KDI School received accreditation again from NASPAA for its MPP, MDP and MPM programs until 2031. KDI School became the first institution in Korea to receive official accreditation from NASPAA twice for certain programs, until 2031.

NASPAA's Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation (COPRA) is a globally recognized accreditor in the field and has been ensuring excellence in public service education since 1970. During an accreditation site visit, KDI School received high praise from COPRA for its diverse student body, distinctive curriculum, global environment, and extensive support system for students. While the accreditation cycle lasts for seven years, accredited programs must submit an annual report between cycles to maintain ongoing communication with COPRA about program upkeep and enhancements.

Korea Development Institute School of Public Policy and Management joins leading institutions such as Syracuse University, Columbia University, and the University of Washington, all NASPAA accredited. It should be noted that professors, faculty members, and students all worked hard to achieve this accreditation. In this interview, I spoke with two program chairs involved in the process of securing re-accreditation, Prof. Junesoo Lee and Prof. Yu Min Joo, and a student participant in a site visit interview, Jody Youjeong Park (MDP 2022). 

Professor Junesoo Lee (Associate Professor; former MPM Chair)

“The NASPAA re-accreditation was an invaluable opportunity for several reasons. First, from an introspective perspective, the preparation process allowed us to reassess where we are and where we are supposed to go in light of our mission. Second, from an external viewpoint , I must share the NASPAA site visit team’s high praise for the sincere dedication of all KDIS family members-students, staff, and faculty and their satisfaction with our achievements. In short, the NASPAA re-accreditation was highly effective in providing both internal and external, as well as retrospective and prospective, perspectives on KDIS’s journey toward fulfilling our mission.”

Professor Yu Min Joo (Associate Professor; current MDP Chair)

“NASPAA is a globally recognized accrediting organization for public policy and administration education programs. Our MDP’s reaccreditation is particularly noteworthy because I believe it is one of the few development policy programs to receive NASPAA accreditation.” 

Professor Joo noted that she embarked on this journey together with the MPP and MPM programs, and acknowledged that Professor Junesoo Lee and Professor Sherzod Shadikhodjaev were the kind of colleagues one could only dream of working with. She further noted that it was a joy to collaborate with these two wonderful faculty members, who were immensely supportive, encouraging, and fully dedicated to achieving NASPAA re-accreditation. The work of the three program chairs was also supported by administrative staff: 

“I must also mention Mr. Gi-Sang Kim and Ms. Yeonji Kim from Academic Affairs. They were the true stars behind the entire accreditation process. We also received tremendous help from other administrative staff who actively participated during various preparation stages. Additionally, Professor Ja-Eun Shin provided valuable consultation throughout the preparation process, and we worked under the leadership of Dean Jong-Il You and Vice Dean of Academic Affairs Dong-Young Kim.”

Finally, Prof. Joo thanked the faculty members, students, and alumni who took the time to participate in the interviews during NASPAA’s site visit and deserve special mention:

“Looking back, it’s clear that our entire school came together and worked hard to achieve this re-accreditation.” 

She believes that NASPAA’s re-accreditation is a mark of distinction that reaffirms that KDIS is on the right track in providing a world-class education for students who aspire to become policymakers and global leaders in public service. Under this accreditation, the school will continuously strive to re-evaluate and improve its education programs using best practices. Students can also expect their KDIS degrees to remain highly valued within the global network of public policy and administration: “Combined with your hard work, this accreditation will help open up significant opportunities for networking and career advancement.” 

Jody Youjeong Park (MDP 2022)

Jody Youjeong Park (MDP 2022) was among the students that were interviewed during the NASPAA visit, and she had the following to say about the process:

“The interview was conducted with a group of student representatives from each program, including part-time students. About 3-4 NASPAA committee members asked us questions about KDI School’s educational quality and its diversity & inclusion policies for both faculty/staff members and students. Overall, the interview was chill, and I felt like chatting with board members of a school body to improve the school environment for a better education.”

Some of the questions they asked students were: Are professors at KDI School accessible? Do they offer students enough time slots for meetings? What are the relationships with professors like here? What do you think about the quality of the lectures? Did you encounter any difficulties with online classes? How did the school support both online and offline classes? How has KDI School promoted diversity & inclusion? Do you have any thoughts on faculty diversity, especially considering the racial homogeneity?

Reflecting on these questions and her answers, Jody says,

“I recounted my experiences with Professors Chungeun Yoon and Inbok Rhee, emphasizing how dedicated they are to helping students by keeping their office doors open. I noted that staff members are always available to ensure the best student learning experiences. Additionally, I highlighted the diverse student body at KDI School compared to other graduate schools in Korea. Regarding faculty diversity, I mentioned that KDI School is making efforts to recruit women and individuals from various nationalities to create a more inclusive faculty.” recalls.

Congratulations again KDI School. We are happy as a student community and so proud to be a part of this great institute WHERE THE DIFFERENCE BEGINS.