental challenges and issues.

The ASPA’s four core values are “Accountability and Performance, Professionalism, Ethics, and Social Equity.” The association encourages results-driven management through education, advocacy, training, and information sharing.

3. Alliance for Nonprofit Management

The Alliance for Nonprofit Management is the “leading national knowledge community dedicated to building the capacity of individuals, organizations, and communities working to achieve positive social change and cultural enrichment.” The Alliance uses a “Research to Practice” platform to explore the research of academics and nonprofit workers. The Alliance also disseminates information to increase the effectiveness and impact of nonprofits.

4. Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management</h3>

The Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management improves public policy by “fostering excellence in research, analysis, and education.” It presents multidisciplinary research on various policy management issues at its annual research conference. It also publishes a peer-reviewed journal that contains highly respected research on management and public policy. Additionally, it dedicates itself to “respecting and enhancing racial, ethnic, gender, disciplinary, and other forms of diversity” among those involved in the activities of the Association.

5. Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA)

NASPAA includes nearly 300 member institutions worldwide. It is the membership organization of postgraduate education programs in public affairs, public policy, nonprofit and public management, and public administration. Its members offer MPA, MPAff, MPP, and other similar public administration degrees.

NASPAA’s mission is to “ensure excellence in education and training for public service and to promote the ideal of public service.” It accomplishes this by developing the standards for master degree programs with its Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation, creating a center for the sharing of information on public affairs education, and collaborating with public administration educational programs in other countries through joint projects and conferences.

6. National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA)

NFBPA is a nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the “advancement of Black public leadership in local and state governments.” Founded in 1983, the NFBPA boasts 2,500 members and a national reputation for advancing high-quality leadership initiatives for Black public administrators in over 350 jurisdictions nationwide.

The mission of the organization is to “strengthen the position of Blacks within the field of public administration; to increase the number of Blacks appointed to executive positions in public service organizations; and to groom and prepare younger, aspiring administrators for senior public management posts in the years ahead.”

7. Public Management Research Association (PMRA)

PMRA is a “nonprofit academic membership association that furthers research on public organizations.” It originally grew from a biannual research conference on public management, and now is “the foremost gathering of public management scholars in the U.S. and around the world.” The Association also publishes the Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, and in 2018 debuted a new journal called Perspectives on Public Management and Governance.

PMRA nurtures multidisciplinary research on governance and fosters “empirical and normative inquiry” in the study of public management. It also assists in the building and testing of theories of proper, efficient governance. Using a range of methodologies, including social science, the Association actively promotes the study and understanding of public management.

Why Public Administration Matters

Ideas to better society remain no more than ideas without the efforts of public administration. The concept establishes the framework to develop ideas into policy in ways that efficiently match results with their intended purpose. When executed properly, public administration can foster trust in governments and communities large and small, which can make implementing future policies easier. Becoming involved with a public administration organization can help individuals craft these policies in a way that can develop this sense of communal trust.

Be an Agent of Positive Change

Those who take on public administration roles do more than create and develop new policies. They execute strategies that can transform communities and positively impact lives. This opportunity to be uniquely influential can make public administration a career that is as dynamic as it is satisfying.

Ohio University’s online Master of Public Administration degree program can prepare you to address public needs in effective, efficient, and imaginative ways. The program can help you shape your skillset and utilize resources impeccably so that the decisions you make can deliver the most positive impact possible.

Learn how Ohio University can guide you toward excellence in the public administration field.