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Get accreditation

What we offer

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Types of programmes

In line with the Bologna Treaty of 1999, EAPAA recognizes different categories of public administration programmes:

First cycle bachelor level;
Second cycle graduate/master level;
Executive / mid career master level;
PhD/doctoral level.

Public administration is here used here as a generic term and includes all related topics such as public policy, public management and more specialised themes.

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Types of quality evaluation

Since programmes are different in nature, EAPAA conducts two different types of quality evaluation. Although the evaluation processes are in many ways similar, there are some differences:

Accreditation

The accreditation process places emphasis on

academic multi-disciplinarity,
internationalisation and
the research-based element of programmes.

This option is suited to academic programmes at a mature stage of development and with an international orientation.

Certification

The certification process

puts emphasis on training for the national public service and
is a lighter procedure at lower costs.

Certification can be pursued independently or as a first step towards accreditation.

More details

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Evaluation criteria

To receive the EAPAA seal of approval, programmes must show substantial conformity to the EAPAA standards. They are inspired by the accreditation criteria of the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA).

Why accreditation by EAPAA?

A mark of distinction in a competitive market for students

We evaluate public administration programmes of all types – bachelor, master, doctoral, post-intial and executive. Receiving the EAPAA seal is recognized as an international mark of distinction. It sets programmes apart in the increasingly competitive market for international students.

25+ years of experience throughout Europe: 70+ programmes

Since 1999 EAPAA has helped European public administration programmes to improve and assure their quality through accreditation. We are the only quality assurance authority in Public Administration which is active throughout Europe. EAPAA has by now accredited 70+ programmes across the continent, including most leading institutes in the field.

A quality service with high standards

Peer review by recognized experts, leading to useful feedback

For EAPAA, evaluation is more than a simple check of procedures and formalities. We work with peer review by experienced and internationally recognized senior academics from the public administration field, people who know what it is to run a public administration programme. As a result, the feedback is based on a thorough knowledge of the content and on first-hand experience. The aim is to give high-quality feedback that helps programmes reach higher levels of teaching excellence.

Accessible and affordable

EAPAA is dedicated to keeping its services accessible and affordable to the majority of programmes. It is a non-profit organisation that delivers professional services while maintaining a lean and flexible organisation.

Mission based evaluation that suits your unique programme

EAPAA’s evaluation is mission-based. The backgrounds of programmes and conditions in which they work differ vastly across and within countries. EAPAA’s procedures and criteria are in accordance with the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Higher Education. While maintaining general quality standards, evaluators always take the programme’s unique position and choices into account. There is no single model for a good public administration programme and EAPAA leaves room for programmes to develop their own specific profile.

The practicalities

The procedure

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Request

Programme makes request to be evaluated

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Eligibility check

The EAPAA Accreditation Committee decides on eligibility

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Payment

Programme pays EAPAA the required fee

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Report

Programme submits self-evaluation report

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Site visit

EAPAA Accreditation Comittee makes site vist

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Decision

Accreditation Comittee makes final decision

Frequently Asked Questions

Which evaluation type is most suitable for our programme?

Whether certification or accreditation is the best option for your program depends on factors like the maturity of the program, its national or international orientation, and the target groups and goals of the program.

We are happy to discuss this with you, feel free to contact us.

Can the EAPAA evaluation be integerated in another accreditation process?

In certain cases, it may be possible to integrate EAPAA evaluation into another accreditation process, such as national accreditation or evaluation by another international agency. This may significantly decrease the administrative burden of the process.

This integration can be realised in different ways. The most far-reaching kind is that there is one self-evaluation report produced for both agencies, which is used as the basis for a joint site visit by an integrated committee from both organisations. The conditions are

that the report offers the information necessary for the evaluation of all EAPAA criteria,
the joint site visit team complies with EAPAA criteria and (c) the evaluation report of the joint site visit team is sufficient for assessment by the EAPAA Accreditation Committee.

However, various hybrid forms are possible, as long EAPAA can make an independent assessment of the programme in question.

Since this requires thorough planning, programmes interested in integrating different procedures should signal this as early as possible.

How soon / when can evaluation take place?

Programmes can apply for accreditation at any time of the year. However, since our Accreditation Committee meets only once a year, in early September, programmes that prefer a quick decision should aim to deliver their self-evaluation report in the first months of the calendar year.

What does certification / accreditation by EAPAA cost?

EAPAA is a non-profit organisation dedicated to keeping its services accessible and affordable to the majority of programmes. Contact us to get more information on the costs.