Overview
American Society for Public (ASPA) is the leading interdisciplinary public service organization that:
- Advances the art, science, teaching, and practice of public and non-profit administration.
- Promotes the value of joining and elevating the public service profession.
- Builds bridges among all who pursue public purposes at home and internationally.
- Provides networking and professional development opportunities to those committed to public service values.
- Achieves innovative solutions to the challenges of governance.
The American Society for Public Administration is the largest and most prominent professional association for public administration. It is dedicated to advancing the art, science, teaching and practice of public and non-profit administration. ASPA’s four core values are:
- Accountability and Performance
- Professionalism
- Ethics and
- Social Equity
We live out these values through a variety of resources available to members throughout the year. More information about each of these appears below and throughout the pages on this site.
Accountability and Performance
ASPA’s Center for Accountability and Performance addresses the requirement for all levels of government to move toward performance-based, results-driven management, through education, training, advocacy, technical assistance, resource sharing and research.Additionally, ASPA provides three publications for its members:
Additionally, ASPA provides three publications for its members:
PA TIMES is a quarterly magazine focusing on issues in public management and the best practices in the field of public administration. Its twice-weekly online supplement can be viewed atwww.patimes.org.
- The Bridge is ASPA’s biweekly newsletter that details the organization’s latest news and current news in the public administration community.
- Public Administration Review (PAR) is ASPA’s premier professional journal. It is a bimonthly publication that links theory and public management practice together.
Professionalism
Our value of professionalism is promoted through Chapters, through which members have an opportunity to advance their careers by becoming involved in their local public administration community.Members also gain exposure to major public service issues by joining ASPA’s topic-based
Members also gain exposure to major public service issues by joining ASPA’s topic-based Sections. These Sections focus on finance, budgeting, human resources, health and human services, ethics and more. Sections provide additional networking opportunities through conferences and other professional development activities. They also have a variety of award and scholarship opportunities.
Ethics and Integrity
ASPA promotes ethics and integrity in public service and governance worldwide. ASPA’s Code of Ethicsexhorts members to adhere to ethical principles while working in the field of public service. Through membership in ASPA’s Section on Ethics and Integrity of Governance, members can access a variety of resources including the leading ethics journal in the field, Public Integrity, and Ethics Today, an award-winning electronic newsletter.
Social Equity
Finally, ASPA promotes dialogue on social equity issues in all areas of public service including public budgeting, government hiring practices, diversity in academia and more. Additionally, each year at the Annual Conference, ASPA hosts the Gloria Hobson Nordin Social Equity Award Luncheon, where it honors a public administrator who has distinguished him or herself in achieving fairness, justice and equity in government.
