NASPAA, or the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration is the global standard in public service education and serves as our accrediting body. It currently has over 300 member programs located in the US and 14 countries around the globe. They have a twofold mission to “ensure excellence in education and training for public service and to promote the ideal of public service.”
NASPAA launched its Student Simulation Competition in 2015, which took place at seven (7) institutions across the US and one international location. This event has continued to grow and the MPA Program Office staff supports the efforts of this program. Currently, the event is hosted in an online-only format.
Please visit the NASPAA Student Simulation Competition website for more information on this year’s competition. Also if you are interested, we encourage you to take a moment to look at previous competitions, as previous winners have included a number of our own UNC MPA students!
Notes specific to UNC MPA Students:
- Each year, the UNC MPA Program will sponsor one on-campus and one online MPA student by providing application fees. One additional student may also be chosen.
- A committee reviews applications and selects the two students who will be funded.
- Students that apply to be sponsored by the program but are not selected, may self-nominate.
- Details will be communicated to students around mid-December each year and the Student Simulation Competition typically occurs late in February or early March.
If you have questions about the NASPAA Student Simulation,
please contact Elizabeth Langefeld, Director of Academic Advising and Student Life.